May 1, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

SJO student tests positive for COVID-19

A student at St. Joseph-Ogden High School has tested positive for COVID-19.


On Oct. 2, Superintendent Brian Brooks emailed parents to let them know that the student recently tested positive.


“As we have done with each positive case, we are working closely with the CUPHD to do contact tracing in regards to the last time that the student was at school,” Brooks said. “If there are students who are believed to have been in close contact for a prolonged period of time either Principal Gary Page or Athletic Director Justin Franzen will be in contact with those families.”


Brooks told parents he was thankful for their corporation during the pandemic.


“We are sincerely appreciative of our families being so diligent this year in communicating potential COVID-19 exposures to the school,” he said. “This has been very helpful in trying to avoid any type of outbreak at SJO. “

The district had two other confirmed COVID cases in September.


On Oct. 1, Page announced that the district will be revisiting its no locker policy mainly to accommodate students wearing a coat to school in cooler weather.

At the start of the year, the district banned students from using lockers to help encourage social distancing. Students will be allowed to use lockers on a limited basis starting Oct. 13.


“After observing our students for nearly two months of school and how they have consistently demonstrated respect for their fellow students by adhering to health and safety guidelines necessary for us to be in school, there is no doubt that we can begin to make limited use of lockers and still stay within the COVID 19 guidelines,” Page said.


At the end of next week, the district will be sending students their locker assignments and combinations via their school email address with the idea they can begin using lockers on Oct. 13.


“We will be staggering locker assignments to encourage social distancing and students will only have access to their lockers before school, at lunch, and after school,” Page said. “Students will not be allowed to use their lockers between classes. It will also be imperative that students do not loiter around the lockers; rather they put their coat in their locker and carry on to class or lunch. Because the use of the lockers will be limited, students will not be allowed to decorate lockers or use locker accessories for the time being.”

VILLA GROVE
Mayor Cassandra Eversole-Gunter has announced that the Villa Grove Plaza will be open Saturday morning so families can take fall photos if they want to. The decorations include a fall prop designed and donated by Denise Lewis in honor of her father. Photographer
Terry Miller Brown will be at the plaza at 10 a.m. to do mini sessions. For more information on the mini sessions contact Brown on Facebook.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Live at SJO school board, April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

I am at SJO school board so you don’t have to be. Emily Williams has resigned as dance coach after...

‘I love everything about our new space’

February 15, 2023

February 15, 2023

The drama program at St. Joseph-Ogden High School has a new home. “It means a lot to this program and...

St. Joseph Middle School announces 8th grade honor rolls

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

8th GRADE HIGH HONORS McGwire Atwood Kaytlyn Baker Olivia Baltzell Tyler Burch Ariana Chambers Maddux Carter Aiden Cromwell Zachary Dahman...

Closing address by Garren Meeker

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

I would like to thank everyone for coming to the graduating ceremony of the class of 2021. Whether that be...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ramsay Arnold Henry Beeler Adam Bello Teagan Blacker Bailey Blakley Nora Buckley Grant Clark Logan Crider...

SJO HONOR ROLL SECOND QUARTER

January 11, 2021

January 11, 2021

FreshmenAlewelt, EdwardAllen, ChloeAllinger, KadenBrown, KylerChahine, MayaDenhart, GarrettDressen, CameronGoldenstein, GraceGrant, BriannaGula, AmayaHayes, JayciLannert, LaurenLeVeck, JakeMcBride, SethMcMahon, ShannonSweet, ZoeyWaller, BraxtonWilson, SpencerWright, Mitchell...

SJO still waiting on property tax money

July 16, 2019

July 16, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has only received roughly $22,000 of the money it is due from Champaign County property taxes....

Live at SJO School Board, Dec.19, 2023

December 19, 2023

December 19, 2023

It’s time for the Ag Curriculum review. These are always really interesting and showcase what strong academic programs SJO has....

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

8th Grade Honor Roll Barrowman, Kylie Bartlett, Guinevere Blackburn-Kelley, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Timothy Campbell, Shelby Coffey, Christopher Daly, Nathan Dwyer, Caleb...

Voters approve referendum

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2022

Superintendent Todd Pence is thankful. Thankful that a referendum asking voters to approve their tax rate by .22 percent passed....

SJO fourth quarter high honor roll

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

High Honor RollFreshmenAllen, Addison Altenbaumer, Tyler Anderson, Kailyn Armstrong, Ella Atwood, Madison Behrens, Abigail Beyers, Andrew Bowln, Brandie Burkhalter, Mara...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden School Board, June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023

I am half an hour late. #matthadradio. Sam Furrer is here to discuss the parking lot. He lives across the...

St. Joseph Middle School announces honor rolls

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

7th gradeHIGH HONORS Logan Allen Owen Baltzell Payton Carter Maya Chahine Rachel Divan Sadie Ericksen Joseph Frasca Addison Frick Logan...

Harper finds positive outlet in music

December 10, 2019

December 10, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Lauren Harper loves to sing. That is why she loves the choir. “It’s basically the time where...

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Sophia Albrecht Madison Beeler Abigail Bewley Kynleigh Blunier Connor Bowman Naomi Cavanaugh Konlee Christians Henry Cluver...

Comments
Leave a Reply