Information regarding Xavier offering full in-person learning to all students/families who desire it (SF 160):
Learning Options
Based on expected feedback, an increase in students at school all day will require that we move to a full day schedule.
Families will select in-person, online or hybrid. While we will no longer be able to accommodate the current half day hybrid schedule, we plan to allow students to follow a hybrid model by full days (two days via Zoom followed by two days at school). Depending on the number of students who elect to be fully in person this may not have a significant impact on class size.
It is important to note that just as for those fully online, hybrid and online options are reserved for concerns regarding COVID. These options are not to be used for purposes of freedom for open campus.
Health and Safety
While not all classes will be able to maintain six feet of distance between students, other efforts will continue including: masks, cleaning surfaces between classes, spraying all rooms nightly, UVC air filter, and access to hand sanitizer in all areas of the school.
Currently in our hybrid schedule we have one open lunch period. Lunch periods will return as in previous years to closed lunches. Lunch periods will be increased from our historical three lunches to five. Students will continue to be required to sit at marked spots at lunch tables. We are also working to borrow additional tables and place them in the hallways outside the lunchroom.
Class Sizes
In order to help families feel informed about the size of their classes, please refer to this link for the list of teachers and class enrollment. Teachers with larger classes will be working on maximizing space or even moving to a larger space. Please allow them time to work on these adjustments over the next two weeks.
Updated Guidelines: IDPH
In collaboration with the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Xavier will be moving to follow the guidelines set forth by the Iowa Department of Public Health. This is based on the size and scope of our school, COVID tracking data from Xavier and other area schools and the recent research as shared in a Journal of American Medical Association article.
The change will ease quarantine requirements for those in close contact based on the following statement by IDPH: "quarantine is no longer recommended if a potential exposure occurs while both the infectious individual and the close contacts are wearing face coverings consistently and correctly". We will, however, continue to communicate any close contact with families and share with them the option to quarantine. Knowing we have had no student to student transmission of the virus at school, we feel using IDPH guidelines is reasonable and safe.