COVID-19 Update from Principal Green

Dear Parents, 

The primary goal of St. John’s is to provide a quality Christian education in a safe environment.  Providing the quality Christian education is not difficult due to St. John’s amazing teachers and improved curriculum.  Because of the current Covid – 19 transmission rate it is becoming more difficult to prevent transmission of the virus at St. John’s.  

St. John’s is battling viral transmission by 1) Enhanced cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting protocols, 2) Mandatory mask wearing by anyone who is in the building, 3) Social distancing as much as possible, 4) Using student desk shields, and 5) Restricting any building or room rentals.  St. John’s will continue these protocols until we get to the end of this pandemic.

REMOTE LEARNING OPTION

I cannot guarantee that the above protocols will eliminate any viral transmission at school. Therefore, while research has proven that in-person instruction is best for students’ academic progress and social emotional development, I want to give you the option of choosing remote learning for your student for the remainder of January.  Please consider the following if you choose the remote learning option.

1. Despite teachers’ best efforts to include all, remote learning may limit some instructional opportunities for your child.
2. Remote students will not be able to participate in any on-campus school activities.
3. Remote students are expected to attend all their classes and turn in assignments by their due date.
4. Teachers will teach their in-person students while simultaneously teaching remote learners utilizing classroom technology. 
5. You will need to notify your child’s teacher by Sunday, January 9 that you are choosing the remote option for the remainder of January. 
6. You will not be able to change back to in-person instruction until February.

IN-PERSON LEARNING OPTION
St. John’s will begin in-person instruction on January 10 for those families who choose this option.  As noted above, all cleaning protocols and mitigations put in place at the beginning of the school year will continue.  If a student is attending in-person instruction and becomes infected with Covid – 19, the student will be eligible for remote learning during the quarantine period. Parents will need to provide Mr. Green with a negative Covid – 19 test result prior to returning from Covid isolation.  Students who stay home for non-covid reasons are not eligible for remote learning.  If an outbreak of Covid occurs in a classroom, that classroom will be required to quarantine according to Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education guidelines.  

RETURN TO FULL IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION

All students will return to in-person instruction on Wednesday, February 1.  St. John’s will continue with all school in-person instruction though the end of the school unless the governing authorities direct schools to close.  As noted above, if a Covid outbreak occurs in a particular classroom, that classroom will return to remote learning during the required quarantine period.

REMINDERS

• Do not send your child to school if your child is sick.
• You will be required to pick up your child if your child becomes sick at school.
• Students who have a fever will not be admitted to school and if they develop a fever they will be sent home.
• Teach your child how to wear a face mask properly.
• Teach your child proper hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
• Communicate to Mr. Green if your child tests positive for Covid or has been in close contact with a Covid positive person.
  
• Follow the quarantine rules for unvaccinated individuals if your unvaccinated student travels to a state on the Chicago Department of Public Health Travel Advisory.

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RECOMMENDATIONS​

• I strongly encourage you to have your child fully vaccinated if they are eligible for the vaccine.
• Test your child regularly for Covid when the at home tests are available again.  A negative PCR test is required in order for students diagnosed with Covid to return to school.  
• I encourage you to have your child tested for Covid prior to returning to in-person instruction.

Lastly, I thank you all for your diligence in keeping St. John’s students, faculty and staff safe.  I continue to monitor the Covid metrics from all the reporting agencies and will make adjustments,  as needed to St. John’s instructional plans.

God bless your New Year!

Principal Green