Dear Rambler Community,

 

We are pleased to announce that Loyola Academy will increase its capacity for in-person learning for the second quarter. Our community has made great strides to get to this point, and we are grateful for the collective effort of our students, faculty and staff members.

 

We believe that in-person learning is a much richer and more beneficial experience for the entire Rambler community, and this transition is made possible by the extensive safety measures in place that have enabled us to create a safe learning environment.

 

 

Beginning Monday, October 19, fifty-percent of our student body will learn on campus each day. Each grade level will continue to be divided in half alphabetically by last name (A-K and L-Z). Please review the details of this message carefully, as the changes to our schedule impact everyone.

 

Additionally, at the end of each RAMBLE cycle, we will implement a virtual learning day where periods 1-9 will meet for 35 minutes each. The demands of online learning are numerous, and it is important that teachers have the space to check-in with their students, address curriculum concerns, and/or allow students to ask questions in the same online platform. Student attendance over Zoom is mandatory on virtual learning days.

 

Click here for a weekly schedule through Thanksgiving break.

 

 

The average class size remains 11 students per classroom, and we will continue the protocols instituted at the beginning of the year such as symptom checks, required face masks, enhanced sanitation measures, enforced social distancing and prohibiting visitors to campus. Student desks will be arranged six feet apart in rows, facing the same direction. Seats will be assigned, and a seating chart will be enforced.

 

Additionally, there will be no large group gatherings (e.g. assemblies, pep rallies, all-school Masses), no field trips and no overnight travel.

 

 

Lunch periods are divided into two parts: lunch time and flex time. Each segment is 25 minutes long. With more students in the building each day, lunch periods will become a larger safety concern, therefore, we are limiting the places students can go during lunch periods as well as student movement in the building during these designated times. There will be Dean's Office personnel, proctors, signage and frequent announcements to facilitate the process as well as the social distancing and wearing of masks.

 

Grade levels will spend their lunch time in the Cafeteria, West Gym, or outside in one of the tents by the Piazza or football field. During flex time, students can occupy any of the following spaces: East Gym balcony, East Gym bleachers, pool balcony or tents by the Piazza or football field. Students who have a free period during a lunch period (i.e. a senior who is free during 4A) can use the Student Center, Library, Quad or tents on the north end of campus. All tents will be heated beginning on November 1.

 

It is recommended that students use their PushCoin account to pay for any food items and consider using FDMealPlanner to pre-order their lunch. Students should consider bringing their lunches for the first few days of the new schedule to maximize their free time.

 

A student experiencing ONE symptom of COVID-19 including a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; headache, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, new congestion/runny nose, chills, loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea, fatigue, muscle or body aches should stay home. Please keep any other siblings at home as well until the source of the symptom is identified. Please contact your medical provider and notify the school nurse if your child is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned by email at cbraasch@loy.org.

 

Anyone experiencing even one symptom of COVID-19 will need to stay home until the following criteria are met:

1. Fever free for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine.
2. Improvement of symptoms.
3. At least 10 days have passed since onset of symptoms OR proof of a negative COVID test result is provided OR a note from a doctor stating there is no clinical suspicion of COVID-19 infection and inditication of an alternative medical diagnosis with exclusion related to this diagnosis.
4. And, beginning on October 19, Loyola will only accept a molecular (RT-PCR) negative test result in order to return to school; antigen (rapid) test results are not valid proof of wellness.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, the student's doctor should immediately be notified and you should receive additional information from that medical professional. The school nurse should also be notified at 847.920.2451 or cbraasch@loy.org. The student must isolate and should not return to campus until he or she has met the CDC's criteria to discontinue home isolation and it has been validated by one of our school nurses.

 

If someone in the same household as the student has tested positive, the rest of the family should quarantine at home for 14 days and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms twice a day. View the exposure guidelines from the CDC for additional information.

 

 

The student parking lots will be available to any student with a valid driver's license and parking permit issued by the Dean's Office. If you have not already done so, the parking permit application is available here (please note, the student must be signed in to their Loyola Google account to complete the application). This parking policy will remain in place during the hybrid school schedule. Students will still be required to enter the building using the Main Lobby (door #1) or the Piazza entrance (door #6).

 

 

All dress code rules will be enforced when students are on campus for class. Students are required to wear traditional classic-cut or relaxed-fit chino khaki dress slacks and LoyolaWear shirts with the Loyola Academy seal. Please note that "skinny style" pants do not comply with the dress code. Shoes must be worn during the school day. No sandals or boots are permitted.

 

With the colder weather upon us, it is recommended that students plan to wear an approved sweatshirt or pullover to school each day. Additional information on our dress code is available here.

 

 

Remote instruction for medically fragile students, students at a higher risk of severe illness, and students who live with individuals at higher risk of severe illness may be available for a remote learning option. A doctor's note indicating why the accommodation is necessary must be provided to the Principal's Office. Documentation should be emailed to principal@loy.org by Monday, October 19.

 

Students participating in this remote learning accommodation are not eligible to participate in any on-campus, in-person activities including academics, athletics and cocurriculars. If your request is approved, the Principal's Office will notify the student's teachers and counselor, as well as the school nurse and the Dean's Office. Loyola Academy reserves the right to rescind this approval if we were to resume full in-person learning.

 

 

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) recommends a 14-day quarantine for persons entering suburban Cook County from states and countries with a high incidence of COVID-19 infections. If you do choose to travel, please follow all safety precautions and guidelines of CCDPH.

 

Read more about the CDC's holiday suggestions and guidelines here.

 

A safe increase to our on-campus capacity will continue to depend upon the personal responsibility and community accountability of us all. We want to be on campus, but this will not work if all of us are not vigilant at all times about these simple but incredibly important efforts: wear a mask, wash your hands, keep six feet distance when possible.

 

Although we are excited to increase the number of students in the building, a shift back to a reduced capacity on campus is possible in the event of an outbreak of the coronavirus in our community or per the mandate of state and local authorities. We are continually monitoring this situation and consulting guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

For information on health and safety procedures, please visit our COVID-19 web page and learn more about our additional mitigation efforts. If you have any questions, please contact us at covid.information@loy.org.

 

Sincerely,

Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ
President

Charles W. Heintz
Principal