March 26, 2021
Dear Families,
I am sharing a few brief items for you to review as we head into Spring Break (always a highly anticipated week in our school schedule). Please take a moment to read the information below regarding travel, evolving safety mitigations, and next steps as we extend our school days this spring.
Spring Break Travel
Earlier this week, this message was shared with travel-related information, PCR testing dates, and other details. Please continue to reference this travel guidance as you make plans. Additionally, if your family travels to an "orange" state or international location, we ask that you kindly fill out this form by Sunday, April 4. If you have travel, quarantine, or health-related questions, please direct them to your school nurse.
COVID-19 Health Guidance Update
Regardless of the level of community transmission, all schools must use and layer the following five essential mitigation strategies that are key to safely delivering in-person instruction and mitigating COVID-19 transmission in schools:
1. Require universal and correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks;
2. Require social distancing be observed, as much as possible;
3. Require contact tracing in combination with isolation of those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and quarantine of close contacts, in collaboration with the local health department;
4. Require an increase in schoolwide cleaning and disinfection and maintenance of healthy environments; and
5. Require promotion and adherence to handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
The local School Board nor administration have the authority to override these requirements. Questions and concerns should be directed to the IL State Board of Education.
Additionally, note that the updated guidance provided the following guidance shifts in our schools for improvement flexibility.
Extended Day Planning
Our 7th and 8th graders successfully completed the second week of their Extended Day schedule. We are looking forward to the launch of the Modified Full Day schedule (with an on-campus lunch option) for grades 1-6 on Monday, April 19. We understand that this shift in schedules involves adjusting to a new routine; therefore, we are prepared to support our students social and emotional needs during this transition. Our Administrators and educators are working diligently to ensure that all of the logistics are in place for a positive shift.
2021-2022 Calendar
The 2021-2022 Calendar was approved at the March 23 Board Meeting. Please reference the calendar as you plan ahead for the upcoming school year.
Thank you in advance for your continued partnership as we strive to seek to keep our students safe and learning in person after the break. I look forward to welcoming our students back to campus on Tuesday, April 6 (don't forget the student non-attendance day on April 5). In the meantime, I hope you have a restful, enjoyable, and safe Spring Break.
Sincerely,
Superintendent
