Marian Catholic High School To Adopt 'Hybrid Model' This Fall

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Marian Catholic High School will adopt a "hybrid learning model" for the upcoming 2020 fall semester, officials announced in a news release. The decision was made following a consultation with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Archdiocese of Chicago and schools around the nation, according to the release.

The hybrid method will consist of 50 percent in-person schooling and 50 percent e-learning. Families can also choose to keep their students entirely at home. The school said students will be provided with the same faculty and lesson plans, and complete the same assignments, whether they choose hybrid or online instruction.

To ensure the safety of students and faculty, Principal Steve Tortorello said, "First and foremost ... safety is the most important and number one determining factor in all that we do," according to the press release.

Safety precautions include:

• Students and staff will have temperatures taken before entering the school or a bus. If an individual has a fever of 100.4 degrees or above, they will not be permitted.
• Families are asked to assess their students' health prior to the student leaving. With any signs of symptoms, the student will have to stay home. Same rules apply to faculty.
• An isolation room for students who develop COVID-19 symptoms was created to isolate students throughout the day. A physician's note is required stating the individual does not have COVID-19 to return to campus.
• Masks must be worn at all times in the building, and students will be required to maintain six feet of distance between others. Desks and spaces will be spaced out and hallway traffic will be directed to minimize social or physical interaction.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be set up in each classroom. The school will be deep cleaned every night and classrooms will be sanitized between class periods.
• Extracurriculars will take place following guidelines provided by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), temperatures will be checked and masks are required.
• Parents and families will be asked to conduct business with the school either by phone or email. If for an unlikely event they have to go to the school, temperatures will be taken and masks are required.

The students will be divided into two groups that alternate between e-learning and in-person instruction every other day. Class sizes will be cut in half, and students will use iPads provided by the school.

This model is subject to change based on future announcements from the state, CDC and Archdiocese of Chicago, school officials said. For more information, visit the school's website.