January 21, 2022
Dear CUSD 201 Families,
CUSD 201 and Westmont Pharmacy are hosting a vaccination clinic on Saturday, January 29, 2022. The clinic will be at Westmont Junior High School from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Use this link to register for an appointment ( CUSD 201 Vaccination Clinic). A parent or guardian must accompany minor children.
The week of January 24, CUSD 201 is looking to implement test-to-stay. Test-to-stay will allow unvaccinated students who are a close contact to remain in school. Students will need to be tested at school on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after exposure. As long as the student receives negative test results, they can stay in school. More information will be shared when the protocols are implemented.
CUSD 201 has updated its quarantine/ exclusion guidelines to align with the CDC. The District will send separate communication with the new information. If you have not seen the updated guidelines, you can view them using this link (Updated 5 Day Covid Quarantine & Isolation STUDENT Guidelines 1.20.22)
The positivity rate is decreasing in DuPage County showing signs that the Omicron variant has peaked. As of January 21, the seven-day positivity rate for Westmont is 9.37%, Hinsdale is 11.65%, Downers Grove is 9.47%, and Clarendon Hills is 12.50%. The average positivity rate for our community is 10.75%. The county is still exceeding 1345 new cases per 100,000 and has a positivity rate of 15.98%.
The District is collecting COVID vaccination information. If your child is fully vaccinated, please upload an image of the vaccination card in Skyward. Once you log into Skyward, there is a link you will use to upload the card. The information will be kept confidential. Having a record of the vaccination card will aid school offices in determining if a close contact needs to be excluded from school. Students who are fully vaccinated do not need to be excluded from school.
Please read the entire communication for additional information.
Weekly COVID-19 Testing:
CUSD 201 is offering optional weekly COVID-19 testing through Northshore Labs. There is no cost for the test. If you want your child to participate in weekly testing, use this link CUSD 201 COVID Testing. Testing takes place every Monday.
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, the unvaccinated siblings will need to stay home the following day.
Symptomatic students are to be COVID tested within 48 hours of symptom onset. Regardless of vaccination status, symptomatic students must show proof of a negative COVID PCR to return to school. 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 verify the return to school clearance.
The District follows the IDPH Exclusion Guidance for Schools 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. (IDPH School Decision Tree).
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.
Please continue to practice the recommended mitigations. Wear masks indoors in public places, practice social distancing, and wash your hands frequently. All of us need to make a concerted effort to slow the spread of the virus.
Thank you for your continued support of our school district.
Take care,
Kevin Carey
Superintendent
CUSD 201