Sent 8.22.2020

By:
Dear Rambler Community,
 
In our on-going partnership to create the safest possible environment at Loyola Academy, I wanted to share a few important updates from our first week of school.
 
I am grateful for how quickly the community has adjusted to our new protocols for in-person learning. While these changes haven't been simple or easy, the extra efforts of students, faculty and staff have been noticed and appreciated. While there is much to applaud, we are redoubling our communication efforts around social distancing during lunch and free times when on campus.
 
Similarly, it has also come to my attention that some students are not following safe social gathering guidelines outside of school. This behavior will significantly limit our ability to offer in-person instruction. As a parent, I know that it is difficult to monitor the off-campus behavior of adolescents, however, I am making a plea to our students and their families to make responsible decisions outside of school. Our school motto—Women and Men for Others—reminds us that our actions impact others, and we need a concerted community response in order to keep everyone healthy.
 
To the greatest extent possible, we would like to allow students to experience in-person learning, but we can only do that with your help. Here's what you can do:
  • If you have a positive COVID-19 test result or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, you must stay home and notify our school nurse immediately. You are also required to notify anyone with whom you have been in close contact (see CDC's definition of exposure here) outside of school.
  • If you are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you have a responsibility to self-quarantine for 14 days. It is also important to notify our school nurse at cbraasch@loy.org of this exposure.
  • If you are unsure about the details of a COVID-19 scenario, please contact your health care provider or email covid.information@loy.org for guidance.
As of the end of the school day on Friday, August 21, six students had tested positive for COVID-19, and 63 students were in quarantine for issues related to exposure, travel or symptoms. It is important to note, Loyola maintains strict confidentiality regarding the health status of any individual as required by law.
 
Our nursing team, in collaboration with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), will continue to conduct contact tracing when notified of any new case or exposure. Approval to return to school after quarantine requires the permission of the school nurse.
 
In consultation with the CCDPH, we continue to monitor several key factors: infection rates, community spread, staffing needs, PPE inventory and positivity rates in Suburban Cook County and City of Chicago. Should there be a significant change in a combination of these factors, our plan is flexible, and we will do whatever it takes to keep our community safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. If necessary, we are prepared to shift a single grade level to an all e-learning format or move the entire school to all remote learning.
 
This is an uncertain time for all of us, and we have a responsibility to do everything we can to keep our community safe—on and off campus. Our goal of wellness and oneness is achievable if we all accept our shared responsibility. I ask that you communicate your expectations as a family and you reach out to me or a member of my team if you have questions or concerns.
 
Sincerely,
Charlie Heintz
Principal
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1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-1089  |  847-256-1100
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