Grundy Reporter

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.