Masks will be optional, for now, at Norwalk Catholic and St. Paul

NORWALK — The beginning of the school year is fast approaching. Much work is being completed in order to be prepared for the start of school. "As a school community, we are excited for the year ahead," Norwalk Catholic School Martin Linder said. The following are COVID Protocols "As we plan and look forward to the upcoming school year, it is important to reflect on the success of last school year," Linder said. "Norwalk Catholic was open for five-day-a-week instruction during a very restrictive time due to COVID safety. As a school community, we learned a lot about how to safely operate school through COVID. These lessons have positively impacted our decision making for the coming school year." Masks currently are optional this year. "Those eligible and able to receive the COVID vaccine are encouraged to do so after thoughtful research," Linder said. "The COVID vaccine is not required nor is documentation necessary, unless needed for potential quarantining. The vaccine has been found to be morally acceptable by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and our local physicians have endorsed the vaccine as seen in the letter in the St. Paul Catholic Church bulletin on Aug. 8, 2021. "Norwalk Catholic recognizes both masks and vaccines are the decision of an individual and each family. Norwalk Catholic will respect each person's decision as the guidance and requirements from the Diocese of Toledo permits and will also ensure that all in our Flyer Family respect those that may come to a conclusion that differs from their own on these issues. Covid-19 Guidelines for the 2021-2022 School Year Lunch and Breakfast The new Fr. Tony Borgia kitchen is on track to be open for the beginning of this coming school year. As the cafeteria staff become trained and familiar with the new space, the old favorite hot lunches will make a big comeback this year. As part of the government program for school lunch and breakfast, all Norwalk Catholic students are eligible to receive school breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2021-2022 school year. Although all students will receive meals at no charge — in order to qualify for student fee waivers and any possible future P-EBT cards, families must fill out a new free/reduced application for the 2021-2022 school year. "Norwalk Catholic also uses our free/reduced percentages in many other educational programs and grants," Linder said. "All qualifying families help to create revenue for our school through federal government programs such as Title I and COVID relief programs. Please submit your family applications as soon as possible. Only one application per family is needed. Use the link below to complete the application online. If you have any questions please reach out to our business manager, Mr. Mike McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@ncsmail.org." Updated daily menu items for August and September can be found on the NCS website under the Dining tab. Menus are subject to change. The free meal waiver is for one full breakfast and one full lunch per student. All ala carte items will be charged extra. Online Free and Reduced Lunch ApplicationHandbooks This summer handbooks have been reformatted so that the common policies and procedures are at the beginning of each handbook. Everybody should have received their handbooks electronically this summer. The building-specific section of each handbook is labeled Appendix B. This is a step in bringing a consistent approach to sharing information across all buildings in Norwalk Catholic. The next section of this email will outline the electronic signature needed for the hanbooks. If you have any questions on the handbooks, reach out to the appropriate building leader. Early Childhood — Gail Reynolds, greynolds@ncsmail.org Elementary — Melissa Englert, menglert@ncsmail.org St. Paul High School — Randy Rair, Ph. D, rrair@ncsmail.orgTechnology Norwalk Catholic continues to improve in providing information and forms electronically. As part of this effort, the Google Chromebook agreement and student handbook acknowledgement will be signed electronically. Each of the forms must be filled out for each student. When the form is submitted it will ask if you wish to complete another form. Clicking on it will take you to the top of a new blank form to complete. Student Handbook Acceptance FormTechnology Agreement Form If you have questions regarding these forms, reach out to Ron Forrest atrforrest@ncsmail.org Flyer Clubhouse "The Flyer Clubhouse is our before- and after-school care program for Preschool through sixth grade," Linder said. "The Flyer Clubhouse is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some of the notable updates include a new fee structure for those that would like to pay for the entire year. This option includes a discount. Another improvement is the Flyer Clubhouse will be open during snow days as long as the county is not in a level three snow emergency. "The excitement of the new school year can be felt through our entire community," Linder said. "The tenets of joy, kindness and self-control call us, as disciples of Christ, to look out for each other and work together. Flexibility and collaboration continue to be part of what makes our school family great."