At this point I am confident you are aware of the Montgomery County Health Office's directive and order regarding the reopening of private and independent schools in the county.  The following order is effective at 6:00am Monday morning:

 

     Nonpublic schools located within Montgomery County, Maryland are prohibited from physically reopening for in-person instruction through October 1, 2020.  

     Although we are extremely disappointed, The Leadership Team is prepared to pivot and modify our Reopening Plan to ensure Mary of Nazareth School continues to excel and thrive regardless of the circumstance.  This past Thursday evening the Mary of Nazareth School Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve our Reopening Plan and submitted it to the Catholic Schools Office for approval Friday morning.  Interim Archdiocese of Washington Superintendent, Mrs. Kelly Branhaman, was present at this board meeting and praised our plan's comprehensive and innovative approach to reopening.  The Reopening Plan was submitted Friday morning and approved with the full endorsement of the Superintendent and Catholic Schools Office yesterday afternoon.

   

     I have attached the MoN Reopening Plan for your review to instill and build confidence as we prepare to shift to distance learning.  This plan and the feedback we have received from our stakeholders is the foundation for the formal Distance Learning Plan we are currently developing. Our goal is to share this distance learning plan within the next two weeks.

     I completely understand the disappointment each of you may be feeling with this directive.  As we receive more information and guidance from the archdiocese I will share any archdiocesan and/or school-wide plans to organize and advocate on behalf of MoN  and all non-public schools in the county.  I encourage you to follow your conscience now and write to local and state officials outlining your sentiment for this directive.

 

     Please take time to review the attached plan the Leadership Team and Board devoted countless hours to produce.  It will further bolster your confidence in our intention and motivation to satisfy our school mission and effectively deliver instruction to our students in a blended and/or distant learning environment.  This well-conceived plan will be followed when we return to blended/in-person instruction.

 

     I am very motivated to ensure our school's short and long term viability and I know I count on this community to support our efforts with tremendous positivity, adaptability, and vigor.

 

#wegotthis

#theresnoplacelikeMoN

 

In Peace,

 

 Michael Friel