Health & Wellness
November 8th, 2021
Hello D6 Staff!
This newsletter has a lot of information packed into. I know it can be overwhelming to receive so much new information and/or changes at one time. The changes being made are to either make things easier for everyone across the board or they are changes made based on the most current research in regards to COVID-19.
Those of you who have worked with me on a day-to-day basis, know that I am always available to help you understand the guidance, the protocols, to clarify things, to listen to your concerns, to provide you with the latest research, etc. Being in this new role as District Nurse Administrator has not changed that. If any staff, student, or parent is ever unsure about something, needs more information on our protocols/policies, or has any question, I am still available to them. I want all of us to feel safe and confident while at school. Together, as a team, we can do amazing things! (Even navigate through this pandemic!)
What do all the symbols mean?
- The "Q" that we all already know, will be used for students that are quarantined only. This means a student is quarantined due to being COVID-19 positive or due to being a close contact to someone who is COVID-19 positive and is not participating in the Test-To-Stay program.
- The circled C with a strikethrough will be used for students who should not be in school because they are non-compliant with their health records.
- The red nurse will be used for students who need a doctor's note or negative COVID-19 test before returning to school. If a student has this symbol and is in school, they need to see the nurse to be cleared to stay at school.
Test-To-Stay Program
For those unfamiliar with the program, test-to-stay allows unvaccinated students and staff to remain in school if they are a close contact at school only. Unvaccinated staff or students who are close contacts outside of the school setting cannot participate in this program.
Participants in the TTS will be required to have a COVID-19 test on day 1,3,5, and 7. As long as they remain symptom free and test negative, they can continue to participate in school in-person.
All of us, as staff and as parents, have seen the effects that this pandemic has taken on children's learning. From quarantines, to virtual learning, to uncertainty, all these things have keep students from in-person learning. As a results, students across the nation are behind their grade level expectations.
TTS helps us keep more students in the classroom at a time they need it most.
O'HARE LABS
This week will also begin a new program. We have partnered with O'hare labs to offer weekly surveillance testing to students.
Every Friday, students who have signed up to participate in the program, will receive a labeled test kit to take home with them.
At home, the test will be administered under parental supervision (by a parent for our really little ones) and then returned to school on Monday to a return box.
Building nurses will have access to the results in real time. Parents will also have access to their student's results through a parent portal.
This weekly surveillance testing of the students will be an additional layer added to our current mitigations already in place.
Should I be offering remote learning?
Otus should be used as the platform to facilitate RL for grades 3-8.
PreK-2nd grade will use SeeSaw as their platform for remote learning. If you are unfamiliar with Otus or SeeSaw, please reach out to T&L at this time so they can assist you.
Snacks on Snacks on Snacks!
The COVID-19 pandemic has been very taxing on our student's mental health. The new normals for school, make school even less desirable to some students. Many things were taken for granted prior to the pandemic. One of those things being classroom celebrations and the impact they have on students.
Celebrations create happiness and happy environments. Research has shown a correlation between happier students and higher grades. That being said we want to contribute to happier students and staff!
Students can now bring snacks/treats to school for celebrations. The mitigations listed below need to be followed strictly to ensure we are keeping everyone safe and healthy.
- Food brought in by students must be store bought and still have the ingredient list attached.
- Teachers need to have a list of students with food allergies and what their allergy is on hand at all times to reference before passing out any food items.
- Teachers will clean hands, then wear gloves to pass out food items to students. Students should not be grabbing their item from a package. Teachers need to be the only one touching the food and container prior to the student receiving the food item.
- Items with nuts are strictly prohibited.
Cheri Sinkovec BSN RN
Email: csinkovec@zion6.org
Location: 2800 29th Street, Zion, IL, USA
Phone: 847.379.0093