2020-2021 Back to School Plan

Last updated on August 5, 2020. This plan will be reviewed and updated as needed.

Pontiac Township High School District #90 Back to School Plan 2020-21

District 90 representatives began meeting in May to explore options for returning to school in August. Barring circumstances outside our control, staff will return August 13. Freshmen will attend August 17. Alternating days of attendance (in-person and remote hybrid learning) will begin Aug. 18. These details are provided in this document. Please note that some special needs program students might have individualized scheduling to align with their existing individualized education plan. To determine our return to school plan, we started with the following beliefs and realities: ● We believe the best educational experience for learning takes place in person ● We recognize a safe learning environment is crucial to the overall experience ● Parent, student and staff feedback must be considered ● We set aside politics ● We also have a responsibility to meet guidance from IDPH, ISBE, and CDC ● Finally, planning is impacted by the physical confines of our facilities and available staffing. Surveys were sent to families and students in July to collect feedback. Results showed 432 families completed the survey, representing about 508 students, or 72%, of the district population. Individual parent and student responses totaled over 762 submissions. We appreciate your participation and meaningful feedback! Nearly 77% of parent and student respondents indicated they plan a return to PTHS with 21% indicating they were uncertain and only 2% not expecting to return (this could be unrelated to pandemic concerns). Results showed that 52% of families preferred to have their students attend school in-person everyday; 40% indicated that they would prefer a combination of in-person and remote learning; and 8% of families preferred their student(s) receive instruction strictly through remote learning. Based on the combined feedback, beliefs, realities IDPH/ISBE/CDC guidance and requirements, we planned accordingly. We recognize it is not perfect and that we are living in an environment of constant change and uncertainty. Therefore, changing conditions will likely lead to adaptations.

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

As an overview, we are presenting a return to school plan whereby: ● In person classes will be held 5 days a week using an alternating, hybrid schedule. Most students will attend 3 of the 5 days with the other times being remote ● Approximately half of the student enrollment will be in the building at a given time until further notice as many of our classrooms are too small to meet the distancing expectations ● Most Mondays are a split enrollment day (AM/PM) to allow each student and teacher to briefly meet in person for every class to distribute learning materials, articulate the week’s remote learning expectations and answer questions ● Most Tuesdays through Fridays will be alternating block days (Odd period classes Tue/Wed and Even period classes on Thur/Fri) with 10 minute passing periods to allow students to take a supervised break outdoors, weather permitting, and classrooms to be disinfected between classes ● An everyday remote learning option will be considered upon request to be determined on a case by case basis utilizing our APEX Learning on-line course catalog. Maintaining a Healthy Environment While the health and safety of students and staff has always been our top priority in District 90, the current circumstances call for increased safety measures to provide a healthy learning environment. District 90 is following guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ● Face masks must be properly worn by all individuals in the school building and on buses. Students are asked to bring their own mask to school, but the district will also have extra available. Masks can be removed for eating, playing instruments, during designated outdoor breaks, and when outdoors while maintaining 6-feet of distance from others. Alternatives to traditional masks will be considered on a case-by-case basis or with a doctor’s note. ● District 90 views masks no differently than other health related mandates like shoes, shirts, or pants. We know this is a new expectation and view this as a learning experience, not a disciplinary one. ​ Refusal to wear a mask in the building will lead to the student being redirected and then sent home if refusal occurs. Repeated refusal will lead to the student being placed into the Full-Time Remote Learning program. ● A social distance of 6 feet must be observed in school as much as possible. Classroom seating will be modified and excess items will be removed from rooms to allow for extra spacing. ● Prior to entering PTHS, students will have their temperature screened to make sure they do not have a fever. Any student with a temperature of 100.0 or above will be referred to the Student Health Center for additional screening. ● Outside visitors will have very limited access to District 90 property. Visitors must self-certify their health, have their temperature taken, wear a mask, and make an appointment before entering the building.

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

● The school building will be deep-cleaned and disinfected every night. Each classroom will be equipped with cleaning supplies to spot clean high-traffic areas throughout the day. ● If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, District 90 will work in cooperation with the Livingston County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health to determine appropriate measures. Food Service District 90 will continue to provide breakfast and lunch with a modified menu. The district will provide balanced meals to include meat, meat alternatives, grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk. ● Meals will be served either in the classroom or a designated area in the school with no more than 50 people present at a time. ● Once students have selected a seat in one of the various spaces, they will be required to sit at that seat for the remainder of the semester. Lunch supervisors will have a seating chart to assist with contact tracing in the event a PTHS student were to test positive for COVID-19. ● At the end of each day, meals will be available for students to “grab and go” to ensure they have enough food to eat during their scheduled remote learning days. ● As always, students may bring their own lunch from home, however food deliveries will not be accepted. Transportation Busing will continue to be provided for all qualifying students, with safety modifications in place. ● Bus routes will be modified to keep the number of riders, monitors, and drivers at no more than 50 per bus. ● All people on the bus, including students, bus monitors, and drivers will be required to wear a face mask while on the bus. ● Each bus driver and monitor will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms every day. ● Every bus will be disinfected between uses. Teaching and Learning - Options For the upcoming school year, District 90 will offer families two options for the first semester of classes (August 18 - December 18) for students in grades 9-12: 1. Hybrid Learning ​ : The student body will be divided into two groups (Orange and Blue) and students will attend school on their assigned days. The Orange group will consist of students with last names that begin with the letters A - J. The Blue group will consist of students who have last names that begin with the letters K - Z. When students are not physically in the building, they will be working through the curriculum remotely. In some limited cases for special programming or circumstances, it might be necessary for us to reassign students to another group.

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

2. Full-Time Remote Learning ​ : Students will be enrolled in PTHS District 90 and will have access to their learning through Apex Learning software, which has been purchased by the district. This option will be made available through the PTHS on-line registration process. Regardless of where a student learns, daily attendance will be taken, classes will have firm expectations for learning, new curriculum will be covered, all District 90 policies will be adhered to during the school day, and class sizes will be kept as small as possible. The first week of school will focus heavily on building relationships, social-emotional learning and best practices in health and safety.. ● Families will have from July 27 - August 10 to decide which learning environment to choose for the fall semester. ​ Families that wish to use Remote Learning for their student must go through the online registration process and opt-in to the Remote Learning section. ● This decision will be final for the fall semester so the district can staff accordingly. Only under very rare circumstances will students be able to move from one learning environment to the other. ● In the case of an outbreak, in-person students will be moved to a remote learning environment with their current teachers. Hybrid Learning Students will have their day modified to reduce exposure to other students and safety of our staff. The first day of school will be ​ August 17 for freshmen, August 18 for students in the Orange group, and August 19 for students placed into the Blue group. During most weeks, the school day will begin at 7:55 am and end at 2:50 pm on Mondays and 2:35 pm Tuesdays through Fridays. Students will be assigned a schedule that will outline their school day. On select Mondays, students will attend school in either the morning or afternoon, based upon the group they have been assigned. During this time period, teachers will monitor the progress of the students, answer any questions students may have, discuss the week ahead, and check on the social-emotional well-being of the students. ● Daily schedules will be modified and class periods will be 80 minutes long. Passing periods will be extended so students can follow one-way traffic patterns in hallways. ● Students will have minimal access to lockers. ● Lunch will be in a variety of areas which may include the Commons, Gymnasium Balcony, and Auditorium Balcony. Due to the additional time needed to get students through the lunchline, each lunch period will last 35 minutes. Entering the Building All students must enter through the Commons doors. Doors will be opened at 7:30am every morning. Please be advised students must properly wear a mask while entering the building. Prior to entering the building, students must allow for their temperature to be taken so school personnel (utilizing a

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

no-touch thermometer) can certify each student does not have a fever. In addition, students must certify they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. Leaving the Building All students must exit the building when the dismissal bell sounds. Students will not be allowed to loiter inside the building or out in front of the Commons. This is being done so school personnel can begin to properly sanitize the school building and teachers can work with students who are learning remotely for the day. Students who violate this policy will be asked to leave. If the behavior continues, the student will be found insubordinate and may be required to change to full-time remote learning. Full-Time Remote Learning Students who choose this option will be assigned courses through Apex Learning and will not receive academic support by core area PTHS teachers. The first day of school will be ​ August 18 ​ for all students. ● Students will be assigned a remote learning facilitator that will monitor learning activities through the Apex Learning online platform. A student will receive a schedule that includes core area subjects and select electives. ● As long as students make appropriate daily progress in the coursework, they will be counted as being present during the school day. Students who do not make daily progress will be considered absent and may eventually be considered truant and referred to the Truancy Officer. ● Students will be expected to complete assignments and assessments in the same timeframe as if they were engaged in in-person learning. The semester ends on December 18. ● Grades will be reported as either “Pass” or “Fail” and will not count towards a student’s overall GPA. ● All remote learners will receive a school-issued netbook. Points to consider before you opt-in to full-time remote learning: 1. Remote learning will require guidance and support from guardians. Training will be offered to assist families. 2. Content for remote learning will be aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards and will be provided through the Apex Learning platform. Not all District 90 courses will be available through Apex Learning. No LACC courses are available through Apex Learning. 3. Apex Learning courses offered through District 90 do not fulfill the requirements of the NCAA, so students will not receive credit for them if they plan to play athletics in college. 4. Families are expected to provide a learning space that includes reliable internet access. Once a student has been enrolled in full-time remote learning, families can apply for assistance with technology hardware such as HotSpots in order to meet the internet requirements.

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

5. Please realize this decision is binding for students for the entire fall semester. Only under rare circumstances will students be able to switch between full-time remote learning and hybrid learning or vice-versa.

Special Education The district remains responsible for ensuring that students receiving special education services receive an appropriate public education and that we address the individual needs of students eligible for special education services. ● For students with an IEP that opt for Full-time remote learning, an individualized remote learning plan will be created by their team. This plan will document the appropriate special education and related services/supports that are to be provided during remote learning. ● The district has purchased adapted face coverings (clear face shields) for those that may need an alternative form of PPE to receive special education services. ● If a student requires time out of the general education classroom to receive specialized instruction, safety measures and protocols will be in place. ● Staff and students will be provided with gloves and other PPE if hand-over-hand instruction and other physical prompting is required for instruction. ● Any questions regarding Special Education services should be directed to Mrs. Angela Thomas at 815-844-6113 or ​ athomas@pontiac90.org Schedule Changes A schedule change may occur when a student requests to change from one course to another during specific time frames during the school year. Every effort is made to schedule students into their requested courses. The guidance department cannot honor requests for specific course sections, teachers, or lunch periods. Students must make any necessary course changes during the following times: 1. Courses for the next school year can be adjusted as needed before registration upon the return of the guidance staff. This one week window occurs sometime between the 1st and 2nd week of August. Schedule changes will not be made during registration to ensure course fees are accurate. 2. Due to section size numbers, once school has started, schedule changes need to be kept to a minimum, but allowed during the first five days of school with parental approval on the schedule change form. Again, the guidance department cannot honor requests for specific course sections, teachers, or lunch periods. 3. After the first five days of school, student/parent requested schedule changes will no longer occur for 1st semester and any such request will fall under the “withdrawing from a class” policy.

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

Technology Both hybrid learning and full-time remote learning students will utilize technology as part of their learning environment. ● Netbooks, chargers, earbuds, and protective cases will be provided to every student. Freshmen will receive their electronic devices on August 17 during the Freshman Mini-Schedule. All other students will receive their netbooks during the first two days of school during their first hour classes. For full-time remote learning students, they will need to make arrangements with Mrs. Amy Krause in the Technology Office to receive their electronic devices. Mrs. Krause can be reached at 815-844-6113 ext. 320 or ​ akrause@pontiac90.org Athletics/Extra-Curriculars District 90 is part of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The district will work to communicate and provide opportunities for interested student-athletes in any upcoming seasons that are determined safe to conduct. For all full-time remote learning students, transportation to and from any athletic practice will not be provided by the district. ● Updates and information about safety guidelines and athletic seasons can be found on the IHSA website ​ , the ​ PTHS website ​ , and the ​ PTHS athletic website ​ . ● All students must complete a sports physical before participating in athletics. ● All extra-curricular activities will be modified to ensure the 50 or less person rule. Advisors for extra-curricular activities will communicate the process and protocols once school is back in session. Communication District 90 uses multiple platforms to communicate with families and students. Please check that your contact information is up-to-date in Skyward in order to receive these communications. Visit the links below for instructions on how to use these platforms. The main communication tools used in District 90 are: ● Skyward Message Center ● email ● www.pontiac90.org ● District 90 Social Media ( ​ Facebook ​ , ​ Instagram ​ , ​ Twitter ​ ) ● Phone Calls ● SchoolMessenger recorded calls

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

Daily Schedules:

Monday (Split-Day) Schedule

Orange

Blue

Hour

Time

Hour

Time 11:20

Doors Open

Doors Open

7:30

1

1

7:55 - 8:15 8:15 - 8:20 8:20 - 8:40 8:40 - 8:45 8:45 - 9:05 9:05 - 9:10 9:10 - 9:30 9:30 - 9:35 9:35 - 9:55 9:55 - 10:00 10:00 - 10:20

11:35 - 11:55 11:55 - 12:00 12:00 - 12:20 12:20 - 12:25 12:25 - 12:45 12:45 - 12:50 12:50 - 1:10

Passing Period/Cleaning

Passing Period/Cleaning

2

2

Passing Period/Cleaning

Passing Period/Cleaning

3

3

Passing Period/Cleaning

Passing Period/Cleaning

4

4

Passing Period/Cleaning

Passing Period/Cleaning

1:10 - 1:15 1:15 - 1:35 1:35 - 1:40 1:40 - 2:00 2:00 - 2:05 2:05 - 2:25 2:25 - 2:30 2:30 - 2:50

5

5

Passing Period/Cleaning

Passing Period/Cleaning

6

6

Passing Period/Cleaning 10:20 - 10:25

Passing Period/Cleaning

7

7

10:25 - 10:45

Passing Period/Cleaning 10:45 - 10:50

Passing Period/Cleaning

8

8

10:50 - 11:10

Dismissal

11:10

Dismissal

2:50

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

(Tuesday - Friday) Hour

Time

Doors Open

7:30

1/2

7:55 - 9:20 9:20 - 9:30 9:30 - 10:50 10:50 - 11:00 11:00 - 11:35 11:35 - 11:45 11:45 - 12:20 12:20 - 12:30 12:30 - 1:05

Passing Period/Cleaning

3/4

Passing Period/Cleaning

5a/6a

Passing Period/Cleaning

5b/6b

Passing Period/Cleaning

5c/6c

Passing Period/Cleaning

1:05 - 1:15 1:15 - 2:35

7/8

Dismissal

2:35

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

August Calendar

August 2020

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

3

4

5

6

7

10

11

12

13 Teacher Institute Mandated Trainings

14 Teacher Institute Mandated Trainings

17 Teacher Institute Freshman Mini-Schedule Mandated Trainings 24 Split Day Schedule Orange: 7:55 - 11:10 Blue: 11:35 - 2:50 31 Split Day Schedule Orange: 7:55 - 11:10 Blue: 11:35 - 2:50

18 Orange Day

19 Blue Day

20 Orange Day

21 Blue Day

Periods: 1, 3, 5, 7 2:35pm Dismissal

Periods: 1, 3, 5, 7 2:35pm Dismissal

Periods: 2, 4, 6, 8 2:35pm Dismissal

Periods: 2, 4, 6, 8 2:35pm Dismissal

25 Orange Day

26 Blue Day

27 Orange Day

28 Blue Day

Periods: 1, 3, 5, 7 2:35pm Dismissal

Periods: 1, 3, 5, 7 2:35pm Dismissal

Periods: 2, 4, 6, 8 2:35pm Dismissal

Periods: 2, 4, 6, 8 2:35pm Dismissal

We are committed to our development as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.

JB Pritzker, Governor

Ngozi O. Ezike, MD, Director

10/14/2020

Public Health Interim Guidance for Pre-K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs 1 for Addressing COVID-19

Procedures for Students, Faculty and Support Staff who Test Positive:

• An immediate notification should be sent to the school/day care from the parent, faculty, or support staff, and this reporting requirement should be communicated to all in advance. • The school/day care should send an immediate written notification to the Local Health Department (LHD) and begin discussions on next steps; the school/day care should share with the LHD all available information about the case’s movements and potential exposures within the facility. This includes: o Total number of classrooms impacted o Total number of students at the school/day care and total number of classrooms o Total number of staff at the school/day care o Total number of students and staff potentially exposed o The COVID-positive individual’s reported/observed onset date of symptoms o The COVID-positive individual’s last day at the school/day care • The LHD will contact the COVID-positive staff person, or the parents/guardians of the COVID-positive child to complete the investigation and conduct contact tracing to identify close contacts to the case (persons within 6 feet, for at least 15 minutes cumulatively while the individual was infectious). • If the COVID-positive child/staff person was in the daycare/school during their infectious period, i.e., from 48 hours prior to symptom onset (for a symptomatic person) or, 48 hours before specimen collection (for an asymptomatic person) through the date of last attendance, areas used by the individual should be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly according to CDC guidelines and as described below. • The school/daycare will notify families, teachers, and support staff while maintaining confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ACA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The notification should be sent as soon as possible and include information on symptom monitoring, what to do if symptoms develop, COVID-19 prevention strategies, and information on what the school/day care is doing in response to the positive case. In advance of a positive case, the school/day care

1 Day Care Programs includes all day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes licensed by the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) and day care centers that are exempt from licensure.

Version 1.0

should prepare a draft notification and have it reviewed by the LHD. A sample notification is available on ISBE’s COVID website and IDPH’s LHD COVID WebPortal. • The COVID-positive individual should remain in home isolation as instructed by the LHD. • Before isolation precautions are discontinued and clearance is granted for entry or return to school/day care, CDC’s Discontinuation of Isolation requirements should be met. • Persons with a recent positive SARS-CoV-2 test result within 90 days of a prior positive viral test do not need to re-isolate if asymptomatic. If symptomatic, consult with the local health department. Procedures for Students, Faculty and Support Staff who are Close Contacts to a Confirmed COVID-19 Case: • Schools/day cares should provide to the LHD attendance records, classroom schedules, seating charts, transportation schedules, and staff assignments to identify close school contacts (within 6 feet for 15 minutes) to the COVID-positive child/staff person. • Close household and social contacts to a COVID-19 case will be identified by the LHD through contact tracing interviews with the COVID-positive staff person, or the parents/guardians of the COVID-positive child. • In day care settings, especially with infants and toddlers, the entire class and staff will be considered close contacts. • The school/day care should determine if other staff members not normally assigned to classrooms were exposed by reviewing records and interviewing staff. • Close contacts to a case of COVID-19 should be quarantined at home for 14 days, as long as they remain asymptomatic. Siblings, parents/guardians, and other household members of the case who are deemed to be close contacts will also be quarantined. After completing 14 calendar days in quarantine, asymptomatic contacts may return to school/day care. • If the close contact develops symptoms, COVID-19 diagnostic testing is recommended. If they remain asymptomatic, all close contacts are recommended to be tested between 5-9 days after exposure to a positive case. • If the contact becomes symptomatic during quarantine, they will be managed as a probable case (if not tested) or a confirmed case (if they test positive). • Probable and confirmed cases should complete 10 days of isolation from the date of first symptom onset, demonstrate improvement of symptoms and be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications before they are allowed to return to school/day care.

Procedures for Students, Teachers, and Support Staff who Become Sick at School/Day Care:

• The student or staff person who becomes sick while at school/day care or arrives sick with a COVID-like symptom(s) should be immediately masked, if not already so, and sent to the designated separation room (a room that can be used to isolate a sick child for evaluation of the sick individual).

• If the nurse is screening a symptomatic student, it will be safest for them to be wearing fit tested N95 mask, eye protection with face shield or googles, gown and gloves. With N95 masks, the user should be trained on the type of PPE required and how to don (put on) and doff (remove) it correctly and safely. Respirators such as N95s must be used as part of a written respiratory protection program. 3 OSHA requires that N95 masks be fit tested prior to use. This is an important step to ensure a tight fit for the mask to be effective in providing protection. Schools should contact their LHD to determine where fit testing can be obtained in their area. If a fit-tested N95 respirator is not available, the next safest levels of respiratory protection include, in the following order: a non-fit- tested N95 respirator, a KN95 respirator on the FDA-approved list 5 , or a surgical mask . • Individuals who tested COVID-19 positive within the past 3 months by PCR or Antigen test should be assessed for other illnesses and excluded as appropriate for presenting symptom or illness. • Based on clinical assessments and when possible (e.g., schools with school-based health clinics), the sick individual should be tested for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, where indicated. Depending on the severity of illness: o Sick students and staff should be:  safely transported home by parent or guardian as soon as possible, or  safely transported by parent or guardian to a healthcare facility for clinical evaluation and testing, if necessary. • Other household members in the school must be sent home until an alternative diagnosis is made or negative result received. • Schools/day cares are encouraged to work with their LHD to arrange for medical evaluation and testing options to ensure testing arrangements can be made quickly when indicated. o Sick individuals should remain in home isolation until testing is completed. If COVID-negative, the child or staff person should remain out of school/day care until they have been afebrile (fever-free) for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improved. o If they test COVID-positive, refer to the section, “ Procedures for Students, Faculty and Support Staff who Test Positive .” o If testing is not performed due to the clinical judgment of the healthcare provider, a medical note is needed to return to school/day care documenting that there is no clinical suspicion for COVID-19 infection and indicate an alternative diagnosis with exclusion consistent with this diagnosis, e.g., 24 hours afebrile. o If testing is not performed for other reasons, the child should remain out of school/day care for 10 calendar days after symptom onset and 24 hours afebrile (fever-free) without fever-reducing medication and symptoms improved. • All areas used by the sick individual should be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly according to CDC guidelines and as described below. • Schools should provide LHDs with reporting on number of children excluded and methods used to return to school as requested by the LHD.

Procedures for Contact Tracing and Quarantining Persons Exposed to a Confirmed COVID- 19 Case: • Parents/guardians of a COVID-positive child, or a COVID-positive staff person will be interviewed by personnel from the LHD. The purpose for the interview is to identify everyone with whom the COVID-positive individual had close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes or more while the individual was infectious). o The infectious period begins 2 days before the onset of symptoms (for a symptomatic person) or 2 days before the positive sample was obtained (for an asymptomatic person) and ends when the COVID-positive individual was placed in isolation. o Factors to consider when defining close contact include proximity, the duration of exposure (e.g., longer exposure time likely increases exposure risk), and whether the exposure was to a person with symptoms (e.g., coughing likely increases exposure risk). Brief interactions are less likely to result in transmission; however, symptoms and the type of interaction (e.g., did the infected person cough directly into the face of the exposed individual) remain important. o Individuals who tested COVID-19 positive within the past 3 months by PCR or Antigen test do not need to be quarantined. o Parents/guardians and staff must cooperate with the LHD for purposes of conducting contact tracing or any outbreak pursuant to the Control of Communicable Disease Code, 77 Illinois Administrative Code 690. • School/day care personnel will inform the LHDs about possible exposures within the school/day care, including transportation, classroom, common areas and extracurricular activities. Schools/day cares should designate a person for this role and have them available after hours. • All close contacts to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be placed in quarantine for 14 days and monitored daily by the LHD for the onset of any signs and symptoms of COVID- 19 . Testing of close contacts is also recommended and where possible, should be facilitated by the school/day care/LHD. CDC does not recommend universal testing of all students and staff. See CDC’s Interim Considerations for testing in schools. Any close contacts that have had a lab confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses within the past 90 days will not be required to quarantine. Procedures for Temporary Closure and Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection when a Confirmed or Possible Case of COVID-19 is Identified in a School/Day Care: • If a person diagnosed with COVID-19 is determined to have been within the school/day care during the 48 hours prior to symptom onset (for a symptomatic person) or 48 hours before specimen collection (for an asymptomatic person), the school/day care may be closed temporarily for cleaning and disinfection. School/day care closure will be determined by the LHD investigation as described below.

• An initial, temporary closure allows time for the LHD to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the school/day care. This allows the LHD to help the school/day care determine appropriate next steps, including whether an extended dismissal duration is needed to stop or slow further spread of COVID-19. • Areas used by the individual with COVID-19, e.g., classroom, restrooms, separation room in the School Nurse’s office, will be closed off for as long as practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection. • Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the individual with COVID-19, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces. • Schools/day care facilities should clean, sanitize and disinfect toys and bedding per CDC’s guidance. • Windows should be opened to increase air circulation in the area used by the individual with COVID-19. • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. • For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. • An outbreak is defined as two cases that are linked epidemiologically with respect to person, place, and time. In other words, the two cases have shared close contacts and location and have onsets within 14 calendar days of each other. Conversely, two cases that occurred in different time frames (at least calendar 15 days apart), separate locations, and having no common source of exposure would not constitute an outbreak. • Once an outbreak is identified, the LHD will further investigate to determine the extent of exposures at the school/day care and what control measures are needed to mitigate the outbreak. Alternative social distancing strategies, less drastic than closure, might include: o Quarantining the affected classroom, especially for infant and toddler classrooms where masking is not achievable and social distancing is challenging. o Suspending in-person learning for affected classes o Closing playgrounds. o Canceling non-essential activities and meetings. o Keeping students in stable class groups or classrooms and moving teachers between classes, if necessary. o Increasing spacing between students in classes. o Shortening the in-person school week. o Staggering school/day care start and lunch/break times across year groups or classes.

Procedures for Outbreak Response and Consideration for Closure:

If there is substantial transmission in the local community, local health officials may suggest remote instruction as part of a community mitigation strategy. This longer-term, and likely broader-reaching, remote instruction is intended to slow transmission rates of COVID-19 in the community. Consult the IDPH’s Adaptive Pause guidance for additional information on factors and metrics to consider for school closure.

COVID-19 INTERIM EXCLUSION GUIDANCE 1 Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs Send home or deny entry (and provide remote instruction) if ANY of the following symptoms 2 are present: Fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate

to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain from unknown cause, new congestion/runny nose, new loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches. Medical Evaluation and Testing are Strongly Recommended for ALL Persons with COVID-Like Symptoms. Status Evaluated by Healthcare Provider Return to School Guidance Quarantine for Close Contacts?

Documentation Required to Return to School

Stay home at least ten 3 calendar days from onset of symptoms AND for 24 hours with no fever (without fever- reducing medication) AND improvement of symptoms.

A. COVID-19 diagnostic test Positive (confirmed case) OR COVID-like symptoms without COVID-19 testing and exposed to confirmed case (probable case) B. Symptomatic individual with a negative COVID- 19 diagnostic test Negative COVID-19 diagnostic tests are valid only for the date on which they are collected; specimens collected 48 hours prior to symptom onset, after symptom onset, or while symptoms are present are acceptable for determining school exclusion status. C. Symptomatic individual with an alternative diagnosis without a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test

Release from Isolation letter (if received from their LHD) provided by the parent/guardian or staff person, notification via phone, secure email or fax from the LHD to the school, OR other process implemented by your LHD If staff/student is a close contact to a confirmed case, the school is experiencing an outbreak, or the LHD is requiring validation due to community transmission levels, documentation of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result is needed. In other situations, a negative RT-PCR, rapid molecular (rapid PCR) or negative antigen test is acceptable. If testing is not performed due to the clinical judgment of the healthcare provider, a medical note is needed to return to school/day care documenting that there is no clinical suspicion for COVID-19 infection and indicate an alternative diagnosis with exclusion consistent with this diagnosis After the ten-day exclusion, a note from parent/guardian documenting that the ill student and/or household contacts are afebrile without fever-reducing medication and symptoms have improved Release from Quarantine letter (if received from their LHD) and negative PCR lab result if applicable 7,8 provided by the parent/guardian or staff member, LHD notification via phone, secure email or fax to the school OR other process implemented by your LHD

YES / NO

YES

Stay home until symptoms have improved/resolved per return-to-school criteria for diagnosed condition 4 . Follow provider directions, recommended treatment & return to school guidance as per school policies and IDPH Communicable Diseases in Schools. Stay home until symptoms have improved/resolved per return-to-school criteria for diagnosed condition 4 . Follow provider directions, recommended treatment & return to school guidance as per school policies and IDPH Communicable Diseases in Schools. Stay home at least ten 3 calendar days from onset of symptoms AND for 24 hours with no fever (without fever- reducing medication) AND improvement of symptoms. Stay home for 7-14 calendar days 7,8 after last exposure to the COVID-19 case. Local health departments must authorize early release from quarantine. If COVID-19 illness develops, use the ten-day isolation period 3 guidance for a COVID-19 case from the onset date. Testing is recommended.

YES / NO

NO

YES

NO

Household Member (e.g., Siblings, Parent) 5

D. Symptomatic individual without diagnostic testing or clinical evaluation Individuals may move to Columns A, B, or C based on results of diagnostic testing and/or clinical evaluation.

NO

E. Asymptomatic individual who is a close contact 6 to a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case

NO

NA

4 If the individual has been identified by public health for quarantine or knows they are a close contact to a case, the quarantine period must be completed. 5 Consider quarantine for other close contacts if there was poor adherence to social distancing or use of face coverings. 6 Contacts to close contacts of a case do not need to be excluded unless the close contact becomes a confirmed or probable case. 7 Quarantine options: Complete a. 14 days, OR b. 10 days with no symptoms, OR c –for ADULT STAFF ONLY: 7 days with no symptoms and a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. Specimen for testing must obtained within 48 hours of Day 7. Last exposure date = Day 0. See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html 8 Molecular testing (PCR) is recommended for individuals ending quarantine at Day 10 after exposure; may be required by LHD.

1 Based on available data and science, schools must make local decisions informed by local context in consultation with their local public health department. This chart should be used in conjunction with the Public Health Interim Guidance for Pre-K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs1 for Addressing COVID-19. 2 New onset of a symptom not attributed to allergies or a pre-existing condition. 3 Severely immunocompromised or severely ill: may need to isolate for 20 days as per guidance from the individual’s infectious disease physician.

Rev. 1/4/2021 Interim Guidance, Subject to updates

1/4/2021 Interim Guidance, Subject to updates

Supplemental Guidance: Considerations for School Nurses and Healthcare Providers

Box B. Clinical Evaluation for Children with Symptoms of COVID-19 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/pediatric-hcp.html)

Do they have a history of travel to an area of high transmission in previous 14 days? Do they live in an area of moderate or high community transmission? (as defined in the Adaptive Pause Metrics guidance 1 ) Do they have a history of travel to an area of high transmission in previous 14 days? Is there a household member or other close contact with high-exposure risk occupation or activities (e.g. HCW, correctional worker, other congregate living setting worker or visitor)? Did the student/staff member have potential exposure due to out-of- school activities (private parties, playing with friend groups, etc.) or have poor compliance with mask wearing and social distancing? Is there an outbreak in the school or has there been another known case of COVID-19 in the school building in the last 14 days or are there other students or staff in the classroom or cohort currently out with COVID-19 symptoms? Box A. Assessment of Symptomatic Persons Consider the following when assessing symptomatic students/staff: Are symptoms new to the student/staff person or are they a change in baseline for that individual? Does the symptomatic individual have any of the following potential exposure risks? Did the student/staff have an exposure to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days? Is there a household or other close contact with similar symptoms who has not been yet classified as a confirmed or probable case?

Consider the individual’s risk of exposure. See Box A.

No Exposure Risk Identified & resides in County with Minimal County Transmission 1

Has Exposure Risk and/or Clinical Suspicion for COVID-19

Isolation COVID-19 Testing Recommended

If no known close contact to COVID-19 case and no other exposure risks, testing and exclusion for COVID-19 may be considered based on level of clinical suspicion and testing availability.

TESTING PCR or antigen (Ag) testing is acceptable. • If an Ag detection test is negative and there is a high clinical suspicion of COVID-19, confirm with PCR) (see Column B, pg. 1), ideally within 2 days of the initial Ag test. • If RT-PCR testing is not available, clinical discretion can be used to recommend isolation. Test result is only valid for the day of specimen collection.

Alternate diagnoses should be considered, and exclusions based on usual practice. (Isolate until at least 24 hours fever-free without fever-reducing medicine)

1 Adaptive Pause and Metrics: Interim School Guidance for Local Health Departments. Available at https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IDPH-Adaptive-Pause-Metrics.pdf and CDC Indicators for Dynamic School Decision-Making available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/indicators.html#thresholds Resources: • COVID-19 Testing Overview https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html • Isolation and Quarantine: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html