Introduction

In March of 2020, the COVID pandemic caused a major disruption to all aspects of life. School as we knew it no longer existed. To open schools for in-person learning strict health and safety protocols were required which created barriers and limitations to teaching and learning. Recognizing the challenges and trauma the COVID-19 pandemic created across remote and in-person learning environments, the U.S. Congress made emergency funds available to local schools to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. Most recently, funds available through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act require that school districts develop a Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services. As such, this plan has been developed in accordance with the ARP Act and the Illinois State Superintendent of Education declaration of July 9, 2021; is aligned with guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and addresses adjustments needed in response to evolving COVID-19 pandemic circumstances. Taking the public’s input into account, this plan will be developed through meaningful consultation with a collaborative of parents, school and district administrators, teachers, school staff, food service staff, transportation service staff, and county health department officials. Opportunity for the public to provide input will be provided from July 19-23 through a web-based comment platform. This plan will be made publicly available on the district’s website. School strategies in this plan may be removed based upon local conditions, levels of community transmission (i.e., low, moderate, substantial, or high), local vaccine coverage, use of screening testing to detect cases in K-12 schools, and consultation with local public health officials to determine the prevention strategies needed. School officials will communicate any changes in plans to staff members, students, and parents through the district’s regular communication platforms.

Summary

Riverdale C.U.S.D. #100 has been preparing and planning for a return to school plan based on the guidance from the Illinois State board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the state’s five-phase reopening plan, Restore Illinois.  

On July 9th the CDC released new information that was quickly adopted in full by IDPH and ISBE. The CDC/IDPH and ISBE have recommended that masks be worn in all indoor spaces. They have also recognized some level of local control now that we are in Phase 5 as stated:

“Together with local public health officials, school administrators should consider multiple factors when they make decisions about implementing layered prevention strategies against COVID 19.  Since schools typically serve their surrounding communities, decisions should be based on school population, families and students served, as well as their communities”.

Based on the current conditions in our learning community and county, Riverdale C.U.S.D. #100 will continue the remainder of the 2022 school year by following the CDC guidance recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status.  Children will continue full-time in-person learning with layered prevention strategies in place. We will continue to monitor the health and wellbeing of our students and staff and increase preventative measures accordingly if necessary.  

This guide outlines the educational plans and protocols for the remainder of the school year relative to the local experience and the phase the State of Illinois is in at the time. The fluidity of the situation may result in the school being in several different phases throughout the year.  The protocols outlined in this guide are subject to change as the guidelines evolve. 

Returning to Learn Phases

Phase 1 - Rapid Spread

All students would be required to participate in Remote Learning.

Phase 2 - Flattening

All students would be required to participate in Remote Learning.

Phase 3 - Recovery

With social distancing guidelines in place, gatherings of 10 or less people in a space are permitted. 

• Most students would engage in Remote Learning

• Students in some special education groups may return to campus

• Staff is on site as required

• The district follows IHSA guidelines for athletics.

Phase 4 - Revitalization

With Social distancing guidelines inplace, gatherings of 50 people or less in a space are permitted.

• All students and staff are on campus, with the option of online learning for some.

• The district follows IHSA guidelines for athletics.

Phase 5 - Restored

• School resumes as normal with new public health guidelines in place.

In person learning schedules 

• We are returning to 5 days a week of regular instruction  The student schedules are listed below:

• Elementary: 7:45-2:45

• Middle School 8:30-3:30

• High School 8:35-3:35

Physical Distancing

• Students and staff will maintain three to six feet of social distance to the extent possible.

• Visual reminders will be posted throughout the school buildings.

• Dismissals and release of students to and from busses or parent pickup/drop off will be controlled.

• Physical distancing will be done in an equitable manner that does not perpetuate segregation or isolation.

Face Coverings and PPE

• CDC/IDPH/ISBE recommend that masks be worn as an additional layer of protection. 

• Face coverings must be worn by all passengers and drivers on school buses.

Hygiene

Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing are key to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Staff members must clean hands as often as possible with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available hand sanitizer may be used.

• Staff and students must use hand sanitizer upon entering the classroom each time.

• Visuals will be posted encouraging proper hand hygiene.

• If assisting students requires close contact, hand washing and sanitizing must be done before and after contact with the students.

• Respiratory etiquette will be taught and reinforced.

Health Screenings & Procedures

Families should monitor student health daily to determine that students are symptom free before sending students to school.  Only healthy students and staff should report to school.  Students are encouraged to stay home when not feeling well.  District metrics will be updated weekly on the school website.

Students and staff with the following symptoms of COVID are encouraged to test.  Rapid tests are available in the office during school hours.

Symptoms of COVID:

• New cough

• Fatigue from unknown cause

• New onset of moderate to severe headache

• Known contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

• Measured temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater

• Vomiting

• Sore throat

• Shortness of breath

• Diarrhea

• New loss of sense of taste or smell

• Muscle or body ache from unknown cause

Any student or staff member who begins to exhibit any symptom associated with COVID-19 should report to the nurse office for evaluation.

• Students and staff will be assessed by the school nurse or designated staff to determine if a COVID 19 rapid test is recommended

• An Abbott BinaxNow Antigen rapid test can be administered by the school nurses or trained staff to students who have received parental consent. 

• Students or staff who test positive for COVID will be sent home for ten days, with day 0 being the onset of symptoms. 

  • Positive students or staff may return on day 6, but must remain masked days 6-10 at all times.

Close Contacts:

• Defined as those within 6 feet unmasked for more than 15 minutes over a 24 hour period 

• Asymptomatic close contacts may continue attending school, but should monitor their health closely.  Optional testing after exposure is available in the nurses’ office.

Visitors

• Visitors to any building are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings

Classrooms

• Arrange seating three to six feet apart, if possible and face the same direction if feasible

• Teachers will assign seating

• Encourage hand washing and sanitizing

• Do not share school supplies

Hallways

• Maintain three to six feet distance to the extent possible

• Mark common gathering areas to show three to six feet spacing

• Provide visuals to indicate spacing and directional flow.

Cafeteria

• The cafeteria will be utilized as allowed for 3 to 6 feet of spacing between students to the extent possible. Students may also be eating in alternate locations as necessary to maintain social distancing. Staff will be assigned to provide supervision by building administration as needed.

Safety Education for Students and Staff

Students will receive education and guidance for proper physical distancing, use of PPE and hand hygiene. 

Illness and Diagnosis Monitoring

A tracking process will be instituted to maintain ongoing monitoring of individuals excluded from school because they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Employees and families are encouraged to report specific symptoms and a COVID-19 diagnosis to the office or nurse. 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 should be reported to the local health department by the school nurse or designee as required by the Illinois Infectious Disease Reporting requirements issued by IDPH.

The District will inform the school community of outbreaks per local and state health department guidelines while maintaining students and staff confidentiality rights. Experiences of positive cases will be reported on the school website.

Symptomatic individuals and those who test positive for COVID-19 should remain from school per current local and state health department guidelines. 

Mental Health

Considerations will be given to the impact that COVID-19 has on the metal health of staff, students and their families.  The mental and emotional well-being of students and staff members will be closely monitored. 

• Training will be provided to staff to increase awareness of the impact of COVID-19

• Access to school counselors and school based mental health support are readily available as possible and communicated to the students and employees.

Vaccination

In combination with the Rock Island County Health department, a vaccine clinic was hosted on May 21, 2021.  A second clinic was hosted on June 11th, 2021.  If there is a need or request, the district will support the Rock Island County Health Departments in hosting clinics in the future.

• Vaccination clinics hosted at the school are voluntary, open to the community and meant to provide an opportunity for those who choose to participate.

• The district respects that choosing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 is a personal choice.

Additional mental health resources:

Unity Point Health Robert Young Center
309-779-3000

Need help now?  UnityPoint Crisis Line
309-779-2999

Transitions Mental Health Services
transmhs.org
309-793-4993
Email: transitions@transmhs.org 

Quad Cities Behavioral Health Coalition