A steady stream of students arrived for class Wednesday at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Lake View as the school reopened after a one-day closure due to news a parent who has children at the school was infected with the coronavirus.
Parents dropping off their kids off declined to chat Wednesday, but Brian Barasch, a school spokesman, said student attendance was normal and parents seemed happy with how the situation was handled.
The Jewish day school, 3751 N. Broadway, has more than 500 students from nursery through eighth grade.
Public health officials did not recommend the school be shut down, but administrators did so as a precaution and to allow a “deep clean” of the building.
Administrators shared a letter Tuesday night from the Chicago Department of Health that said the school was safe. It was signed by Dr. Stephanie R. Black, medical director with the Communicable Disease Program at the Chicago Department of Public Health.
“Given that the current risk of community transmission in Chicago is low, and based on the information obtained regarding the investigation of the parent who has tested positive for the virus which causes COVID-19, the Chicago Department of Public Health does not see a need to continue school closure. We are working closely with school administrators to ensure the health and safety of Bernard Zell students, their families and staff.”
No student or staff member has tested positive for the virus.
The parent who tested positive, as well as the parent’s spouse and children who attend the school, are under home quarantine, Barasch said.
The mood was festive at the school Wednesday as some students arrived dressed in costume to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Anshe Emet Synagogue, which is attached to the school, also reopened Wednesday.
