Archdiocese of San Francisco schools will close for two weeks as a precaution against exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Schools superintendent Pamela Lyons announced March 10 that all 90 archdiocesan K-12 schools in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties, including Archbishop Riordan, Marin Catholic, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, and Junipero Serra high schools, will close from March 12-25.

There are 22 preschools, 55 elementary schools and 13 high schools in the archdiocese, with a student population of more than 24,000.

This decision was made following confirmation by the San Francisco Public Health Department on March 8 that a student at an archdiocesan school had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Separately, ICA Cristo Rey, an independent all-girls Catholic school in the Mission District, had closed March 6 for two weeks after a custodian tested positive.

“The public’s health and safety are paramount to the Archdiocese of San Francisco and all of our community and educational partners,” Lyons said, adding that more COVID-19 cases are expected across the archdiocesan schools.

The closure includes any planned school events such as fundraisers and community activities, as well as field trips. School buildings will not be open to children, parents or community members during  the closure.

Course content will be delivered by the archdiocesan distance learning protocol that has been distributed to all schools.

Riordan high school provided guidance for students and teachers to follow during the closure. Teachers work  remotely during regular school day hours and students are expected to log in to classes by 9 a.m. each day and complete all posted assignments on a daily basis. Students are expected to communicate with their teachers on a regular basis if they need help with assignments. Teachers will respond to any student messages as quickly as possible to ensure student success in their academic progress. Messages from students during the regular school day will receive responses within 60 minutes. Any messages from students sent outside of school time will receive responses by 9 a.m. the next day….

The above comes from a March 10 story in Catholic San Francisco.