Safety Protocols

Safety Protocols During a Pandemic

It is our highest priority to keep our students and staff safe. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented additional safety protocols and procedures that follow the guidance from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). These protocols are subject to change based on updated guidance from the aforementioned sources.

Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance

One of the guiding principles the District adopted to address the COVID-19 pandemic is to follow the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Center for Disease Control (CDC). These guidelines will be followed at the District completely. The IDPH Decision Tree guidance can be found here, as well as the IDPH FAQ for Schools.

What are the travel guidelines?

We continue to reference the most recent guidance Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window from the Cook County Department of Public Health for information on out-of-state travel as well as the CDC Opens in New Window Opens in New Window Opens in New Window international travel requirements.

District 27 Travel Guidelines (updated 3/8/21)

Anyone (regardless of age) traveling from a state on the Orange list on this webpage is directed to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result (Rapid or PCR) no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in suburban Cook County. If unable to meet the testing requirements while out of state, they can be tested (Rapid or PCR) after they arrive home and quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
Anyone (regardless of age) traveling less than 24 hours to a state on the Orange list on this webpage should be tested (Rapid or PCR) after they arrive home and quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
Anyone (regardless of age) traveling internationally should be tested (Rapid or PCR) 3-5 days after they arrive home and continue to quarantine for a full 7 days after their return.
Children under the age of 18 are not exempt from the guidance outlined above.
All test results (staff and students) must be turned into the school nurse prior to returning to school. Below are the email addresses to submit test results:
Hickory Point/Kindergarten Center: hpcovidresults@nb27.org
Shabonee School: shcovidresults@nb27.org
Wood Oaks: wocovidresults@nb27.org
Anyone who does not turn in a test result to their school nurse will need to quarantine for 10 days upon return home.
Those who are fully vaccinated and have not had symptoms are exempt from the travel quarantine and testing requirements outlined above. Fully vaccinated is defined as being at least two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or at least two weeks after receipt of one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Any student/staff member who has tested positive for COVID in the past 90 days is exempt from this guidance as long as they have completed the 10-day isolation period (from start of symptoms and/or positive test), have a documented positive test, and remain asymptomatic during their travel.

This guidance frequently changes through the CCDPH and the City of Chicago travel order. We encourage parents and staff to visit the CCDPH website Opens in New Window regularly.

What are the guidelines for face coverings?

Face coverings must cover one’s mouth and nose, and fit snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps. Acceptable face coverings include: disposable face coverings, cloth face coverings that can be laundered, or KN95 masks. The CDC does not recommend the use of athletic face coverings or neck warmers. Face coverings with valves are not permitted. In conjunction with 6 feet of social distancing, face coverings will be worn at all times, by each individual, except during lunch, outdoor classes (including PE), and outdoor recess.

If a student or staff member is unable to wear a face covering safely, a medical certification is required, which will be reviewed on an individual basis by the District 27 Administration. However, a remote learning/working environment in all likelihood will be assigned for that individual.

How will physical distance be maintained?

The guidance specifically allows for schools to operate at no less than 3 feet of physical distance, for students and fully vaccinated staff, in order to provide in-person instruction as soon as practicable in every state community. For unvaccinated staff, we need to adhere to 6 feet of physical distancing. All of the classrooms, at our school buildings, will adhere to 3 feet of physical distancing for student desks and 6 feet of physical distancing for the teacher instructional space.

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First page of the PDF file: D27MaskProtocols

Frequently Asked Questions on Safety Protocols

Frequently Asked Questions on Safety Protocols

What is the process to enter school buildings each day?

The District requires a daily self-certification (health questionnaire) to be completed for both students and staff prior to entry into the school building. Student/staff ID cards will be scanned upon arrival to confirm that the self-certification has been completed. A “green” light will appear if that individual has already completed the daily health questionnaire, or “red” light will appear if they have not. Any individual who receives a “red” light must step aside for further assessment.

In addition to the daily health questionnaire, each individual will have their temperature read via a free-standing, non-contact temperature reader. A “green” or “red” light will appear after each scan. If an individual receives a “red” light, they must step aside for further assessment.

Will each school have specific arrival/dismissal procedures?

Are visitors allowed in the school building?

We will limit any nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations, as possible. Visitor management procedures will be developed. This will include the recording or documentation of the individual's reason for visit, contact information, and all locations visited, in case contact tracing is needed. Hand sanitizer will be readily available for visitors to use upon entry.

Will the Northbrook Park District program follow the same protocols as District 27?

Will supplies be shared in the classroom?

How will the District handle Restrooms?

All restrooms in District 27 will be completely cleaned nightly with a hospital-grade/EPA-registered disinfectant. During the school day, the restrooms will be periodically monitored for supplies and cleaned with the same product. Additional custodial staff will be added to assist with cleaning and sanitation tasks. All restrooms will have signage on the walls and floors. Students and staff will be expected to adhere to 6 feet of distancing while in the restrooms. Students will be trained on restroom use and protocols.

How is the District addressing ventilation in the schools?

What is appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette?

What are the safety protocols for transportation?

The District will implement the following safety protocols for transportation service.

Students must wear a face covering at all times on the bus.
No more than 24 student riders will be allowed per bus to enhance physical distancing.
The following cleaning/disinfecting procedures will be implemented by North Shore Transit:
- Each bus will be cleaned and disinfected prior to the first route of the day.
- Drivers will wipe down and sanitize touchpoints, i.e. handrails, seatbacks, steering wheels/controls, etc., after every route.

What are the safety protocols during lunch and recess?

Students will be divided into cohort groups for lunch. They will be separated by at least 6 feet. Per the IDPH guidance, students will be permitted to take off their masks to eat and then put them back on while inside the school building. There will be a recess time provided during the lunch hour and, whenever possible, students will go outside and can remove their masks while physically distancing.

Recess times will be provided by teachers during the day, giving the students an opportunity for movement and also to take off their masks if it is possible to go outside. During the outside time, students can remove their masks while physically distancing by 6 feet. If recess is inside, students will need to wear their masks but will have an opportunity for movement.

What are the safety protocols for Band, Orchestra, and Chorus?

Band and orchestra lessons will be provided remotely for all students, and will be conducted at times that are not interfering with their core academics.

Orchestra students will have some small ensembles because the students can play their instruments safely in a space that is adhering to 6 feet of physical distancing.
Band students will have an opportunity to gather together to build a culture of ensemble, but no wind instruments will be played so as to not cause any safety concern for the students and staff. The teachers will provide instruction on music concepts, rhythm, ensemble protocols, and a culture of performance community.

Chorus will be temporarily suspended and re-evaluated as new guidance is provided that would permit safe participation.

What are the safety protocols for extra-curricular activities?

What kind of PPE is required for staff who clean areas used by a suspected or known COVID case?

What are the cleaning/sanitation protocols?

Will schools have hand sanitizers?

Will there be safety signage throughout the school buildings?

Each school will have signage placed throughout the school building to remind students and staff of the safety guidelines that must be followed. Signage will address at least four areas and any other areas as determined to communicate safety measures:

Proper use of face covering
Adherence to physical distancing
Proper hand hygiene
Directional signage in the hallways

What is the definition of close contact?

The new definition of "close contact," as released by the CDC on 10/21/2020, involves anyone who was within 6 feet of a confirmed case of COVID-19 (with or without a face covering), for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. The period of close contact begins 2 calendar days before the onset of symptoms (for a symptomatic person) or 2 calendar days before the positive sample was obtained (for an asymptomatic person). If the case was symptomatic (e.g., coughing, sneezing), persons with briefer periods of exposure may also be considered contacts. Close contacts to a confirmed case of COVID-19 are required to remain in quarantine at home for 14 calendar days starting from the last day of contact with the confirmed case.

Close contact is determined by the length of time an interaction with another person occurred. An interaction with another person for less than 15 cumulative minutes is not considered close contact.

Who will do contact tracing?

Contact tracing will be performed by the Local Health Department (LHD), sometimes in partnership with CCDPH or a community-based organization. However, schools can assist the CCDPH by identifying all close contacts with a confirmed or probable case. Documentation of assigned seats and taking photos of assembled classes can be useful in helping schools determine who was within 6 feet of a given case.

The District will be adhere to confidentiality laws pertaining to school student records, including exceptions for release of information in the event of an emergency and requirements to notify parents and create a record of emergency releases of information. (105 ILCS 10/6(a)(7); 23 Il. Admin.Code 375.60).

Is contact tracing only performed when a positive test is received?

How will symptoms of Illness be managed throughout the school day?

The District will implement a COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance entitled: Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs Opens in New Window . The District will follow this guidance.

The flowchart includes direction to quarantine. Each building will have an identified isolation room for immediate quarantine if deemed necessary by the school nurse until parent/guardian pick-up. The child will be accompanied out of the building by a staff member. Staff members who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms will be asked to leave the school building for further medical evaluation.

If a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case is identified in a classroom, or on a school bus, who will be considered close contacts that need to be quarantined for 14 calendar days? Will this include the entire classroom or all the students on the bus?

Exposure in a classroom should be limited to everyone with whom the confirmed or probable COVID-19 case had close contact, within 6 feet, for at least 15 cumulative minutes throughout the course of a day. Exposure on a bus must include everyone who sat within 6 feet of the confirmed or probable COVID-19 case for 15 cumulative minutes or longer. A possible approach to identifying close contacts on a bus would be to include persons who sat 3 rows in front and 3 rows behind the confirmed or probable COVID-19 case.

If a student is sent home sick with suspected COVID-19 symptoms, must all their siblings/household members be sent home as well and quarantined for 14 days?

If the close contact and the COVID-19 case were both wearing their cloth face coverings when the exposure occurred, is the close contact still required to be quarantined?

Is a physician’s note required to return to school after a “close contact” to a case completes 14 calendar days in quarantine?

What is the definition of an outbreak in schools?

Five COVID-19 infections (laboratory-positive by PCR or antigen testing) occurring within 14 calendar days of each other in individuals in the same classroom would meet the case definition for an outbreak. This is because the cases would be epidemiologically linked (known exposure to) with respect to place (same classroom) and time (within 14 calendar days). This would prompt an investigation by the LHD that may result in recommendations for testing and quarantining all students/staff in the affected classroom.

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Safety Protocols