Communications Update #3 - sent 3/10/2020, 4:15 p.m.

3/10/2020

By:

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Loyola Academy will be open for classes tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11. All practices, meetings, competitions and Spirit Week activities will continue as planned starting on Wednesday morning.

It is important to reiterate that at this time, no one in our community has been diagnosed with or has symptoms of COVID-19. Our student who had contact with an individual who has tested positive for the virus and the student's family remain in a voluntary 14-day quarantine and remain healthy and asymptomatic. The family continues to cooperate with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Cook Country Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and follow their recommendations. We will continue to monitor this student and all members of our community and provide updates if circumstances change.

As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately.

The prudence that we exercised in closing school on Monday and Tuesday was driven by a number of factors. The outlines of this case were brought to our attention late Sunday evening. In the absence of complete information, but based on the concerns we held, we made the decision that it was in the best interest of the school community to cancel classes on Monday. In addition to fact-finding and collaboration with the IDPH and CCDPH, we made the decision to bring in an outside firm to disinfect the school, leading to our cancelation of classes on Tuesday. The IDPH and CCDPH have affirmed for us that it is sound practice to resume classes tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11.

Enhanced cleaning protocols will continue when the building reopens. Large public spaces are cleaned three times a day; classrooms are cleaned every evening. Frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and handrails are cleaned repeatedly throughout the school day.

Below is additional information and guidance:

School Events

All school events will continue as normally scheduled. For instance, the boys' basketball game at Robert Morris University tonight, March 10, and the Tulip Trot Dance on Saturday, March 14, will be held as planned. Please visit goramblers.org for the most recent information, updates and potential changes.

Updated Visitor Policy

Moving forward, all visitors to campus during normal school operating hours must have an appointment or a planned meeting in order to enter the building. In addition, we are temporarily suspending college-age alumni visits during the school day. Though we love seeing the smiling faces of our alumni, we feel it is wise to restrict access to the building at this time.

Travel Advisories

Students and employees who plan to travel internationally or domestically during spring break should use caution and evaluate travel plans at this time. Loyola Academy is currently evaluating the domestic trips that are scheduled this semester, however, no decisions have been made at this time. For guidance on travel considerations, please reference the CDC travel advisories.

Recommended Precautions for Individuals

It is worth repeating that basic practices can help slow the spread of this virus. The following recommendations are in line with the guidelines of the CDC and the IDPH:

Wash your hands often for 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wipe down surfaces regularly with disinfectant wipes.
Elbow bump instead of shaking hands.
Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it away immediately.
Do not send your student to school if he or she is sick. Fever-related absences are excused and do not require a doctor's note. Teachers will work with students to create a plan to make up missed work.
Per our local public health authorities, it has been recommended that students and faculty/staff stay home until they are fever-free for 48 hours

Maintaining a Positive School Culture

As a Jesuit school, we operate from a place of love and compassion rather than fear in our pursuit of creating an environment that is healthy, safe and free from bias or discrimination.Worldwide and in times of viral outbreak, there has historically been an uptick in racial harassment, xenophobia and insensitive remarks. Loyola Academy will not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

For more information and updates, please visit our Coronavirus Information web page. If we were to close school again for any reason, we would initiate our E-Learning Day protocol.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time as we navigate the uncharted territory of COVID-19.

Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ
President

Charles W. Heintz
Principal

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