After transitioning to in-person learning for four days, New Trier returned to virtual learning on Tuesday Oct. 13 because of  a rise in statewide COVID-19 numbers. The school has decided to stay virtual  for the week of Oct. 26. 

According to Illinois health officials, across the North Shore, COVID-19 rates are rising to some of the highest levels they have been since May. At New Trier there were a reported 11 positive cases following the first week of school. 

Superintendent Paul Sally stated in an interview with The Chicago Tribune that none of the reported cases were traced back to school-based transmission. 

“In fact, most of these new cases have been traced back to a party and a series of weekend gatherings that many students from New Trier as well as students from other schools attended,” Sally said. .

COVID-19 cases also forced  several extracurricular activities  to shut down, including girls JV grey swim team and boys JV cross country. 

With increasing numbers across the community, New Trier is not alone in balancing rising levels of COVID-19 and reopening. Neighboring schools Glenbrook North and South have reported six cases and 107 close contacts, forcing the schools to return to e-learning.

To help implement in-person learning New Trier is introducing a fast, COVID-19 saliva-based screening test. According to Sally the test has been piloted for a week with no positive cases.

“We have 70 students and staff set to continue the pilot this week, and the Board of Education has approved a contract to expand the screening to all students and staff,” Sally said.

Sally remains hopeful that school will safely resume soon. .

“We are hopeful that this pause will be a brief one, and that by working together as a community we can get our students back in school for in-person instruction as soon as we can,” Sally said.

This article  was updated on Oct. 24 to include the school’s decision to stay remote for the week of Oct. 26