November 12, 2021
Dear CUSD 201 Families,
CUSD 201 finalized an agreement with Northshore Labs to offer optional COVID testing for students and employees. There is no cost for the test. Parents can have their children tested weekly. The test is a swab that is rubbed along the gum line and cheek. The District will also be able to provide onsite testing for close contacts and students with symptoms. If you want your child to participate in weekly testing, use this link CUSD 201 COVID Testing.
The CDC has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children five to eleven. There is a vaccination clinic on November 21 at Downers Grove North High School that is open to the public (Kodocare Vaccine Clinic).
CUSD 201 has reached out to the IDPH and Osco to host a vaccination clinic. If the District is selected, more information will be shared with parents. Vaccination is optional and requires parental consent.
DuPage County continues to be at a high level of transmission (DCHD COVID-19 Dashboard). As of November 12, the seven-day positivity rate for Westmont is 2.48%, Hinsdale is 3.59%, Downers Grove is 2.69%, and Clarendon Hills is 5.08%. The average positivity rate for our community is 3.46%. The county is still exceeding 140 new cases per 100,000.
Please read the entire communication for additional information.
Quarantine and Exclusion:
Parents should keep children with COVID-19 symptoms at home. Parents should keep unvaccinated siblings of symptomatic students home as well. Students who report COVID-like symptoms while in school will be sent home. If the ill student is not cleared to return to school, their unvaccinated siblings will need to stay home the following day.
Symptomatic students are to be COVID tested within 48 hours of symptom onset.
To return to school, symptomatic students must show proof of a negative COVID PCR Test.
If a family decides not to do the COVID testing, the symptomatic student and their unvaccinated siblings may be excluded for ten days.
Contact your school’s nurse with any questions and to verify return to school clearance.
The District follows the IDPH Exclusion Guidance for Schools Decision Tree (IDPH School Decision Tree). 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