One private school is reopening – with faith and vision in their toolbox

While public schools have been submitting their plans detailing full return to school, to hybrid, to virtual, the private schools have been humming along.

We stopped to view Bishop Hendricken’s Back To School plan, which incorporates primarily back to school in-school, but also addresses other options and provisions for dealing with outbreaks or high risk times.

The plan has been presented to faculty, students and family, and as of August 14th a dynamic website has been put in place, prepared to take updates on the fly as science and circumstance changes.

They say in their plan: “Over the past few months, our lives have been flipped upside down. Our goal is to provide as much normalcy to our students, faculty, and staff as safely possible. In working on our reopening plans, a return to as much of the Bishop Hendricken experience as possible under the circumstances is a critical factor for all of us.”

Currently, first day of classes will start on Monday, September 14th, with a 2-week orientation program beginning on August 31st with one half-day per week for each grade level. Opening full, in-person reopening (with modifications) as the goal, hope and intention. Three strategic committees continue working on updating and tweaking plans.

Hendricken says, “We’re fortunate that we already have solid infrastructure in place for our school building, only requiring minor enhancements. We’ve changed out all air filters in our HVAC system, as well as installed air purifiers in rooms without windows and smaller spaces. Additionally, classroom doors and windows will be open to aid ventilation. All spaces have been vetted by our Campus Reopening Committee in compliance with public health guidance.”

We asked about screening and testing: “There will be no testing on-site. As our plan currently stands for any in-person scenario, students, faculty, and staff will be screened each morning with the Reopening RI COVID-19 Screening Tool, and temperatures taken. All are being asked to screen themselves at home, too. Students who have any symptoms at screening, or develop them throughout the day, will be sent to isolation and parents will need to pick-up students within the hour. Families will be advised to contact their PCP and schedule a COVID test as deemed necessary by the physician. They cannot return to campus until test results are available and negative, or advised by a medical/health professional.”

Bishop Hendricken has 723 young men in grades 8-12 with 86 faculty, located on a suburban campus with spacious 34 acres. They offer 5 college-prep levels with over 100 courses, and an 8th grade program, and programs for boys with intellectual and development disabilities. With 23 Honors and
16 Advanced Placement classes, they have 48 clubs and organizations.

Their sports consist of 15 Varsity sports in the RIIL, 2 Unified Sports in the RIIL, 3 club sports, and 7 intramural sports.

What do the students and parents want?

They surveyed parents and students and here are the results:

Counseling for Students

School Counseling services will be available to all students as needed. School counselors will be available daily by email and appointments can be made for teleconferences. School Social Worker will be available for all students as needed. She can be reached via email; and appointments can be made for teleconferences.

Transportation – Athletics – Extracurricular

With 24 students allowed per standard bus, transportation is still a question, with parental driving-in encouraged. Extracurricular activities, social activities, are for the most part, set aside at least for the beginning of school, while awaiting direction from the state. While individual athletic training is encouraged, sports and sporting activities are also on a wait and see model.

Full Details on Three Models & Addition of One are included in a complete, designed, professionally presented plan. You can review this plan, here:

As school administrators, parents, teachers, and even students plan their year ahead, perhaps Hendricken’s well thought out plan will assist others.

About Bishop Hendricken High School

Bishop Hendricken High School was named after the first Bishop of Providence, The Most Reverend Thomas F. Hendricken, and founded in 1959. As we approach our 60th year, we look back with profound gratitude on all of the blessings that God has bestowed on this journey. From its earliest days until now, Bishop Hendricken High School has maintained its reputation as one of the finest Catholic, college preparatory high school in New England. Our mission is to prepare young men to enter the world as faithful members of the community making a difference by their faith and their virtuous lives. Each day, the classrooms of this high school resonate with excellence as our students are challenged to excel, and our many activities, from our spiritual programs, to our athletic and fine arts programs, to our community service, continue to achieve success and help to develop our Hendricken men in their relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.