Health & Safety
Student and Staff Expectations
Student and Staff Expectations
- Universal masking required for all students, staff and visitors to enter school in the fall, regardless of vaccination status.
- "Mask up when you line up"
- Physical distancing guidelines (3 feet apart) will be explicitly taught and followed.
- Proper handwashing and use of sanitizer will be reinforced.
- Stay home if sick, symptomatic, or exposed.
- Vaccination status information requested to aid with planning and contact tracing, if needed.
Entrance Procedures and
Symptom Checks
Entrance Procedures and
Symptom Checks
- Families must review symptoms checklist daily at home before leaving for school.
- There will be no self-certification form nor temperature checks at school upon arrival
- Schools will assign entrances/exit doors by grade level or arrival methods.
- Face masks are required for entrance to any school building in the fall.
- Visitors are limited to essential needs with prior approval and a face mask.
- Volunteers for outdoor events only this fall.
Hygiene Protocol
Hygiene Protocol
- Hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer will occur throughout the day.
- There will be recurring cleaning of high touch surfaces throughout the day.
- No water fountain use, water bottle filling only.
- Hallway lockers will be used this fall with staggered access to avoid congregating
- WJHS students will not use PE locker rooms nor PE uniforms this fall.
Classroom Considerations
Classroom Considerations
- Students will be spaced 3 ft apart in the classroom to maintain social distancing as much as possible
- Seating charts will be maintained for contact tracing.
- Students will move throughout the building, changing classrooms at Highcrest and Wilmette Junior High and moving to specials at our elementary schools. Cohort bubbling will not be implemented.
- All classrooms will be equipped with a cleaning supply kit.
- Additional cleaning for high-touch surfaces, classrooms, common areas, and spaces where food is eaten.
- Ongoing implementation of District 39's improved ventilation and air filtration across school settings.
Lunch Protocol
Lunch Protocol
- Outdoor lunch will occur when possible. When not possible, indoor lunch locations will be assigned, including supervised lunch in cafeterias, gymnasiums and classrooms.
- Homeroom class cohort will be maintained for lunch in the fall.
- When eating indoors, students seated with at least 3 feet of distancing (6 feet where possible).
- Students may bring lunch from home or purchase cold, boxed lunch.
- Typical recess protocol with opportunities for mask breaks when outdoors.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection.
Washrooms
Washrooms
- Students will use assigned washrooms.
- A limited number of students in washroom will be allowed at one time.
- Additional cleaning for high-touch surfaces and common areas
Hallways
Hallways
- Hallway use will be typical, with added reminders and floor markings for distancing and staggered movement.
- Hallway traffic will be planned in order to avoid congregating
District 39 has compiled updated health guidance and information into one easy-to-reference booklet designed to assist parents in evaluating and responding to illness. If your child is ill or is experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, this booklet will help to guide your next steps and what you can expect from the school. Careful adherence to these guidelines and the documentation requested by your school nurse will help to keep everyone healthy and safe. Please check back for the updated booklet.
District 39 has compiled updated health guidance and information into one easy-to-reference booklet designed to assist parents in evaluating and responding to illness. If your child is ill or is experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, this booklet will help to guide your next steps and what you can expect from the school. Careful adherence to these guidelines and the documentation requested by your school nurse will help to keep everyone healthy and safe. Please check back for the updated booklet.
Absence from School and Quarantine Guidance
Absence from School and Quarantine Guidance
When an absence from school is necessary:
When an absence from school is necessary:
- Parents will be asked to provide information about nature of illness.
- If symptoms are associated with COVID-19, the individual will be asked to seek COVID-19 test regardless of vaccination status and to remain home pending test results
- If absence is due to any other reason and/or for doctor appointments, typical absence procedures will be followed.
- Absences will be handled in a similar manner as in previous years. A doctor’s note may be requested for absences of 3 days or more.
- Families are asked to follow any applicable quarantine recommendations related to travel.
School work protocol while absent:
School work protocol while absent:
- For absences unrelated to COVID-19 and/or of short duration (3 days or fewer), typical absence procedures will be followed. Work will be sent home and students will be provided directions for work completion and returning their work to school. Teachers will support student learning upon return to the classroom.
- For absences due to COVID-19 diagnosis and/or quarantine with anticipated longer duration (4 or more days), work will be sent home and students will be provided access to the direct instruction portion of their day through synchronous or asynchronous means, as appropriate. This may include recorded lessons or one-way live Zoom access to the instruction, and is not required to be interactive.
If a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19:
If a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19:
- The Health Department will be notified and the district will implement their guidance.
- Contact tracing will occur, and health department quarantines will be followed.
- Enhanced deep cleaning and sanitation protocol will be implemented.
- Communication plan will be implemented.
- School and/or classroom will not close, unless otherwise directed by Health Department
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will follow IDPH and doctor guidelines for returning to school/work.
Quarantine protocol for individuals with close contact exposure to a positive case
Quarantine protocol for individuals with close contact exposure to a positive case
- Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be followed.
- Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be followed.
Definition of close contact exposure to COVID-19 within schools is
defined as:
Definition of close contact exposure to COVID-19 within schools is
defined as:
- Within 3 feet for more than 15 minutes in an indoor school setting, provided proper masking is followed consistently.
- Within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes in an indoor setting or when proper masking is not consistently followed.
- Outdoor close contacts will no longer be traced by the IDPH.
Unvaccinated individuals with close contact exposure will quarantine at home in accordance with Health Department guidance. Test-to-stay protocol and shortened quarantines may be available if masking and 3 feet of distancing is consistent.
Unvaccinated individuals with close contact exposure will quarantine at home in accordance with Health Department guidance. Test-to-stay protocol and shortened quarantines may be available if masking and 3 feet of distancing is consistent.
Vaccinated individuals with close contact exposire will not be required to quarantine unless symptoms develop or otherwise directed by the Health Department.
Vaccinated individuals with close contact exposire will not be required to quarantine unless symptoms develop or otherwise directed by the Health Department.
Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be adhered to for quarantine and school closures. Changes to IDPH protocol are expected throughout the school year and will be followed by District 39.
Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be adhered to for quarantine and school closures. Changes to IDPH protocol are expected throughout the school year and will be followed by District 39.
Testing Options and Partnerships
Testing Options and Partnerships
- Outside testing agency, primary care physician or local pharmacy
- Testing through NorthShore Clinical Labs at Flick Park in Glenview
- Open to all, no insurance required, no out-of-pocket costs
- Hours: M-F, 11 am-7 pm | SAT, 9 am-2 pm
- Click here to schedule appointment
- A variety of free testing sites are available in our area. Click here for a searchable list of free testing sites by zip code.
- District 39 will be partnering with SHIELD Illinois, IDPH, and the University of Illinois to provide COVID testing. More details on this program to follow.
- Saliva-based PCR test with results available within 24 hours
- Weekly screening option will be available after school
- Test-to-stay and intermittent testing options will be available
- Consent and registatation must be submitted in advance
Test-to-Stay Protocol
Test-to-Stay Protocol
- Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be followed. Please note that this guidance changes frequently.
- Currently available to unvaccinated individuals without symptoms who have been identified as a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case at school.
- Tested on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 following close contact exposure at school
- Must remain symptom-free and return negative tests to continue test-to-stay protocol.
Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be adhered to for quarantine and school closures.
Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be adhered to for quarantine and school closures.
IDPH Guidance_050421.pdf