St. Viator in Las Vegas studied hard to stay in school during COVID-19. They started with a restoration plan made up by a team of medical professionals for a safe return to school. This plan was guided by the CDC and Southern Nevada Health District plans. The school carefully reviewed the plan and immediately put it into place.

To keep the students at the top of their class, daily health screenings have been implemented. QR codes at guest check-in prompt a health survey for all students, faculty and visitors. In true teaching fashion, some teachers created poles with strings that display 6 feet to teach the younger children to stay that far apart at all times. Before the return to school all desks were socially distanced. Every square inch of the campus is now a classroom to ensure social distancing for all.

Twenty percent of the school decided to start school online and teachers are accommodating them. The students who decided to participate in person have been divided into cohort groups. These cohorts stay in the same classroom and only the teachers rotate, helping to contain any health risks that may arise. When the school heard of a positive case contracted from off campus, the cohort model enabled them to switch the cohort of the positive student to distance learning for 14 days to keep the campus healthy.

In keeping the campus healthy, there is also a day porter who goes around the school all day cleaning high-contact points. The school is also sprayed nightly with an electrostatic sprayer. “We have worked very hard to stay open and keep teachers in front of students,” said Tracy Brunelle, principal at St. Viator.
Of course, everyone (even the pre-kindergarten students) wear masks at all times. “Our families have been amazing and we are so thankful. Everyone is paying attention and wants to be safe,” Brunelle said. Teachers are working hard to keep their students learning; one kindergarten teacher has created individual center boxes so each student has their own learning materials. “Our teachers have never worked harder, they are teaching in two classrooms and online,” Brunelle said. “We are very creative now more than ever. It is a different world out there.”