The sound of giddy laughter and the sight of colorful face masks filled schoolyards, hallways, and classrooms as schools across the Diocese of Brooklyn reopened Sept. 8 for the first day of the 2021-22 academic year.
Dr. Thomas Chadzutko
Diocese of Brooklyn Schools Announce Back-to-School COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Mask wearing will be required by all students, faculty, and staff members in the 69 Catholic academies and parish schools across the Diocese of Brooklyn come September 8, the first day of school.
Collaboration on Display During Catholic Education’s Year of Renewal Summit
The 2021 Catholic Education’s Year of Renewal Summit celebrated the Diocese of Brooklyn’s resilience during the pandemic and encouraged further development of vibrant, rigorous religious education in local schools and faith formation programs.
Registration Still Open for 2021 Catholic Education’s Year of Renewal Summit
The 2021 Catholic Education’s Year of Renewal Summit will be open to the public and take place virtually on April 21. The event will celebrate local school students, teachers, staff, and parish communities who have made Catholic education possible throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The Tablet Launches COVID-19 Relief Fundraiser for Catholic Schools
The Tablet will officially launch its monthlong “COVID Relief Fundraiser for Catholic Schools” on March 15. Schools and students in the diocese’s 69 parish schools and Catholic academies will directly benefit by earning cash for themselves and their families through selling subscriptions to The Tablet.
DOE to Discontinue “Pre-K for All” in Five Diocese Schools, As Appeals Continue
The city’s Department of Education (DOE) has decided not to renew 105 “Pre-K for All” program applications for fall ’21 — including five programs in Catholic schools located throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn. The free, full-day “Pre-K for All” program has been one of the mayor’s signature initiatives since launching in 2014.
Diocese Deems 2021 ‘Year of Renewal for Catholic Education’
Inspired by Pope Francis, who recently declared 2021 as the “Year of Joseph” in his apostolic letter “Patris corde,” the Diocese of Brooklyn will be engaging in a “Year of Renewal for Catholic Education.” The overarching goal of the campaign is to strengthen the understanding that Catholic education is evangelization.
Local Catholic Schools Request to be Included in Vaccine Distribution
Local school superintendents have asked that Catholic school educators be included when city public school educators eventually become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes as vaccine distribution continues to be criticized for its slow rollout at the city and state levels.
Local Catholic Schools Continue In-Person Learning as Public Schools Go Remote
On Nov. 18, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced New York City public school buildings would temporarily close and move to remote learning the following day. The percentage of citywide positive tests exactly hit three percent that morning, using a seven-day rolling average.
Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens to Remain Open, Superintendent Says
On Nov. 15, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Chadzutko reassured families, faculty, and staff that all 69 Catholic schools and academies across Brooklyn and Queens will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning — irrespective of any impending decision pertaining to the status of city public schools.