Superintendent’s Message

“Catholic schools do not have a mission;
   the mission has schools.”  
                -Fr. Ron Nuzzi



Dear Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Catholic Schools Family,

During the spring of our 2019-2020 school year, our Catholic schools, along with the rest of our community, state, and nation, faced an unprecedented national health crisis which put us on a much different path towards completion of our academic year in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Moving to distance learning as the result of our state’s Stay at Home Order, our school families faced the many challenges before us with prayerful diligence, grace, and the patience necessary to navigate a path untraveled. We missed our students. We missed our Celebrations of the Eucharist as school families. We missed our “normal.” This journey was not an easy one, and we know it would not have been possible without the constant presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ walking beside us. Together, our entire diocesan Catholic schools family not only successfully completed the 2019-2020 school year, but did so with the same spirit, love, and enthusiasm that makes our ministry so unique.

Now, we find the blessings of the 2020-2021 school year upon us. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux actively prepared for the safe return to our schools in August. Utilizing a task force comprised of school administrators, teachers, medical health professionals, parents, school board members, community leaders, and diocesan leadership, an intentional Return to School Plan has been constructed. The intent of the plan was to aid in navigating the return to our schools so employees, students, and families feel safe and to reduce the impact of COVID-19 conditions. Our priorities for this school year remain to be safety, presence, and growth:
 

• SAFETY - The diocese is committed to utilizing appropriate safety measuresin the context of a return to work and schools.

• PRESENCE - The diocese is committed to keeping our schools open and do not want to burden parents with challenging schedules that would make it difficult to work.

• GROWTH - The diocese wants our children to continue their academic progress in a safe, secure, and Christ-centered environment in our schools as we work in the ministry of Catholic education to form the whole child. 

This Return to School Plan is a living document that is updated as needed as we respond to additional guidance received from our local, state, and federal officials. Our schools post their Return to School Plans on their school websites, updating as needed.  

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is grateful for the deep commitment of its school families to the ministry of Catholic education and welcomes its students and staff back to school. Together with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are eager and ready to embark on our 2020-2021 school year!

Blessings,

Suzanne Delaune Troxclair, M.Ed.