Skip to main content

Coronavirus Digital Headquarters

Contact our COVID-19 Response Coordinator:

Positive COVID cases reported in the last 3 weeks at LCHS 2021/2022
 
March 14th – 0 cases
March 21st – 1 case
March 28th – 1 case
As we enter the fall and winter season this is a good time to review current COVID-19 Protocols. We realize that your student may need to see a physician for common cold and allergy symptoms. When this occurs it is not unusual that your physician will order a COVID-19 test.
 
This is understandable and expected. It is important to contact Lancaster Catholic High School to update the information about COVID because now your student needs to quarantine until the results return.
 
If a student is exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 they may need to quarantine. If the student has received the vaccine for COVID-19, they may not need to quarantine, although they are to wear a mask for 10 days when inside, and it is suggested they get a COVID-19 test done in 3-5 days after exposure. And if the vaccinated student develops symptoms within those 10 days a COVID-19 test should be done.
 
If a student is unvaccinated and is exposed to a person who tested positive to COVID-19 the student will need to quarantine for 10 days from the day of their last exposure. The student has the option to be tested for COVID-19 between days 5-7 and if the test is negative they may return to school on the 7 the day if they have no symptoms.
 
Virtual, remote learning is permitted when a student is directed to quarantine. This is why it is important to let the school know when your student has been exposed or is waiting for a COVID result.
 
This is a link to the CDC website, the Diocese is following their recommendation.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
1/14/22
 
From the Lancaster Catholic Administration:
 
Here are the links to the CDC and 'Test to Stay' protocols/policies referenced in the Diocesan letter below:
 
 
Note that the revised CDC Guidelines require quarantine in the case of exposure only to unvaccinated and/or symptomatic persons. Therefore, students and staff exposed to a positive case for COVID 19, do not need to be quarantined if they are asymptomatic and have been fully vaccinated. Currently, the CDC is defining "fully vaccinated" as, "Within six months of your second dose (or two months from J&J) or boosted", effective January 18, 2022.
 
With guidance from the following letter, Lancaster Catholic will implement mask-optional protocols on January 18, 2022.
 
 
Dear Parents and Guardians in our Catholic Schools:
 
I hope the Christmas season brought peace and joy to your families! I am writing to update you on our COVID-19 protocols for our Catholic Schools and some adjustments we are making, effective January 17.
 
On December 27, the CDC published new guidelines that are informing our approach, as we strive to mitigate COVID-19 and maximize in-person learning:
 
  1. Isolation time for those who are positive for COVID-19 will now be five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of strict mask usage, without exception. If this is not possible, then the full ten-day period applies.
  2. Quarantine time for those who are unvaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 will be five days, followed by five days of strict mask usage, without exception. If this is not possible, then the full ten-day period applies. If symptoms occur, individuals must immediately quarantine until the quarantine period is completed, or a negative test indicates the symptoms do not stem from COVID-19.
  3. We will also begin to implement the CDC-approved “test-to-stay” program, when it is logistically possible for a school to do so. As of the week of January 17, schools will apply this program only for faculty and staff members. We hope to apply this program for students in the future. In this program, those unvaccinated individuals who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 may remain in school, as long as they remain symptom free, and follow the CDC-recommended regimen for testing.
We are also making the following changes:
  • Our Catholic schools are beginning the transition to mask-optional protocols. Schools will implement mask-optional protocols as early as January 17, but no later than January 31. All Catholic schools will follow mask-optional protocols as of January 31. The actual date on which the implementation begins is left to the school’s discretion.
  • However, face masks will be required in certain situations, including:
  • The requirements for masks in the new protocols, above;
  • When, at the discretion of the Principal in consultation with the Secretary for Education, there are multiple Covid cases in a particular classroom or grade level, and masking could help maintain in-person learning;
  • When 4% of the building is positive for COVID-19 (based on new cases in the previous week). In that case, the building will mask for one week, and we will re-evaluate in one-week increments. For smaller schools (less than 200 students), eight new cases will be needed to require masking for the whole school.
  • Based on the data and circumstances of the situation, the school Principal, in consultation with the Secretary for Education, may elect to switch an individual classroom or the entire school to virtual learning, when we believe that is in the best interests of the health and safety of all involved. We are committed to keeping virtual learning to a minimum, and to prioritizing in–person instruction.
 
While consistency is difficult to achieve in Covid times, we have been striving for consistency with masking protocols: As the Church teaches us that parents are the primary educators of their children, we started this school year with a mask-optional approach. When the state’s mask mandate was issued, we complied, as we have with previous mandates. As the mandate was overturned, we provided a period of time for transition and preparation for mask-optional protocols. Now, it is time to return to our original intent to allow parents to make the decision on masking for their children.
 
My office will provide support and information to schools as we adopt these protocols, and our schools will be in touch with more information.
 
We will continue to review and revise our protocols, as needed, based on the data we collect, as COVID-19 situations change rapidly. I thank you for your support for our Catholic schools.
 
God bless you and your family.
Blessings,
 
Mr. Daniel Breen
Secretary for Education
Superintendent for Catholic Schools