Glenbrook students return to e-learning for a day after COVID cases are reported

Glenbrook High Schools District 225 hit a speed bump shortly after beginning its Step 3 hybrid learning schedule in earnest on Oct. 5 at both Glenbrook North and South.

In separate emails to school community members last week, Glenbrook South Principal Dr. Lauren Fagel and District 225 Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns noted positive COVID-19 cases at both high schools.

On Oct. 7, Fagel wrote that three students and one staff member had tested positive. One of the students was last on campus on Oct. 3, while two others hadn't been there since early August, her release stated. The staff member was last on campus on Oct. 2.

The district learned of a Glenbrook North student's positive case on Oct. 7 and a second-shift staff member testing positive on Oct. 8, according to the letter from Johns.

"In addition, we are currently monitoring multiple suspected and probable student and staff cases in the district," Johns' letter said.

Anyone identified as having close contact with the people diagnosed with COVID-19 will self-quarantine for 14 days.

The two high schools reverted to Step 1 in its Learning and Operational Plan on Oct. 9, with all students remaining home for e-learning while the schools conducted a deep cleaning and disinfection. Except for "essential administrators," nobody was allowed on campus. After Monday's national holiday, the schools moved back to Step 3, a phased-in hybrid morning-afternoon schedule.

Freshmen started Tuesday. After an off-day for SAT testing Wednesday, the hybrid schedule was scheduled to continue with sophomores today, both junior and senior classes on Friday, and freshmen again on Oct. Monday.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, all four classes are planned to begin the a.m./p.m. hybrid schedule.