Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elementary School District 2C issued the following announcement on Nov. 24.
With the beginning of the holiday season upon us, we wanted to take an opportunity to share a
few thoughts regarding teaching and learning at our schools. Prior to the outset of school year,
we developed "Fall 2020 Return to Leaming" plans after concluding the last school year in
remote learning. The Administration, Staff, and Boards of Education of our collective school
districts chose to offer in-person learning because it provides huge academic, safety, social,
emotional, and developmental advantages over remote learning. As we reflect on the present
year to date, we are proud of how our students, families, and staffs have adapted to new rules and
regulations and overcome obstacles to remain teaching and learning in-person. However, it
certainly hasn't been easy.
As you know, our state, region, county, and local community all have experienced significant
increases in COVID-19 positivity rates and deaths. These increases have impacted our schools,
as students and staff testing positive for COVID or being in close contact with a positive case
have been forced to quarantine for extended periods of time. Our local health departments
continue to allow us to make the determination whether to remain in-person or transition to
remote learning based upon the COVID metrics in our schools and our ability to isolate ill
persons quickly and sufficiently implement the CDC/IDPH COVID mitigation strategies in order
to slow the spread of infection and prevent the school from an outbreak.
We saw positivity rates increase after Halloween and health experts worry that the same will be
true after Thanksgiving. We believe now, more than ever, it is critically important to spend time
with those you love. 2020 has presented all of us much difficulty and enjoying some degree of
normalcy is important. As school district officials, while we recognize the need to enjoy time
with family, we also believe the warnings issued by the Center for Disease Control and Illinois
Department of Public Health that increased COVID cases are likely as a result of the travel and
gatherings during Thanksgiving break.
On behalf of the students and staffs of our collective districts, we ask that you seriously consider
the recommendations to protect yourselves and your family members while enjoying your time
together. Our continued use of in-person learning will depend on our ability to effectively
manage the increases in COVID positivity rates and the corresponding quarantine impact among
students and staff. To that end, we will be extra vigilant in screening students and staff
following the upcoming holidays. Students should not return to school after Thanksgiving break
if someone in the household is having COVID symptoms or being evaluated for COVID or if the
student has been in in close contact with someone with COVID. You may contact the schools
over break and on the weekends regarding COVID issues using the following email addresses.
Original source can be found here.
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