August 15, 2022
The Diocese of Grand Rapids continues to monitor the local and regional status of COVID-19, and requires that each Catholic school work closely with its local public health department in implementing mitigation measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases in the classroom and school programs. Currently, there are no diocesan restrictions for schools specific to COVID-19.
Safety protocols can change at any time as new information is received. We ask that all parents recognize the challenges associated with being responsive to public health needs, and we ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.
March 2, 2022
The federal order requiring facial coverings on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs has ended effective February 25, 2022.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids continues to require that each Catholic school work closely with its local public health department in implementing mitigation measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom and school programs. Additionally, the Diocese of Grand Rapids recommends the use of facial coverings inside all school buildings regardless of vaccination status.
Safety protocols can change at any time as new information is received. We ask that all parents recognize the challenges associated with being responsive to public health needs, and we ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.
January 14, 2022
The Diocese of Grand Rapids requires that Catholic schools adhere to all COVID-19 public health orders, including the recently issued Kent and Ottawa public health orders from January 11, 2022 and the Federal public health order from August 4, 2021, that remains in effect.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids requires that each Catholic school work closely with its local public health department in implementing mitigation measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom and school programs.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids strongly recommends the use of facial coverings inside all school buildings regardless of vaccination status.
Most local county health departments have adopted CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools and COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs.
Local county health departments are no longer requiring schools within their county to notify the school community of positive cases or to complete contact tracing due to the high volume of cases and the staffing capacity required to complete these communications. Catholic schools within the diocese will notify parents to the best of their ability using the most efficient systems available to give timely notification of cases within their child’s classroom.
Each Catholic school within the diocese will continue to report positive cases to the Office of Catholic Schools.
Safety protocols can change at any time as new information is received. We ask that all parents recognize the challenges associated with being responsive to public health needs, and we ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.
January 3, 2022
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are located across seven counties in West Michigan, and at this time, county health departments are issuing guidance to meet the public health needs of each local community to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids requires that Catholic schools adhere to public health orders. See the remaining August 4 and August 6 orders at the bottom of the page.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids requires that each Catholic school work closely with its local public health department in implementing mitigation measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in school programs.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids strongly recommends the use of facial coverings inside all school buildings regardless of vaccination status.
Safety protocols can change at any time as new information is received. We ask that all parents recognize the challenges associated with being responsive to public health needs, and we ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.
November 15, 2021
The Kent and Ottawa County Health Departments have communicated that the public health order requiring facial coverings in PreK through 6th grade was written to expire 60 days after a vaccine has been made available for 5-to-11 year olds. The current order will expire during Christmas break and before students return to school on January 3.
Provided there are no unforeseen changes, on January 3, the Diocese of Grand Rapids will continue to strongly recommend the use of facial coverings inside all school buildings regardless of vaccination status.
August 20, 2021
Kent and Ottawa County health departments issued local public health orders (Kent, Ottawa). The schools within these counties are required to comply with these orders.
Currently, local county health departments have taken the lead in controlling infection at the local level and, with the exception of Kent and Ottawa, most of the guidance from the CDC, MDHHS, and county health departments are recommendations. Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are located across seven counties in West Michigan. As a result, the office of Catholic schools has empowered individual schools to work at the local level to implement recommendations to serve the needs of their communities. Safety protocols can change at any time as new information is received. We ask that all parents recognize the challenges associated with being responsive to public health needs, and we ask for your continued understanding and cooperation.
August 6, 2021
Many local county health departments issued orders requiring schools within their county to notify the school community of positive cases, and complete contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation as required by the order. Each Catholic school within the diocese will report positive cases to the Office of Catholic Schools and is required to implement their local county health department orders.
August 4, 2021
There is one remaining federal public order that all students, both public and private, are required to follow regarding transportation on school buses. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Order, “passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses, including on buses operated by public and private school systems”. If your child uses a school bus or any form of public transportation, an appropriate facial covering will be required.
On June 22, 2021
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) lifted all remaining public health orders pertaining to COVID-19. Previous requirements for schools and child care programs have been replaced by recommendations from MDHHS for consideration by schools and their parents. As the first day of school approaches, please consult your school’s regular communications for information on their plans to continue to offer safe and prudent in-person learning.