When school opens on August 17, classrooms will look more like they did in 2020 with tables, rugs and collaboration space; lunch will return to normal practices; and physical distancing requirements for P.E. and recess will be dropped.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson said the 2022-23 Draft Opening Plan follows health and safety protocols recommended by state and local public health agencies while trying to return to typical learning environments as much as possible. He noted this is still a draft plan because the district is expecting updated state and local health guidance to be issued before the start of school.
The district plans to offer optional at-home testing for students and staff, face masks will be recommended but not required in times of high community transmission, and close contacts who are asymptomatic may test to stay in school.
All schools will continue to follow prevention strategies that remain important in protecting students, staff and community members including:
- enhanced ventilation and filtration;
- handwashing and respiratory etiquette;
- cleaning and disinfecting;
- encouraging students and staff to stay up to date on vaccinations;
- having students and staff stay home when sick and get tested;
- isolation for positive cases;
- quarantine for close contacts who cannot test; and
- contact tracing when possible in coordination with IDPH and CCDPH guidance.
“The focus will be on providing as many uninterrupted typical learning experiences as possible while still keeping students and staff safe,” Dr. Pearson said. “COVID is something that is going to be around for a while and we need to find our new norm with COVID in our schools and community.”
The 2022-23 Opening Plan, which was developed with input from the staff COVID Mitigation Committee, administration and board members, will be finalized for the first day of school and sent to all parents on Aug. 11.
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