District 64 Health & Safety Guidelines for In-Person Learning

Spring 2022

Background

This plan reflects current guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  Adjustments will continue to be made and communicated as guidance evolves from federal, state, and local health and education officials. 

Health & Safety Practices

Vaccination

Guidance from the CDC and IDPH is that vaccination is strongly recommended.  They state: “The CDC and IDPH strongly encourage all individuals eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to be vaccinated. Vaccination benefits not only the individual, but also schools and communities by reducing transmission.” 

Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note, however, that vaccinations are not mandatory. Decisions regarding vaccinations should be made by individual families, in consultation with their healthcare providers. 

Current Mitigation Practices

Recent changes to the District 64 Health & Safety Guidelines for In-Person Learning plan are possible due the continued positive direction of current metrics and the low number of cases being reported at this time.  

Currently:

• District 64 is now a mask-optional environment. 
• The guidelines for international travel are optional.
• Masks on school buses are optional as well.
• We are no longer quarantining.
• We have stopped using the test-to-stay option.

Social Distancing & Hygiene

Students will maintain 3 feet of social distance from one another as much as possible. Social distancing reminders can be found throughout each school building, including hallways and bathrooms.

Time will be allotted for students and staff to use the hand sanitizing stations/wash their hands before and after lunch. Hand sanitizer will be available to students and staff throughout the day for individual use if interested.

Students Exhibiting Illness

• Any individual showing signs of COVID-19 at school will be assessed by the school nurse.  If a student exhibits any COVID symptoms, parents will be called immediately. Each school will maintain a designated supervised safe area for anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while awaiting pickup/evaluation. 
• If individuals are required to isolate due to a positive test, they will transition to remote learning during the isolation period. 
• District 64 will communicate with the families and staff of that school when any individual staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19 or is presumed positive. We will not share the identification of the individual(s).
• Please see these important guidelines regarding symptoms, isolation,and return to school:

Student COVID Illness Form

COVID Parent Guidelines and FAQ

School Day Routines

Building Schedules

• The typical 2021-22 Building Schedule at each school will be followed. Students will transition to multiple settings for Encore classes, instructional support, and other student services. Students may share supplies during the school day, including books, manipulatives, science materials, etc. At this time, only pre-approved field trips (e.g., 5th Grade Camp Duncan) may be scheduled. 

Absences

• As always, parents and  guardians are asked to monitor their children for symptoms of illness daily. Parents should report their child’s absence to the school office or to the building nurse.
• Students and staff showing any signs of illness should not attend school. 

Arrival & Dismissal

• Schools will designate multiple student entry and exit points to provide for adequate social distancing and minimize overcrowding. 

Lunch

• Lunch will take place in the lunchroom or outside (weather permitting). Students in the lunchroom are spaced 3 feet apart as much as possible. Tables utilized by one group of students will be properly cleaned by staff before the next group uses them.

Personal Use Items

• Students may bring their own sanitizer from home to use throughout the day, although it may not be shared with any other student or staff member.
• Students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle each day for their individual use.  Water refill stations will remain in operation, while communal water fountains will be shut off.  

Bus Transportation

• Bus service will be in place for the 2021-2022 school year, including extracurricular buses at the middle school. 

Schoolwide Cleaning

• District 64 is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for cleaning. District 64 will continue repeated cleaning of high touch/high-traffic areas throughout each day. 

Jefferson School Programs

Please note any additions or modifications below that are specific to Jefferson School:

When a preschool student is required to isolate, remote instruction will be provided. Remote learning instruction will address age level learning targets but will not mirror classroom instruction. In some cases, remote learning instruction will be asynchronous and students will be assigned activities.

Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) students who are required to isolate will not participate in remote learning.

Speech services will be provided in-person for all students receiving these services.