September 24, 2021
Dear CUSD 201 Families,
It is always a pleasure to share positive news about our school district. This week Westmont High School was named a 2021 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Westmont High School is being recognized as an exemplary high performing school. What is unique about this award is that schools must be invited to apply; a school cannot apply on its own.
The Blue Ribbon Award is not only a credit to the hard-working administration, staff, and students at Westmont High School but our entire school community.
The District is still looking to hire teaching assistants, custodians, grounds staff, and food service workers. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please use this link (CUSD 201 Employment).
DuPage County continues to be at a high level of transmission (DCHD COVID-19 Dashboard). As of September 24, the seven-day positivity rate for Westmont is 2.99%, Hinsdale is 5.05%, Downers Grove is 4.13%, and Clarendon Hills is 4.33%. The average positivity rate for our community is 4.13%. The new cases per 100,000 are over 100.
Please read the entire communication for additional information.
Quarantine:
Parents should keep children with COVID-19 symptoms at home. The students will need a negative PCR COVID test or a note from a doctor to return to school. Students who report COVID-like symptoms while in school will be sent home, as will any siblings living in the same home.
The District has created a Quarantine Decision Making Tree to help families understand when a child may need to quarantine and when the student can return to school.
The District will be following the CDC Guidance for Schools. Social distancing will be 3 feet. The CDC defines close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19 as less than 3 feet apart for more than 15 minutes. If a student is fully vaccinated and comes in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine. An unvaccinated student who comes in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 14 days. A person can have the quarantine period reduced to 10 days with a DuPage County Health Department release.
Please remember that this is a very fluid situation. The CDC may update its guidelines throughout the year. As the CDC changes its guidance, the District will adapt ours.
National School Lunch Program:
The National School Lunch Program is still operating under an emergency order. All students are eligible for a free breakfast and lunch regardless of income level.
Vaccine:
If you are not vaccinated already, please consider receiving the vaccine. You can find information regarding the Covid-19 Vaccine on the DCHD website.
Thank you for your continued support of our school district.
Take care,
Kevin Carey
Superintendent
CUSD 201