6/16/20
 
Dear Catholic School Community, 
 
Nearly three months ago, we embarked on a journey no one could have anticipated.  Throughout this journey, students, parents, teachers and administrators worked diligently to continue learning.  I greatly appreciate your personal, as well as the collective display of perseverance and commitment to education during the closure.  We learned new content and so much more.  We discovered the pros and cons to virtual learning.  We experimented with new educational platforms.  We found new ways to connect and unique ways to celebrate and recognize our graduates.  We will continue to learn as we plan for the 2020-21 school year.  As we look to the future, please consider the following.       
 

• The school principals and I are praying, hoping and are preparing for a return to traditional (face-to-face, 5 days per week) instruction in the fall.  Barring any changes to state law and/or executive orders, our schools will operate (respective to daily schedules), largely as they did prior to March 13, 2020.  The diocese has schools across mid-Michigan and it is possible that school operations will vary based on local conditions and/or regulations.   

 

• If we are not able to return to traditional instruction, or if we experience a disruption during the school year, we will have a plan in place that will allow for a more effective and smooth transition. Parent and student feedback, as well as information shared by teachers, has been and will continue to be an important part of our review and planning.  We are also exploring options for families who may prefer an online platform. 

 

• The Diocese of Saginaw Back to School Task Force has begun its work.  Every Catholic school is represented on the task force.  A list of all participants has been included with this letter.  I deeply appreciate the commitment of the task force members and look forward to working with them over the coming weeks.  Our work will be guided by two primary questions:  (1) What are the barriers, challenges and issues our schools (and by association, our parishes) will face in an effort to return to school in the fall? (2) How can we best mitigate these barriers, challenges and issues?  Throughout this process, we may be asking for your feedback.  I look forward to sharing updates with you as we move forward.    

 

• On the state level, I have continued to work with the Michigan Department of Education suburban work group to support the goal of returning the school in the fall.  We are currently preparing our recommendations for Dr. Rice, state superintendent.  Dr. Rice will share our work with the COVID-19 task force as well as the Return to Learn Council established by the governor.  I have also been in regular contact with a colleague who is serving on the rural work group.    

 
I am confident that each of our schools are taking appropriate actions to create a healthy and safe environment for our students, staff, faculty and guests.  If it were possible to make a definitive statement as to what school will look like in the fall, I would gladly do so.  Unfortunately, this is simply not feasible at this time, nor would it be appropriate to do so.  The coming two months will bring many different predictions related to school in the fall.  I caution you to avoid getting too excited or too pessimistic based on such projections.  Just as we learned so much during the closure, we will gain significant insight over the summer months that will guide our decision-making process.   
 
I will continue to work with our principals to keep you informed with relevant and accurate information as we move forward.  Thank you for choosing a Catholic education for your child.  You have entrusted us with your most precious gift, your child.  This is not a responsibility we take lightly.  We remained committed to providing a Catholic education in a safe and healthy environment. 
 
Respectfully,

Cormac Lynn
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
clynn@dioceseofsaginaw.org
989-860-6567

(View PDF version with Task Force Roster Included)