One year after schools physically closed, some students were back in the classroom masked and socially distanced, and others were e-learning March 11 at Liberty Elementary School in Bartlett. Here Gavin Maxwen listens to third-grade teacher Olga Fishkin. (Brian Hill | Staff Photographer)
Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, students exhibiting symptoms at school were isolated and sent home while school officials quarantined and disinfected affected classrooms and relocated classmates.
That process often put classrooms out of commission for three days and contributed to the need many districts felt to turn to remote learning.
Now, with improved disinfecting methods using electrostatic sprays and ultraviolet C light, classrooms can be sanitized within minutes so learning can resume with the least amount of disruption, said Kevin Quinn, director of maintenance and facilities for Mundelein High School.
Experts like Quinn say efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in schools, low community transmission rates and educators being inoculated against the virus are why thousands of suburban students can return to full in-person learning after spring break.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois School Board of Education have relaxed social distancing rules from 6 feet to 3 feet for students and fully vaccinated school employees, while unvaccinated teachers are urged to remain 6 feet apart. Face coverings still are required and schools must continue contact tracing and isolating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, but they don’t have to screen for certain symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose and abdominal pain.
Read more here.
Editorial note: On August 31st, St. Ann Parish School posted the message seen below on their Facebook page. Their students have safely attended school for more than six months now…
“What a GREAT day to be a Saint Anne Parish School Cardinal!! Today we safely welcomed back students, and we could not be happier about it. We are looking forward to safe and wonderful school year at Saint Anne!”
D220 is opening full time for one reason, it’s political season. School board elections are in 2 weeks and the teacher’s union that has done everything in its power to keep our kids OUT OF SCHOOL and on a tablet have handpicked and endorsed the 4 candidates they want to see on the school board. Vote NO to union endorsed candidates.
Who are the union endorsed candidates?