UPDATE: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 1

The Catholic School Office of the Diocese of Albany announced Tuesday, March 17, all Catholic schools in the Diocese will be closed until at least April 1, to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

On Friday, March 13, the Catholic Schools Office announced it was closing until March 20, but extended the break after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order on Monday, March 16, requiring all state schools to close until at least April 1. The diocesan schools will attempt to reopen on April 2, “unless directed to remain closed for an extended period of time,” said Giovanni Virgiglio, the diocesan superintendent of schools, in a statement.

Virgiglio said in an email to school leaders earlier in the week that “the idea of uninterrupted, quality distance learning is not a simple concept and will likely evolve for whatever period of time schools are closed. … It is important that our leaders and teachers understand that distance learning goes well beyond sending packets home for students to work on alone.” Beside continuing virtual learning through online tools such as Google Classroom and Zoom,

Virgiglio stressed the importance of the continued spiritual education of the students - through a virtual Mass or prayer service - during this stressful time. “I continue to pray for all of you and your respective school communities,” Virgiglio said. “It is important that we don't panic, understand that we can rely on each other, and continue to pray for a positive outcome to this challenging situation.”