Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As of March 7, 2022, masks will be highly recommended (not mandated) while indoors in District 65 buildings. Exceptions are as follows:

• Required at the JEH Early Childhood Center and Park School (with the exception of those who have approved mask exemptions)
• Required while on school buses.
• Required for individuals returning from quarantine (days 6-10)
• Required for staff and recommended for students (in alignment with residential guidelines) at the Rice Children’s Center

Guidance below is for individuals who choose to continue masking. District 65 will honor the personal choice of all.

Requirements

• The CDC is currently considering updated guidelines for masking with data to show that KN95, KN94, and N95 masks are proving to be more effective against the Omicron variant. While these masks are encouraged and will be available for student/staff use, they are not required. Consistent and correct wearing of a properly fitting mask (covering nose, mouth, and chin) is best.
• Cloth masks should be at least two layers thick, fully cover the nose, and chin, and should fit snugly against the face. View D65 Guidelines for Choosing a Mask (available in English and Spanish).
• Mask exceptions include individuals with a diagnosed medical condition that prohibits them from wearing a mask (documentation must be submitted to the school principal in writing and come from a healthcare provider), the individual is under the age of two, the individual is having difficulty breathing, or the individual is unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
  • Face shield
  • Plexiglass barrier or study carrel
  • Additional PPE for educator (gown/protective eyewear/mask/face shield/gloves)
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for students or staff who cannot wear face coverings due to medical conditions. These may include but are not limited to:
• Masks will not be worn while eating and should be safely stored (consider placing in a paper bag). 
• As of February 14, 2022, masking is no longer required outdoors with the exception of individuals returning from quarantine who must remain masked at all times (days 6-10, except when eating). Masking is still encouraged for individuals not vaccinated or not up-to-date with their vaccinations.
• Masks may be removed during instrumental music class. Classes may be held indoors with six feet of physical distancing and use of specific PPE designed for instrumental music.

Supply

• All students should wear their own mask to school and should bring at least one extra with them each day.
• District 65 will supply KN95 masks to students and staff who request one. Distribution information will be communicated directly by each school. Disposable surgical masks are also available to any students, staff, or visitors that do not have one. Masks will be available upon entry.
• Transparent masks will be provided to educators and students who rely on visual/facial cues for learning and engagement.
• District 65 will provide reusable masks (for those who want one) designed for use in instrumental music classes.

Preparation

• Families who want their children to mask are encouraged to help them get comfortable wearing a face covering for an extended period of time. Also, help them understand how to properly put them on and take them off. Reusable face coverings should be washed daily.

Resources

• Types of Masks and Respirators | CDC
• Your Guide to Masks | CDC
• Improve How Your Mask Protects You | CDC

The Illinois State Board of Education has communicated the importance of in-person learning for all students. District 65 will continue to adhere to health and safety recommendations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to the best of its ability while ensuring all students can be accommodated within school buildings.

Efforts will be made for students and staff to maintain at least three to six feet of distance at all times. Physical distancing will be observed as much as possible, whenever possible. In places where physical distancing cannot be regularly maintained due to capacity limitations, the District will continue to use layered mitigation strategies such as masking, hand hygiene, and increased ventilation. 

Unvaccinated staff members should remain six feet apart.

Specific arrival procedures have been established by each school and any updates will be shared by building leadership.

• Specific entry and exit doors have been established at each school for student use. These may be different by grade level.
• All students, or a parent/caregiver on their behalf, are required to complete the District 65 Health Self-Certification PRIOR to entering a District 65 school. If advised to do so as part of the health self certification process, students should stay home from school.
  • District 65 will continue to use the Safety iPass from CrisisGo to manage daily staff and student health self-certifications. Safety iPass is user-friendly and can be accessed via desktop, smartphone, tablet, or through the CrisisGo mobile app. Learn more about this process.
  • Upon arrival, staff will check to ensure self certifications have been completed. If this was not completed, student temperatures will be checked with handheld devices. Staff members will also ask students about symptoms of illness. If students report feeling ill or have a temperature greater than 100.4 they will be brought to a waiting room, under the supervision of a staff member, until they can be picked up.
• Masks must be worn, regardless of vaccination status, when entering any District 65 building (unless medically exempt) and through the remainder of the day. Students or staff who do not have one will be provided with one.
• Individuals will have time to wash or sanitize their hands when entering the building and before breakfast and after lunch (as applicable). 

District 65 will continue to use a web-based system to manage our health self-certification process called CrisisGo Safety iPass. Self Certifications are used to monitor symptoms of illness and potential exposure to COVID-19.

A parent/caregiver is required to take each child’s temperature and submit a self certification form prior to coming to school in the morning. This is a critical step in keeping our school communities safe and is important in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The simple, three-step process will take two minutes or less per child. The self-certification form can be completed in multiple languages and collects only essential information related to COVID-19. The process is required to be completed daily:

1. Take your child’s temperature. Students with a temperature of 100.4 or greater must stay home.
2. Complete the brief self-certification form for each returning child.
3. Follow any next steps as indicated by the color badge received upon completion.

Each morning at 6am, an email reminder with a link to the form will be sent to the primary email provided at the time of student registration. If the self-certification is not completed within 30 minutes, an email will also be sent to the secondary email on file, if one was provided. This is a default feature that cannot be modified.

The system is easy to use and can be accessed on any device. There is also a free app ‘CrisisGo’ that can be downloaded to any smartphone (data rates apply). Forms can be completed via the app by clicking on the ‘iPass’ option.

Please make this a part of your morning routine and complete prior to leaving in the morning - doing so ensures school staff can monitor accordingly before children arrive. Staff will be checking upon student arrival to school to ensure this process was completed.

Practice Period (August 16-20) - District 65 is relying on family cooperation and full support as we work to ensure a safe environment for all. During the week prior to school, the District will host a “practice period” where notifications will be sent daily and families can practice the process at home with their children.

• Lockers will be used by students. Students should avoid congregating in groups.
• Students should bring their fully charged device (Chromebook or iPad) and charger daily. Please make it a routine to charge nightly.
• Sharing of items will occur on a limited basis. Items will be cleaned daily or more often as needed.
• Reusable water bottles should be brought to school daily.

Students should bring their own mask daily along with a spare.

Please refer to school-based operations plans for specific details on procedures for student services and specialized programming.

• District 65 staff members working with students who require instruction or related services that involve hands-on work or other intervention in close proximity will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to help keep themselves and the students safe. This may include gloves, protective eyewear, face coverings and/or face shields, and gowns.
• Designated spaces for student breaks and sensory needs have been identified and disinfected between uses.

Birth (0-3 years old)

• Early Head Start (0-3 years old) programming will be offered in-person, in accordance with Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines. 
• District health screening and safety procedures will be in place. According to IDPH and CDC guidelines, children under the age of two should not wear face coverings.
• Students and staff will remain in classroom cohorts and will not interact directly with other students and staff to minimize contact.
• Individual supplies and toys will be provided to the greatest extent possible, while ensuring sanitation measures are in place.

(3-5 year-old programs)

• Student schedules will reflect pre-COVID models and will be the same offerings as in the 2019-2020 school year.
• Students are selected for programs based on intake needs assessments. 
• Students and staff will remain in classroom cohorts and will not interact directly with other students and staff to minimize contact.
• Students will not be required to wear face coverings during meals and naps. Family-style meals will be discontinued for the 2021-2022 school year.
• Individual supplies and toys will be provided to the greatest extent possible, while ensuring sanitation measures are in place.
• District health screening and safety measures will be in place. Face coverings should be worn by children over the age of two, unless they have a medical condition and a note from their physician or medical professional.

• For EB students the EB educator(s) and classroom teacher will meet to determine the language needs and differentiation needed for in class support.
• EB educators tailor face-to-face instruction to meet the linguistic and academic needs of students, providing time for English-dominated instruction in the classroom and pulling out for targeted instruction of specific linguistic needs using appropriate social distancing. Students will remain in consistent groups to the greatest extent possible.
• The use of transparent face masks for EB educators allows students to see the educator’s entire face and facial expressions, making communication accessible to language learners.

• District 65 will take into account the unique needs of every child. For students with IEPs, the child’s IEP team will meet to determine the nature, extent, and service delivery model. 
• Students will also be required to wear face coverings unless documentation is provided by a physician that it poses a health risk to the student. Adapted face coverings, assistive technology and other supports will be provided, as determined by the IEP team, in order to ensure the proper ability to communicate and receive services.
• IEP meetings will continue to be held virtually based on the ability of the school to provide space that ensures appropriate social distancing requirements are met.

• Students will continue to wear masks during PE classes. Students will wash or sanitize their hands before and after the class period.
• Educators will prioritize outdoor PE classes as long as weather permits.
• PE equipment may be shared among students, on a limited basis, and will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
• Students will continue to maintain a minimum of three feet distance as much as possible.

Locker Rooms

District 65 will resume the use of locker rooms for students who change for PE classes. Students must remain masked and maintain three feet of distance whenever possible. If necessary, students may need to take turns or be limited in the locker room at one time.

• Universal masking will remain in place. Performance masks fitting the mouthpiece of an instrument will be provided.
• Students will participate in these activities outdoors whenever possible.
• Students will wash and sanitize their hands before and after all class periods. 
• Recorders will not be played in the general music classroom.

Physical Distancing

• A minimum of three feet of physical distancing will be maintained between students. 
  
  • When singing (choral) or using brass or woodwind instruments, this distance must be six feet.
  • Trombone players must have nine feet of physical distancing.
• All choirs should meet outdoors or indoors with a minimum of six feet between students. This includes choirs that meet before and after the school day.
• Cleaning procedures have been established for any shared materials or instruments. Windblown instruments should not be shared.

COVID-19 Testing for Band Students

Students who perform in band may need to participate in the district’s COVID-19 screening program per CDC protocols which place band students in a high risk category. More information will be forthcoming on COVID-19 testing options and procedures.

• Equipment sharing will be limited. When used, cleaning will occur at a minimum of once daily.
• Individuals must maintain at least three feet distancing. In Drama, students will avoid physical contact in scenes whenever possible.
• Libraries will be fully functioning, host classes, and use shared equipment as needed. Cleaning will occur as needed and at a minimum of once daily.

“Grab and Go” Breakfast will be available for all students and may be eaten in classrooms, communal spaces, and outdoors. Each school will establish their own procedures for breakfast.

All students will have lunch and recess daily and the time has been extended to 50 minutes total to accomodate the additional health and safety procedures in place. 

Lunches will be held outdoors to the greatest extent possible and as weather permits. Students may also eat indoors in a combination of cafeterias, classrooms, or other communal spaces to promote physical distancing.

Students will maintain at least three feet of physical distance while eating as recommended by CDC and IDPH guidelines. The District will continue to implement a layered approach to promoting health and safety including hand hygiene, mask wearing, increased ventilation, and cleaning procedures.

• A minimum of three feet physical distance will be maintained in accordance with IDPH and CDC guidelines.
• Students will eat outdoors to the greatest extent possible and as weather permits. Students may also eat in cafeterias, classrooms or in other communal spaces within the building to promote greater physical distancing.
• There will be assigned seating for students during lunch to better support the contact tracing process.
• All meals will be handled and served by staff. There will be no buffets or sharing of utensils.
• All students will have the opportunity to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after eating.
• Masks should be worn up until the time an individual actually begins to eat. This includes when sanitizing hands and preparing their food. Masks should be put back on immediately after consuming food.
• While meals are generally social times, individuals should limit conversations and, when talking, speak quietly and refrain from shouting. Students can engage more deeply with one another outside during recess.
• Whenever possible and as long as weather permits, windows, when eating indoors, will remain open to increase ventilation.
• Routine cleaning and wiping down of surfaces will occur after lunch periods and disinfecting of the space will occur after meal times have concluded.

Menus and nutritional information for the 2021-2022 school year can be found at district65.net/menus.

As part of a USDA waiver, breakfast and lunch will continue to be available at no cost to all families through the 21-22 school year. Milk can be purchased separately for the cost of $.60. Pre-payments can be added to student accounts by using www.myschoolbucks.com. Additionally, a la carte items may be available to middle school students to purchase. 

Families are still encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals as there are many additional benefits including free or reduced costs for transportation, student fees, and more! Learn more at district65.net/mealapplications.

• Recess will continue to be held outdoors (weather permitting).
• Because physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained, masks must be worn during recess.
• Playground equipment and courts may be used by students during recess.
• Students will wash hands or use sanitizer when coming in from recess.

• Indoor assemblies and large group gatherings will not be allowed due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. This guidance will be revisited in late February.
• Curriculum nights, open houses, family nights, and other events will be held virtually. Any small group meetings are encouraged to be held virtually.
• There will be no in-person field trips until further notice.

• Limited visitors will be allowed in buildings. Volunteers, including tutors, should be pre-approved and arrangements coordinated with building administrators.
• Meetings between parents/caregivers and staff should take place virtually, whenever possible. 
• All visitors must adhere to all building safety and health protocols. This includes completion of the Health Self-Certification process.

To help ensure a safe and healthy environment for all individuals, cleaning and sanitizing will remain a priority among the District 65 team.

• Increased daily cleaning protocols will be in effect at all facilities, in accordance with CDC and OSHA guidelines. Custodial and maintenance staff have received training and guidance for enhanced daily cleaning measures. Cleaning checklists have been provided and will be followed by our dedicated custodial staff.
• Head custodians will monitor cleaning and sanitizing product levels. 
• Each building has two electrostatic sanitizing machines with staff trained to use them. These will be used daily to sanitize restrooms, carpets, and other surfaces.
• Custodial staff will pay special attention to high touch surfaces including door knobs and handles, handrails, elevator buttons, classroom desks and chairs, sinks, countertops, light switches, etc.
• Supplies will be provided to all staff so that cleaning and sanitizing can occur in classrooms as needed.
• Procedures will be in place for the cleaning of shared instructional, technology, and physical equipment.

As it relates to ensuring proper ventilation in schools for in-person learning, District 65 is following standards set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education, and the American Society of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.

During the 2020-21 school year, District 65 conducted a walkthrough to look at HVAC systems and mechanical in all 18 of our buildings in collaboration with independent HVAC contractors. As a result, the following actions were taken:

• D65 HVAC systems were configured to allow for the highest possible MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERVs, report a filter's ability to capture airborne particles).
  • All D65 systems will operate at a MERV 8 or MERV 10 rating which is considered acceptable by all standards.
  • Given the age of D65 buildings, these are the highest possible ratings that our HVAC systems can handle.
• Air filters have been upgraded in all buildings from fiberglass filters to pleated Merv 8 filters.
• Calibration of HVAC systems to allow for additional outside air to circulate in buildings.
• HEPA air filters were installed in shared indoor spaces identified by the independent HVAC contractors as having limited air flow. These filters are designed to capture 99.9% of airborne particles.
• Portable HEPA air filters were also installed in shared office spaces.

Systems were inspected during the summer and all filters were replaced on schedule.

The Illinois State Board of Education has communicated the importance of in-person learning and the return to school for all students. District 65 will continue to adhere to health and safety recommendations to the best of its ability while ensuring all students can be accommodated within school buildings.

• All student desks will be spaced at least three feet apart.
• To maximize space, classroom furniture, with the exception of that needed for learning, has been removed from classrooms.
• As recommended by health professionals, HEPA filters have been installed in classrooms without windows to promote air circulation and increase ventilation to that space.
• Tables may still be used as long as social distancing can be maintained. To promote safety among students sharing desks, plexiglass may be used when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Students may share instructional materials and manipulatives throughout the day. Materials will be sanitized as needed and cleaned daily. 
• Hand sanitizer will be available at all times in learning spaces and students will be required to wash or sanitize their hands before entering.
• Carpets will be sanitized with electrostatic sanitizing machines and vacuumed daily, or more often as needed. Area rugs were removed from classrooms.
• As long as weather permits, windows will remain open in classrooms and communal spaces to increase outside airflow.

• Hallways and stairways will be marked with directionals to promote separate, two-way traffic flow. School staff will monitor hallways and make efforts to limit congregation among students.
• Students will be provided with a pass and entry/exit will be logged when entering/leaving classrooms. Students at the JEH Early Childhood Center and Park School will continue to be escorted by an adult when leaving the classroom.
• Student lockers will be used for personal belongings and instructional materials. In addition, locker rooms will be available for student use during physical education classes. Students should avoid congregating and procedures may be put in place to limit the number of students visiting their lockers at the same time.
• Water bottle/cup filling stations have been installed and are available in all schools within District 65. There will be no drinking directly from fountains. Traditional fountains remained turned off for use.
  • Students should bring their own reusable water bottle to school (preferably with a reusable straw). Bottles should be washed nightly.
  • Students and staff should place the bottle under the water filler, making an effort to reduce contact.

• Restrooms will be cleaned using CDC approved methods and will be inspected/cleaned by custodial staff on an hourly basis. In addition, restrooms will be treated with electrostatic sanitizing machines at least twice daily.  
• Wherever possible, water heater temperatures were increased for sink use; however, due to the age of some district buildings this may be limited.

• Additional custodial staff have been hired on a temporary basis to support the implementation of health and safety procedures, including cleaning. 
• Handwashing with soap and water and/or hand sanitizing will be encouraged regularly and time will be given to do so upon arriving at school, before and after eating, and coming in from outdoors.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be located in multiple areas around buildings. This includes all classrooms, common areas, school entrances, and on the school bus. Additional hand sanitizer for classrooms will be available. 
• Health Clerks will continue to work with families to ensure students are current on all vaccines.
• We continue to encourage families to submit their child’s COVID-19 vaccination record to their school health office preferably via email or by bringing a copy to the school office. Please label the file with students last name, first name and DOB. Submitting the record is extremely important to aid in the contact tracing process as well as understanding the level of vaccination within a school community. 
   quarantine if they are not experiencing symptoms.
• On August 23, 2021, the School Board passed a resolution requiring all staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by October 15, 2021.
• All staff members, students, and visitors are strongly encouraged to get their annual flu vaccine.
• KN95 and disposable masks will be available to students and staff as needed. Additional PPE such as gloves, protective eyewear, face shields, and gowns will be provided to staff, as needed.
• Signage and visual markings will be posted throughout all District 65 buildings in English and Spanish that serve as a reminder for health and safety protocols including building entry procedures, social distancing, hand washing, etc.
• Required safety drills will be executed as required by D65 and the State of Illinois. In the event of a safety drill, all individuals will be required to wear their face coverings. If an evacuation is necessary, students and staff will leave the building swiftly, wearing face coverings, and remaining at an appropriate distance while following the school’s plan. 

Signage related to health and safety guidelines has been posted throughout facilities in English and Spanish. These include:

• Building entry procedures
• Mask reminders
• Social distancing markers on floors and waiting areas
• Arrows to designate hallway and stairway traffic flow
• Hand Washing reminders
• Health and Safety Protocols
• No entry signage

In January 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) provided schools with updated guidance on quarantines, positive COVID-19 cases, and the return to school after being sick. Individuals should remain home and be monitored for 24 hours if the child presents with any COVID-19 and/or flu symptoms.  

If symptoms do not resolve within 24 hours, students/staff must be tested for COVID-19, within 48 hours of the onset of their symptoms. According to guidance, students and staff must be symptom free and provide proof of a negative PCR test to the health clerk (students) or CrisisGo (staff) before returning to school (regardless of vaccination status). 

If the student/staff member is out sick for three or more days, the District requires a note from their doctor with an alternative diagnosis and a negative (not home kit) COVID-19 test for readmission to school. Please note if an individual is out of school because they tested positive for COVID-19, it is not necessary to get a doctor’s note. The school will send confirmation when the student/staff member may return to school.

As a reminder, students and staff must be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of medication, before returning to school/work and return 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhea has resolved. Please DO NOT administer fever-reducing medication before coming to school/work. Often when the body is fighting the infection, a fever is a sign they may have a cold or the flu. Please note that students should not be in school or staff at work if they are fighting off an infection or virus; they should be monitored at home for worsening symptoms. 

If a student/staff is not tested or does not provide proof of a negative test, they must remain out of school/work for 10 calendar days. Students may participate in learning during this time through a Quarantine Remote Classroom. COVID-19 like symptoms include the following:

• fever (100.4 or higher)
• new onset of moderate to severe headache
• shortness of breath
• new cough
• sore throat
• vomiting 
• diarrhea
• new loss of sense of taste or smell
• fatigue from unknown cause
• muscle or body aches from unknown cause 

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to most of our seasonal illnesses. It is understood that there is a possibility that individuals may experience seasonal allergies around this time of the year. However, the new IDPH guidance requires that any student/staff member with the aforementioned symptoms get tested to ensure safe entry into schools. Free testing sites can be found at the IDPH website at dph.illinois.gov/testing.

Parents/caregivers MUST ensure that students have emergency contact information on file. This should be an adult over the age of 18 who is available and can quickly pick up the child. 

District 65 will use the Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools and DayCare Programs with direction from local health departments regarding quarantines and close contacts.

District 65 is asking staff and families to voluntarily provide a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card. The purpose of disclosing this information is only to support the contact tracing process. According to CDC guidelines, vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine due to a potential COVID-19 exposure as long as they are not experiencing symptoms. This information will be securely stored in our student and staff information systems. Individuals must continue to wear masks, regardless of disclosing vaccination status. 

We continue to encourage families to submit their child’s COVID-19 vaccination record to their school health office preferably via email or by bringing a copy to the school office. Please label the file with students last name, first name and DOB. Submitting the record is extremely important to aid in the contact tracing process as well as understanding the level of vaccination within a school community.

Staff members should continue to upload proof of vaccination via their Crisis Go Safety iPass account (same account for submitting daily health certifications).

No one should come to school sick or if they may have been involved in any type of high-risk activity for contracting COVID-19. If your child isn’t feeling well or you are concerned that they may have been in a high-risk situation for contracting COVID-19, please err on the side of safety for all. 

This school year, District 65 is implementing flexible student attendance procedures to encourage families to keep their sick children home.

As one of our health and safety measures for the 21-22 school year, District 65 implemented COVID-19 Testing through the SHIELD program in September. With increases in COVID-19 cases and concerns over the more contagious Omicron variant, we are strongly encouraging all students and staff to participate in weekly PCR screening testing regardless of vaccination status.

District 65 is partnering with SHIELD Illinois through the University of Illinois to conduct testing at each District 65 school. Testing will occur on a designated day each week during school hours (no appointments necessary) and is a non-invasive saliva (spit) test. Schedules will be communicated by the school principal. 

No news is good news! Only positive results will be communicated to the child’s parent/guardian or D65 staff member and D65 Health Services staff within 24 hours. 

Participation in the SHIELD testing program is optional (families would need to opt their child out). Parents/guardians can opt-in or out of testing at any time. To opt your child out of testing, please complete the SHIELD Opt-Out Form (English / Spanish). By sending a child to school without opting out of the testing program (in writing), parents/guardians are consenting to their child to be tested for COVID-19 and to have the results and related information shared with District 65 health services staff and local health departments consistent with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code. 

Parents/guardians who choose to opt their child out of testing can send the completed form to covid19testing@district65.net or can drop off at their child’s school.

We believe testing will help maximize the safety of our school communities and maintain the continuity of in-person instruction with less disruption for students, families, and educators. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school health office.

District 65 will follow guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and local health departments in determining how long symptomatic individuals or those who test positive COVID-19 should remain home from work/school. A confirmation from IDPH or the local Health Department that the quarantine is completed is necessary to return to school. District 65 will use the decision tree for symptomatic individuals as provided by IDPH.

Based on CDC guidance, fully vaccinated persons who are identified as a close contact and who remain asymptomatic along with those with documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days are excluded from quarantine.

Staff are required to report any incidence of communicable disease, including COVID-19, to the Human Resources Department by immediately emailing hrsafetyipass@district65.net. Parents/guardians are required to report any incidence of communicable disease, including COVID-19, to the school health office personnel. 

Contact tracing is used by health departments to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In general, contact tracing involves identifying people who have a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 (cases) and people who they came in contact with (close contacts) and working with them to interrupt disease spread. This includes asking people with COVID-19 to isolate and their contacts to quarantine at home. Fully vaccinated persons who are identified as a close contact and remain asymptomatic along with those with a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days are excluded from quarantine.

Definition of a Close Contact

“Close contact” means an individual who was within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable case for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period. However, a close contact is not:

• A student who was within 3 to 6 feet in a classroom setting for least 15 minutes with a confirmed or probable student case if both case and contact were consistently masked for the entire exposure period.
• Students and staff aged 18 years and older who have received all recommended COVID19 vaccine doses, including boosters for any individual who completed the PfizerBioNTech primary vaccination series beyond the past five months, the Moderna primary vaccination series beyond the past five months, or Johnson & Johnson Janssen’s (J&J) primary vaccination dose beyond the past two months (and additional primary doses for some immunocompromised people)..
• A student aged 5-17 years who completed the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• An individual on school transportation within 3 to 6 feet if both the confirmed case and the exposed individual were consistently and correctly masked during the entire 21 exposure period and windows were opened (front, middle, and back, or overhead) to allow for good ventilation or HEPA filters were in use during transit.
• An individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days from date of exposure.
• An individual who is solely exposed to a confirmed case while outdoors; however, schools may coordinate with their local health department to determine the necessity of exclusion for higher-risk outdoor exposures.

The longer a person is exposed to an infected person, the higher the risk of exposure or transmission. The infectious period of close contact begins two calendar days before the onset of symptoms (for a symptomatic person) or two calendar days before the positive sample was obtained (for an asymptomatic person). If the case was symptomatic (e.g., coughing, sneezing), persons with briefer periods of exposure may also be considered contacts.

Local health departments are the final authority on identifying close contacts.

District 65 remains committed to transparency in reporting instances of COVID-19 cases as reported to District 65. We will continue to maintain a COVID-19 Dashboard on the homepage of our website (district65.net) which will be updated weekly on Tuesdays (cases reported Friday-Monday) and on Fridays (cases reported Tuesday-Thursday) when school is in session.

The dashboard will include the number of positive cases of COVID-19 among staff and students as well as the number of individuals in quarantine. This dashboard will contain aggregate information and will never reveal the identity of the impacted individual(s). This information will be kept private according to HIPAA guidelines and will only be shared as legally allowable to the public health department to support the contact tracing process.

Please note that all positive COVID-19 cases are self-reported. While positive cases will be reported in this dashboard, this does not indicate that they were contracted within a District 65 facility. Our team will continue to work closely with local health departments as part of the contact tracing process to determine cases of COVID-19 that were contracted in schools and to take the appropriate actions for determining quarantines or Adaptive Pauses as a result.

Vaccinations are still the strongest form of protection from COVID-19 according to the CDC and IDPH and have proven to be safe and effective. They are also free and available regardless of immigration status. There are now vaccines available for all adults and children ages 5 and older. In addition, boosters are strongly encouraged for those 12+.

District 65 strongly encourages all of those eligible to be vaccinated as soon as possible and to report their vaccination status to the District. Vaccines are readily available through many doctor offices, pharmacies, healthcare providers, and local municipalities. A simple way to schedule an appointment is through vaccines.gov. District 65 will continue to partner with the City of Evanston, Village of Skokie, and other providers to host vaccine and booster clinics.

If you have specific medical questions regarding the vaccine, please speak with your healthcare provider.

Resources:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Resources (CDC)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Resources (IDPH)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Resources (City of Evanston)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Resources (Village of Skokie)
• When to Get a Booster (CDC)

Under the new guidance released by the CDC in January (also adopted by IDPH and Evanston and Skokie health departments), any staff or student who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must remain home for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 10 days after the first day of symptoms or the date of a positive test result. 

Those who are asymptomatic will be allowed to return to school after the five-day period, and those who experienced symptoms can also return if they are fever-free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours, diarrhea/vomiting have ceased for 24 hours, and other symptoms have improved. Individuals must continue to wear a mask for five days at school, home, and in the community and must stay at least six feet apart from others when eating.

District 65 will continue to offer remote learning for students who must quarantine as directed by the local health department. This option will remain available to them during the length of their quarantine period. Information about Quarantine Remote Classrooms is available on the District 65 website.

CDC Recommended Quarantine Period for Close Contacts to Someone with COVID-19

¹Children who have received the primary vaccination series and are not eligible for booster doses after 5 months for Pfizer, 6 months for Moderna, or 2 months for Johnson and Johnson should not be excluded from school after close contact unless they develop symptoms and test positive for COVID-19. If masks need to be removed (e.g., for lunch), ensure 6 feet of physical distancing until 10 days after exposure.

An Adaptive Pause is a short-term mitigation strategy that allows time for local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation within schools. This is intended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 while allowing students to continue instruction remotely with their teachers and during their regular schedules. Decisions are made under the advice of the local health department and are based on the unique situation of every classroom, grade level, and school.

Decisions consider a number of factors and are generally the result of rising COVID-19 cases, number of students/staff in quarantine, staffing implications, vaccination rate, and ability to effectively implement additional safety measures (including contact tracing).

During an Adaptive Pause, students and educators will engage in remote learning during the regular school schedule. 

Please note that District cannot enter into an Adaptive Pause without direction from the local health department and has limited options as it relates to offering remote learning. Please see this infographic (English / Spanish) to better understand remote learning options available under Illinois law.

District 65 remains aligned to public health guidance in discouraging travel for those who are not fully vaccinated.

While District 65 does not currently have mandatory travel quarantines, we encourage families traveling with unvaccinated children to consider requesting space in the District’s Quarantine Remote Classroom (QRC) during a voluntary seven-day quarantine. Please contact your building’s health office to discuss options. 

As it relates to travel, individuals should follow any local guidance or restrictions based on the community where they live. Our District team will continue to monitor city and state guidelines and will amend travel guidance as necessary.