Safe Reopening Procedures

It is the priority of CSD17 Schools to implement health and safety procedures to maintain in-person learning for all students who choose to attend school in-person during the 2020-2021 school year. The following procedures have been established with the guidance of the CDC, WCHD, and IDPH to minimize the spread of COVID-19:

School Campus Safety

• Parents/Guardians will be required to self-certify that students do not have a temperature and are free of COVID-19 symptoms daily

• Medically vulnerable students and employees should consult with their healthcare provider before returning to school or work

• Social distancing will be expected whenever possible including hallways, gyms, cafeteria, etc. Teachers should maintain six feet from students whenever possible while instructing the classroom.

• We will utilize outdoor or larger than normal venues (gymnasiums, large meeting rooms, etc.) for activities that increase the possibility of transfer of airborne particles i.e. Lunch, Chorus, Band, Physical Ed, etc. whenever feasible

• During the late fall and winter months, band and choir will take place indoors. Students will not share instruments and distancing between students will be increased to avoid any transmission during singing or playing of an instrument.

• Where possible, desks will face the same direction and/or students will sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart, in assigned seats

• Classroom seating will be configured with the maximum allowable space in-between students as possible

• Unnecessary furniture and supplies will be removed from classrooms to create additional instructional space

• Face masks will be mandatory for students and employees

• Hand sanitizer will be readily available in each classroom and students will be given time to thoroughly wash hands with soap and water

• Disinfecting spray and wipes will be readily available to employees throughout the day

• Cleaning protocols will be increased throughout each campus

• Temperature checks will be conducted on any student or employee who exhibits any COVID-19 symptoms in any school or district workplace

• Any student who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms after having arrived at school will be isolated; parents will be expected to pick-up their child and any siblings immediately upon notification

• A dedicated room (other than the nurses office) will be used to examine students exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms

• Parents and visitors will have limited access to the school campus including parents walking students to their child’s classroom, volunteering and mentoring; pre-approved meetings at the school may be allowed

• Schools will be encouraged to schedule all meetings and gatherings virtually when feasible

• Students must use their own school supplies and keep belongings separate or in their backpacks during the day

• Every attempt will be made for students to use their own equipment; however, all shared classroom equipment, including instruments, will be disinfected after use

• Students are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle from home to school; bottles may be refilled throughout the day using water bottle refill stations

• School drinking fountains will not be available

• Students will be encouraged to leave any unnecessary items at home

• Restroom procedures will be established at each school to limit the number of students transitioning in the hallway and in restrooms at one time

Transportation Safety

• Due to the “Restore Illinois” Phase 4 requirements, total bus occupancy may not exceed 50 riders including the driver. This poses significant capacity challenges for Channahon School District 17 buses. Since 'social distancing' of six feet cannot be accomplished in this configuration, all passengers must wear a face mask while riding the school bus to-and-from school.

• Bus stop locations are limited to one stop to-and-from school. While students are not required to ride the bus everyday, it will be the family’s responsibility to transport the student if the single assigned stop will not be used on any specific day. Please notify the school office at your child's school any day they will not be riding the bus.

• Buses will be disinfected daily between routes and at the end of the day.

• Parents will be required to self-certify students before boarding the school bus (by 6:30am TRS/CJH and 7:00am NBG/PP). If you forget to certify your child before school we will allow them to ride the bus to school in their own seat. Their temperature will be taken at the school and you will be contacted to let you know that they have been screened. After a second missed certification the parent will be contacted again. A third missed certification will result in the loss of bus transportation for the trimester.

• With the State of Illinois Phase 4 restrictions limiting our bus rider capacities, bus riders are limited to one bus location to-and-from school each day, everyday.