Dear Parents/Guardians,
Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has mandated that in-person instruction at Illinois schools be suspended for the remainder of the school year. Urban Prep, therefore, will continue with our Remote Learning Plan through June 18, 2020.
Despite school buildings not being open, Urban Prep students will continue to learn.
We recognize and empathize with everyone trying to make sense of our current new normal of social distancing and stay-at-home orders. These policies certainly create a sense of discouragement and disappointment when we think about the disruption to the rituals and milestones at Urban Prep that our young people experience during the school year. Thus, it is essential that we work together to provide structure and support to our young men to regularly engage them in meaningful learning activities and ensure that our students remain connected to the Urban Prep family. We know that this is a particularly disruptive and disappointing time for our seniors. Nevertheless, it is important that they finish out the school year on-track for graduation.
All Urban Prep families have been informed of our Remote Learning Plan. Teachers, staff and administrators are available daily to ensure that remote learning occurs. Urban Prep’s Remote Learning Plan is robust and comprehensive and will rely on your young man’s full engagement in order to be most effective. Please support your young man in this effort. If your young man requires assistance to participate daily and complete assignments, please notify your Principal and Assistant Principal immediately.
If the COVID-19 pandemic is causing particular duress to your family related to food, housing or technology access, please communicate with your campus’ Principal/Assistant Principal. We are here to help.
This situation remains fluid and changes may occur on a daily basis. It is imperative that we have UPdated contact information for each of our families, as throughout the remainder of the school year there will be important information that will be shared with all Urban Prep families. If you have not already done so, please click the following link and complete the survey as soon as possible: https://we-b.lv/UPSurvey20200315. During the school closure, your young man may continue to go to a public school to pick up free food boxes containing three days’ of breakfast and lunches for students. To locate the site most convenient for you, please visit cps/edu/mealsites
And, finally, please continue following the protocols below related to COVID-19 (coronavirus):
- If you or your young man has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the Principal of his campus.
- If you need help locating medical care, please reach out to the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness at [email protected] or by calling the CPS Command Center at 773-553-KIDS (5437).
- If you or your child has a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and did not have direct contact with a COVID-19 positive person, please contact your primary care provider.
- If you are concerned that you or your child have had direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact the CDPH at [email protected] or call 312-746-4835.
For the most reliable information about COVID-19, please visit:
- Chicago Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Chicago Public Schools
- CIty of Chicago
The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 is an unprecedented moment in recent history. Thus, we ask everyone to stay informed and take the necessary steps to keep yourselves, your families and our communities healthy and safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your Campus Leader.
It is very important to us that WE remain connected throughout this time of uncertainty. Again, please do not hesitate to reach out to Urban Prep if you have any questions, concerns or need for support/assistance. As always, thank you for entrusting the education of your young man to Urban Prep.
We Believe,
Dennis Lacewell
Chief Academic Officer
Urban Prep Academies