St. Mary of Gostyn School Leading the Way With Safe Learning Protocols

Schools have had to make substantial adjustments in response to the coronavirus pandemic.   St. Mary of Gostyn School in Downers Grove is leading the way, as local public schools are now also incorporating some of the same safety protocols that SMG has been using since early September.

“This unique school year is progressing very well for us so far,” said LaVonne Czech, Director of Marketing & Enrollment for St. Mary of Gostyn School.

“All of our staff members have stepped up to help ensure the safest possible environment for our students and staff.   We have worked hard to develop thorough cleaning protocols and sustain social distancing throughout the building each day.   We have done the best we can to reduce risk as much as possible and to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment for our students and staff.”

St. Mary of Gostyn serves students in pre-K through eighth grade.   The school offers students a hybrid option of morning or afternoon in-person attendance, with the other half day spent at home working on independent practice/application work.   Students may also opt for full remote learning.

“We also offer an Extended Day option for parents whose children need full-day coverage,” added Czech.   These students are able to come to school in the morning and complete their independent practice/application work while under the supervision of certified school staff.   These students then attend their in-person school day in the afternoon.”

Czech is proud of the safety protocols in place for SMG students.   “Each classroom is equipped with a live streaming hub which includes a large screen television, high-definition camera and microphone, and computer which is dedicated to running Google Meets.” she explained.   “The students learning remotely are full participants in the class, wearing their school uniform and interacting with the teachers and students.   Each classroom has been rearranged to provide at least six feet of distance between students.   Teachers move classrooms and see different cohorts of students, which eliminates student movement throughout the building.   We have developed a safe and systematic drop-off and pick-up routine, which requires great collaboration between the office staff, teachers, students and parents.   All students pass a symptom screening and temperature checked each day upon arrival, and sanitize their hands as they enter each day.”

If the pandemic eventually requires it, St. Mary of Gostyn School is fully prepared to teach 100% remotely.   For more information, please contact:

St. Mary of Gostyn School

440 Prairie Avenue

Downers Grove, IL

630-968-6155

www.stmarygostyn.org