Last updated: January 20, 2021
St. Athanasius School Parents,
As recommendations for keeping our students, staff and families healthy change, we will continue to communicate with you regarding updates. Please know that decisions are made with the goal of keeping the majority of our students in person at school. We released last week, and you received from the Office of Catholic Schools, revised quarantine protocol for travel. This morning we received an update and clarification, shared below. This supersedes the guidance released last week.
Most importantly, please note:
- They have re-evaluated the return to school after 7 days with a negative test. All domestic travel (outside of the state) will require a full 10 day quarantine.
- This applies to all travel outside of the state, regardless of the amount of time spent in that state--2 hours or 2 days, a 10 day quarantine is required.
The full message you will receive from the OCS is included below. We need to keep in mind at this point in time, we are focused on keeping each other healthy, and we are so fortunate to have our children attending school each day.
Please contact Principal McClay with any questions.
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Dear Catholic School Families,
We are doing our best to remain on top of changes in the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, we wish to apprise you of a further change in our guidelines for quarantines. This represents a revision from the Quarantine Guidelines distributed last week.
In discussion with the Office of Catholic Schools and our consulting medical experts, we have decided that a quarantine of 7 days with a negative test result following domestic travel is not best for our school settings. A 7-day quarantine is only effective in instances of complete avoidance of social gatherings and because in-person instruction within a classroom is essentially a form of social gathering – even with physical distancing observed – that would nullify the integrity of 7-day quarantine. Rather, observance of 10 days in all instances of domestic travel provides the greatest level of safety for all students and staff. Therefore, please note the following with changes bolded for your reference:
QUARANTINE CLARIFICATIONS – Jan. 20, 2021
- A quarantine of 10 days is required for any/all domestic travel (i.e. travel outside of the state of Illinois)
- Quarantine is required regardless of whether or not there is a negative test result, and no matter how much time is spent in another state.
- Quarantine starts the day after return home.
- International travel quarantine remains 14 days.
- Close exposure quarantines remain 14-days at the recommendation of all departments of public health in those jurisdictions in which the Archdiocese operates and our own medical advisors.
We understand that this change may pose a challenge for some. Please know that we are in continuous contact with the departments of public health and our team of medical experts to assess our standards and adjusting, as necessary, to keep the safety of all in our school communities our first and unwavering priority. And in our focus on safety, we are also making every effort to keep you informed.
As the departments of public health adopt any new guidance, which we anticipate over the coming months, we will communicate with you immediately.
Thank you for your patience and commitment to the safety protocols that continue to make this school year a success under such extraordinary circumstances.
Sincerely,
Archdiocesan COVID-19 Task Force
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Return to School Reminders:
- All students should have at least one extra mask with them every day.
- Remember to complete your daily wellness check prior to your student’s arrival at school.
- If a household member (including a nanny, even if they don’t live in your home) is sick or is awaiting Covid test results, students should stay home until it is determined that the symptomatic person does not have Covid.
- Dress appropriately for the weather each day. We will continue to be outside for PE and recess whenever possible.
Thank you.