The Archdiocese of Chicago announced it will close all of its schools beginning Monday and students will switch to an E-learning curriculum for an undetermined amount of time to limit spread of COVID-19. After-school activities, social events and school-related gatherings are also canceled.
The Chicago Archdiocese is closing Catholic Schools starting on Monday: pic.twitter.com/ndPnlH2qep
— Michael R. Nelson (@mistermrnelson) March 13, 2020
According to WGNTV.com
The Archdiocese has also suspended all public celebrations of mass starting Saturday evening, March 14. Weddings and funerals scheduled for Saturday 14 will proceed while observing the guidelines issued by Gov. JB Pritzker where participating is limited to no more than 250 people. Archdiocesan churches should remain open for private prayer during a timeframe best determined by each pastor, the archdiocese said in a statement.
Chicago Public Schools remains open, in a letter located on CPS’s website HERE,
“Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot affirmed that we will not be closing schools in Chicago or Illinois. To help prevent community spread of COVID-19, CPS has issued restrictions on both travel and group activities.
All travel conducted on behalf of the district beyond city limits is canceled through spring break.
All international trips on behalf of the district are canceled.
Sports will be suspended until further notice.
We are limiting visitors to CPS schools and facilities.
Support is available to you:
- If you need help locating medical care, please reach out to the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness at [email protected] or by calling the Healthy CPS Hotline 773-553-KIDS (5437).
- If you or your child has a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and did not have direct contact with a COVID-19 positive person, please contact your primary care provider.
- If you are concerned that you or your child have had direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the CDPH at [email protected] or call 312-746-4835.
Update: Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54 has announced school closings
As the 2019 Novel Coronavirus continues to spread, District 54 is cancelling school the week of March 16-20. We are also closed the following week, as previously scheduled for spring break. For more information visit https://t.co/cladVeyF5y.
— School District 54 (@D54schools) March 13, 2020
Update: (3/13 noon) Teachers Union Demands CPS Close All Schools Due to Coronavirus Concerns according to Block Club Chicago.
Update: (3/13 2:25p) All District 62 schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through spring break, Friday, March 27. This decision was made in conjunction with the school districts in Maine Township (River Trails School District 26, Community Consolidated School District 62, East Maine District 63, Park Ridge-Niles District 64, Pennoyer Elementary School District 79 and Maine Township High School District 207) as we continue to work together to monitor developments related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.
While there are NO reported cases of COVID-19 coronavirus connected to any of our school districts at this time, the safety, health and well being of the citizens of our community are the priority in making this decision. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continue to encourage prevention measures and caution. We are closing as a public health precaution, in response to the recommendations from the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health to avoid crowds in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Also check out the FAQ related to COVID-19 HERE. I will continue to update this page with more information as I receive it, stay healthy! <3 Lauren
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