Latin School of Chicago
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MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD
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Dear Families,
Thank you for your ongoing patience as we work to develop the safest way to return to learning this fall.
Since the start, our process has been guided by three priorities: the physical safety of students, faculty and staff; a desire to create the most equitable conditions for excellent learning; and flexibility given the ongoing fluidity of our situation.
Similarly, as a school founded on a liberal arts philosophy, we have not wavered from our commitment to in-person learning. We know that maintaining the excellence of our academic program includes delivering it in a way that supports the social and relational aspects of learning, creates conditions for learning that are inclusive, equitable and healthy, and engages students in personal ways that allow them to reach every developmental milestone. All of these goals are most successfully achieved in person.
That said, the concern, fear and anxiety created by the pandemic can not be denied. Based on the input we received from faculty, staff and families related to comfort with returning in person, we have reevaluated our initial plans for reopening fully in person across all three divisions. These newly configured plans also incorporate the expertise of our nursing staff and collaborative input from our Advisory Group of medical and risk management experts. Finally, they represent an ongoing adherence to updated state and city guidelines.
REVISED PLANS
The revised plans reflect changes in three areas:
A greater emphasis on the following safety measures:
- Density of students in buildings
- Space for social distancing
- Stricter cohorting
- Reduced eating on campus
Different modes of learning by division
- Lower school: in person: beginning with half days
- Middle school: hybrid: half days in person/half days remote
- Upper school: fully remote for first semester: with daily opportunities for students and faculty to be on campus for supported remote learning, one-on-one/small group meetings with teachers and peers, and community programming
A phased approach for returning to support acclimation
- The first weeks, months and semester of school will be focused on helping students at all levels acclimate to new habits, protocols and behaviors required to keep our community safe.
We remain committed to meeting students and families where they are in terms of comfort level by offering a fully remote option for every student. Please inform your division director no later than Wednesday, August 12, if your student will be opting for fully remote learning for 2020-21.
ZOOM CALLS WITH DIVISION DIRECTORS AND HEAD OF SCHOOL
All parents/guardians are invited to Zoom meetings (info below) next week with the division directors and me to go over details of each plan and answer questions. Please submit your questions for division meetings here.
END OF SUMMER PLANNING
Our safe return to school will require every member of our community to commit to responsible behaviors both on and off campus. Please consider this when planning activities and travel in the upcoming weeks. Specifically, I am asking all faculty, staff and families to adhere to the Emergency Travel Order issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health which directs travelers to quarantine for 14 days following travel to the identified locations. This is just one measure we can take to help us have the healthiest possible start to the new school year.
Educators and students are among the early adapters to the new normal the pandemic has thrust upon us. I am grateful for your continued partnership as well as the ongoing support of the Board of Trustees. Together, we can support our community through this significant transition.
You can always reach out directly to me with questions.
Sincerely,
Randall Dunn
Head of School
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INFORMATION FOR DIVISION CALLS
Upper school meeting with Kirk Greer and Randall Dunn
Monday, August 10
5:30 p.m.
Zoom Details
https://latinschool.zoom.us/j/95748771764
Meeting ID: 957 4877 1764
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,95748771764# US (Chicago)
+13017158592,,95748771764# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 957 4877 1764
Find your local number: https://latinschool.zoom.us/u/aN8hFw7z8
***
Lower school meeting with Julie Brooks and Randall Dunn
Monday, August 10
7 p.m.
Zoom Details
https://latinschool.zoom.us/j/95885936494?pwd=RjZlZjUwSldOSjNjRTBtWlFNT3didz09
Meeting ID: 958 8593 6494
Passcode: 985969
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,95885936494# US (Chicago)
+13017158592,,95885936494# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 958 8593 6494
Find your local number: https://latinschool.zoom.us/u/adjGV0gG24
***
Middle school meeting with Deb Sampey and Randall Dunn
Tuesday, August 11
6 p.m.
Zoom Details
https://latinschool.zoom.us/j/91461781799?pwd=Y3MzWDY1VUlLODM1eHQ0cUJhVGtzdz09
Meeting ID: 914 6178 1799
Passcode: 553955
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,91461781799#,,,,,,0#,,553955# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,91461781799#,,,,,,0#,,553955# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 914 6178 1799
Passcode: 553955
Find your local number: https://latinschool.zoom.us/u/ad2WXbTd6K
***
Please submit your questions for division meetings here.
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59 W. North Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60610
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