Lake Co. Catholic Schools Will Open This Fall: Cupich

Lake Forest IL

11 June, 2020

7:48 AM

Description

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Cardinal Blase Cupich announced that students will be returning to school in the fall. The Roman Catholic school system, covering Cook and Lake counties, closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Archdiocese of Chicago is also making plans to resume Mass following social distancing guidelines as the state moves into Phase 3 of Reopening Illinois. There is one Archdiocese elementary school in Libertyville, St. Joseph School at 221 Park Place, which will be among the Catholic schools to open in the fall. Other area elementary schools include: St. Anastasia School in Waukegan, East Lake Academy in Lake Forest, Frassati Catholic Academy in Mundelein and St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove. In addition, the following area high schools will resume in-person instruction: Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, and St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Illinois Coronavirus Update June 11: 129,837 Cases, 6,095 Deaths "We have every intention of our students returning to the classroom when our school year begins in the fall," Cupich said in a video to parents. "Have no doubt that we will employ measures that keep the safety of your children the priority." Cupich said the Archdiocese of Chicago is working with experts on COVID-19, as well as state and local public health officials. Safety measures will be put in place for when children and staff return to school, including: Enhanced regular cleaning and disinfecting of high contact areasPlexiglas separations in office and common areasadequate supplies of sanitizer and personal protection equipment.temperature checks for staff and students showing symptoms of coronavirusThe schools, consisting of more than 70,000 students, closed for in-person instruction on March 13 and transitioned to remote learning, which Cupich admits has presented some challenges. "We take pride that our educators quickly responded when I made the decision to close school buildings due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Cupich said. "They established remote learning within days of the closure." Cupich said no instructional days were missed and the school year has closed for most schools.The cardinal also announced remote learning will continue in the fall for parents who prefer or need to keep their children home. Patch editor Eric DeGrechia contributed to this report.