COVID-19 Updates & Information

Check this page daily for the the most up-to-date information communicated to our Trinity Catholic Schools Families as it pertains COVID-19 at this time. 

(Please note that our COVID-19 case graphic is only updated on school days.)

Beginning on Tuesday, April 06, 2021, Trinity Catholic Schools will no longer have a requirement for facial coverings.  Due to a decrease in active cases in our school, locally, and in our state, the Titan Smart Task Force has made the decision to remove the facial covering requirement.  Additionally, CDC guidelines have updated, allowing for fewer close contact quarantines, and the vaccination rates continue to improve in North Dakota, giving reason for us to stop the facial covering requirement.  Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to wear a facial covering if they choose, but will no longer be required to do so.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2021, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Junior High.  There was no impact to any other person or building.

Effective Wednesday, March 17, 2021, we will no longer offer a second location (The Wald Family Theatre) for students who wish to remain unmasked for the Gr. 7-12 Holy Mass.  There will be accommodations in the St. John Paul II Chapel, per direction from Fr. Christian Smith,  The Holy Mass will still be streamed, however all students will participate together in the St. John Paul II Chapel.  

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, the Titan Smart Task force met.  The health and safety of our students at Trinity Catholic Schools must be the #1 priority for mission-driven teaching and learning.  Titan Parents, we sincerely thank you during these pandemic times! 

All four buildings will continue the use of facial coverings indoors.  Where social distancing is possible, the removal of facial coverings is permitted.  The Titan Smart Task Force will continue to evaluate this status and offer direction as needed.  

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity High School.  There was minimal impact by this case, and no impact on any other building.

On Thursday, February 11, 2021, we were notified of three positive cases of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary West.  There was minimal impact by this case, and no impact on any other building.  

On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Junior High and High School.  This person has been home for several days, so there was no impact to any student, faculty, or staff, or any other building. 

On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, Governor Burgum announced that our state will move to Green effective Friday January 29, 2021.  The Titan Smart plan will also move to Green at that time.  

The health and safety of our students at Trinity Catholic Schools must be the #1 priority for mission-driven teaching and learning.  Titan Parents, we sincerely thank you for your insight and leadership during these pandemic times! 

All four buildings will continue the use of facial coverings indoors.  Where social distancing is possible, the removal of facial coverings is permitted.  

The Titan Smart Task Force will continue to evaluate this status and offer direction mid-February.  Please see the results from our most recent parent survey below.  Thank you again!




On Sunday, January 24, 2021, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Junior High and High School.  There was minimal impact in this case, due to proper social distancing and use of facial coverings.  No other buildings were impacted by this case. 

The Titan Smart Task Force met on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.  Currently, the State Health Officer Order is set to expire on January 18, 2021.

• The Titan Smart Task Force made the decision, independently from the state order, to continue to require facial coverings through January 31, 2021.  Face coverings will be required at Trinity Catholic Schools through January 31, 2021, with the exception of those who have a medical exemption, mental exemption, or disability.  
• At this time, we believe that this short extension will help keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy.
• The Titan Smart Task Force continues to meet regularly, and will provide insight and direction for facial coverings beyond January.  Additionally, we are seeking input from stakeholders via survey.  Click here to participate in the survey.

On Friday, January 8, 2021, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary North.  There was no impact to any student, faculty, or staff.  

Governor Burgum's amended Executive Order begins today, January 8, 2021.  View our Titan Athletics webpage for the most recent guidelines and attendance protocols.

On Monday, January 04, 2021, we were notified of two positive cases of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary East.  Due to Christmas break, there was no impact.  

On Friday, December 11, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary West.  There was no impact due to the mask mandate, however some families received a letter to be on alert for symptoms of COVID-19.  No other buildings were impacted by this case.

On Thursday, December 10, 2020, we were notified of four positive cases of COVID-19.  Two were from Trinity Elementary West, one from Trinity Elementary North, and one from Trinity High School.  There was no impact on Trinity Elementary West or Trinity Elementary North, as these people have been home for several days.  There was minimal impact at Trinity High School, and those families have been notified.  

The Titan Smart Task Force met on Wednesday, December 9, after Governor Burgum's announcements regarding his executive order and the State Health Officer order from November 13, 2020.  There are two key changes for our schools:

• We will allow public attendance at both our 7:30 a.m. Holy Mass and our Trinity Elementary North Holy Masses beginning on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
• There were significant updates to athletic attendance.  For high school boys and girls basketball, each player will receive 6 passes for home games, each manager/stat person will receive 2 passes, and visiting teams will receive 2 passes per player.  Visiting teams will dictate their own policies, and we will update those as we receive them, on the Titan Athletics webpage.  

On Friday, December 4, 2020, we were notified of four positive cases of COVID-19.  Three of them were at Trinity Junior High and High School, and one impacted Trinity Elementary East and Trinity Elementary West.  There was insignificant impact at these buildings due to two of the individuals having been home for several days, and effective mask usage in the other two cases.  

The Titan Smart Task Force met on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.  Currently, the State Health Officer Order is set to expire on December 14, 2020, which is just days before our students are released for Christmas break.

• The Titan Smart Task Force made the decision, independently from the state order, to continue to require facial coverings through December 18, 2020,  Face coverings will be required at Trinity Catholic Schools through December 18, 2020, with the exception of those who have a medical exemption, mental exemption, or disability.  
• The mask mandate has reduced the number of close contact quarantine situations at Trinity Catholic Schools, and at this time, we believe that this short extension will help keep our students healthy for the important weeks of testing and celebrating Christmas.
• The Titan Smart Task Force continues to meet regularly, and will provide insight and direction for facial coverings when the students return to school on January 05, 2021. 

On Monday, November 30, 2020 we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trintiy Elementary West.  This person has been home for several days, so there is no impact on any student, faculty, or staff.  

On Sunday, November 29, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Junior High.  There was some impact, and those households were contacted by phone and received an email with a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit with details on close contact quarantine.  No other buildings were impacted by this case.

On Sunday, November 29, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Junior High and High School, as well as Trinity Elementary North.  This person has been home for several days, so there is no impact on any student, faculty, or staff. 

On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary East.  This person has been home for several days, and there was no impact to any student, faculty, or staff.

On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary West.  This person has been home for several days, and due to the mask mandate, there was no impact on any student, faculty, or staff.  
 
On Friday, November 20, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Elementary North.  This person has been home for several days, so there was no impact on any student, faculty, or staff. 

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, we were notified of a positive case of COVID-19 at Trinity Junior High.  This case has minimal impact, and no other buildings were affected.

On Sunday, November 15, 2020, we were notified of two positive cases of COVID-19.  One impacts Trinity Elementary West, the other impacts Trinity Elementary North.  Building principals sent out emails on Sunday night to those who were identified as close contacts.  No other buildings were impacted by this case.

On Friday November 13, 2020, Governor Burgum announced an executive order, as well as a State Health Officer order.  Effective November 14, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. through December 14, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., face coverings are required at Trinity Catholic Schools, per the direction of Governor Burgum and the State Health Officer.  We will continue to follow the direction of the North Dakota High School Activities Association's direction with regard to activities.  

Governor Burgum's 11.13.2020 Executive Order
State Health Officer 11.13.2020 Order

On Sunday, November 8, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Elementary West.  There is minimal impact by this case.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.

On Friday, November 6, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Junior High & High School.  This person has been at home for several days, so there is insignificant impact by this case.  

On Sunday, November 1, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Junior High &  High School.  This person has been at home for several days, so there is no impact by this case.  

On Thursday, October 29, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Elementary East.  This person has been at home for several days, so there is no impact to any student, faculty, or staff. 

On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case that impacts Trinity Junior High.  All households in grades 7-8 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, indicating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine, and the according dates.  No other buildings were impacted by this case.

On Saturday, October 24, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case that impacts grades K-4 at Trinity Elementary East and Trinity Elementary West.  All households in grades K-4 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, indicating the dates for which they are subject to close contact quarantine.  This does not impact prekindergarten or Titan Tots Preschool.  Trinity Elementary North and Trinity Junior High & High School are not impacted by this case.  

On Thursday, October 22, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Elementary North.  Due to a lag in contact tracing by the local and/or state health department, we are notifying you today, Saturday, October 24, 2020.  All households in grades 5-6 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, indicating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not.  No other building was impacted by this case. 

On Thursday, October 22, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case at Trinity Elementary East, and another at Trinity High School.  Both of these individuals were at home for several days, so there is no impact to any student, faculty, or staff.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by these cases. 

On Friday, October 16, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School.  All households in grades 9-12 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, indicating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.  

On Thursday, October 15, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary West.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days, so there is no impact to any TCS building.  

On Monday, October 12, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School..  All households that were impacted received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, along with a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.  

On Monday, October 12, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary West.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days, so there is no impact to any TCS Building.  

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary North.  There were no close contacts identified, due to effective social distancing by this person.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time.  

On Saturday, October 10, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School.  All households at Trinity Junior High and High School received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, indicating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not, and relevant dates.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.  

On Friday, October 9, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School.. This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days so there is no impact to any TCS building.  We are committed to transparent communication and therefore will add this to our "new" and "active" case graphic.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time.

On Monday, October 05, 2020, we were notofied of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School.  There were no close contacts identified, due to effective social distancing by this person and effective use of facial coverings.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time.  

On Sunday, October 04, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary West.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days so there is no impact to any TCS building.  We are committed to transparent communication and therefore have added this to our "new" and "active" case graphic.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time.

On Saturday, October 03, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary North.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days so there is no impact to any TCS building.  We are committed to transparent communication and therefore have added this to our "new" and "active" case graphic.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time.

On Monday, September 28, 2020, we were notified of a positve COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary North.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days, so there is no impact to any TCS building.  We are committed to transparent communication, and therefore have added this to our "new" and "active" case graphic.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time. 

On Friday, September 25, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary West.  All households in Titan Tots Preschool at TEW received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, stating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not, and relevant dates.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.  

On Thursday, September 24, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School.  All households in grades 9-12 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, stating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not, and relevant dates.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.

On Tuesday, September 22, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Elementary West.  All households at TEW received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit stating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not, and relevant dates.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.

On Monday, September 21, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity High School.  All households in grades 9-12 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, stating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not, and relevant dates.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case.  

On Saturday, September 19, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This case impacts Trinity Junior High.  All households in grades 7-12 received an email from DeAnn Scheeler, including a letter from the Southwestern District Health Unit, stating whether they are subject to close contact quarantine or not, and relevant dates.  No other TCS buildings were impacted by this case. 

On Saturday, September 12, 2020, we were notified of a positive COVID-19 case.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days, so there is no impact to any TCS building.  We are committed to transparent communication, and therefore have added this to our "new" and "active" case graphic.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time. 

On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, we received a call regarding a positive COVID-19 case.  This person has been in close contact quarantine for several days, so there is no impact to any TCS building.  We are committed to transparent communication, and therefore have added this to our "new" and "active" case graphic.  There is no action needed by any student, faculty, or staff at this time.

On Thursday, September 03, 2020, Governor Burgum adjusted Stark County's risk level to YELLOW, which effectively moved our Titan Smart plan into YELLOW.  You may access the full Titan Smart plan HERE, but these are the most important changes, effective Tuesday, September 08, 2020:

• Teachers move to a model that accommodates both face-to-face learning and distance learning.  Parents who wish to begin a distance learning model should contact their school building principal (Mrs. JoLyn Tessier PK-4; Miss Amy Grinsteinner 5-6, and Fr.  Hochhalter 7-12) to make arrangements.
• We will only allow visitors into our buildings who have a scheduled appointment.  Parents who wish to bring an item to school for a child must contact the school office and arrange for contactless delivery.
• Gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 250 people.  Click here to view Mr. Grinsteinner's video explanation of how this change affects activities.
• All activities, including Holy Mass, in the St. John Paul II Chapel will be closed to the public.  Holy Mass continues to be streamed on our Titan-20 page and our YouTube channel.  Holy Mass changes at TEE and TEW are at the discretion of their respective parishes.

As part of our Titan Smart plan, we provide information on new, active, and recovered positive COVID-19 cases as they impact Trinity Catholic Schools.  We strive for timely, transparent communication.  If you or your child(ren) have been impacted by a positive COVID-19 case, you will be contacted by the Southwestern District Health Unit or the ND Department of Health.  If you have not been contacted, these resources have not deemed a need for you or your child(ren) to take action.

Click here to access the livestream of the 2020 Fall Sports Meeting