ELGIN—Students, parents and staff of the new St. Edward Catholic Preparatory Academy here were notified just before the holiday weekend that summer vacation would last a little longer thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Principal Dr. Kathleen Miller sent a letter Sept. 4 to inform the new school community that the first day would not be Sept. 8 as planned.

 

“It is with great disappointment that I must inform you that the much anticipated opening of St. Edward Catholic Preparatory Academy must be delayed. 

 

“Due to a positive case of COVID-19 among our staff and exposure to others preparing to open the new academy, the first day of school will now be Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020,” the letter said.

 

Dr. Miller reported that the case was immediately reported to the Kane County Health Department and the school is following the department’s recommendations of quarantine along with the protocols in place for the Diocese of Rockford and its Office of Education.

 

All staff was asked to quarantine for 14 days from the point of exposure along with getting tested for COVID-19. No students were exposed.

 

Dr. Miller said in her letter to parents that, “While we are excited to welcome our first students and begin a new journey in Catholic academic excellence, our first priority is the health and safety of our students and their families. It is for this reason our school opening must be delayed.”