Joliet Catholic Academy Announces 80 Percent In-Person Plan

JOLIET, IL - Students returning to school at Joliet Catholic Academy this year will face daily temperature checks, will have to wear a mask when indoors and will have to certify that they are not exhibiting Coronavirus symptoms. With those precautions in place, though, Joliet Catholic Academy will have an 80 percent in-person and 20 percent virtual start to its 2020-2021 school year.

“The input from our stakeholders and steering committees has led us to announce we will resume on-campus classes with an 80/20 Hybrid Learning model. 80% of learning will occur in person and on campus, while 20% (or one day per week) will occur at home through “LIVE” E-Learnin,” a written release from the school states. “On E-Learning days, staff and students will participate in “live” classes on a regular, full-day schedule. Health and safety protocols will also be ensured by cleaning and disinfecting the entire building on E-Learning days.”

The school will use Wednesdays as their e-learning day and the building will be deep cleaned on the day when the students are not in attendance, Ryan Quigley, Joliet Catholic Academy Director of Admissions and Communications said.

The decision was based, in part, on the survey that the school sent home to parents. The district said the results of that survey were as follows:

• 72% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed with a return to full-time traditional school with health and safety measures put in place. 11% Neither Agreed or Disagreed.
• 57% of respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed with students having a blended/hybrid approach to traditional in person learning and at home E-Learning. 19% Neither Agreed or Disagreed.
• 93% of families were either somewhat likely or very likely to have their students return to school this fall.
• 93% of respondents agreed with daily temperature checks; 100% agreed with hand washing; 69% agreed with modified access to restrooms; 76% agreed with daily IDPH self-assessment questions; and 83% agreed with restructured lunchroom protocols to decrease cafeteria population.

The building that holds Joliet Catholic Academy is large enough to safely social distance. About 610 students attend JCA.

"We have 240,000 square feet so we have the ability to social distance," Quigley said.

Joliet Catholic Academy also announced that it is committed to providing education and graded work five days a week, limiting student interaction while balancing the learning process, providing live e-learning days once a week and supporting mental health and emotional wellness. The school also is committed to "continue to provide a community of Faith to support our students and the JCA community."

Joliet Catholic Academy will release more details on the return to school in August.

Joliet Catholic Academy is scheduled to begin the 2020-2021 school year with staff training on August 13. Students will return for freshman orientation August 17-18 with the first official day of school scheduled for Wednesday, August 19