Return to Learn: SY 2020-21
Page Navigation
- Return to Learn SY 20-21
- Board of Education Updates
- Vaccine
- COVID-19 Dashboard
- Return to Learn Guide
- Surveillance Screening
- Return to Learn Video Series
- Symptom Monitoring
-
Frequently Asked Questions
- Board of Education FAQs
- General Return to Learn FAQs
- Quarantine FAQs
- Surveillance Testing FAQs
- COVID-19 Dashboard FAQs
- Sports FAQs
- Stage 1 eLearning FAQs
- Stage 2 Enhanced eLearning FAQs
- Stage 3 Hybrid Learning FAQs
- Stage 4 In-Person Learning FAQs
- Symptom Monitoring FAQs
- Health & Safety FAQs
- Cleaning & Santization FAQs
- Transportation FAQs
- Students with IEPs FAQs
- Curriculum FAQs
- Technology FAQs
- Assessment FAQs
- Social Emotional Learning FAQs
- Travel FAQs
- Preguntas frecuentes de la Junta de Educación
- 教育委员会常见问题
- Regreso al Aprendizaje 2.0 Preguntas Frecuentes
- 返校计划2.0常见问题
- Food Services
- Elementary
- Junior High
- High School
- Childcare
- Return to Learn Surveys
- Resources
Quarantine and Close Contact FAQs
-
What does it mean to quarantine?
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends that you restrict activities and limit all movements that may put you in contact with others during the quarantine period. A full list of requirements can be found here. (IDPH Home Quarantine Guidance)
-
If my student is fully vaccinated are they required to quarantine?
No, fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine as long as they provide documentation of the vaccine to the school health office. (CDC guidance)
-
What if my student has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 30 or 60 days?
No, your student does not need to quarantine if they have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days and documentation has been provided to the school health office. (CDC guidance)
-
Does the entire household need to quarantine?
No, only your student who is a “Close Contact” must quarantine. Siblings may continue to attend school unless: 1) they are experiencing symptoms, 2) a family member tests positive, 3.)they have been exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive, or 4) they themselves test positive. (IDPH FAQ Document- Question 18)
-
How do you know my child was less than 6ft from the infected individual?
The health office does a comprehensive review of the positive students’ day to determine close contacts. It includes: reviewing classroom seating charts, interviewing classroom teachers and staff, student/family reports of close contacts, and reviewing video of key locations (e.g. bus, hallway, games) of school grounds.
-
If I get a negative COVID test can my student return to school, sports, or activities?
No, you may not test to reduce the 14-day quarantine day requirements. The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), and the CDC continue to recommend a full 14-day quarantine.
-
Why is the district requiring a 14-day quarantine, when there are other less restrictive options?
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), and the CDC continue to endorse a full 14-day quarantine as the safest option for minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The DCHD and IPDH do allow for a 10 day quarantine period, but only if 6ft of physical distance can be maintained at school. Under the new guidance, we cannot guarantee 6ft of distance for students in the classroom and therefore cannot implement the reduced quarantine procedures. (IDPH FAQ Document- Question 2) -
Are there any other options we can do to reduce the 14-day quarantine?
No, there are no other options to reduce the quarantine. The district is prioritizing in-person instruction which requires that we take precautions to reduce the likelihood of the virus entering our schools.
-
Since the quarantine procedures are developed by the district, why can’t you make adjustments for individual cases?
The Illinois State Board of Education (IBSE) REQUIRES that school districts contact trace in combination with isolation of those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and quarantine of close contacts.
The district must follow the procedures outlined by the IDPH and DCHD for the quarantining of individuals who come in close contact with an infected individual. (IBSE Revised Guidance p.2) -
Is my student or members of my family required to quarantine outside of school-related events?
Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. We highly encourage you to follow the IDPH guidelines for quarantining. However, the district cannot require you to follow these guidelines.
-
My student was wearing a mask while at school, why are they considered a close contact?
Yes, all students are masked while attending school. However per the IDPH definition of close contact, any person within 6ft. of the positive person, regardless of whether or not they were wearing a make, for 15 minutes or more are considered a close contact.
(IBSE Revised Guidance p. 9).