Grayslake-Area Catholic Schools Will Open This Fall: Cupich

GRAYSLAKE, IL — Cardinal Blase Cupich announced that students will be returning to school in the fall. The Roman Catholic school system, covering Cook and Lake counties, closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Archdiocese of Chicago is also making plans to resume Mass following social distancing guidelines as the state moves into Phase 3 of Reopening Illinois.

The following area elementary school will be among the Catholic schools to open in fall: St. Joseph School in Libertyville, St. Bede School in Ingleside, Frassati Catholic Academy - Mundelein Campus, Frassati Catholic Academy - Wauconda Campus, Prince of Peace School in Lake Villa and St. Joseph School in Round Lake. Area high schools that will resume in-person instruction are Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein and Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan.

Illinois Coronavirus Update June 11: 129,837 Cases, 6,095 Deaths

"We have every intention of our students returning to the classroom when our school year begins in the fall," Cupich said in a video to parents. "Have no doubt that we will employ measures that keep the safety of your children the priority."

Cupich said the Archdiocese of Chicago is working with experts on COVID-19, as well as state and local public health officials. Safety measures will be put in place for when children and staff return to school, including:

• Enhanced regular cleaning and disinfecting of high contact areas
• Plexiglas separations in office and common areas
• adequate supplies of sanitizer and personal protection equipment.
• temperature checks for staff and students showing symptoms of coronavirus

The schools, consisting of more than 70,000 students, closed for in-person instruction on March 13 and transitioned to remote learning, which Cupich admits has presented some challenges.

"We take pride that our educators quickly responded when I made the decision to close school buildings due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Cupich said. "They established remote learning within days of the closure."

Cupich said no instructional days were missed and the school year has closed for most schools.
The cardinal also announced remote learning will continue in the fall for parents who prefer or need to keep their children home.

Patch editor Eric DeGrechia contributed to this report.