This is the COVID-19 update for Friday, February 18. There is an update on the mask mandate court case as well as reminders about our upcoming mitigation changes. Please note that masks will be required for all students, staff and visitors until Monday, February 28. As always, you can always visit our COVID-19 Update Center for the latest.
This week’s updates:
- Earlier this week our Board of Education approved changes to the district’s mitigation plan. These changes will apply to all of our schools. Please refer to Dr. Wagner's previous communication for the full details. The big changes to note are:
- Tuesday, February 22: We will no longer quarantine students and staff who are close contacts to a positive case of COVID-19 unless they are experiencing symptoms.
- Tuesday, February 22: We will no longer require unvaccinated staff to test on a weekly basis.
- Monday, February 28: Our schools will shift to a mask-optional environment. Masks will be required until that date.
- Late last night, an Illinois appellate court dismissed Governor Pritzker’s appeal in the school mask mandate case. This means that for now, the state cannot enforce a mask mandate in schools. You can read NBC Chicago’s story on the decision for more information. How does this affect us? We will proceed as planned with the upcoming mitigation changes noted above.
- Please continue to be diligent about keeping your child home from school if they are not feeling well. Even if symptoms are mild, or possibly unrelated to COVID, err on the side of caution.
- Note: If a school nurse cannot rule out COVID-19 through consideration of a child’s symptoms and medical history, the student will be sent home until symptoms subside AND will be required to return with a negative test (PCR or rapid-antigen professionally administered) to rule out COVID-19. If they choose not to get a test, they will be required to wear a mask through day 10.
- Note: If a school nurse cannot rule out COVID-19 through consideration of a child’s symptoms and medical history, the student will be sent home until symptoms subside AND will be required to return with a negative test (PCR or rapid-antigen professionally administered) to rule out COVID-19. If they choose not to get a test, they will be required to wear a mask through day 10.
- A reminder that everyone 5 years of age and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Everyone 12 years of age and older is eligible for a booster shot.
- Our second-dose vaccine clinic is on Friday, February 25 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at River Trails Middle School. This is for anyone whose child received the first dose on February 4. Your scheduled time will be the same as your first appointment.
- You can also sign up to receive a booster shot at the February 25 clinic. Anyone who is at least five months removed from their second dose is eligible. Use https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/1642008919914 to register for an appointment.
- SHIELD testing will continue at each of our schools. If you have previously opted your child out of weekly testing and wish to opt back in, please fill out and submit this form. You will only be notified if your child tests positive, but can also see the results yourself by signing up for the SHIELD portal.
- Cook County has opened a vaccination site in Des Plaines at 1155 E. Oakton Street. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but they are encouraging people to make an appointment at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov. Pfizer and Moderna are being offered, and you can receive primary vaccinations or booster shots.
- Once your child is fully vaccinated (two weeks after second dose), they can be exempted from weekly saliva testing. You will need to inform the district that your child has been vaccinated and can do so by filling out this form. If you do not have a Google account, please submit your child’s vaccination information directly to your school’s office.
- Is your child boosted? If you have already submitted their initial vaccine verification, you can now submit their booster information by filling out this form.
- Meals can be provided for any student who is quarantining due to a positive COVID case. If interested, call 224-612-7675. Families will be able to pick up meals at River Trails Middle School or have them delivered.
- Our COVID-19 dashboard is updated daily with the number of students and staff who test positive or are in quarantine due to exposure. This dashboard is updated as results are provided and may be adjusted retroactively.
We will continue sending updates throughout the week when it is necessary. Do not hesitate to call either the district office or your school if you have any questions.