Return to Learn

We are happy to share our Return to Learn plan for the 2020-2021 school year:

As our understanding of the COVID-19 virus and best practices surrounding health and safety are constantly evolving, all guidance in this plan is subject to change.

Standard PDF Return to Learn Plan

Return to Learn Plan Updates

Considering Holy Family for the 20-21 school year?

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Three Learning Models

On-Site Learning

Students and staff are back on campus with the necessary health and safety precautions in place.

Hybrid Learning

Services are offered both virtually and on-site, simultaneously, to address the individual health needs and concerns of families and to support necessary physical distancing. Holy Family's two hybrid formats include:

In Holy Family's K–12 Hybrid Learning model, classes will be offered both virtually and at on-site, simultaneously. This option is available to all K-12 families, starting August 24.
K–3 continues on-site while grades 4–12 transition to virtual learning

Virtual Learning

If health conditions require buildings to close – Holy Family will leverage its experience from spring 2020; K-12 one-to-one technology access; robust personalized learning program; and consistent learning management tools system-wide to deliver education in a fully virtual format.

Choosing to Participate Virtually?

Contact your school to make arrangements.

View Hybrid Learning Resources

Frequently Asked Questions:

Hybrid Learning

What is Hybrid Learning at Holy Family?

With schools everywhere making individual plans for the new school year, there may be confusion about distinguishing factors of each school's plans. We have received many questions about our Hybrid Learning plan. Here's how Holy Family has defined Hybrid Learning: Services offered both virtually and on-site, simultaneously, to address the individual health needs and concerns of families and to support necessary physical distancing.

Do families have a choice?

Yes! The option to access learning on-site or virtually is available to all families K-12, five days a week, starting on the first day of school, August 24. Holy Family’s K–12 Hybrid Learning model is built on flexibility, to meet the needs of each family.

Families will have the opportunity to choose the format in which their child(ren) will access learning from day to day, week to week, or even for a full semester or school year, depending on their needs. This decision may be made for reasons such as personal choice, medical vulnerability, mild illness (in which the student still feels up for learning), due to required self-isolation, or other reasons. You have flexibility.

As school approaches, families will be asked whether they plan to start the year in-person or virtually. This is simply to let our faculty know who they may expect to see on campus when school begins on August 24. After that, families choosing to access learning virtually on any given day or week will be required to notify the school office of their plans.

How will attendance be taken in the Hybrid Model?

What will the live-streamed classroom experience be like?

We are actively improving our IT infrastructure and bandwidth at each site, and each classroom is already equipped with the basic technology required to live-stream lessons in real-time. Each teacher will be trained on how to provide instruction in this hybrid format. Teachers will not be expected to record their classroom lessons, however, individual teachers may choose to make special arrangements.

Holy Family will do everything possible to facilitate a smooth and engaging classroom streaming experience for students accessing school from home. Naturally, nothing can replace the full classroom learning experience. Students accessing the classroom from home may be unable to fully take part in certain hands-on, lab-based, or small group activities. However, every effort will be made to engage at-home learners in large- and small-group discussions, and teachers will do their best to meet the needs of each student.

In addition to the standard technology already available in our classrooms (computers, cameras, and microphones), Holy Family has ordered tools to create a higher-quality streaming experience. With the high demand for technology and streaming resources at this time, we accept the possibility of delays in shipment and delivery of our ordered equipment. However, we are committed to offering this streamed classroom experience, and if our supplementary equipment is delayed, we will make do with our standard classroom tools until it arrives. Under these circumstances, we may have to ask for your patience with video quality during our initial weeks until the ideal equipment is on-hand. Know that we are working diligently to provide the best possible experience, and as quickly as possible!

Health Screening

Where Can My Family Get Tested for COVID-19?

In addition to your primary healthcare provider, there are several free COVID-19 testing sites in the Dubuque and surrounding area:

Test Iowa (Registration required)

Epic Health and Wellness Clinic – By Appointment, call 563-583-6595
1075 Cedar Cross Road, Dubuque
Grand River Medical Group Respiratory Clinic – Monday–Thursday 12–7 p.m., Fridays 12–5 p.m., Schedule online after completing the assessment
1400 University Ave., Dubuque

doineedacovid19test.com Testing Locations (registration required)

Iowa Residents:

Hartig Drug Co 3
2255 John F Kennedy Rd , Ste 16, Dubuque
Hartig Drug Co 4
2225 Central Ave, Dubuque
Hartig Drug Co 8
1600 University Ave, Dubuque
Union Family Pharmacy
2541 Central Ave, Dubuque

Illinois Residents:

Hartig Drug Co 5
11002 Bartel Blvd Galena, Galena

Wisconsin Residents:

Hartig Drug Co 15
180 W Pine St, Platteville

Why not screen for temperatures at the door?

Holy Family has purchased infrared thermometers for the possibility of necessary temperature screenings. However, an initial morning screening at home has been recommended by the Medical Advisory Task Force for several reasons:

Our goal is to prevent large group gatherings, and stopping for temperature checks is liable to cause congestion at our entrances, with nearly all students arriving at school around the same time.
Outdoor temperatures (hot or cold) can significantly influence a person’s body temperature if checked immediately upon entering the building after being exposed to the elements.
Temperatures often develop as the day progresses, especially if a fever-reducing medication was taken in the morning. Taking medication to reduce fever before attempting to attend school is not advised.
This decision helps protect the privacy of students and staff, and aims to further prevent stigma associated with illness.
There are a range of symptoms associated with COVID-19 which should be considered as part of any screening protocol.
Holy Family will screen for symptoms related to COVID-19, including in-school temperature checks.
Students or staff members who are showing signs of illness will be sent home.

Please note: All Holy Family Early Childhood programs, including wrap-around care, will screen for temperatures as required by DHS.

Face Masks

What are the guidelines for masks?

Masks worn in school and activities may be cloth or disposable. Students should plan to have at least five masks available so they can have a clean mask to wear each day and pack a back-up mask each day in case one becomes soiled or uncomfortable.

Guidance on Cloth Masks

All cloth face masks should be made of at least two layers of breathable fabric. A mask should fit snugly against the sides of the face, reach above the nose, and fit securely under the chin, completely covering the mouth and nostrils. It is important to select a style that will stay on your face without slipping off when talking or moving about.
The CDC cautions that the effectiveness of gaiters and face shields (worn without a mask) is unknown at this time. To remain aligned with CDC recommendations and to lower the risk of transmission, Holy Family has revised its face-covering requirements. Gaiters and bandanas are no longer considered approved forms of face coverings in school or activities (effective November 1, 2020).
Masks with openings, such as mesh, valves, or holes of any kind are not acceptable.
Students should put on their mask before leaving their vehicle or entering the building or bus.
Masks will be removed at mealtimes and recess. They should be stored safely in a bag, container or pocket. Containers will be provided for elementary students to store masks during lunch, recess and other “mask breaks.” Students should use hand sanitizer following the removal of their mask prior to eating.

Please refer to the CDC guidance on face coverings for more information.

If purchasing or replacing masks poses a hardship, please contact your school office. Cloth and disposable face coverings are available for students or staff members who need them.

Do masks have to be a certain color to align with the dress code?

What if my child forgets his or her mask?

Can my young child opt to wear a face shield instead of a mask?

We recognize wearing masks may be more challenging for our youngest students. However, to best support our ability to remain on campus, we feel it is important to start with best practices and refine our approach as we evaluate the policy in action. All K-12 students and staff will be required to wear a face mask while indoors. Face shields are permitted for use in addition to the face mask, but not required.

Exceptions for an alternative face covering may be made in rare circumstances for students and employees with a documented health condition that medically prevents them from wearing a face mask. Exceptions are subject to review by the Medical Advisory Task Force.

How can I prepare my child for wearing a mask at school?

This is an important question because your support will make a big difference in our success.

Please start now to prepare your child for the experience of wearing a mask. Your children will take cues from you about this policy. We humbly ask that you try to share positivity as you discuss masks and the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 with your child(ren).

Before school starts, provide opportunities for your child(ren) to practice wearing a mask for an hour or two each day, and each time you leave the house. Discuss how they will handle and store their masks at mealtimes, recess and other breaks.

Talk to your child(ren) about being a leader in protecting their friends and teachers. They can be proud of taking part in keeping their community safe!

We will do our best to provide regular opportunities for “mask breaks” throughout the school day.

Want to help? If you would like to donate reusable masks to your school for students who do not have access to a mask or forget to wear one, please drop them off at the Holy Family Central Office, 2005 Kane St. Dubuque. Thank you!

Return to Learn Q&A Recordings:

Holy Family administrators hosted three virtual Q&A sessions to help answer questions about the return to learn plan. For those who were unable to attend, sessions were recorded:

Elementary Q&A session: August 4, 2020, recording
Middle School Q&A session: August 5, 2020, recording
High School Q&A session: August 6, 2020, recording

Return to Learn

We are happy to share our Return to Learn plan for the 2020-2021 school year:

(Click to Enlarge)

(Click to Enlarge)

Considering Holy Family for the 20-21 school year?

Three Learning Models

On-Site Learning

Hybrid Learning

Virtual Learning

Choosing to Participate Virtually?

Frequently Asked Questions:

Hybrid Learning

Health Screening

Face Masks

Want to help? If you would like to donate reusable masks to your school for students who do not have access to a mask or forget to wear one, please drop them off at the Holy Family Central Office, 2005 Kane St. Dubuque. Thank you!

Return to Learn Q&A Recordings:

A letter from the Holy Family Medical Advisory Task Force

Click to Enlarge