October 22, 2021
Dear CUSD 201 Families,
This past week, CUSD 201 has seen an uptick in positive cases among students. Miller Elementary has had 2 cases, Manning Elementary has 7 cases, and the High School has had 7 students and 3 coaches test positive. The pandemic is not over, and we still need to be diligent in following the recommended protocols. Please wear a mask in stores and restaurants and practice social distancing.
Students and families are frustrated when close contacts are excluded from school. CUSD 201 continues to follow guidance from the CDC, IDPH, and DCHD. The DCHD highly recommends that unvaccinated close contacts are excluded from school for 10 to 14 days while the county is at a high level of transmission. To return to school in 10 days, a student needs to remain at home, have a negative PCR test, and the school needs to guarantee the student will be socially distanced for days 11, 12, 13, and 14. If these conditions are not met, the student is excluded for 14 days. The DCHD will not agree to students returning after 7 days.
DuPage County continues to be at a high level of transmission (DCHD COVID-19 Dashboard). As of October 22, the seven-day positivity rate for Westmont is 2.65%, Hinsdale is 2.78%, Downers Grove is 2.62%, and Clarendon Hills is 1.42%. The average positivity rate for our community is 2.37%. The low positivity rate is encouraging, but the new cases per 100,000 continue to exceed 100 for the county.
Please read the entire communication for additional information.
CUSD 201 Wants to Hear From You
CUSD 201 has been involved in planning for the future of our two elementary schools. The District has hosted several meetings, both virtual and in-person. We are currently gathering stakeholder feedback through a survey. Please take a moment and complete the survey (Elementary Future Planning Survey). The survey will close on November 5.
Quarantine and Exclusion:
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.
The District Quarantine Decision Making Tree has been updated to help families understand when a child may need to quarantine or be excluded 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 positive for COVID-19, the student does not need to quarantine. An unvaccinated student who comes in contact with someone positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 14 days. A person can have the exclusion period reduced to 10 days if the student was quarantined at home and has a negative PCR test. As long as DuPage County is at a high level of transmission, a 7-day exclusion will not be approved.
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