Embedded Files
Since Covid-19 has proven its staying, we have included a page in the Clerk Manual that has information specific to any new guidance and information for schools related to health information, safety considerations and protocols. Clerks have managed a lot in this area, so hopefully the information that is included here is helpful.
COVID 19 Resource Tool Box
COVID 19 Resource Tool Box
COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
CPS is working to align with the CDC and CDPH guidance related to COVID-19 mitigation measures. The following are the key changes for this school year:
Close contacts will no longer be excluded from school. Any student or staff member who is exposed to COVID-19 in school — regardless of vaccination status — will no longer be required to learn or work from home for five days, but will be required to wear a mask in school for 10 days following exposure, and will be strongly encouraged to test three and five days after exposure. CPS will provide schools with rapid take-home tests to distribute to families and staff members if they are exposed, and we will strongly encourage families to use them in order to prevent the spread and ensure a safe in-person learning environment.
Case investigations will continue. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days. Cases should continue to be reported to cps.edu/covidresults. School-Based Contact Tracing Teams are highly encouraged.
Wearing a mask is still an important way to prevent spreading the virus to others. CPS will continue to strongly recommend masking in school, and masks will continue to be required in the following situations:
On days 6-10 after testing positive for COVID-19
If someone is exposed to COVID-19
If there is a positive case identified in an elementary school classroom
If a high school student or staff member is notified that they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
At the direction of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Vaccination is still the most important way to protect yourself from severe illness, and CPS will continue to offer vaccine events throughout the city to help families and staff get vaccinated. Please continue to promote cps.edu/vaccinations among staff and families; this webpage contains important information about vaccines and opportunities for families and staff to make a vaccine appointment. Vaccines are safe, effective, free, and widely available to all Chicagoans over six months of age.
CPS will continue to offer free, weekly in-school COVID-19 testing to students and staff who are interested. Importantly, anyone who wants to enroll in testing this year will need to fill out an updated consent form — regardless of whether or not individuals participated in weekly testing last year. That updated consent form can be accessed here. Please continue to share this form with your school communities. Consent forms from last school year or this summer will not be valid for the 2022–23 school year. However, once a student or staff member has consented this year, that consent will remain in place until they leave CPS.
CPS is expanding the rapid testing program. CDC continues to recognize the importance of ensuring testing access for those with symptoms or for those exposed, and in this coming school year, CPS will be more active in deploying rapid tests and working with school leaders to ensure you have the tests you need to keep your school communities safe. Rapid tests may be distributed for in-school exposures, outbreak testing, athlete compliance, and symptomatic students. The Warehouse is in the process of disturbing tests to school this week and next.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Care Room Opt In/Out Form (for principals)
OSHW Contact Tracing
SY23 CPS Principal Guidance - COVID Attendance Reporting (Section 3)
CPS & City Vaccine Sites
CPS & City Vaccine Sites
All Chicagoans age 5 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. If you’re ready to get yourself or your child vaccinated, you can find appointments using this site. If you’re still deciding, we’ve provided some important information about COVID-19 vaccines below.
Chicago Public Schools Vaccine Clinics | Info & Sign Up Form
Chicago Public Schools Vaccine Clinics | Info & Sign Up Form
City of Chicago Vaccine Clinics | Info & Sign Up Form
City of Chicago Vaccine Clinics | Info & Sign Up Form
CPS & City Testing Sites
CPS & City Testing Sites
Helping families and staff access COVID-19 testing is critical to keeping our community healthy and safe. Use these links to find testing options available to you and to learn about how students and staff are tested at schools.
Chicago Public Schools Testing | Info & Sign Up Form
Chicago Public Schools Testing | Info & Sign Up Form
City of Chicago Testing | Info & Sign Up Form
City of Chicago Testing | Info & Sign Up Form
City of Chicago - Travel Advisory
City of Chicago - Travel Advisory
CPS Optional Mask Guidance
CPS Optional Mask Guidance
Moving to a Mask-Optional Model
Moving to a Mask-Optional Model
Beginning this Monday, March 14, all CPS schools will move to a mask-optional model. While CPS will continue to encourage the use of masks, families and employees will now have a choice about whether or not to wear a mask at school, outside on school property, on a school bus, or in the office.
This model has been deemed safe by federal, state, and local public health authorities for areas where community transmission of COVID-19 is low, like Chicago.
There are certain situations when students and staff will still be required to wear a mask:
When visiting with the school nurse or other medical professionals in school
When an individual is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, including students visiting the school’s Care Room
When an individual is exposed to someone with COVID-19, they must wear a mask for 10 days indoors after the date of exposure
When an individual is returning from five days of learning or working from home, they must wear a mask indoors for the next five days upon returning to school
At the direction of CDPH (Chicago Department of Public Health), an entire class may be required to wear masks
CPS may require masks again in the future if community transmission reaches a moderate or high level.
Wearing a mask can be a very personal decision. CPS has called on all students and staff to respect each other’s choices when it comes to wearing a mask in school. Families’ choices for their children will be supported by CPS staff.
We have provided the following resources to support parents during this transition to a mask-optional model:
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