As we prepare for the 2021-22 school year, we are happy to affirm that all classes will be in person at the start of school this year for all students and staff.
At the July 27 Special Meeting, as one of the requirements of applying for federal funds through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), we presented to the Board the draft District 113 “Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan” for the 2021-22 school year. Following a public hearing, the Board discussed the plan, provided input and will be voting to approve a revised plan on August 2. An updated plan will be posted in the Board agenda Friday that reflects changes the Board requested July 27.
Below are highlights from the draft plan and information from last night’s discussion. As has been the case since March 2020, the plan, once approved, is subject to change.
Masking
On July 27, the CDC announced their recommendation of universal mask wearing indoors for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. That same day, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) fully adopted the CDC’s recommendation for schools. Since the pandemic began, District 113 has followed IDPH guidance for operating schools and will continue to do so. Accordingly, consistent and correct use of masks will be required of all students and staff regardless of vaccination status to start the school year.
Vaccination Status
Beginning August 3, parents/guardians will be requested to provide vaccination status for their student(s) in Infinite Campus. Only school nurses will be able to access this information. There are four purposes for District 113 to collect this information.
- In the event of a positive case of COVID-19, only unvaccinated students and staff will be ordered by the health department to quarantine. In working with the health department, our nurses will be able to exclude vaccinated persons as close contacts to the infected person while the health department determines who may be ordered to quarantine.
- Knowing who is vaccinated allows the contact tracing process to focus only on the unvaccinated.
- The nurses will be able to calculate the percentage of persons in our school community who are vaccinated, which will be used in determining mitigation measures until IDPH provides vaccination coverage data by ZIP code.
- Potential future additional mitigation strategies for extracurricular activities and athletics as described below.
District 113 will monitor and publicize vaccination rates for students and staff.
Screening Testing
SHIELD testing will be made available to all students and staff on a voluntary basis who have a consent form on file for the 2021-22 school year. The consent form for testing will open August 3 in the IC portal. The Board will consider August 2 the role of screening testing for unvaccinated students in mitigating risk in extracurricular activities and athletics.
Extracurricular Activities and Athletics
At the August 2 Special Meeting, the Board will vote on mitigation strategies for unvaccinated students participating in extracurricular activities and athletics. Decisions made at the August 2 Special Meeting will be communicated after the meeting.
Other operational notes
- The DHS schedule mirrors the pre-pandemic schedule; the HPHS schedule is similar to that of pre-pandemic school with the addition of a short “homeroom” period on most days
- Campuses will be closed for lunch
- Lunch will operate as normal
- Any student in a free period will be assigned a study hall
- There are no capacity limits on buses and masks are required on all District transportation, including in drivers education vehicles
