The well-being of our learning community is our highest priority.
Given the announcement on Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the spread of the coronavirus, I want to reinforce preventative measures and share information about our process.
Presently, there are no recommendations for changing the normal operation of our schools.
School District 96 is in continued contact with federal, state, and local agencies including the Illinois State Board of Education, the Lake County Health Department, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for monitoring and guidance.
Straightforward approaches apply and I urge you to review them as a family. As is recommended best practice under all circumstances to avoid illness:
• Wash hands frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
In District 96 our custodial staff is following specific protocol in addition to daily cleaning routines, including disinfecting all high-contact surfaces each evening. Likewise, our food service vendor OrganicLife continues to uphold strict industry sanitation and food safety standards and is prioritizing daily disinfection of all prep/cooking/service areas.
At this point, the IDPH does NOT recommend cancelling classes or mass gatherings. The organization is following these preventative steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
In the event that circumstances warrant the need to use them, the District’s 2019–2020 school calendar includes five Emergency Days, which count as official attendance days.
Please be assured that we will continue to seek guidance from appropriate agencies and will communicate their recommendations as we work together in the days ahead. Find more resources, including our previous communications about coronavirus here.
--Julie Schmidt, District 96 Superintendent of Schools