On August 26, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order mandating that all school district employees, contractors, and volunteers be vaccinated or participate in weekly testing. This executive order will not have a significant impact on our staff because nearly all staff members are already vaccinated. Staff members that have not yet completed a COVID-19 vaccination are participating in weekly testing.
The district is working with our busing company, food providers, substitute teachers, and other contractors who work in our schools to ensure they also understand the requirements.
The biggest impact to CCSD 89 families will be that anyone who is volunteering in our schools must now show proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination. Volunteers will be asked to submit this form at the school. Families are encouraged to fill out the form prior to arriving at the school and bring their COVID-19 vaccination card. The form will also be available at the school.
If you do not show proof of vaccination, you will not be able to volunteer in our schools at this time.
Families that are simply stopping by the school for a few minutes to make a quick drop off or pick up are not required to fill out this form. Masks are required for all adults and students in any school at all times.
Chart can help guide families with COVID-19 questions
Families are encouraged to use this chart as a starting point when determining whether your student needs to be quarantined or isolated. While this chart can be a guide, school nurses or your family’s doctor are still the best resources to help resolve any questions or concerns.
This chart will be updated when health officials provide new or revised guidance. As a reminder, no student should go to school with COVID-19 symptoms and it is essential that families conduct a check at home each morning. If you have questions, please contact your primary healthcare provider and/or the school nurse, who can help you navigate the various steps. The district can also assist families in obtaining a COVID-19 test if needed.
Overlapping health-mitigation strategies are in place
We have received several inquiries about offering remote learning this school year. At this time the recommendation of both health and education officials is to keep schools open for in-person learning.
As a reminder, the district is following the recommendations of federal, state, and local health departments by using multiple layers of mitigation to keep students safe. In addition to universal masking at all times when indoors, students frequently wash or sanitize hands; students maintain social distancing (at least three feet apart); schools have increased cleaning with a focus on high-touch areas; and there is increased air circulation in all buildings.
At this time, the district has no plans to remove any of these layers of mitigation.
The district will continue to monitor for signs of outbreaks or transmission within the schools and consult with health officials when necessary. The district has regular meetings with the DuPage County Health Department to review the latest data. You can see the CCSD 89 COVID-19 information at www.ccsd89.org/COVID
The district does have a quarantine / isolation teacher who can assist students that need to be removed from school after testing positive or coming in close contact with a COVID-19-positive person. However, livestreaming of classes is not available at this time.
