2020 Pandemic Life at St. Emily School, Mount Prospect, IL

By Bonnie Eiffes / Administrative Assistant
St. Emily School

On Saturday, March 7th we gathered for the annual Trivia Night sponsored by St. Emily School. We had no idea it would be the final open event of the year. On Friday, March 13, we learned that school would be closed indefinitely, due to the pandemic.

The loss of personal contact was felt immediately during the school shut down. The faculty and staff devised a way to connect with students and families by hosting a drive through parade at school on April 17. It was a cold, snowy day, but many Eagle families showed their school spirit during our “We Miss You” parade. Following the parade, we learned that the Governor had announced that school buildings would be closed for the remainder of the academic year.

The annual all-school May Crowning event went virtual. Each 8th grade student submitted a video of a presentation of flowers to Our Lady.

Graduation in June was held outdoors, with timed presentation of diplomas, and an individual graduate photo op.

Upcoming events, including the annual Track-a-Thon, Student Recognition Night and prekindergarten, kindergarten and 8th grade graduation programs and ceremonies will be adjusted to comply with CDC and Archdiocese Covid protocols.

Classrooms were reconfigured to allow more space between fewer desks.

Because recess was restricted to specific cohort areas, the 8th grade students painted new games across the play areas for all students to enjoy.

While no off-campus field trips were allowed, the kindergarten teachers recreated a pumpkin farm for their students to enjoy in the school courtyard.

The 3-year-old prekindergarten Christmas program was recorded for parents to view on You Tube.

The St. Emily Fun Fair, during Catholic Schools Week, usually fills the gym with arcade games, inflatable slides and cotton candy. This year our parents treated students to a 1960s themed day of simpler games.

The 8th grade enactment of the Living Stations of the Cross during Lent, was kept to one area of the church, as student spectators sat distanced in the pews. The event was livestreamed so that parents could attend virtually.

Mount Prospect Historical Society
101 South Maple Street
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
847.392.9006
info@mtphistory.org

The Mount Prospect Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to preserving the history of Mount Prospect, IL, through artifacts, photographs and both oral and written memories of current and former residents and businesspeople. On its campus in the heart of the Village, the Society maintains the 1906 Dietrich Friedrichs house museum, the ADA-accessible Dolores Haugh Education Center and the 1896 one-room Central School, which was moved to the museum campus in 2008, renovated and opened to the public in 2017, the 100-year anniversary of the Village.

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