Beginning this upcoming academic year, the wearing of masks in archdiocesan schools will be optional and at the discretion of each individual family.
Additionally, the Archdiocese of St. Louis strongly encourages all eligible individuals in its school communities to receive the vaccine in order to protect themselves and those around them from the virus.
The archdiocese urges all school families, students, leadership, faculties and staffs to be thoughtful of their own health — and that of their community — in all of their decisions, especially regarding the wearing of masks and monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.
After reviewing the CDC’s recent update to its guidance for schools, the archdiocese announced the update July 13 regarding COVID-19 guidelines for archdiocesan schools to assist school families, students, leadership, faculties and staffs as they prepare for the 2021-22 academic year.
A media release from the archdiocese on July 13 stated that “following a successful year of in-person learning — during which families were held accountable in monitoring for and communicating COVID-19 symptoms with school administrations — we are asking families to take on even more accountability in creating the safest possible environment for their school communities this upcoming year.”
Throughout the school year, each educational institution will follow its own Infectious Disease Protocols, which may include temporary closure and/or mask requirements as needed, depending on local health guidelines related to situations that arise in individual schools or communities.
“The overall health and well-being of all in the Archdiocese of St. Louis continues to be of highest priority to Archbishop (Mitchell) Rozanski and the archdiocese,” the news release explained. “We will continue to closely monitor developments regarding COVID-19 guidance from the CDC as well as local health and government officials.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is reserving the right to make changes to its COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-22 school year as new information becomes available.
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are rich in history. The 100 elementary schools and 25 high schools, enrolling more than 30,000 students within an 11-county area, are committed to excellence and to educating the whole child while honoring each young person’s God-given gifts. Students are challenged to succeed — academically, athletically, artistically — while becoming grounded, faith-filled individuals committed to service and justice.