BRIDGEPORT—In a video sent out to all schools, parents and teachers today (May 6), Dr. Steven Cheeseman, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, announced that distance learning will remain in effect until the close of the school year.
“I come to you with an announcement that many of us felt was inevitable but one we were hoping we didn’t have to make,” said Dr. Cheeseman. ”In keeping with the announcement made by Governor Lamont, our Catholic schools will continue distance learning throughout the remainder of the school year.”
Dr. Cheeseman said it was a difficult decision to make, but one that has been made easier by the cooperation and commitment of teachers, parents and students to continue to Catholic education during the pandemic.
On March 13, Dr. Cheeseman announced that all diocesan sponsored Catholic elementary and high schools would end in-school classes effective March 13 and begin implementing their distance learning instructional plan on Monday, March 16.
Dr. Cheeseman started by thanking teachers for their hard work in making a “mostly seamless” transition to distance learning for the 7,500 students who had been studying in the 30 different school buildings sponsored by the diocese.
Referring to the “herculean effort” of teachers Dr. Cheeseman said that spent hundreds of hours in professional development and online learning communities to make the successful transition.
Speaking directly to students scheduled to graduate from Catholic elementary and high schools in June, Dr. Cheeseman said “This year is certainly memorable, but is not one you deserve. So many milestone you have looked forward to have been affected,” pledging to find a way at a later date to express pride in their achievements.
Dr. Cheeseman said the sudden move to online learning has been a “learning curve” for everyone including parents. He thanked them for their patience and commitment to Catholic education.
“The closure of 30 schools buildings across diocese was never something we imagined we would have to do,” Dr. Cheesman said. “We will continue to work as hard as we can to ensure our teachers have the resources they need so our young people an receive a quality Catholic education.”
He encouraged parents to reach out to schools or use the online help desks if they have any questions.
Dr. Cheesman said that if anything, the pandemic has demonstrated that Catholic education is not simply “defined by buildings that house us but by parents teacher, administrators and students who together create a culture that informs the mind, forms the heart, and transforms the lives of all those lucky enough to be a part of it.”
He said that over the coming months he and his team would be working to ensure a safe, clean and nurturing school environment in the Fall.
For more information on Catholic schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport, click here.
