COVID-19 Information

Statement and Decree in Regards to the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic From the Office of the Bishop 3/18/20

Statement Regarding Suspension of Public Masses by Bishop Quinn

Message from Father Leif 3/18/20

Dear Sacred Heart Parish Family Member,

The 150th year of the Parish has begun to be even more historic.

Today Bishop John Michael Quinn has suspended Public Masses until Friday May 15, 2020. The Sacred Heart Church will remain open for private prayers.

Fr. Leif will say Mass privately each day at the usual time, for the people of God and the swift healing of our world.

Baptisms and funerals are allowed for only the immediate family.

We pray for the strength of the health care workers and emergency medical caregivers.

We ask God to bring a swift healing to those who who are impacted by this illness and to their families.

We ask that those who are torn by the caring for their family at home, and working to pay the bills, will be given peace and strength in the face of these many demands.

See the Parish website and the school website for more information.

In Jesus Crucified and Risen,
Fr. Leif

Message From Superintendent Lee, 3/16/20

We have a new message for our families from Superintendent Lee. Tonight’s message is to inform you of our student feeding program and child care for emergency workers beginning tomorrow. We’ve also decided it is time to distribute devices & materials.

School Update 3/16/20

Dear Parents,

Governor Walz and Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker announced that all Minnesota schools will close to students no later than March 18 with the plan to resume instruction on Monday, March 30, 2020. It was the decision of district leaders to immediately close school buildings to students and the general public beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.

During the school closure, SHS/CHM will join with the WPS District to create plans to equitably distribute distance learning to our students should we need to close schools statewide for a longer period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minnesota Department of Education is defining distance learning to mean that a student receives daily interaction with their licensed teacher and appropriate educational materials. Teachers and staff are utilizing this time to prepare in the event MDE and/or the Governor extends the closure beyond March 30, 2020.

Most immediate, the District is developing plans to provide the following:

Breakfast and lunch services for interested enrolled students. Information will be emailed as received by the District.
Daycare for children of families of emergency works as defined by the MDE. Information will be emailed as received by the District.
All buildings will remain closed until further notice. All school and extracurricular activities are cancelled as well.

We understand the hardship an extended school closure has on many families. We are in the business of educating students and providing for their spiritual needs. This is why the staff will do what is necessary during this school closure period to prepare an educational plan that ensures every child has access to the education they need and deserve. However, our first priority is the health, safety and well-being of our students.

LeAnn Dahle, Principal