EAST ST. LOUIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 189: Transitions to In-Person Instruction

By Press release submission

Jan 21, 2021

East St. Louis School District 189 recently issued the following announcement.

Due to the high COVID-19 positivity rates since the holidays, School District 189 has adjusted our plans for returning to in-person instruction. Our newtentative schedule is as follows:

Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26, 2021 - No student attendance days; ISBE-authorized Instructional Planning Days.
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 - School resumes in-person, full-day, five days per week for students in grades preschool through 5th grade for student families who selected in-person learning. Remote learning will continue for those students who opted for remote instruction or did not complete the survey.
TBD - In-person learning for students in grades 6-12 will be scheduled after assessing the transition to in-person learning for preschool through grade 5 students.
March 15 - May 14, 2021 Testing Window - ISBE requires in-person assessment testing for students in Kindergarten and grades 3-12 (see ISBE requirements, here: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Assessment-Guidance-2020-21.pdf). More details will be shared in the future regarding the testing schedule. All students, regardless if their family opted for remote learning, are required by the state to come in-person for state assessments when scheduled.
Friday, March 19, 2021 - Half day of student attendance (morning) with afternoon virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Thank you to all our families who completed the survey in December or January indicating whether your child would return to school in-person once when we reopen campuses or if he/she would remain in remote learning. If you have not filled out the brief survey, please complete it here https://forms.gle/VVHLbMj2bnKTYgLZ6 no later than January 31, 2021. For families who do not indicate their preference, remote learning will be the default assignment.

In-Person Instruction

Families who wish for their child to return to in-school instruction must ensure their student’s immunizations and physicals are updated and on file with the school district. Per ISBE guidance to school districts:“If a family has not ensured a child’s timely compliance with health examination or immunization requirements, the child may be provided e-learning or remote instruction, provided instruction is solely by remote means and he/she does not have a physical presence on school grounds (either before, during or after school).” Please contact your child’s school if you have questions or need additional information.

Safety Measures

We are committed to implementing necessary measures that help ensure the safety of all students and staff when we return to in-person learning. Based on the survey results from families, about 56% of preschool through grade 5 families have opted for a return to in-person learning. We will accommodate the number of in-person students that we can safely serve with reduced class sizes and social distancing. Each campus has temperature scanners, social distancing markers, appropriate cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to support healthy school and work environments. Upon return to school, students will remain grouped with their cohort and will eat meals within their classroom. Protocols are in place at each campus for COVID-19 contact tracing in collaboration with East Side Health District and our own Human Resources Department.

On-Site Rapid Testing

We are exploring the use of a COVID-19 rapid test (Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test) within our schools for those staff and students who exhibit symptoms associated with COVID-19. This rapid test can be administered on-site by our staff with results provided within 15 minutes.

As we consider the implementation of rapid testing, we are consulting with the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, East Side Health District, Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, representatives of Local Unions 1220 and 382, and other school districts that have implemented a similar program.

We will keep you updated as we progress toward our goal of bringing all students back to school for in-person learning. At this time, we plan to resume in-person instruction for many preschool through grade 5 students beginning March 2, 2021. Please stay tuned for more information and details from your school campuses. We are committed to safety and hope all in our community will continue to practice CDC-recommended guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Original source can be found here.