Coronavirus Cases Halt In-Person Learning At Saint Viator

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Following "higher than acceptable" coronavirus incident rates reported over the past weekend, officials at Saint Viator High School announced Monday the school will be switching to full remote learning, effective immediately. The private, co-ed, Catholic school in Arlington Heights has been offering full in-person studies since the school year started in August.

"It is with profound regret that we must inform you that we are voluntarily halting in-person classes due to a higher than acceptable COVID-19 incident rate within the Saint Viator school community," President Brian Liedlich and Principal Karen Love said in a letter to parents. "During the overnight hours, we received notification of additional positive test results and have now reached our threshold for keeping our students and faculty safe."

Despite the switch to eLearning Tuesday, officials are planning to resume in-person classes on Oct. 19, but admit they will be monitoring the situation.

"As you know, we experienced measurable success with our eLearning experience during the Spring 2020 semester and anticipate with further experience will maintain our commitment to meeting our academic goals," the letter reads. "Students are expected to attend all classes via Zoom during this period."

All extracurricular activities including athletic practices and games are suspended during this time. Officials are also asking everyone to strictly adhere to the Center for Disease Control and Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines for combating COVID-19 and upon re-opening of the school, only allow your child to return if they are symptom-free.

If any student tests positive for COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms of the virus during this 14-day period, they are being asked to reach out to the school's nurse Pamela Kelly at pkelly@saintviator.com.