PARK RIDGE, Illinois (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago resumed full-time in-person instruction in August. Even though students, parents, faculty, and staff are starting to resume their old routines, the school year is far from normal.
"This was completely uncharted territory," said Dr. Erika Mickelburgh, principal at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School in Park Ridge.
Like other schools, it switched over to remote learning in March as the pandemic hit the U.S. Intense preparation to bring students back started as soon as the school year came to an end.
Part of the planning involved preparing for the possibility that a student or faculty member would test positive.
"We knew the possibility was when -- not if," Mickelburgh said.
The school building was reimagined to change the flow of students through common spaces. Kids have assigned doors, separate recess times and limited access to students in other classrooms. Masks and social distancing are a must. Students are also screened at the start of the school day.
"At the door they do their health and safety checks. Their temperature is taken, they're asked how they are feeling," Mickelburgh said.
Parents must keep their kids home if they show any symptom for COVID, and positive tests must be reported immediately.
"We have to look at the number of infections. We have to look at the cohorts impacted. We have to look at the possibility for spreading," Mickelburgh said.
In late September, several positive cases in the school community led to a two-week shutdown of the school. Remote learning resumed once again.
Mickelburgh says preparation and flexibility are keys to navigating an uncommon year.
