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Moving to a Mask-Recommended Environment: What You Need to Know
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En español aquí
On Feb. 23, School District U-46 transitioned to a mask-recommended environment for students and staff as long as local COVID metrics stay below established thresholds. The metrics we will monitor are as follows:
- Seven-day rolling test positivity for each of our three counties (above 8.0% is considered substantial spread)
- Number of confirmed positive cases in our schools (above 3% of students at a given school)
- Number of COVID-related absences in our schools (above 10%)
- Positivity rate of SHIELD tests conducted in each of our schools (above 8%)
We strongly encourage everyone to continue wearing masks, in alignment with guidance from our local health departments, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control; however, as of Feb. 23, masks are not universally required. Importantly, the District reserves the right to re-institute mandatory mask wearing if local COVID-19 metrics warrant it or if masking is required by law, or upon a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court that may impact a recent appellate court ruling.
Our goal, as we have said from the start, is to keep students and staff safe - and to keep our buildings open. As we navigate this change, we hope that all of our students, staff, and families will join us in caring for each other.
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Frequently Asked Questions - March 1, 2022
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Will masks still be required on school buses or driver’s education vehicles?
No. We will recommend everyone wear masks on school-related transportation including school buses, taxis, and driver education vehicles, but they will not be required to do so. This follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which no longer requires masks to be worn on buses or vans operated by public and private school systems.
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Do I need a mask to visit the school? When I visit for a U-46 Board of Education meeting?
As long as our COVID-19 metrics remain below our established thresholds, it is recommended that anyone visiting a District school or building wear a mask, but it is not required, including individuals who attend a U-46 Board of Education meeting.
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Will students participating in before or after school programs still be required to wear masks?
No. Under new guidance from the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), masks are no longer required in day care settings. Therefore, students participating in before or after school care through Right at School and Boys and Girls Club of Elgin will shift to a mask recommended environment. Further information will be provided from these service providers directly to their families.
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Are school exclusion rules for positive COVID-19 cases changing? Can a student return to school before the 10-day exclusion period?
Only individuals who test positive or present with one or more symptoms of COVID-19 will be excluded from school. Virtual tutorial sessions are available for our students for those days through Proximity Learning.
If a student tests positive, they will be excluded for 10 days following symptom onset, or from the date of their positive test if asymptomatic. Students who test positive must complete the 10-day exclusion period.
If a student shows symptoms, they will be excluded until one of the following is true:
- They test negative on a non-home test (and they have been fever/vomit/diarrhea-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved) -OR-
- They complete a 10-day exclusion and can return on day 11 (if they have been fever/vomit/diarrhea-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved)
If a student is considered close contact to a positive COVID-19 case, they will not be excluded unless they test positive and/or have symptoms.
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If a student has tested positive within the last 90 days, do they have to quarantine again?
No. If a student is asymptomatic and they test positive again within a 90-day period, the student does not need to be excluded as long as they show proof of a positive test result within the last 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions - Feb. 24, 2022
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Will U-46 continue contact tracing for positive cases? Will close contacts be excluded?
No, U-46 will not continue contact tracing or excluding individuals identified as close contacts to a positive individual.
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Are rapid tests allowed as proof for symptomatic students to return to school?
Yes. The only tests we are not able to accept are home tests. To return a symptomatic individual prior to their completed 10 day exclusion period, the negative test must be performed or proctored by a healthcare professional.
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Will masks be required for participants and observers at athletic events, concerts, and other events happening in U-46 buildings?
Masks are recommended for U-46 participants as long as our COVID-19 metrics remain below our established thresholds. Spectators are considered visitors and will need to wear masks as long as the statewide mandate is in place for public, indoor spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions - Feb. 22, 2022
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With masks no longer strictly required, will other COVID-19 mitigation protocols for students change?
No. All other mitigation measures such as voluntary weekly SHIELD testing, social distancing, and more - will remain in place.
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Do staff members still need to be vaccinated or submit the weekly attestation form?
Yes. The vaccination mandate remains in effect under Executive Order 2021-22. That Executive Order was not included in the original lawsuit, and therefore remains in effect until further notice.
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Can you make sure my child remains masked/unmasked throughout the school day? May I request special seating for my child in light of this change?
U-46 staff members cannot be responsible for monitoring your family’s mask choice throughout the day. We will also not be able to guarantee that we can honor seating requests due to space and programming limitations.
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Can I opt for remote learning for my child at this time?
No, the District cannot provide remote learning in most circumstances - except during exclusion (see below). Families who have a student-specific medical concern may address that concern with their student’s building principal, 504 team or IEP team.
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Is there anywhere else masks will still be required?
Yes. Any classroom participating in a community-based experience or field trip must abide by any masking practices in place at those experiences. Similarly, students who participate in any athletic or extracurricular event occurring off campus must abide by any masking practices of the off-campus site. Masks also remain required on a school bus (see above.)
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My child participates in a sport and travels to other schools. Will masks be required at those schools?
All U-46 students, staff, and parents are expected to follow the expectations set forth by the hosting school district in order to attend away events. We will inform the hosting districts that this expectation has been shared with our families and look forward to our students and guests complying with proper mask-wearing when required.
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What else can I do to keep my child, family, and myself safe?
The COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the most effective mitigation strategy. We continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated (ages 5+) and, if already vaccinated, to get a booster (ages 12+). We ask that parents email their student’s proof of vaccination to healthservices@u-46.org or provide a copy of the record to your child's school office. Please note that individuals who test positive will be excluded from school for 10 days following symptom onset, or from the date of their positive test if asymptomatic. Individuals who present with one or more symptoms of COVID-19 will be excluded until they either test negative (at-home tests will not be accepted) and symptoms improve, or for 10 days without proof of a negative test.
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What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nasal congestion, vomiting, or diarrhea, and skin rashes.
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The weekly message indicated that individuals should honor a request for masking. What does this mean?
We know the U-46 community will work together to respect the personal decisions being made by families and staff in connection with masking. To the extent an individual has a personal health concern, we encourage students and staff to consider that concern as it relates to masking and/or ensuring a minimum of six feet of social distance.
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Has the social distancing requirement changed?
No. The District continues to include appropriate social distancing, to the extent possible, as part of its local plan for operations.
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How often will the District change its local plan and mitigation requirements?
The District will review metrics on an ongoing basis in order to address changes in local and school case positivity and SHIELD data. The Student Health Services team will review the data weekly and advise the Superintendent of any recommended changes to our mitigation strategies.
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How will changes in the District’s local plan and mitigation be communicated to families?
Changes will be communicated by the Superintendent through the District’s mass notification system via email, text, and phone. Building changes may be communicated by the building administrator.
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Will the sale of indoor concessions at after-school events be allowed?
The sale of indoor concessions will be allowable during competitions and following these guidelines: pre-packaged foods only, no food allowed outside of the commons/cafeteria area, social distancing, and all other mitigation strategies must be followed and enforced by the site. (Failure to be able to follow and enforce the mitigation requirements will result in loss of indoor concessions at future events.)
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Will masks be available for students and staff members?
Masks (including disposable surgical and KN95) will still be available for staff and students upon request. Buildings can order these masks through our Distribution Center.