No decisions have been made yet.

The Return to School Committee is providing input, and reviewing information and reports in areas that must be addressed to return to school. 

A draft plan will go to the full Board of Education at the July 13 meeting. The plan that goes to the BOE on July 13 will reflect the work completed up to that date.

We are working on plans to address the needs of students who for whatever reason may not want to attend school onsite. Part of that planning is trying to determine how many students might choose such an option. A parent and student survey will be going out soon to gather this information.  

Yes. ISBE guidance explicitly states: "As required by IDPH, except while eating and during band, face coverings must be worn at all times in school buildings, even when social distance is maintained. All individuals in a school building must wear a face covering unless they have a medical contraindication, are under 2 years of age, have trouble breathing, or are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the face covering without assistance."

According to ISBE guidance, "generally no. Face shields are not effective protection against coronavirus and should only be used in situations when other methods of protection are not available. IDPH also appreciates that there may be a small minority of individuals who have a medical contraindication to using face coverings. If face shields can be tolerated, face shields might be utilized in these situations, understanding their limitations and the heightened need for strict adherence to social distancing. ISBE recommends that schools review information such as a physician’s note documenting the medical contraindication for any individual who is not able to wear a face covering."

According to ISBE/IDPH, social distancing--staying 6 feet apart--must be observed as much as possible. 

District 113 is looking at ways to maximize social distancing. Detailed work is underway to determine the possible capacity for interior spaces using social distancing.  

According to ISBE/IDPH, no. No more than 50 people can be on a school bus at one time. All riders will need to complete symptom screening before boarding a bus and will need to wear a face covering at all times. 

District 113 is looking at ways to increase distancing on buses but it will not be possible to have 6-feet of social distancing on buses if ridership rates remain the same. For reference, a full-size school bus is approximately 34 feet long. 

Under Phase 4 guidelines of the Restore Illinois Plan, gatherings of up to 50 people in one space may take place while social distancing and wearing face coverings. 

According to ISBE/IDPH, the 50-person limit is for one space but the guidance also includes social distancing and face coverings. 

For example, an auditorium may be able to hold several hundred people but because the Phase 4 guidelines are in place only 50 people could be in the auditorium and they should be wearing face coverings and socially distance as much as possible. 

Under the ISBE/IDPH guidance, all school districts are required to symptom screen all students, staff and visitors every school day before they enter the buildings or board school buses. 

According to the ISBE/IDPH guidance, school districts can use self-certification to ask students and staff if they are symptom-free. 

The District is in the process of developing an app for students and staff to use daily to answer the required self-certification questions. 

Self-certification will be required daily for entry.

The app will track who has completed self-certification each day. Those who do not self-certify or those who do not meet the criteria will be brought to an isolated area and a parent/guardian will need to pick the student up.

No, in addition to the CDC guidance that does not recommend universal testing of students and staff, the District does not have the capacity to conduct COVID-19 testing.

No, the CDC does not recommend universal testing of all students staff.