JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bishop Kenny High School, a private Catholic high school in Jacksonville, plans to require all students and teachers to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible, according to a plan released by the school Friday.
The school was one of a handful of local private schools that are fine-tuning plans to prepare for a return to school later this year.
At BK, students can take masks off when they’re sitting in their desks and spaced apart and teachers can remove masks if they’re in front of the classroom at least six feet from students. Campus guests and students who ride the bus must also wear masks, according to the plan. Students must wear a solid color or disposable face masks while on campus.
“Understanding that there is inherent risk in returning from social distancing while in a pandemic, we understand that we are part of a societal decision that accepts balancing COVID-19 risk against the need for life to continue,” Principal Todd Orlando wrote in an email to families.
In accordance with the Diocese of Saint Augustine plan, all schools will open beginning on August 10.
Teachers will be trained to identify symptoms and a school nurse will check temperature and screen any student or staff showing signs of illness. Those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and higher will be isolated and sent home.
Students who have to quartine will be offered distance learning.
If anyone with a student or someone in their household that has an underlying medical condition that would prevent the student from returning to campus in August, they are asked to contact the Office of School Counseling beginning the week of July 20 but no later than Monday, July 27.
To read the entire 19-page Bishop Kenny plan, go here.
The Bolles School, another large private school in Jacksonville, said Monday it is working on a reopening plan and hopes to release it sometime this week.
Episcopal School of Jacksonville sent out an updated version of its reopening plan on Wednesday.
The school said the issue of mandating masks for students hasn’t been settled but faculty and staff will be required to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. The school day at all three campuses will begin with a Health Check which will include taking temperature and checking for COVID symptoms. This includes all students, faculty and staff.
The changes also apply to Beaches Episcopal and St. Marks Episcopal.
The school said due to evolving medical and governmental guidance, it will continue to update its reopening plan each week until the start of school on Aug. 11.
Providence’s plan posted on its website hasn’t been updated since June 22.
News4Jax was told there will be a board meeting Tuesday at 3 p.m. to discuss the reopening, but it’s unclear when the plan will be released.
Eagles View Academy said it has a plan put together, but it may change before school starts.
We left a message with the school hoping to get more information.
Christ’s Church Academy said in a statement that social distancing will be enforced and masks for students and teachers will be encouraged. It said it will be limiting campus guests and on-campus activities. Parents and guardians will be asked to monitor their student’s temperature daily before arriving on campus. Classroom desks will be placed in a way to maximize social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the campus.