State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala issued the following declaration mandating in-person learning with limited exceptions:
Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, all schools must resume fully in-person learning for all student attendance days, provided that, pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/10-30 and 105 ILCS5/34-18.66, remote instruction be made available for students who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine or who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, only while they are under quarantine consistent with guidance or requirements from a local public health department or the Illinois Department of Public Health.
1. For the safe return to in-person instruction, the following mitigation strategies will be considered based on the most up-to-date recommendations from the local health department and guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated;
• Physical distancing of 3 feet whenever possible;
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette;
• Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation;
• Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with local health departments;
• Diagnostic and screening testing- including encouraging families and staff to check for symptoms at home;
• Efforts to provide vaccinations to educators, other staff and students, if eligible; and
• Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to the health and safety policies;
• Coordinate with state and local health officials.
• Physical distancing of 3 feet whenever possible;
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette;
• Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation;
• Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with local health departments;
• Diagnostic and screening testing- including encouraging families and staff to check for symptoms at home;
• Efforts to provide vaccinations to educators, other staff and students, if eligible; and
• Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to the health and safety policies;
• Coordinate with state and local health officials.
2. As we return to a five-day in-person instructional week, continuity of services will be ensured, including but not limited to services to address the students’ academic needs, and students’ and staff social, emotional, mental health and other needs, which may include student health and food services.
3. Periodic review and revision of this plan will occur as appropriate and with input from various stakeholders.
Reference: Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC Covid-19 Prevention Guidelines