District 204 Update / New Quarantine and Isolation Guidance for Students

Updated Post, 6:10PM Feb. 7, 2022 / What follows are several emails from Indian Prairie School District 204 regarding results of litigation involving indoor mask mandates. Click here for a copy of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) ruling from Fri., Feb. 4. 

Dear District 204 community,

Late Friday afternoon, Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order in pending litigation in Sangamon County that names our District as a defendant. Due to a separate ruling limiting the scope of the litigation, the order applies only to the parties to the lawsuit.  

The temporary restraining order will be appealed and may be stayed, meaning that the order could be placed on hold while the appeal is decided. As a result, the legal effect of the temporary restraining order is uncertain over the next couple of weeks. Because of this uncertainty and significant confusion reflected in various reports regarding the temporary restraining order, we want to let the community know our clear expectations for the foreseeable future. 

The District will continue to follow and implement its safe return to school plan. Aside from the eight parties to the lawsuit, the District will continue to enforce requirements relating to masks and school exclusion for close contacts. As such, appropriate actions will be taken for any child who is not part of the named parties in the lawsuit who refuses to comply with district policy and practices.  

In addition, please note that all students, even those in the lawsuit, remain subject to the federal order requiring all passengers on school buses wear masks. Also, the District will continue to follow procedures for exclusion of symptomatic individuals and will continue to engage close contact tracing.   

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued support of our students, teachers, and staff. 

Sincerely, 

Adrian B. Talley, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Updated Post, Feb. 5, 2022 / This page posted a month ago is receiving lots of looks because of a judgement that was announced Fri., Feb. 4, 2022. An update from Superintendent Talley has been added that was sent via 204 E-News yesterday.

Dear District 204 families, 

I write to ask for your patience and understanding as our district navigates the latest changes to the COVID-19 guidance and rules for Illinois schools. 

A short time ago, an Illinois judge ruled on a lawsuit filed by more than 700 parents across the state that challenged state-mandated COVID-19 mitigations.

At this time, we are in the process of reviewing the judge’s decision and will communicate with you as soon as possible whether and how this ruling impacts Indian Prairie students and staff members.

Until then, I ask for your patience as we review this decision. 

Thank you for your continued support of our students, teachers, and staff. While it has been a difficult year, we will continue to push forward together. 

Sincerely, 

Adrian B. Talley, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today, January 7, 2022, the Illinois Department of Public Health(IDPH), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the DuPage County Health Department announced that they have adopted CDC guidance for PK-12 schools that halves the isolation and quarantine period. The Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance for P-12 schools on January 6.   

As a result, effective immediately, Indian Prairie School District will implement the updated guidance. This means your child’s return date may now change though you may have been told something differently earlier this week.  

Today’s announcement 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 until further notice. 

Students who are currently impacted by isolation now have a revised return to school date. The day your child tested positive or first had symptoms is considered day zero.  Your child can return to school on the sixth day after being notified of the test results or having symptoms.  Please see the chart below, as an example, of when to send your child back to school.

Unvaccinated students and not boosted staff members who are close contacts are now required to quarantine for 5 days. The following is a table with the revised return to school dates. 

If an unvaccinated student or not boosted staff member was a close contact on the following:

In addition, I want to pass along information from IDPH and CDC related to quarantine and recommended isolation periods. Below is summary information.

What is quarantine? 

Quarantine means staying home for at least 5 days after exposure to someone diagnosed with COVID-19. This is because someone can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 but may not show symptoms. Even though someone may not show symptoms, they can still spread the virus. 

Quarantine is different from isolation. Isolation is used by someone who has symptoms of COVID-19, or tests positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, even if they don’t have symptoms. Isolation helps prevent transmission of the virus by separating people infected with the virus from those who are not infected.

How does this new isolation guidance impact staff and students if they test positive for COVID-19?

How does the new quarantine guidance impact staff and students who are considered close contacts to someone who tested positive with COVID-19?

Thank you for your continued support of our students and teachers. It’s been an incredibly difficult year, but we will continue to push forward together. 

If you have questions, please contact your Registered Nurse for more information.  We know this changing information can be confusing and overwhelming; however, we know we can work together to support our students and staff.   

Sincerely, 

Adrian B. Talley, Ed.D. 
Superintendent

Editor’s Note / Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education will meet at the Crouse Education Center at 7PM Mon., Jan. 10, 2022. The Crouse Education Center is located at 780 Shoreline Dr. in Aurora, IL 60504.

During the 204 Board Meeting on Jan. 10, a decision will be adopted regarding school boundaries. Click here for complete agenda.

The public as well as public comments are welcome at IPSD Board Meetings.

Watch meetings live and/or archived for future viewing at YouTube.

Board meeting calendars, agendas, and other supporting documents are available online at the Board’s Meeting Calendar page.

More and more, we hear from residents who appreciate all governing bodies that broadcast/archive their public meetings on YouTube, making them accessible via cell phones. Longtime board watchers know District 204 led the way. —PN