KCSD 96 

Kildeer CCSD 96 Mitigation and Protocol Update

March 1, 2022 Update

Although KCSD 96 is now a Mask Optional environment, in determining the implementation of a layered mitigation approach, the District continues to consider all updated guidance as it is released regarding layered mitigation.

Future decisions regarding implementation of COVID-19 mitigations will be made in consideration of additional or new public health guidelines as it continues to evolve.

Mitigation Strategies

COVID-19 prevention strategies remain important to support our ongoing priorities.

• Promoting vaccination 
• Consistent and correct mask-wearing when masking is chosen
• Physical social distancing 
• Use of additional PPE when warranted
• PCR screening and onsite testing to promptly identify cases, clusters, and outbreaks 
• Increased airflow
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
• Staying home when sick and getting tested 
• Contact tracing to the extent possible
• Required isolation at home of positive individuals
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Airflow on busses

Masking 

• Masking is no longer required and is an optional family choice, except for in the following circumstances:
  • Individuals who display symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day must be masked while being assessed by health staff and/or awaiting being picked up awaiting pickup from school by parents / guardians.  A school nurse's office is considered a health setting.
  • In the event that it is determined, in consultation with the local health department, that targeted mask implementation is necessary to address a COVID-19 outbreak in a given classroom or school.

Self-certification

• By sending a child to school each day, the family certifies that the student does not have COVID symptoms; by coming to school each day, the staff member certifies a symptom-free status.

Distancing

• Seats in classrooms will be placed 3 feet apart.
• Lunchroom seats will be placed at least 3 feet apart.
• Students returning to school after being Covid-positive will distance at 6 feet during lunch and in the classroom through day 10, to the extent possible.

Music 

• Band students who are playing wind instruments can play their instruments by pulling down a mask, playing the instrument, and then replacing the mask, or they may be unmasked. Students may also use slit masks. Bell covers are needed for all wind instruments except for flutes, as flutes do not have bells. 
• Various constructs may be used for music and theatrical programs, depending on a variety of factors, including space, staffing, weather, and current virus spread.
  • Indoors with some family members present
  • Outdoors
  • Recorded
  • Live-Streamed

After-school activities

• School-sponsored after-school activities can occur using mitigation strategies as appropriate.
• Sport specific protocols continue to be developed at each school following guidance from IDPH and IESA/IHSA, and with consideration of available space.

Volunteers in building

• We require volunteers on school grounds to wear gloves and a hat or hair covering if serving food.
• Volunteers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result to volunteer on campus.
• While masking is optional, those who choose not to mask are asked to be mindful of physical distancing. 

Conferences and Meetings 

• Spring Parent Teacher Conferences will be offered in both virtual and in-person formats. 
• IEP and 504 meetings will be conducted in-person. Alternative remote options will be offered when requested.

COVID Testing 

• Twice weekly, optional PCR screening will be provided for all students and staff. Frequency may be reduced to once per week beginning the week of April 11, 2022, if conditions remain stable.
  • This is a free, voluntary, diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus, conducted by nasal swab.
  • Parents/guardians will receive results directly from the lab.
  • The School District will also receive results of a child’s tests and will notify parents/guardians of any positive result. 
  • If a child’s test results are positive, parents/guardians should contact the child’s doctor immediately. As per LCHD, a positive test result will be treated as a positive test result, despite evidence of other negative results. School exclusions will be initiated immediately and isolation at home will be required for 5 days.
  • When returning to school after being positive for Covid, students will be required to distance during lunch and in the classroom through day 10.
  • District 96 is required to report any positive results to the health department.
  • Parents can choose to opt-in to screening at any time by contacting the Director of Educational Services, Mrs. Amy Gluck, at [email protected].

Individuals with COVID Symptoms 

• Individuals with symptoms will be isolated and required to wear a mask while being assessed and until picked up by a guardian, if necessary. 
• Cooperation and communication with district health staff is expected.

Close Contacts 

• Vaccinated individuals are not considered close contacts.
• With more individuals unmasked in schools, more unvaccinated individuals could be considered close contacts. Therefore, schools will send home letters alerting families that their student has been identified as a close contact. The individual who is positive for COVID-19 will not be identified.
• Close contacts should be monitored for the onset of symptoms for 14 days.
• Close contacts will not be excluded from school unless they become symptomatic.
• Please note that alerts will be provided only when there is a documented positive case. When students go home with symptoms without a positive case being documented, families are not notified. In such a situation, if a case is later documented, then families will be alerted. 

Qualification for Participation in Remote Learning

• Remote learning via Zoom will be provided to students who are positive for Covid-19 and asymptomatic beginning on the second day of absence.