BRIDGEPORT—In this video released today to parents and members of the Catholic school community throughout the diocese, Superintendent Dr. Steven Cheeseman offers an update on the accomplishments of the past year and a glimpse into what will hopefully be a normal re-opening for the Fall.
He thanks teachers for their “herculean feat” in keeping the schools open during a very difficult time, and donors for their extraordinary generosity in helping to make that possible.
Dr. Cheeseman also has high praise for teachers and administrators and all those who contributed to a successful school year.
“While many surrounding schools left their families feeling let down, you showed up and you met the challenge,” he said… “All of you – teachers, parents, students, administrators and benefactors – worked together and as a result our Catholic schools were open all year with minimal disruption. Our ability to deliver in person learning along with the supports provided to students who had to learn remotely helped lead to demonstrated academic growth in our students. While many surrounding schools – and schools throughout the nation- lament huge learning losses, our benchmark data shows that, for the most part, our students made academic gains and showed appropriate grade level growth. While we didn’t have the same high level of growth our schools usually have, the fact that we still had growth with all the interruptions of the past year and half is, to me, pretty amazing.”
Following is the complete transcript of Dr. Cheeseman’s talk:
Good evening everyone. As the school year winds down, we breathe a sigh of relief that we have made it through what has certainly been a year like no other and As I reflect on this past year, I am overcome with a tremendous sense of gratitude.
Let me begin by expressing my thanks to our parents and families. Thank you for putting your faith in our Catholic schools and for all your flexibility and understanding as each school navigated the sometimes choppy waters of the past year and a half.
Thank you to our students for your cooperation with covid protocols, your willingness to go with the flow, and for the optimism and positive energy that you displayed as you mastered new learning models and, often, the disappointments of missing traditional events.
I am especially grateful to the administrators and teachers. You pulled off a herculean feat to allow our students to experience in person classes this year. While many surrounding schools left their families feeling let down, you showed up and you met the challenge. There is no greater evidence of the love you have for your students and no greater example of your mission-minded focus. I can only imagine how difficult this year was for you – balancing in person, online, and “zoomed in” students. Completely virtual was hard enough, but I have been to a few meetings where half the group was in person and the other half was on zoom and each time I left those meetings in awe of your ability to balance the two.
I also want to thank the many benefactors who supported our schools this year: Through your support we were able to make chrome books available to schools and to the students who needed them, we were able to provide over 1 million dollars in additional financial assistance, we were able to provide counseling services for students and a telehealth program to support parents and faculty.
All of you – teachers, parents, students, administrators and benefactors – worked together and as a result our Catholic schools were open all year with minimal disruption. Our ability to deliver in person learning along with the supports provided to students who had to learn remotely helped lead to demonstrated academic growth in our students. While many surrounding schools – and schools throughout the nation- lament huge learning losses, our benchmark data shows that, for the most part, our students made academic gains and showed appropriate grade level growth. While we didn’t have the same high level of growth our schools usually have, the fact that we still had growth with all the interruptions of the past year and half is, to me, pretty amazing.
Your hard work is also paying off in enrollment growth. At this moment, we more students registered in Catholic schools for next year than we have attending this year. And while I am guarding my optimism, I am hopeful that for the first time in a very long time we will actually have an overall increase in Catholic school enrollment for next year.
Speaking of next year, I know many of you are asking, “what the fall will look like?” While we will continue to monitor the levels of transmission and the impact it is having on our communities, I am comfortable saying that we will have a near normal looking start to the year and we will be able to reduce the need for social distancing and that we will lift the mask mandate for the fall. It is still recommended that children have masks indoors when in close contact, but it will be optional. Additionally, unless we are forced by government action, we will not mandate the vaccine for students. Although we had hoped to have some additional guidance by the CDC or the state by now, we have decided to not wait and to make a decision based on the facts available to us today. The facts that influenced our decision include:
- The significant reduction in the number of cases and levels of virus transmission along with the expectation that this trend will continue
- The fact that many studies – including those published or cited by the American association of pediatrics-indicate that children have significantly decreased susceptibility and infectivity rates compared to adults
- The fact that we have a near 90% rate of vaccination among teachers and staff in our schools diocesan wide
Of course, we announce these decisions today with the caveat that if the level of transmitted cases rises significantly over the summer we may have to reconsider some or all of them. Let’s pray that does not happen.
I am personally so excited for all the possibilities next year will bring for our schools and our students as we emerge from this pandemic stronger than we were before and, at least for myself, more appreciative of the gifts we have been given and for the commitment of the people who make up our Catholic school community.
I pray you all have a joy-filled summer of fun, relaxation and laughter. May God bless you and may Our Lady continue to shower Her blessings on our Catholic school community.
