Roycemore's Head of School Shares Campus Re-Entry Plan

Roycemore Head of School, Adrianne Finley Odell, shared the school’s Health & Safety Re-Entry plan yesterday with a video announcement to families. The goal of Roycemore’s plan—developed by the school’s specially created Health and Safety Task Force and COVID-19 Strategy Team—is to guide a safe reopening of the PK-12 campus for the 2020-21 school year and protect the entire Roycemore community.

Roycemore’s Administration and Board of Trustees began health and safety planning for a return to campus almost immediately after the school’s successful transition to remote learning commenced on March 15th in response to COVID-19. The plan was developed utilizing guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Illinois Department for Public Health (IDHP), and the Evanston Department of Health. In addition, Roycemore received expert guidance from professional organizations, peer schools around the country, and independent school governing associations.

Dr. Anita Shah is a board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician and Roycemore parent who serves on the task force. Dr. Shah notes that "Roycemore is taking a very thoughtful, thorough, and collaborative approach to ensure a safe reopening. I am confident, as a physician and as a parent, that Roycemore will continue to provide a safe learning environment to all its students and that health and safety will remain its top priority."

Also introduced in yesterday’s announcement is Roycemore’s Flexible Options for Families. Finley Odell noted that while the school values in-person instruction on its campus, “some families may prefer their children to participate remotely this coming school year given the likelihood that a vaccine will not be available for some time.” In response, Roycemore will be offering 3 enrollment options, including 100% on campus learning, a “blended” learning option, and a 100% remote instruction and learning option.

Families who have already enrolled for the fall will be contacted in late June/July with more information, and will then have the opportunity to choose their option for the school year and see how re-entry plans and the instruction day will look by division. In addition, Roycemore will also offer new personal learning plans for each student, including transition plans for the child’s next grade, assessments to address any gaps during remote learning, and a plan for each child to achieve their highest potential in the year ahead.

While Roycemore’s Administration, Board of Trustees, and Health & Safety Task Force have determined that the school is prepared to open safely according to the latest CDC and IDPH in-person guidelines, they will continue to provide regular communication to families as they monitor health and safety updates related to the pandemic.

To access Roycemore’s full Health & Safety Re-Entry Plan, click here or visit the school’s website at www.roycemoreschool.org.