Dear District 67 Families,
As we begin our second week of hybrid in-person learning, I am pleased to report that our transition has been a smooth one! Thank you for your partnership and support with a safe return. Our top priority is to safely remain open for the remainder of the school year. In order to do so, we ask for your adherence to the following guidelines and expectations. This guidance is subject to change based on local health department guidance.
Domestic Non-Essential Travel
School is in session and students are expected to attend school per the school calendar unless they are sick, or asked to quarantine for COVID-19 related reasons. Teachers prepare daily for all students to be in attendance, and non-essential travel is very disruptive to the students missing school as well as the teachers who are planning.
If you choose to travel for non-essential reasons during the school year, these are the safety guidelines you must follow for your child to return to in-person learning:
- Complete 7-days of self-isolation, obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 3-5 days of return from travel, and remain symptom free, OR
- Complete 10-days of self-isolation upon return without taking a COVID-19 test, and remain symptom free.
International Travel
International travelers will need to adhere to the CDC Travel Guidelines as of January 26, 2021 that requires all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof to the airline prior to departure. Upon arrival in the U.S., travelers will be expected to adhere to one of the previous stated requirements for domestic non-essential travel.
Spring Break Travel
The guidelines for non-essential domestic and international travel apply to travel over Spring Break at this time.
Student Learning While Traveling
Parents will be responsible for supporting student learning while away on travel. We have developed Quarantine Guidance at the elementary and middle schools to support all students who are asked to stay home due to travel that prevents students from returning to the building upon arrival back from vacation.
Participation in Outside Activities
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has clear guidance on participation in youth recreation and sports, including school-based activities. The level of play is dictated by the current public health conditions and subject to change. Lake County is currently at Tier 2 and the highest level of play for any sport is Level 3. Level 4 play including tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, out-of-state play are not allowed until the County is in Tier 1. If your child is participating in recreational sports and not adhering to IDPH guidelines, they must follow the same guidelines as non-essential travel listed above related to isolation and testing. Other high-risk activities that are discouraged include sleep-overs and large gatherings.
Adherence to Safety Protocols
We recognize that a majority of our families are following the proper safety guidelines. Unfortunately, there are some that have not, putting others at risk for infection. The District reserves the right to move students from hybrid in-person learning to AVA for the duration of the Trimester should a family knowingly break safety protocols. This includes sending a child to school while symptomatic, awaiting test results, or awaiting test results for a family member of possible close contact; not following expectations upon return from travel; not adhering to IPDH guidance for recreational sports; and providing false information on the daily symptom screener. Our ability to provide in-person learning requires everyone to avoid taking risks that may compromise our in-person sustainability.
Thank you for your understanding in adhering to these expectations. In order to open our schools safely, and stay open, we need a collective effort with our community to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Sincerely,
