Dear District 99 Students and Families:
We are excited to welcome so many of our students back and see so many participating in in-person learning. Additionally, it is wonderful to see many students participating in activities and athletics. The energy at school has been quite positive.
Unfortunately, as we returned last week to more students on campus, we naturally experienced an increase in the number of close contacts and contact tracing, which resulted in a larger number of students needing to quarantine. We update the data on cases and close contacts each Monday for the prior week here; this is updated throughout the week as we complete contract tracing. A small number of these incidents are related to students in close proximity to one another in classrooms; the majority of students needing to quarantine are a result of close contact at athletics, activities or on a bus.
- Generally, a close contact is defined as anyone within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for 15 or more minutes.
- Those students involved in high and medium risk contact sports or activities may be assessed as a close contact in less than 15 minutes.
- This FAQ document from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) contains the guidance on close contacts and contact tracing - particularly items 1, 2, 3 & 7-20.
- Per the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), those determined to be a close contact will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
- There is no testing option to shorten that timeframe. This is consistent with the IDPH recommended guidance as well. This is not something determined by District 99.
- Students who are quarantined due to being a close contact are required to remain in quarantine for 14 calendar days.
- For those who have been vaccinated or had prior diagnoses of COVID-19 confirmed by viral testing within 3 months, isolation and quarantine may not be needed.
- While in quarantine, students may not participate in any in-person events including athletics and activities. Those students who remain asymptomatic throughout quarantine do not need a healthcare provider’s note to return to school.
We ask that you be respectful and understanding with District 99 staff. If your student is determined to be a close contact, the District 99 team does not have any flexibility in the process. If you are contacted about your student being a close contact, please carefully read and follow the instructions as provided. It is our goal to first make contact with a family via a phone call, but when that is not possible, we send an email and follow up with a phone call. Any student quarantined will continue to receive concurrent remote instruction with their teacher and class while on quarantine.
Thank you for your cooperation,
District 99