Sent 1.11.2021

By:
Dear Rambler Community,
 
In advance of our return to hybrid learning on Tuesday, January 19, we want to reiterate the important protocols that have afforded our community a great deal of success with in-person learning in the first semester. Some additional information and updates are below. Please carefully review this email in its entirety today.
 
The health of Loyola students, faculty and staff remains our top priority. Therefore, all precautions and policies in place during the first semester, which were proven to be effective within our community, will remain in effect for the second semester. These include:
  • Masks are required on campus, including parking lots and outdoor spaces.
  • Social distancing must be maintained (6ft apart or more).
  • Our hybrid schedule will remain in effect in order to de-densify our building.
  • Families are asked to continue to report positive tests, exposures and travel related quarantines to school nursing staff.
  • All members of our community must continue to wash and sanitize hands frequently.
  • Upon entrance to our building, temperature checks and symptom screenings will be conducted.
  • At this time, visitors are not allowed on campus, and there will be no field trips.
  • Any individual experiencing even one symptom of COVID-19—including headache, congestion, loss of sense of taste or smell, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, cough, fever, chills or body aches—must stay home and not come to campus.
Prior to returning to campus, we are strongly recommending that all students, faculty and staff get tested.* The two weeks of Christmas break and the additional two weeks of remote learning represent the longest period of time away from campus in the school year. We know that families may have traveled or visited with individuals outside of their household, increasing the possibility of exposure. Multiple testing sites are available throughout Cook County and other areas.
 
In addition, Loyola Academy has contracted with Northshore Clinical Lab to provide convenient COVID-19 PCR testing on our campus this week for students, faculty and staff members only. This on campus testing opportunity is a prudent additional mitigation effort.
 
Testing will be held in the West Gym on the following schedule:
  • Thursday, January 14, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, January 15, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, January 16, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
No one will incur any out-of-pocket expenses; all costs should be covered by most insurance providers. Loyola Academy will take care of costs related to this test that are not covered by insurance. Results will be communicated by email and phone within 24–48 hours to the individual, Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and Loyola Academy. The following steps are required to receive a test at Loyola Academy:
  1. Complete the Event Bright online registration form.
  2. Complete the requisition form and email it to loyolatesting@northshoreclinical.com by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13.
  3. Complete the Parent Consent Form and bring it to the scheduled appointment. Please note, students must have the Parent Consent Form with them or a test will not be administered.
A COVID-19 test is not required to return to campus; however, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. 
 
While testing is a powerful tool in combating the spread of COVID-19, it does have limitations. A test, of course, is simply a snapshot in time and offers no protection. Furthermore, a negative result can provide a false sense of security. Individuals who test negative must continue to wear a mask, wash their hands and remain socially distant. We want to make clear that a negative test is not clearance for increased socialization; in fact, as we return to campus, now is the time to redouble our efforts and tighten our circles so we can continue our success.
 
Thank you to the many families that have communicated openly with our nursing staff. Each piece of information has helped us become better at responding to the crisis at hand. Your communication is vital to our ability to continue safe in-person learning on our hybrid model. Families that need to report a positive case, COVID exposure or travel quarantine are asked to email cbraasch@loy.org before Monday, January 18. 
 
Let us recommit to our personal accountability and shared responsibility to do our part and remember these three simple but effective measures: wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance.
 
We are grateful to you for your continued partnership.
 
Sincerely,
Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ
President
Charles W. Heintz
Principal
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1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-1089  |  847-256-1100
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