Bishop: Mask, Vaccinations Optional for Catholic Community School Students

(KNSI) – St. Cloud Catholic Community Schools won’t require students or staff to be vaccinated or wear a mask in its buildings.

A letter from Bishop Donald Kettler of the Diocese of St. Cloud stated schools would provide in-person instruction, activities, and programming for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Bishop says COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended but not required for students and staff. Face masks will be optional for students and staff in school. Face masks will be required on school buses or other school transportation due to federal mandates.

CCS will work with parents and schools to screen students for signs and symptoms of illness and keep kids home when sick.

Schools will be required to report all known cases of COVID-19 to the Minnesota Department of Health. Parents will be informed if their child has been in close contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19. Appropriate quarantine measures will be used for students who test positive for COVID.

CCS stated that local conditions and needs might call for schools to enact new policies or change the current learning model. The school system will work with local health officials to make those decisions.

CCS System is made up of a Cathedral High School, Cathedral Middle School, All Saints Academy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Katharine Drexel School, St. Mary’s Help of Christians School, and St. Wendelin Catholic School.

Bishop Kettler letter to Catholic school parents August 2021___