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COVID-19 Information

March 13, 2020
By Brooke Rick

Dear Marquette Academy Catholic School Community,

Marquette Academy continues to closely monitor and plan for the rapidly changing Coronavirus/COVID-19 health issue. As of this email, there are no cases of COVID-19 in LaSalle County.  Because this could change, we are reaching out to update our school community.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) does not recommend closing schools at this time.

We understand Spring Break will soon be here, and several of our families and staff members may be traveling. Per the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), districts cannot exclude or deny enrollment or education to students who are residents of the district due to travel destinations.  The Catholic Diocese of Peoria’s schools are recognized by ISBE as nonpublic schools, and therefore, would be following this school code. 

Decisions to quarantine students must be made by state or local public health officials and the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools. Our school will work with these local and state health officials and our diocesan schools’ office should there be a need to consider any type of student or staff exclusion or school closure.

We are asking parents to partner with our school in encouraging everyone to practice everyday measures to decrease the spread of germs:

  • Stay home when you are sick.  CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) except to get medical care.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • CALL YOUR DOCTOR for advice if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you or your child has a chronic illness.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf

Listed below are the actions Marquette Academy is taking to decrease the spread of all germs in our school:

  • Frequent communication with the LaSalle County Health Department to remain updated on COVID-19 in LaSalle County. 
  • Monitoring daily absences in our school to note trends and increases.
  • Hand washing education in Pre-K through 8th grade and 9-12th grade. Here are some tips for you to review with your family, as well https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf
  • Reviewing for possible implementation our diocesan E-learning plans, per ISBE and the Office of Catholic Schools, should the recommendation be made from our local health officials and diocesan schools’ office to close schools.

Below is an excerpt from our Catholic school handbook as a reminder to parents:

Communicable Diseases: For everyone’s protection, sick children must be at home, not at school. When reporting the student’s absence, please report the reason for the child’s absence. The school needs to be informed of any student having a special health problem or communicable disease.

Children with the following conditions should not be in school: 

  • A fever within the last 24 hours of 100° F or higher WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medication
  • Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
  • A frequent or disruptive cough or other signs of an acute respiratory infection.
  • Any contagious illness such as “strep throat” that requires antibiotic therapy.
  • Once a student has been fever free without use of fever-reducing medications and on antibiotics for at least 24 hours, he/she may return to school.
  • Any undiagnosed skin rash. A student with a rash may attend school upon presenting a physician’s note stating the rash is not contagious.
  • Pronounced lethargy or fatigue that interferes with participation in learning activities.

 

Marquette Academy will continue to plan and prepare for the COVID-19 disease progression, and will work with the Office of Catholic Schools to keep our school families updated as to CDC’s recommendations for our community.

Respectfully, 

Brooke Rick
Marquette Academy Principal
High School 815-433-0125 ext. 1013
Grade School 815-433-1199