August 20, 2021
Dear CUSD 201 Families,
It has been a smooth start to the new school year. It is great seeing all of our students in our schools.
Illinois schools continue to operate under the Governor’s Executive Order 2021-18, requiring masks to be worn in all Illinois public and private preK-12 schools. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is also requiring masks to be worn in schools (ISBE Universal Masking Enforcement). All students and staff are required to wear masks in district buildings. Masks do not need to be worn outdoors.
Currently, DuPage County is at a high level of transmission (DCHD COVID-19 Dashboard). The county is experiencing over 100 new cases a day and a positivity rate of 6.07%. As of August 20, the seven-day positivity rate for Westmont is 3.19%, Hinsdale is 5.94%, Downers Grove is 6.07%, and Clarendon Hills is 6.57%. The average positivity rate for our community is 5.44%.
The Illinois Department of Health has provided an updated Covid-19 FAQ. The IDPH is recommending everyone should wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
If you are not vaccinated already, please consider receiving the vaccine. Information regarding the Covid-19 Vaccine can be found on the DCHD website. We all need to do our part to slow the spread of the virus.
Quarantine:
Parents should keep children with COVID-19 symptoms at home. The students will need a negative 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 will be following the CDC Guidance for Schools. Social distancing will be 3 feet. Close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19 is defined by being 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.
Unvaccinated siblings of close contacts will also need to quarantine.
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.
Thank you for your patience and continued support as we start a new school year.
Take care,
Kevin Carey
Superintendent
CUSD 201