New York City Catholic schools will start an in-person school year next Wednesday for the first time since fall 2019.

Catholic schools in the Archdiocese are welcoming back students for 100% in-person learning with no remote or hybrid option.

Regional Superintendent for East Bronx Catholic School Ray Vitello says this year will be time to make up for some lost time.

“Some of our students are coming back into the classroom for the very first time,” Vitello says.

Each classroom will have hand sanitizer readily available, and students will be assigned their own supplies. They will also stay socially distance within their cohort and remain in the same classroom throughout the day to mitigate exposure of the coronavirus as the teachers rotate to them.

Students will also need to wear masks and have their temperatures taken when they arrive to the school.

First grade teacher Nakia Brown says that they have the necessary resources to ensure that there will be a solid, quality, Catholic education.

Browne says the Catholic schools are also ready to address students’ emotional needs and make them feel comfortable throughout the day.

“It’s OK to be worried, it’s OK to be scared, it’s OK to be sad,” Browne says.

Families of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese received an email with a full opening plan.