CCSD 89 families:
I hope all of you are having a relaxing summer filled with many family adventures. The district has been a busy place this summer with our largest-ever summer school program, several school maintenance projects, and preparing for the 2021-22 school year.
Of course, throughout the summer, our administrative team has been reviewing the latest CDC,
Illinois Department of Public Health, and DuPage County Health Department guidelines. I want to start with the most important news: there is nothing in the guidelines or the current health conditions that would cause the district to change the plans announced in the spring. We will be opening all our schools for full-day, five-days-per-week, in-person learning. Remote learning will only be available to students who have certification from their physician that they require a medical exemption. Staff will not be teaching in-person and remote students simultaneously.
The district will continue to have increased air circulation and enhanced cleaning in the 2021-22 school year, as well as following other federal and state health guidelines. The Illinois Department of Public Health and State Board of Education have said masks will be required for all students when they are on a bus and will be optional when students are outside.
Masking in schools
Many families have questions about whether masks will also be required in classrooms. On Monday, July 19, the Board of Education heard comments from dozens of community members about this issue. The board members also discussed the impact of making masks optional or required.
Wearing masks can impact the district as a whole in several ways. In addition to health concerns, if students who are not eligible for vaccination are unmasked, it will likely affect how students can work together in the classroom. For instance, the opportunity for small-group and peer-buddy work would be reduced. Removing masks will also cause more students to be quarantined when they are a close contact for a positive case. (While the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory, IDPH guidelines state students who have been fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine if they come in contact with someone who has COVID-19.)
Wearing masks can cause anxiety for students. It also has an impact on a student’s ability to read non-verbal cues and participate in certain therapies, so teachers would need to adapt strategies to ensure student success.
If students do not wear masks in school, the district may need saliva surveillance screening. Also, the district’s insurance company recommends masks as a minimum standard of care for unvaccinated students.
Board meeting August 2
These are some of the issues the district is studying in preparation for the school year. The board will meet again on Monday, August 2, at Glen Crest Middle School to make a recommendation on masks in the 2021-22 school year.
The administrative team continues talking with health officials, the Board of Education, our attorneys, and other local districts about the issues related to keeping students safe while providing the best possible learning environment.
Long before the pandemic, the district has managed health conditions in a learning environment. Those same principles will be applied in creating the best learning environment for the 2021-22 school year. Families will be notified of the expectations for the 2021-22 school year prior to the first day for students. Throughout the year, we will continue to follow health official recommendations and keep you updated on any changes.
I am so excited to see our buildings filled with young people on August 18. We will continue to be in touch over the next few weeks. I hope you enjoy every remaining second of your summer.
Dr. Emily Tammaru
Superintendent
CCSD 89
