Communications Update #2 - sent 3/9/2020, 2:45 p.m.

We would like to update you on the events that have occurred since last night. At this time, no one in our community has been diagnosed with or has symptoms of COVID-19. We've been in contact with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) throughout the day and will continue to do so.

The CCDH and IDPH have assured us that the steps we have taken are above and beyond their recommendations. In the spirit of cura personalis, we would much rather take steps that allow us to learn the facts while keeping everyone in our community safe. We are grateful to the CCDH, the IDPH, the Wilmette Police Department and the Wilmette Fire Department, which have been helpful partners in guiding our decisions.

Continuing to exercise an abundance of caution, we will be closed on Tuesday, March 10, as we actively seek out additional information. Loyola will implement its E-Learning Schedule on Tuesday, March 10, an A Day. Students and parents should review Loyola's E-Learning Schedule and check for assignments in the onCampus Assignment Center.  

Below is additional information and guidance:  

 

The parent of a current Loyola Academy student emailed our school nurse and a counselor on Sunday, March 8, to share that the student and the student's family had contact with an individual who public health officials report has tested positive for COVID-19. Health officials are awaiting final confirmation from the CDC. This individual has not been on Loyola's campus at any time. The Loyola student was in class through Friday, March 6. The Loyola student and the student's family are now under a voluntary 14-day quarantine and are not manifesting symptoms of COVID-19.

The entire family is cooperating with the CCDH and IDPH and following their recommendations. Though we will provide you with as many details as we can, we must maintain the privacy of this student and the student's family per the IDPH guidelines.

The CCDH has advised us that "contacts of contacts" are not at risk for COVID-19 exposure. Therefore, a teacher or classmate who was in contact with this student does not need to self-quarantine.

 

As an added precaution to our enhanced cleaning protocols performed daily by our cleaning company that we instituted on February 28, we have partnered with our environmental contractor, Celtic Environmental Company, to disinfect the entire building today, March 9, starting at noon. The process will take eight hours and is most effective when left untouched for an extended period of time. 

 

At this time, all practices, games and competitions held by Loyola Academy have been cancelled for today, Monday, March 9, and tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10.  Unless explicit permission has been given by Principal Heintz or Vice President of Athletics and Fitness Atwood, no teams or clubs are permitted to meet on or off school campus on Monday or Tuesday. 

 

Teachers will receive an extension for entering 3rd Quarter grades due to the unexpected days off. The date that 3rd Quarter grades will be posted will be announced once classes have resumed. 

 

It is worth repeating that basic precautions can help slow the spread of this virus.  The following recommendations are in line with the guidelines of the CDC and the IDPH. Please contact school nurse Corry Braasch at cbraasch@loy.org if you or someone in your household is under a self-quarantine OR if you have a combination of a fever, cough and shortness of breath and have obtained the advice of a medical professional.

As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our entire community, we will keep you updated and informed. We appreciate your patience as we take every precaution to keep our community safe. While these are challenging times, as a Rambler community, let's continue to face these circumstances with the calm, reflective habits characteristic of our Jesuit spiritual tradition and mission.