10/09/2020

Dear Families and Staff: 

This letter is to inform you that an individual at Shepherd Middle School has tested positive for COVID- 19. We are coordinating our efforts with LaSalle County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Shepherd Middle School students and staff is our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. 

To prevent further spread of the disease, Shepherd Middle School is taking the following steps: 

• Temporary closure to identify and notify close contacts (i.e., persons who were within six feet of a COVID-positive individual for 15 minutes or longer). 

• Placing staff members and students who are identified as having prolonged close contact to the COVID-19 case(s) in quarantine for 14 days. Close contacts will also receive a separate notification from the LaSalle County Health Department. 

• Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks. 

• Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. 

We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows: 

• Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home. 

• Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy. 

• Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility. 

• We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc. 

• We have removed plush toys and other toys that cannot be properly or frequently disinfected. 

• We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing: 

o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles. o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching. o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover 

coughs and sneezes. o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC 

guidelines on handwashing. 

• As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines.

As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms1. Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms2 should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, school, and your local health department. 

We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact us at (815) 434-7925. 

Sincerely, 

Principal

Gary Windy, 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

We wanted to bring to your attention again the most updated IDPH exclusion guidance for students who are reporting COVID like symptoms. If your student is presenting with ANY of the following symptoms: 

Fever (100.4°F or higher), headache, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, congestion or runny nose, new loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea, fatigue, or muscle or body aches. 

Your student should be kept home from school. In addition, all other siblings/household members must stay home as well.

The ILL STUDENT can come back to school when one of the 3 options below is completed. 

1. You can provide the school documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result.

2. You can provide the school documentation of a Healthcare Provider’s note with an alternative diagnosis. 

3. The student stays home at least 10 calendar days from onset of symptoms AND for 24 hours with no fever (without fever reducing medication) AND improvement of symptoms. Upon a student completing this latter, the parent will write a note to the school documenting both improved symptoms and that the student is fever free. 

The SIBLINGS/HOUSEHOLD members can return and come out of quarantine when an alternative diagnosis is made or negative COVID-19 test result is received for the ILL student. If documentation of an alternative diagnosis or a negative test result is NOT received the SIBLINGS/HOUSEHOLD members are to be out for 14 days from the last date of exposure to the ILL student. 

Dear Families,

Many families have had questions about Remote Learning. We currently have a team of individuals including teachers and members of the technology department finalizing a plan for the return to school, both full day remote and half day.

Here are some of the highlights of the planning and preparation for Remote Learning:

• iPads purchased for all students K-8
• iPads available with WIFI capability for families who do not have WIFI
• Staff training over the summer
• Feedback from parents on remote learning from last spring; address concerns
• Full Remote Learning will include daily attendance and grades will be assigned.

Our team is exploring avenues to improve Remote Learning. The final plan will be released in the coming weeks. Areas being reviewed include:

• Streamlining the process to make it more user friendly
• Families with multiple children
• Use of videos to support learning both during the instructional day and after school 
• Support during the instructional day
• Consistent technological formats of instruction
• Scheduling 

We have added a link to our district webpage that will compile information on our Remote Learning plan. Some information, like Remote Learning Platforms, have been provided and can be easily accessed by clicking on the link. Please check back for information before school begins: http://www.oes141.org/RemoteLearning.aspx

Respectfully,

Ottawa Elementary District Staff 

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