INTRODUCTION PG. 4 • Calendars

• Overview

• Purpose

ON-CAMPUS & PG. 7

VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION

PLAN • 2020-2021 Requirements for Instruction

HEALTH & SAFETY PG. 9 • Temperature Checks

• Visitors

• Face Coverings

• Hand Sanitizing & Washing

• Cleaning & Disinfecting

• Entering the Church

• Facilities

• Screening & Isolation

• Confirmed/Suspected COVID Case

• Emergency Response

RETURNING TO SCHOOL PG. 14 • Students well being

• Arrival & Dismissal

• Mass

• Field Trips

• Class Supplies

• Classroom Configuration

RESOURCES PG. 17 • Point of Contact

• Website & Social Media

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR 2020-2021

2ND YEAR: FIRST COMMUNION

On Campus/En el campus

Online/En línea

July/Julio: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

August/Augusto: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

December/Diciembre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

March/Marzo: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

June/Junio: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

September/Septiembre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

October/Octubre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

November/Noviembre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

January/Enero: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

February/Febrero: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28

April/Abril: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

May/Mayo: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

5

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR 2020-2021

CONFIRMATION YEAR II & III

On Campus/En el campus

Online/En línea

July/Julio: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

August/Augusto: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

December/Diciembre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

March/Marzo: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

June/Junio: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

September/Septiembre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

October/Octubre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

November/Noviembre: 20

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

January/Enero: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

February/Febrero: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28

April/Abril: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

May/Mayo: 21

Su M Tu W Th F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

6

The celebration of sacraments draws us more deeply into God’s power and love that lives within each

of us and the Church. Having first experienced the Spirit of God through Baptism, we are drawn into a

deeper, more intimate relationship with God the Father through a continuing unfolding of the gifts of

the Spirit which gives us strength to boldly witness for Christ.

The purpose of this document is to communicate our plan for sacramental preparation for First

Communion & Confirmation at Santa Cruz in light of COVID.

Please know this document is a working plan that is still in progress as we and the Diocese of

Austin (Diocese) will continue to review our policies and procedures.

To date, the guidance provided are in the following areas:

• On-Campus and Virtual Instruction;

• Administrative activities by volunteers, students or staff that occur on

school campuses or virtually;

• Any other activities that volunteers, staff or students must complete that

cannot be accomplished virtually; and

• Visits by parents and the general public.

Requirements comprehensive guidelines for a safe return to in-person instruction for the 2020-2021

school year states: “There will almost certainly be situations that necessitate temporary school

closure due to positive COVID-19 cases in schools. Parents, educators and school administrators

should be prepared for this in the event that it occurs, while actively working to prevent it through

prevention and mitigation practices.”

• Alerts and Notifications: Santa Cruz Religious Education (RE) has a standard response in place in

the event of a confirmed COVID-19 among volunteers, students or staff at Santa Cruz. In the event

your student’s campus is impacted, parents and staff at the impacted campus will receive notification

via email with an update on the day the COVID-19 case is reported.

• Intermittent On-Campus to Home: Should there be a need to temporarily close a class or

campus due to COVID-19, volunteers will offer instruction via distance learning, pending the

return to campus. Home Internet and device access are required for virtual learning. Also,

extracurricular and student programs will be temporarily unavailable during a campus closure. This

information will also be sent to parents and staff via email.

OVERVIEW

PURPOSE

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

7

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - PPE

Face Masks or shield: Will be provided by the family. A limited supply will be available for those

that forgot or misplaced during the event. Employees, volunteers, adults, youth, and children are

to wear face mask or shield when participating in a Parish activity, program, or event unless a

medical condition prevents it, or the individual is 2- years of age. Children over 2 are encouraged

to wear a face mask.

DEFINITIONS

COVID-19 Symptoms:

In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the following question and

list, as published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be considered:

Has a student or staff member recently begun experiencing any of the following symptoms in a way

that is not normal for them?

• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0° Fahrenheit

• Loss of taste or smell

• Cough

• Difficulty breathing

• Shortness of breath

• Headache

• Chills

• Sore throat

• Shaking or exaggerated shivering

• Significant muscle pain or ache

• Diarrhea

Close Contact:

This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-

19. Close contact is determined by an appropriate public health agency. For clarity, close contact is

defined as:

• being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on while not wearing a mask

or face shield); or

• being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes, while not wearing a mask or face

shield;

if either occurred at any time in the last 14 days at the same time the infected individual was

infectious.

Individuals are presumed infectious at least two days prior to symptom onset or, in the case of

asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, two (2) days prior to the

confirming lab test.

8

ON-CAMPUS AND VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PLAN

For the 2020-2021 school year, RE will provide a weekend On-Campus Instruction and Virtual

Instruction plan for students in their 2nd year of sacramental preparation. Below is an overview of the

similarities and differences between the two plans.

TWO MODES OF SACRAMENTAL FORMATION

Traditional Setting – In-Person: A minimum of seven classes are required for Sacramental Preparation.

In-Person will include instruction and prayer. Those who utilize this avenue will be exempt from a final

written evaluation.

Non-Traditional Setting - Online: A minimum of seven classes are required to log into Sacramental

Preparation. Students will participate via live-stream in the same instruction and prayer as student’s in-

person. They will be required to complete a series of five questions following each class to measure

attention and comprehension.

2020-2021

Requirements

2nd Year

1ST COMMUNION

CONFIRMATION YEAR II & III

First Day of

Instruction

The first day of RE Virtual Instruction is Sunday, September 27, 2020.

Online Students will learn from a virtual

location.

Download on your device: Flipgrid

or online at www.flipgrid.com

Logon: Students First & Last

Initials and 2 digit birth month

Example: BM08

Class lessons will be posted no

later than Sunday morning.

Class Time: 6:30-7:30PM

Students will learn from a virtual

location.

Download on your device: Flipgrid

or online at www.flipgrid.com

Logon: Students First & Last Initials

and 2 digit birth month

Example: BM08

Class lessons will be posted no

later than Sunday morning.

Class Time: 6:30-7:30PM

Zoom Meetings Will be for the First Communion

Candidates and at least 1 Parent.

Dates: 10/04, 11/01, 12/06, 01/10,

02/07, 03/07, 04/11

Links will be sent though out year.

On Campus

Super Sunday’s

First Communion Candidates & at

least 1 Parent will be on campus in the

Church once a month. No functions will

occur in the school building.

Confirmation Candidate will be on

campus in the Church once a month. No

functions will occur in the school

building.

9

Dates:10/4, 11/1, 12/6, 01/10, 02/07,

03/07

Time: 5PM Mass followed by class from

6:30-7:30PM

Dates:10/11, 11/08, 12/13, 01/10, 02/14,

03/14

Time: 5PM Mass followed by class from

6:30-7:30PM

Content The same lessons, activities, and tests will be utilized for On-Campus and

Virtual Instruction. Virtual Instruction will include video-based lesson

delivery, virtual activities, online assignments and assessments, etc.

Schedule Students are expected to be present on-

line the days that are scheduled.

Students will follow the required on

campus schedule.

Students should be participating in-

person Mass

Students are expected to be present on-

line the days that are scheduled.

Students will follow the required on

campus schedule.

Students should be participating in-

person Mass

Online

Attendance

Students will log on

Students must log on five minutes before class starts.

Students must log on with their video showing on Zoom. Failure to do so will

get you kicked out of the meeting.

Two minutes before the class starts the Zoom Meeting will be closed and no

one will be allowed to enter into the meeting.

Video must remain on the entire meeting. It is recommended that students

remain mute and utilize the chat feature to respond or ask questions.

After the closing prayer, a google survey will be posted to the chat of the zoom.

All students online will answer three simple questions. They should submit the

survey by an hour after the conclusion of class.

The students video camera on and successful completion of the assessment

constitutes attendance.

This also goes to those that are watching online during Super Sunday’s.

Parent/Guardian

Role

Parents as you are the primary catechist for your child(ren). We will need

your help with both virtual and in-person participation.

• Keeping the parish informed of any changes in telephone numbers, email

addresses or physical addresses;

• Looking at the schedule of when your child(ren) will need to be present for on

Campus instruction and online.

In addition to the responsibilities listed for parents of On-Campus students,

Virtual Instruction parents are expected to assist in the following:

• Ensuring that your student completes posted activities in Flipgid; and

• Responding to teacher communication by phone, email and/or video

conference during prescribed times.

10

Required

Documents

Baptized:

Baptismal Certificate

Not Baptized:

Birth Certificate

Baptized:

Baptismal Certificate

First Communion Certificate

Not Baptized:

Birth Certificate

Confirmation Documents:

DUE: OCTOBER 30TH

Saint Form

https://santacruzcc.org/saint-form

Sponsor Covenant Form

https://santacruzcc.org/sponsor-form or

https://santacruzcc.org/convenio

Letter to the Pastor

https://santacruzcc.org/letter

A Confirmation Interview:

Dates will be sent out in the Spring

11

HEALTH AND SAFETY

VISITORS Access to Santa Cruz campuses will be limited to visitors and volunteers essential to

RE operations and mission viability.

• Visitors and volunteers on campus will be by appointment, invitation only or

scheduled hours.

• Visitors will not be allowed to walk students into the church upon arrival until

further notice.

• All visitors will be required to enter through the main entrance and pass the safety

screening prior to entry.

• All visitors on campus will be required to wear a mask and maintain social

distancing.

FACE COVERINGS In prioritizing our volunteers, students and staffs health and safety to minimize the

spread of COVID-19 and in compliance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Order

(July 6), use of face masks for anyone over the age of 10 is required.

Facemask or shield will be provided by the family. A limited supply will be

available for those that forgot or misplaced during the event. Employees,

volunteers, adults, youth, and children are to wear face masks when participating

in a Parish activity, program, or event unless a medical condition prevents it, or

the individual is 2-10 years of age. Children over 2 are encouraged to wear a face

mask. (ex: transitions, restroom use, etc.) When social distancing may not be

possible. In the church, mask requirements will be used at times.

To mitigate the spread of the virus, face coverings will be required for volunteers, students and

staff during arrival and departure, as well as in all common areas throughout the event (passing

periods, restroom use, etc.). Face covering will not be required when outside, unless students will

be in close contact. Santa Cruz will continue to rely on guidance regarding face coverings from the

Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), Hay’s County Health Department and the

Center for Disease Control (CDC) along with Executive Orders from Governor Greg Abbott and

local city and county officials.

12

TEMPERATURE CHECKS

Temperature checks will need to be taken prior to volunteers, students and staff

entering the campus. If you aren’t feeling well please stay home.

HAND SANITIZING AND WASHING • Santa Cruz will have hand sanitizer and/or hand washing stations with soap and water

at entrance of the church.

• Santa Cruz will encourage all students to engage in hand sanitation upon

entering and leaving the church.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

General Procedures

Santa Cruz will ensure all ventilation systems are working properly and increase

circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, if this does not pose a safety threat

to students, volunteers, or staff.

All Santa Cruz buildings were deep cleaned during the summer months, prior to

RE opening each year in August. Additional deep cleaning is done during holiday

breaks as a general operational procedure. This plan will be intensified as

described below.

Daily Campus and Building Cleaning

The church will be disinfected daily and between each Mass. Restrooms will be

cleaned multiple times throughout the day. All high, frequent touch areas will be

disinfected daily. Staff will have access to disinfectant cleaner to sanitize working

surfaces and shared objects after each use and during breaks in instruction.

Additional Cleaning Measures for COVID-19 Positive Cases on Campus If a

classroom, campus or building is closed due to COVID-19, a specific room

evaluation and cleaning protocol will implemented.

16

MAY I ENTER THE CHURCH?

As we return to on campus, it will be important for each parent, student, volunteer, and staff

member to carefully assess whether they can safely return to campus. Santa Cruz will receive

guidance for from the Hay’s County Health Department, CDC, and Governor’ Executive Orders.

If you are not feeling well please stay home. Please utilize our online platform for your class.

RE-OPENING O F FACILITIES

For the 2020-2021 school year, Santa Cruz will softly re-open facilities to other ministries. Operation

of the facilities will be done consistent with the Governor’s Executive Orders for similar activities.

SCREENING

Each event, all parents/guardians are expected to self-screen their students for

COVID-19 symptoms prior to sending their students to RE.

• As per the handbook policy, parents should notify the RE staff regarding a

student’s absence.

• If a Health Screening question is answered with a “yes” or the temperature is

recorded at ≥100°, Parents/guardians must ensure they do not send a student to RE on

campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms or is lab-confirmed with

COVID-19, and instead should opt to receive Virtual Instruction until the

below conditions for re-entry are met.

• Parents/guardians of quarantined students, that is, students who have been in

close contact with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 individual, should notify the RE

Office and are encouraged to participate in Virtual Instruction until the fourteen

(14) day incubation period has passed.

16

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

If an individual who has been on campus is a lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, the RE Office will

notify the Diocese and local health department, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local

laws and regulations.

The RE Office must close off areas that are heavily used by the individual with the lab-confirmed

case (student, teacher, or staff) until the non-porous surfaces in those areas can be disinfected,

unless more than 3 days have already passed since that person was on campus.

The RE Office will notify all volunteers, families, and staff of all Santa Cruz students if a lab-

confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, volunteers or staff who participate on any

on-campus activities.

All entry doors will be continuously monitored by staff or volunteers to stop unauthorized access and

to monitor for threats. Sanitizer stations will be placed at the main entrance and students will sanitize

hands upon entry. Entry protocols will be established to maintain social distance. Students will go

directly to a designated area upon arrival.

Students will be dropped off at two zones

Students with Last Name beginning with A-M will enter Nighthawk Lane and will circle to the

parking lot on the East Side of the Church. They will enter under the portico though the door closest to

the church office.

Students with Last Name beginning with N-Z will enter from Main Street and will circle to the front

of the church. They will enter through the portico and door closest to the front circle

Everyone must wear a mask to come into the church

They will use hand sanitizer when they come in

They will be escorted to seating that is six feet apart.

STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS - ARRIVAL

16

Sanitizer stations will be placed at the main entrance doors as the student’s exit. Parents picking up

students early must call ahead, so students can be sent or accompanied to the parent vehicle upon

arrival. No students will be dismissed 15 minutes before dismissal.

Students will leave from the side door

They will exit the church on the same side they entered

They should return to their car as quickly as possible to prevent delay in traffic flow

Students that are in their 2nd year we recommend they attend Mass on Sunday’s while observing

safety procedures from the church. Students may sit with their parents for Mass.

All off campus trips will be suspended or postponed until further notice.

Students will sit in the church by socially distancing as much as instructionally possible.

School supplies will not be shared between students if at all possible. If on rare occasion supplies

are shared, they will be sanitized between uses.

Age-appropriate signage will be posted in all classrooms regarding all COVID-19 protocols and

prevention. Multiple locations of hand sanitizer, tissues, disinfectant and trash cans will be available

in several locations to limit student and staff movement.

DISMISSAL

MASS

FIELD TRIPS – DCYC, What-A-Youth Night ect…

CHURCH CONFIGURATION

GENERAL CLASSROOM SUPPLIES

17

POINT OF CONTACT For COVID-19 or Sacramental Preparation quetions:

• Erik Diaz

Director of Religious Education

(512) 295-2034

reoffice@santacruzcc.org

WELCOME BACK PLAN WEBPAGE A page on the Santa Cruz RE website featuring the Welcome Back Plan as

well any addendums or updates are published at: www.santacruzcc.org/re

STAY CONNECTED Stay connected to Santa Cruz via social media:

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzCatholicChurch

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/santacruzyouth/

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHW2556XHgmkrJNcNSi5gkw

• Remind - remind.com/join/jlovego

• Flocknote – Parish Communication by text and email. You will receive a text

message from Santa Cruz when added.

RESOURCES