COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information:
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that he is extending the stay-at-home order through April 30. This extension mirrors the guidelines set by the President of the United States. The extension includes school closures. As we have done over the first two weeks of schools being closed, we will also provide e-learning for our students during this period.

We also know it is important for all parents to know the most accurate and timely information about this health concern, so we have listed some resources below to assist you.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has published a Frequently Asked Questions to explain what the virus is, how it is spread, who is at risk and how to protect yourself from the virus. It explains the risk to the general public for contracting this virus is low, while travelers to and from certain areas of the world may be at an increased risk.

There is also a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Frequently Asked Questions document that specifically addresses concerns about children and the virus. It explains that so far there is no evidence that children are more susceptible to the virus than the general population

The National Association of School Nurses and National Association of Psychologists have published this Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) resource for parents. It provides some talking points and guidance to use when talking to children about the outbreak.

According to public health officials, the way COVID-19 is spread is very similar to the flu and common colds. The CDC recommends the following preventative actions:
 Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
 Stay home when you are sick
 Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
 Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
(We even had a Community Crew on this topic and did an experiment with it last week.)

We ask that everyone be mindful of your health and carefully monitor any cold or flu-like symptoms, whether you’ve travelled or not. If your child is ill, keep them home from school and notify the school of your child’s absence. A child with a heavy cough and cold, vomiting and/or fever should stay home. A child must be fever free, without fever reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school. We encourage parents to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional should your child have a
fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath.

The health and well being of our students is our primary importance. We will continue to monitor and follow the guidance issued from ISBE and our public health officials.

RESOURCES