COVID Resources

Dear District 225 Community,

At a special board meeting on February 19, 2022, the District 225 Board of Education officially approved a “mask-recommended” environment beginning February 22, 2022.

This recent change comes following the Illinois Appellate court decision declaring the appeal related to mask mandates in schools to be moot late this week.

Components of the mask-recommended environment will include:

• Masks must be worn in the health offices and athletic training rooms;
• Masks must be worn on buses and school transportation;
• Mask wearing may be required, on a limited basis, to comply with student/staff ADA accommodations;
• Mask wearing may be required as an added mitigation if there are future spikes in cases;
• Mask wearing may be required in adherence to future executive, legislative or judicial orders; 
• No student or staff member will be required to go mask-less; and
• The District will utilize normal disciplinary procedures to address teasing, bullying, and harassment of students and staff regarding mask-wearing.  

As a reminder: 

• School rules will apply to all extracurriculars, events, sports, etc.
• SHIELD Testing will continue for those who choose to participate
  • Glenbrook Administration Building testing: Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • GBN testing: Tuesdays/Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • GBS testing: Tuesdays/Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m

We encourage you to take this opportunity to make the best decision for your family regarding masking and discuss this with your student, so they are clear as to your wishes. Please understand that staff cannot reasonably be expected to monitor or enforce student compliance with family preferences regarding mask-wearing. We will be mindful of giving students reminders to adhere to their family preferences.  

I want to reiterate that it is an individual's personal choice to wear or not wear a mask. Each individual should proceed in a manner that enables them to feel comfortable and safe in our buildings. While we are still transitioning, I ask everyone to recognize that we have many students and staff with health concerns for whom this transition will be difficult.  Wearing masks will afford them a greater degree of comfort through the transition.

Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these complex and oftentimes conflicting scenarios. We will keep you informed of any changes and ask for your continued support and patience. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Johns
 

Dear District 225 Community,

I wanted to inform you that the Illinois Appellate Court has declared the appeal related to mask mandates in schools to be moot. The enforcement of Governor J.B. Prtizker’s Executive Order that mandates wearing masks in public schools is no longer active. This ruling was delivered only a few hours ago, and we are still gathering information and legal counsel regarding its impact. 

The administrative team and staff  have diligently been working proactively on what this means for our District moving forward. To that end, we anticipate that we will soon operate school in a mask-recommended environment.

Our Board of Education is in the process of scheduling an emergency virtual meeting as soon as possible to address the impact of the Appellate Court Ruling on the Mask Mandate and the Staff Vaccination/Testing Mandate. When the meeting is determined it will be posted here.

We are working to put things in place so all students can come to school and feel safe. Each individual should feel safe in their decision to wear or not wear a mask and to be free from bullying or intimidation. 

I appreciate everyone joining together so that the District community can smoothly transition towards a mask-recommended environment. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Johns
 

Dear District 225 Families, 
 
As many of you know, the District has been working closely with families, health officials and staff to navigate these challenging times through the pandemic, with our children’s and staff’s safety coming first. Late Friday evening, Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) regarding two separate lawsuits surrounding the Governor’s emergency orders, as they relate to facemask wearing, mandatory exclusion from school for close contacts, and mandatory weekly COVID testing for unvaccinated school personnel. District 225 was not named in the lawsuits.
 
The ruling applies only to individuals within districts named in the lawsuits, not District 225, and is neither a blanket change to state-mandated COVID-19 mitigation strategies, nor a ruling on the effectiveness of the mitigation measures.  The Attorney General has appealed the ruling, and further litigation is expected immediately. This issue will not be resolved until the Appellate Court and/or Illinois Supreme Court rules. The Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation was renewed Friday night and the Cook County Department of Public Health directives are still in place.  The District will continue to review how this and future rulings may affect our community.
 
As you return to school on Monday, District 225 will continue to follow its current COVID-19 masking and quarantine guidelines per the Board’s direction.  As a reminder, our guidelines include universal masking, a minimum of five days of isolation for those who test positive for COVID-19, a minimum of five days of quarantine for unvaccinated individuals who experience a close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, weekly testing for students participating in high-risk activities, and weekly testing for unvaccinated staff. 
 
While we continue to sort through latest news reports, legal commentary, medical guidance  and posts seeking accurate and reliable information, we appreciate your continued support and patience as we work with students, families, teachers, and staff. It has been a difficult year and we will continue to push forward together. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Dr. Charles Johns, District 225 Superintendent
 

Dear District 225 Community,

On January 11, 2022, the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health released updated guidance that has reduced the isolation period for students and staff diagnosed with COVID-19. The District will adapt these new guidelines beginning January 13, 2022. 

Generally, with several conditions, this will enable quarantines to be reduced to a minimum of five days for students and staff if they are asymptomatic and have been fever-free for a full 24 hours and and will be required to consistently and correctly wear a mask at all times for the duration of the 10 day quarantine.

The new guidance includes the following:

• Regardless of vaccination status, students and staff who receive a positive COVID-19 test, must quarantine for a minimum of five days as long as they have been asymptomatic or symptoms have resolved by day five.
• If a student or staff member returns to school on day six they will be required to correctly and consistently wear a mask, socially distance at 6 feet when eating and drinking days 6-10.
• Students and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 may return to school after five days if asymptomatic or if fever-free without fever reducing medications for 24 hours, diarrhea/vomiting have eased for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved
• Student and staff members may still quarantine up to 10 days depending on how long an individual’s symptoms last.
• The new guidance does not change the state of Illinois’ mask requirement for anyone inside school buildings. The Governor’s indoor mask mandate for school is still in effect. We strongly encourage our students and staff to wear a KN95 or surgical mask while in the building. Surgical and KN95 masks will be available to students and staff at key entrances.
• Student athletes and those in high-risk activities who are asymptomatic can return to school on day six and practice with limited involvement in practice. Please contact your coach or activity sponsor with additional questions. 
  • Students can practice with 100% masking but not participate in competitions or performances on days 6-10.
  • Students in Unmasked Sports (cheerleading, gymnastics, swimming and diving, and wrestling) may not participate in unmasked activities in practice until the 11th day of the quarantine.
  • Participation in performances and competitions may resume on the 11th day of a quarantine.

Close Contacts:
The guidance makes modifications to the definition of who is considered a “close contact” after being exposed to COVID. 

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have no COVID-19-like symptoms (exclusion): The following people are close contacts* who must quarantine:

• Students and staff who are not fully vaccinated (completed primary series). 
• Students and staff aged 18 years and older who have received primary COVID-19 vaccine doses but have not received a booster dose when eligible (“unboosted”).

Return Dates:
To reiterate, if a student or staff member tested positive or first had symptoms on the following date the new return to school date is the following:

• Friday, 1/7  return Thursday, 1/13
• Saturday 1/8 return Friday, 1/14
• Sunday, 1/9 return Saturday, 1/15
• Tuesday, 1/11 return Tuesday, 1/18 (No School 1/17)
• Any date prior to 1/7/2022 may return on Thursday, 1/13/2022

The date above is ONLY if a person is fever free for 24 hours, symptoms have improved, and the individual complies with correct and consistent mask wearing. Do NOT send your child to school ill. If symptoms have not improved, continue to quarantine. Note: This also includes unvaccinated students who are quarantining at home because of a close contact.

Zoom Links:
For students in a quarantine, as determined by the CCDPH, livestream access will continue to be available. 

• Students who test positive will be provided zoom links up to the first five quarantine days 
• If a student still is experiencing symptoms following the first five days, they will need to fill out an attendance form, otherwise they will be marked with an unexcused absence. Students will continue to be able to livestream for the remainder of the 10 days. 
  • Glenbrook North Attendance
  • Glenbrook South Attendance

Lunch Protocols:
As part of the school district's mitigation efforts, open lunch will be expanded to Freshman and Sophomore students beginning on Tuesday, January 18th. In order for students to leave campus, parents must complete the open lunch program participation form available in PowerSchool.

• Navigate to the PowerSchool Parent Portal;
• Select your student's name at the top of the screen;
• Select Forms from the left sidebar; and
• Select Open Lunch Program Participation.

Students will not be permitted to leave campus without this form filled out. Requests for open lunch will take 24 hours to process.

We will continue to have our weekly testing program available to students and staff. As a reminder, students participating in athletics and high-risk activities are required to test weekly, if not fully vaccinated.

The ISBE and IDPH continue to fully support in-person learning for all students, noting it is essential to a students mental health and academic growth. We will continue to take the appropriate measures to provide a safe environment for our students and staff. If you have any questions please reach out to your school’s principal. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Johns

Dear District 225 Community,

Glenbrook High School District 225 will be making a transition to a full Adaptive Pause beginning January 6, 2022. This means that all classes will move to e-learning beginning Thursday (tomorrow). The Adaptive Pause will run through January 7, 2022. Final exams, as detailed below, will continue to be scheduled, in-person, for January 10 - 14. Classes, full in-person, are anticipated to resume on the first day of second semester on January 18, 2022. Despite adding positions, hiring additional staff, recruiting additional substitute teachers, and the valiant efforts of our Human Resources Department, Instructional Supervisors, and department assistants, we are simply not able to provide adequate classroom and school supervision to maintain reasonable operations. While we were firmly committed to in-person instruction, we were simply unable to staff it.

For Thursday and Friday, classes will be conducted through e-learning. The schedules will be slightly shifted as indicated by the links below:

E-Learning Schedule:

• Glenbrook North
• Glenbrook South

With finals next week, The District has made the decision to have ‘No-Harm’ finals, which means the exam will not hurt a student’s current grade. It will only increase the overall grade if applicable. Final exams will be optional and will be held in-person. While we are making the decision to allow final exams to be optional due to logistical complications, we strongly encourage our students to take the exams to enhance the learning of class content and post secondary and career preparation. Students who are sick during the exams will have the opportunity to follow our traditional exam make-up process if they want to participate in final exams. 

Athletics will continue to operate in-person based on staff availability and guidance from the Cook County Department of Public Health. Extracurricular club meetings will be held via Zoom for the next two days. The status of Fine Arts rehearsals and tryouts will be communicated separately. We know that students may have questions specific to their own sports, activities, or clubs. Please contact your club sponsor, director, or coach for further guidance. 

As a reminder, the Illinois School Board of Education announced on December 30, 2021 that schools should continue to follow the current IDPH COVID-19 School Guidance, which continues to require a 10-day quarantine after a COVID diagnosis. The CCDPH and IDPH have not adopted the new CDC guidance on reduced quarantine. You can continue to review our community’s current health metrics here.  

The rapid spread of COVID is still very active in our community. It is a great concern that this change in our instructional plan may lead to behaviors that are conducive to the virus’ spread. Please refrain from large congregate gatherings, regardless of vaccination status. If you must do so, please adhere to the COVID prevention practices. It is incumbent upon all of us to work together to keep everyone safe and commit to the care and well being of our community. Between today and January 18, we strongly encourage our students to undertake a COVID test. Continued and regular testing, followed by appropriate isolation practices, is one of our best tools to return to normalcy and stay there. During the Adaptive Pause, the District will continue to offer COVID-19 testing for students and staff at GBN and GBS. Testing will resume January 10 at the District office. Testing days include:

GBN:

• January 6: 12:30 to 4 p.m. in the Little Theater
• January 7: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Little Theater
• January 11: 2 to 4 p.m. in the Little Theater
• January 13: 2 to 5 p.m. in the Little Theater

GBS:

• January 6: 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Room 2132
• January 7: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Room 2132
• January 11: 2 to 4 p.m. Room 2132
• January 13: 2 to 5:30 p.m. Room 2132

District Office:

• January 10, 12 and 14: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Door D (left side of building)
• January 11 and 13: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Door D (left side of building)

While the decision to pause in-person instruction is difficult, we believe that it will create a safer environment for all and help put us in position to return to full in-person learning, appropriately staffed, at the start of second semester. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Johns

Close Contact and Testing Updates

The school district partners with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to determine how to manage positive cases.  This includes guidance for when students are required to quarantine due to being named a "close contact."  While each situation is processed on a case-by-case basis, the school district at CCDPH utilize a decision tree guidance document for determining exclusion and testing requirements for exposed students.

As a reminder the school district offers daily testing opportunities for students, parents, and staff.  No appointment is required.  Simply visit the District Administration Building (3801 W. Lake Avenue, Glenview) across from Glenbrook South High School from 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM.  The school district utilizes the SHIELD Illinois test, which is a PCR test not a rapid test.  Results are typically received within 24 hours of testing.  If you have questions regarding the testing program, please contact SHIELD Test Administrator Callan Heidkamp at cheidcamp@glenbrook225.org.

COVID Testing Program Update

At the board meeting on October 25, 2021, the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education unanimously approved an amended plan to its COVID testing program for the 2021-22 school year. All students, regardless of vaccination status will be required to take a COVID-19 test the week following Halloween.

The reason behind the Board of Education’s updated plan is due to the fact that there is still a strong presence of the COVID-19 virus in our community. As the winter months are quickly approaching, the board wants to be proactive and understand the risks levels. As a result, the additional data gained through testing is a valuable tool. As a reminder, this time last year there was a strong presence of the virus in our community as more and more activities moved indoors. 

The board determined that there will be a parent opt-out provision. Parents who do not want their student to test should have their student bring a printed and completed opt-out form on their assigned day of testing. 18-year-old students have the ability to opt-out themselves. Students will be notified of their assigned day of testing on October 28 and 29. 

Testing for students will be conducted during either PE (including early bird), Driver Ed or Health class on Tuesday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 3. Testing will take place at GBN on the North Shelf and GBS in the West Gym from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SHIELD Testing Program

The current testing program is comprehensive and covers the following:
All staff/volunteers/contract service personnel must either show evidence of vaccination or be enrolled in the weekly testing program. Currently, of 1,261 staff (including part-time, coaches and sponsors, and contractors), 31.8% are enrolled in the weekly testing program; 68.2% are vaccinated so are not required to participate in the testing program but may voluntarily participate if they are exposed and/or show symptoms.

 

• Students participating in higher-risk extra-curricular activities (meaning distancing is not always possible and/or there could be more aggressive expelling of respiratory droplets) such as athletics, drama, speech/debate and band/orchestra, for example, must submit evidence that they are fully vaccinated or must participate in the weekly testing program. 
• Symptomatic employees and students (whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated) are offered a SHIELD Illinois test, then directed to stay home until a negative test result is received.
• Non-Symptomatic, vaccinated staff and students can voluntarily participate in the testing program.
• Non-symptomatic, unvaccinated students who are considered a close contact may participate in testing in order to remain in school under IDPH guidelines. This is typically called “test to stay.”  Per the CCDPH, the Test to Stay provisions are not applicable to individuals who have been a close contact in the case of a CCDPH designated outbreak.
• In addition, D225 unvaccinated students are strongly encouraged to take a saliva-based COVID-19 test every week, even if they are not participating in higher-risk activities.
• In the case of a CCDPH designated “outbreak,”  members of that population will undergo “outbreak testing.”  Outbreak testing consists of testing, twice weekly, for a period of twenty-eight days.  Unlike other circumstances, per the CCDPHC, when in “outbreak testing”  both vaccinated and unvaccinated members of the specific population will be tested.

 

COVID-19 Testing Program For Students and Staff Update

Letter sent to District 225 staff and  families

Dear Glenbrook Families,
In response to recent guidance from the Cook County Department of Public Health, the Board of Education approved several revisions to the school district's COVID-19 testing program for students and staff.  

To keep our school community safe, students must continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings, and monitor their health, regardless of vaccination status. If your student is exhibiting symptoms, please contact the school nurse’s office before sending your student to school.

Below is a summary of the changes:

Students and Staff Participating in Higher-Risk Activities
Unvaccinated students and staff participating in all sports and high-risk activities will be required to take a saliva-based COVID-19 test every week.

Vaccinated students and staff participating in high-risk activities will be removed from the required testing program after submitting a copy of their vaccine card. Students can upload a copy of their vaccination card online at any time.

All Other Students and Staff
Unvaccinated students and staff are strongly encouraged to take a saliva-based COVID-19 test every week, even if they are not participating in higher-risk activities.

Vaccinated students and staff also have the option of testing on a weekly basis.

Testing Times/Locations
Week of August 23, testing will be available at Glenbrook North on Friday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and at Glenbrook South on Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Beginning week of August 30, testing will be available every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Glenbrook North in the Little Theatre and at Glenbrook South in Room 1193. An additional make-up testing opportunity will be available every Thursday from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Most Sincerely,
Glenbrook High School District 225

COVID-19 Testing Program For 2021-22 School Year

Letter to families

On Monday, August 9, 2021, the Board of Education approved the Plan to Resume In-Person Learning for the 2021-22 School Year. As part of this plan, a COVID-19 testing program will be implemented for students. 

As shared in an email sent by the District on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, all students and staff will be required to take a COVID-19 test between August 18-20, 2021, regardless of vaccination status. Testing will be facilitated during a student’s physical education class. Students not enrolled in a physical education course can visit the testing room at any time from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Glenbrook High School District 225 has partnered with the University of Illinois to test students, teachers, and staff members for COVID-19 infection. This notice provides information about the program to allow informed consent for your child to participate in the testing program.

By not opting out of the testing program as described below, consent for your child to be tested for COVID-19 infection is presumed. To opt out of the testing program, please see the section below titled, “Can I opt out of testing?”

What is the test? 
The SHIELD Illinois test is a free diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus conducted by collecting saliva (spit). The test was developed by the University of Illinois and has been made available at no charge to all schools in Illinois by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health.  

Below are resources that provide additional information about the SHIELD Illinois test:
SHIELD Illinois FAQs
SHIELD Illinois Information Security and Privacy Statement
SHIELD Illinois Fact Sheet for Patients

As a reminder, test participants should not eat or brush their teeth 45 minutes prior to the test.

How often will your child be tested? 
We are arranging for our testing partner (Passport Health) to test all students between August 18 and 19, 2021 during a student’s physical education class. A testing make-up date is scheduled on August 20, 2021.

All students and staff will have the ability to test weekly. Students participating in athletics and other high-risk activities will be required to test weekly. These activities include:

• All In-Season Athletic Teams
• Band
• Choir
• Glenbrook Symphony Orchestra
• Theatre / Drama / Crew
• Dance Activities
• Debate
• Speech

Information regarding testing times and locations for the week of August 23, 2021 will be shared in the near future.

Can I opt out of testing?
For students participating in high-risk activities, weekly testing is required regardless of vaccination status. Students that opt out of testing will not be permitted to participate in high-risk activities.  

All other students are permitted to opt out of testing by submitting a completed opt-out form. Completed forms should be brought to the testing room when the student’s physical education class is scheduled for testing.

Can I submit a test result from my own doctor?
Yes. Students may submit test results from their doctor as long as the test result is documented on an official correspondence from a licensed medical professional. In addition, test results can be dropped off in the testing room at each school on any designated testing day.

How will I know if my student tests positive? 
The school district will receive the results of your student’s test and will notify you separately of any positive results. Results will be received within 24 hours of the testing day.  

What should I do when I receive positive test results? 
If your student’s test results are positive, please contact your student’s doctor immediately to review the test results and discuss the next steps. You may not send your student back to school without a note from your student’s doctor that indicates your student is no longer positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Tests sometimes produce incorrect negative results called “false negatives” in people who have COVID-19. Therefore, if your student tests negative but has symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have concerns about your student’s exposure to COVID-19, you should contact your student’s doctor.

Who will receive my student’s test results? 
In addition to you receiving your student’s test results, the school district and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) will also receive your student’s test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code. 

Do I need to take any other action?  
No other action is required if you consent for your student to be tested for COVID-19 infection pursuant to the above terms. To opt-out of the testing program, please submit a completed opt-out form.

Plan To Resume In-Person Learning 2021-22

Letter from Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns to families

Dear District 225 Families, 

I hope you are enjoying a fun and safe summer break. I am excited to have all our students back for full in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.

Recently, Governor JB Pritzker announced beginning immediately schools across the state will require masks to be worn indoors by all teachers, staff, students and visitors regardless of vaccination status. This is in response to the recent updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Illinois State Board of Education updated its guidance to reflect the recent change. District 225 will adhere to this mandate and require masks to be worn by everyone in our schools. In addition, all indoor sports participants will also be required to follow universal indoor masking regardless of vaccination status. 

At the August 9, 2021 board meeting the School Board of Education approved the Plan to Resume In-Person Learning 2021-22, which includes universal masking for students, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status. The District continues to monitor weekly community transmissions in both Glenview and Northbrook through its metrics dashboard. 

Key Takeaways for the new school year:

• Students will return to a normal bell schedule
• All students will have a 45-minute lunch period throughout block 3
• Masks required for all when indoors
• Students in-person learning experiences will have minimized disruptions as much as possible by implementing mitigation strategies
• Remote learning will not be available; however, students who are ineligible for vaccination and under a CCDPH quarantine will be offered homebound instruction for the duration of the quarantine
• PPE such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and face masks will be available 
• Sports will return to normal season schedule
• Covid testing program will be available to students and staff as described below: 

Due to the rapid increase of positive cases and transmissions in the community, it is critical for the district to have a clear understanding of the presence of the virus in our schools. As a result, all students and staff will be required to take a COVID-19 test between August 18-20, 2021, regardless of vaccination status. The test is a saliva-based assessment, similar to the one used for students last year, but must be administered in person rather than a sample drop off. Testing will take place onsite at Glenbrook North in the Little Theatre and Glenbrook South in the Lyceum between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m between August 18-20, 2021.

Starting the week of August 23, only students participating in athletics and other higher-risk extra-curricular activities as determined by the principal are required to take a COVID-19 test once a week, regardless of vaccination status.  Additionally, all other students and staff may opt in to weekly testing.

Glenbrook North in the Little Theatre

• Tuesdays - 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Fridays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Glenbrook South in the Lyceum

• Mondays - 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Thursdays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Testing will be made available to all students who are not involved in these activities on an optional basis. The testing program is funded by the state and is a mitigation step to reduce the spread of the virus. It is important to understand that guidance from the CDC, IDPH and ISBE continues to evolve as public health conditions fluctuate. More information regarding testing for student athletes and those participating in higher-risk activities will be forthcoming.

We believe the 2021-22 Plan is the next phase in bringing more normalcy to our schools. To help maintain a safe and healthy school environment, we are continuing to ask parents to fill out the voluntary vaccination survey that can be found in PowerSchool prior to the first day of school. The survey will ask for your students vaccination status and if he or she has been exposed to COVID-19. This information will help the District with contact tracing and other mitigation efforts throughout the school year. Please note that these submissions will be kept confidential and only certain staff will have access to the information.

Thank you for all your continued support as we navigate these unprecedented times. The first day of school begins August 18 with both schools following their normal bell schedules. Please review our FAQ on what to expect this fall. I look forward to seeing our returning students in the halls and meeting our new students this school year. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Charles Johns 

End of 2020-21 School Year

Letter from Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns to families

Dear District 225 Families,

As this school year comes to an end, I want to thank you for your support of our district, staff and students.

We started the year not knowing when we would return to the classroom, and our community has been incredibly patient and supportive as we navigated the pandemic. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as students and staff have integrated from remote learning, back to a traditional setting.

Recently, the Illinois State Board of Education adopted a resolution supporting a return to full in-person learning starting next school year. With the adoption of the resolution, we are excited to move forward with our plans for the next school year. The District is still waiting to hear from the ISBE, but we want to be proactive with what the 2021-2022 school year will look like.

At this time, we expect all students will return for in-person learning five days a week beginning in the fall. The schools will follow their traditional bell schedule. More information will be provided as we get closer to the 2021-2022 school year.

We are expecting clear guidance for schools from the Cook County Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education, and the CDC, which will inform us if masks will be required or not for the next school year. 

Thank you for your continued support and patience throughout this school year. I hope you have a great summer break.  For our graduates, we are very proud of you and look forward to learning of your successes and accomplishments in the years to come.

Sincerely,
Superintendent, Dr. Charles Johns
 

2021 Spring Break Travel

Letter from Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns to families

Dear District 225 Families, 

As we look forward to Spring Break, which will run from Monday, March 22, through Friday, March 26, District 225 anticipates it will not have an Adaptive Pause, and classes will resume on March 29.

If you plan to travel for Spring Break, please follow Cook County Department of Public Health's (CCDPH) guidelines. We ask you to check their website frequently, as quarantine requirements continue to change. These guidelines currently align with the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order guidance. As a reminder, CCDPH continues to strongly discourage non-essential travel.

The following summary may be helpful:

• Domestic Travel: Take a diagnostic COVID test (rapid or PCR) no more than 72 hours before you return to Cook County or upon return to Cook County. Once negative test results are submitted to and reviewed by the Nurse’s Office, no quarantine is required.

• International Travel: Take a diagnostic COVID test (rapid or PCR) 3-5 days after you arrive home and continue to quarantine for a full 7 days after your return. Once negative test results are submitted to and reviewed by the Nurse’s Office, the quarantine will end after day 7. 

• Students who choose not to take a COVID test must quarantine for 10 days after return from any travel. 

• Students who have had COVID-19 and can provide confirmation of a positive diagnostic test do not have to quarantine after travel (for 90 days after their COVID-19 diagnosis). 

 In all cases, those who have traveled must continue to: 

• Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning from travel

• Practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene

The District will continue to follow state and local safety guidance to reduce COVID-19 risk for our schools and communities. The safety of our students and staff is a top priority to us. We rely on you to share this responsibility to keep our schools safe and share your travel plans with the school’s Attendance Office to record the appropriate quarantine period.

Thank you for your cooperation, support, and patience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Charles Johns

Superintendent 

Important Dates for 2021

Letter from Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns to families

Dear District 225 Families,

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  I hope that your Winter Break was a healthy and restorative one.  As we begin to wrap up the first semester and look to the second half of the school year, I want to thank you for your patience and support during this unprecedented year. Our entire school community has faced a lot of unique challenges and uncertainties this fall with grace and conviction. 

As we head into 2021, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of important dates:

• Monday, January 4: Adaptive Pause continues and school resumes with remote learning 
• Monday, January 4 or Tuesday, January 5: District sends information via email on teacher status of remote or in-person 
• Wednesday, January 6:  Deadline for survey completion indicating preference for in-person or remote instruction for the January 19 - March 19 time frame (see message sent on December 28)
• Monday, January 11 - Thursday, January 14: Final exams administered remotely
• Thursday, January 14:  Notification to families of district plans for either half-day or full-day in-person instruction
• Tuesday, January 19: Second semester begins in either the hybrid (half-day) or full-day model

Planning for January 19 In-Person Instruction

I also want to acknowledge the feedback we are receiving from many parents urging a safe reopening.  I assure you that we are planning to resume in-person instruction on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. This will either be half-day (hybrid) or full-day, depending on the survey results and our classroom capacity.  Remote instruction will continue to remain an option for all students. 

On December 28, an email was sent to each family regarding the Second Semester Learning Plan Survey.  We are exploring the possibility of whether full-day attendance may be possible within the current six-foot social distancing requirements.  Students and parents will be notified on Thursday, January 14, if in-person learning will be half-day or full-day.

In the meantime, we continue to review the health metrics daily and have seen an improvement in the indicators that moved us to an Adaptive Pause. Here is our webpage dedicated to COVID-19 updates.

Daily health certifications will continue to be required for all students and staff as they enter the buildings.  Please remember that these certifications can be done via cell phone prior to coming to school.  Face coverings and social distancing will also continue to be required at all times in the buildings.

Travel quarantine

Students traveling out-of-state must complete a 10-day quarantine period, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, before returning to in-person instruction. Students must return to Illinois by January 9 in order to attend school in-person on January 19. For student athletes who will be coming into the buildings beginning January 4 for one-on-one coaching during Adaptive Pause, please make sure that you follow the 10-day quarantine requirement.

COVID Testing Pilot

As you may know, the Board of Education approved a pilot COVID-19 testing program for students and coaches in extracurricular activities. This program is just one of many mitigation efforts to reduce the possibility of spread of COVID-19 in our school community. The results of the testing pilot are provided on our metrics webpage. The test is a non-diagnostic surveillance test. The pilot has proven very successful, and the District may consider expanding testing to all students attending in-person instruction.

In closing

Finally, while initial reports on two vaccines look promising, they may not be available to most of us until later in the spring. I urge you to continue to social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, stay informed and shrink your social bubbles.

Thank you for your cooperation, support, and patience. On behalf of the Board of Education and administration, I wish you a happy new year. 

Sincerely,

Charles Johns

Superintendent

School Transition to Adaptive Pause

Glenbrook High School District 225 will be making a transition to a full Adaptive Pause beginning Wednesday, November 18. This means that all classes will move to e-learning beginning this Wednesday.  Unless there is a significant improvement in conditions in the short term, this Adaptive Pause will run through Monday, January 18 (the Martin Luther King Day holiday).  Students are expected to return to hybrid instruction on Tuesday, January 19, the first day of the second semester.  This transition to a full Adaptive Pause will provide a natural quarantine period for staff and students after the Thanksgiving and winter breaks, reducing the probability that the virus will be brought into our schools.

COVID-19 cases have risen at a significant rate and are continuing to grow. Our district’s two primary indicators to inform a move to an Adaptive Pause have been at the “Substantial” level for two consecutive weeks in the two geographic areas that we closely monitor, North Cook County and Glenbrook zip codes.  In addition, the Chief Medical Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has told our township superintendents that schools should “strongly consider remote learning given the presence of sustained community transmission.” As we head into the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season, we know that people’s travel and groupings will likely exacerbate current risk levels. Both the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the CCDPH have asked the public to limit unnecessary travel.

A review of options for ongoing extracurricular and athletic programs is underway and will be shared soon. This review includes a careful evaluation of IDPH, CCDPH, and Illinois High School Association recommendations, along with the current community conditions and holiday considerations noted above. Each program is different and is being assessed on a case-by-case basis.

While the decision to pause in-person instruction is difficult, we believe that it will create a safer environment for all and help put us in position to return to the hybrid model in the second semester. Please continue to do your part by practicing the 3 Ws: wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands frequently.

We know that students may have questions specific to their own sports, activities, or clubs. They will receive detailed information about any changes in a separate email from their coaches or sponsors.

District Advances to Step 3 of Fall Learning Plan

Students return to in-person learning on a hybrid schedule starting October 5

At the special meeting on September 21, the Board of Education approved the implementation of a two-week phased-in approach to a hybrid model beginning on October 5. This represents Step 3 of the Fall Learning Plan for 2020-21, where students will return to in-person learning on a hybrid schedule. The approach is expected to phase in students by grade level and will reach full implementation for all students by October 20.

“It is our responsibility to provide the best experience for our students, and we know that means a return to in-person instruction as soon as possible,” said Board President Bruce Doughty. “After careful thought and consideration for the safety of our students and staff, along with balancing the academic and social/emotional needs of our school community, we strongly believe that forward movement is the best course of action.”

The Board of Education reviewed various health metrics in order to determine moving from Step 2 to Step 3, including the number of new cases per 100,000, test positivity rates, increased number of cases, and specifically youth cases. In addition, the Board considered operational metrics including sufficient access/inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE), the ability to maintain 6 foot social distancing in learning spaces, and necessary personnel. The district will comply with public health guidelines including requiring students and staff to wear face masks, maintain social distancing standards and participate in daily health screenings, for example, as it moves into a return to in-person learning.

“We are excited to welcome back our entire student population and have been working each day since the start of the pandemic to plan for this opportunity to reunite on our campuses,” said Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns. “There are still many challenges we can expect to encounter; however, we believe that beginning the year remotely provided a strong foundation to move into  hybrid learning.”

In the coming week, additional information about the implementation of hybrid learning will be emailed directly to students and parents. In addition, should a family determine that their student would benefit from remaining in an E-Learning environment, the school will accommodate this preference. 

For more information, please continue to visit the district webpage dedicated to the reopening of school, which includes the current Learning and Operations Plan and outlines the different phases of reopening.

Update from the School Reopening Advisory Committee

District moves into Step 2 of the plan 

The School Reopening Advisory Committee composed of students, parents, staff, administrators, an infectious disease specialist, and one Board member meet on a scheduled basis to discuss the current Learning and Operations Plan and consider adjustments to the school environment, including movement through the different phases of reopening. The committee will provide four scheduled updates throughout the fall, August 28, September 25, October 9 and 23. Additional meetings and updates may be added, depending on the progress of COVID-19 and the learning plan.

Date of Meeting: August 17, 2020

Summary of Discussion:
In its inaugural meeting, the School Reopening Advisory Committee made introductions, established shared expectations, and reviewed the 2020-21 Learning and Operations Plan.  

Relevant Data:
The committee reviewed the current rates of building utilization by staff and students. Included in the discussion was a review of the impact of quarantines on the summer athletic programs. Additionally, a review of the freshman orientation activities was conducted, including concerns about social distancing enforcement as students passed from one area to another. A review of current state data of new cases and the positivity rates were also included in the discussion.

At this time, two of the seven indicators used to assess readiness to move between phases meet the established targets, while five remain in progress.

Considerations:
One of the indicators centers around creating a stable and consistent learning environment that upholds the district’s instructional integrity. By gradually adding students, we will be able to determine if there is an increase in transmission, which will inform whether additional students can be brought into the schools. It is crucial to avoid a series of opening and closing of the school as transmission levels ebb and flow. Having stable and consistent instruction with a certified teacher, even in an E-Learning environment, is preferred to any alternatives.

Recommendation:
Beginning on September 8, the district will move into Step 2 of the plan. This phase will bring in several hundred students, divided up into cohorts, meeting in the morning or afternoon, and on alternating days. Students, with and without disabilities, who have identified support needs in the areas of attendance, grades, interventions, social/emotional wellbeing, medical, or academic supports may be eligible to attend campus. Students with any of these needs are referred to their respective Student Services team for consideration. The Student Services teams meet weekly to review referrals and data points to compile a list of eligible students.  Through this process, additional students can be added in Step 2 as needs and opportunities are identified.  Similarly, the North Suburban Special Education District (NSSED) is committed to providing in-person instruction for students in the Teaching Life Skills (TLS) program, initially bringing in small groups of students, half days in the morning or afternoon, two days per week. Bus transportation services will be provided to all students that have purchased a bus pass. Routes will be operated in the morning, mid-day, and in the afternoon. Information regarding bus transportation will be announced by the end of next week.

Next Steps:
With this announcement, the Student Services teams from each school will begin developing a list of eligible students based on identified needs. School counselors or other members of the Student Services teams will contact the students and the families of those selected to provide further details. 

Next Committee Meetings:
August 31, September 14, and 21

For more information, please continue to visit our webpage dedicated to the reopening of school.

 

District 225 To Start Fall Semester With E-Learning Under Four-Step Plan Approved By the Board

This evening, the Glenbrook District 225 Board of Education approved the Learning and Operational Plan that the District’s administrative team shared with parents on Friday. Under the plan, all District 225 students and staff will begin the 2020-2021 school year as scheduled on Wednesday, August 19, under an E-Learning format.

STEP 1: E-LEARNING BEGINS AUGUST 19
The E-Learning experience will be significantly different from what took place in the spring, when state mandates limited our ability to deliver a high-quality E-Learning experience. Under the 2020-2021 E-Learning model:
●  Students will follow a structured schedule with required synchronous learning experiences as part of every class as new content is introduced by teachers. Additional tiers of academic services will be available as needed to support student success and well-being. 
●  Assessments will be delivered, due dates will be enforced, grades will count, and attendance will be taken.
●  Students will be expected to activate their camera when participating in synchronous E-Learning.
●  Athletics, extracurricular and co-curricular activities will be available through a combination of on-campus and virtual participation opportunities based on guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and applicable Illinois High School Association (IHSA) requirements. 
●  We will implement a social-emotional learning curriculum, integrated into PE and Health courses, that will address essential topics, such as creating a collective community; building resilience; coping with anxiety, fears, and stress; and accessing resources and supports. 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLANNING
We know there are many questions about returning to school, including how students will pick up textbooks, schedules and supplies. Our administrative team is currently working to address these items and will communicate via email with additional instructions in the coming week.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please visit the District’s website to view the District’s four-step plan to bring students back to in-person learning when it is safe and appropriate to do so, as well as responses to some Frequently Asked Questions. We will continue to communicate important information directly to parents, staff and students through email and will regularly update this FAQ document. If you have questions or comments, please send them to learningplan@glenbrook225.org

Like you, we are proud of our schools and of the well-rounded experience offered to each student. While it is going to look drastically different from what we all know, we are confident in our ability to start strong on August 19 and to deliver high-quality, meaningful and engaging academic and extracurricular experiences for all students throughout the 2020-2021 school year.  We are committed to excellence in the 4 A’s: Academics, Athletics, Activities, and the Arts.

On behalf of the entire team at Glenbrook High School District 225, as always, we thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to seeing our students this fall.

Most Sincerely,

District 225 Administration