Updated 4/27/2021
Westlake is currently navigating an outbreak of Covid-19 that has resulted in the quarantine of the majority of our grades. As we walk through this COVID situation, our goal is to be as transparent as possible in an effort to ensure the safety of as many students, families, and teachers as possible. It is also important that we respect the privacy of those involved.
Please join us in praying regularly for the health of those who are sick and for protection for those who were exposed.
The information below provides a summary of the impact to each grade.
Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten
Theses grades do not have any known exposure and are currently in person. As always, please report any covid symptoms to the office and stay home from school if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th Grades
These grades were potentially exposed on Wednesday (4/21) afternoon during activities led by the senior class. It is highly unlikely that any elementary students were close enough to the potentially contagious senior to allow for spread, but we can’t be certain.
Return to school: 5/10. If no positive cases develop in elementary students, they may be allowed to return earlier.
Recommended actions:
- Stay home and avoid contact with other people.
- Report any covid symptoms or covid test results to the office immediately
- Obtain a covid test (see below) on one of the following dates: 4/26, 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 4/30. A negative covid test will be required if students are allowed to return to school earlier than 5/10.
3rd Grade
These students were directly exposed to a faculty member on 4/22. All third graders are required to quarantine for 14 days.
Return to school: 5/10. It is possible that the quarantine time could be shortened.
Recommended actions:
- Stay home and avoid contact with other people.
- Report any covid symptoms or covid test results to the office immediately
- Obtain a covid test (see below) on one of the following dates: 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 4/30. A negative covid test will be required if students are allowed to return to school earlier than 5/10.
7th–8th Grades
An 8th grader tested positive on 4/26. This student was not in the building while contagious. However, due to the high number of cases in the building, 7th and 8th grades have been moved to full remote.
Return to school: 5/10. This date could be moved up if no further cases develop in these grades.
Recommended actions:
- Avoid contact with other students
- Report any covid symptoms or covid test results to the office immediately
- A covid test is not needed at this time
9th–12th Grades
All students in these grades are quarantined.
Return to school: 5/10
Recommended actions:
- Do not gather with other students until we know that the virus has been contained
- Report any covid symptoms or covid test results to the office
Obtaining a Covid Test
If you would like to get a covid test for your child, there are many options now available. Many are free. If your student does not have symptoms, it is recommended that you choose a PCR (lab) test. Rapid tests are acceptable for symptomatic students.
We recommend that you start with calling your pediatrician. Most pediatricians are offering both rapid and PCR tests. Some will only test symptomatic children, but many will now test asymptomatic students who have been exposed to covid. The benefit of scheduling an appointment with your pediatrician is that a medical professional will perform the test, rather than a parent administering the test while in a vehicle.
Other options include:
Lake County Health Department Site (No cost PCR test)
102 W. Water Street, Waukegan
Hours: M, W, F, Sat, 8–4
Drive-thru; no appointment required
More details
CVS (No cost rapid or PCR tests)
Drive-thru; appointment required
Schedule an appointment
Walgreens (No cost rapid or PCR tests)
Drive-thru; appointment required
Schedule an appointment
BinaxNOW (OTC rapid test - $23.99 for two tests)
This test is available at some pharmacies and is only recommended for symptomatic individuals. It can also be ordered online. This test is administered at home, and results are available within 15 minutes.
Covid test results should be emailed to the office or dropped off at the school office. If you have any questions, please call the office at (847) 548–6209.
