Dear District 86 Community,
During the past few weeks, we, like so many other places in our community, county, state and country, have experienced a significant surge in COVID-19 cases. Per
our dashboard, which we updated with the data we received through Dec. 21, we currently have 107 positive cases, 82 people in isolation and 112 people in quarantine across the district.
I am writing today to bring this important issue to everyone’s attention, and reiterate how critical it is that we all take the necessary steps (e.g., wearing masks, practicing social distancing, getting the vaccine or booster shot, participating in testing, etc.) during winter break to keep ourselves and each other healthy and safe. I am not suggesting that anyone needs to alter or cancel their holiday plans, nor am I foreshadowing a shift to remote learning when we return in January. At this point, we fully intend to welcome everyone back into our buildings on Jan. 3. However, as has been the case throughout the pandemic, we will continue to follow the guidance from the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the governor’s office when it comes to making decisions or developing plans that will help us combat the spread of the virus. With that said, no additional measures or mitigations will be implemented without consulting our Recovery-Revitalization-Restore (R3) Committee and the board of education.
We will keep you apprised of any news or updates we receive over the next two weeks from the organizations referenced above, as well as any discussions we have or actions we take in response. In the meantime, we ask you to please continue following the process we have in place for reporting positive cases, the need to isolate or the need to quarantine to our health offices or human resources department. Students and parents/guardians can reach the health office at Hinsdale Central by emailing
centralhealth@hinsdale86.org and the health office at Hinsdale South by emailing
southhealth@hinsdale86.org. We will have staff in both offices on the days we are open during break (i.e., Dec. 23, 28 and 29), and will be monitoring any data we receive. As for employees, they can contact the human resources department by emailing
hrsupport@hinsdale86.org.
We also ask that you please review the following information from IDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about how to celebrate the holidays safely.
In addition, Northshore Clinical Labs is scheduled to be on campus during the following dates and times should students or employees want or need to get tested for COVID-19.
- Hinsdale Central (Room 504) - Dec. 23 from noon to 3 p.m.; Dec. 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to noon
- Hinsdale South (Room 126) - Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Dec. 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to noon
You do not need to schedule an appointment to access this free service. However, if you are getting tested on these days, we ask that you please come into the building through the main entrance.
Thank you very much for your time and attention to this message. I hope you have a restful and relaxing winter break.
Sincerely,
Tammy Prentiss
Superintendent