Update from the District 39 Metrics Reopening Advisory Team
Posted on 10/13/2020
Wilmette Public Schools District 39

Wilmette Public Schools District 39
Mikaelian Education Center
615 Locust Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-512-6000
www.wilmette39.org

Metrics Team Update:

Our District 39 Metrics Reopening Advisory Team held its weekly meeting on Friday. The purpose of the Metrics Team is to study important school-relevant metrics of COVID-19 and the District’s Reopening Plan in order to guide adjustments to our reopening efforts and improvements in health and safety protocol. On Friday, the Team reviewed the most recent D39 Metrics Dashboard and full report, and discussed a variety of operational topics. Additionally, it was noted that the D39 Family Response to Illness Instructions Booklet has proved very beneficial in supporting families and staff through decision-making in response to illness. Thank you to families and staff for their ongoing diligence and careful adherence to best practices in healthy habits and responding promptly to symptoms of illness. These efforts help to keep our school communities healthy, safe and open. Thank you for your ongoing diligence in support of the important work of our schools.

The Metrics Reopening Advisory Team discussed a variety of topics, including:

  • Ongoing Review and Updates to Our Metrics Dashboard -  We continue to have favorable trends on COVID-19 transmission rates and data within the region. For updates, please see our Metrics Reopening Team page where the dashboard and reports are posted each Monday.
  • Quarantine Protocol- As we support families and staff through implementation of the IDPH Quarantine Guidelines/span>, we continue to appreciate and benefit from everyone’s careful attention to these guidelines.  If you or a family member is ordered to quarantine by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), it is important that you adhere to these orders and the follow-up instructions provided by the CCDPH.  Adherence to the common sense rules of social distancing, mask-wearing, avoiding large gatherings, hand washing, and quarantining when ill or as directed by the CCDPH will help to keep our community healthy and allow us to continue to offer uninterrupted learning opportunities for our students.
  • Review of Response to Illness Protocol –  D39 Family Response to Illness Instructions Booklet has been published for easy reference to parents. This Booklet compiles information that is helpful to assist families in responding to symptoms of illness and has proved beneficial in supporting families and staff through action steps in response to illness. In addition, Our Metrics Team reviewed protocol for responding to and communication regarding positive COVID-19 cases. This protocol is summarized in our D39 Reopening Guide on pages 40-47.
  • COVID-19 Communication – Our team discussed and affirmed our communication plan related to COVID-19. As a reminder, an individual who is identified as a potential within-school close contact of an individual testing positive for COVID-19 is notified directly of the potential exposure and the need to quarantine immediately for 14 days.  The school community (staff and families) are then notified of the case and that communication is posted to our Metrics Reopening Team page under COVID-19 Communications.

Additional adjustments recommended by the Metrics Reopening Advisory Team include:

  • Continued development of new data collection strategies related to operational metrics, with special attention to social distancing;
  • Ongoing review of mitigation strategies within our schools, especially related to social distancing strategies, will continue to reinforce these behaviors for students and staff; and
  • Ongoing reminders to parents of the importance of diligently monitoring health symptoms and review of the D39 Family Response to Illness Instructions Booklet.

Below are a few things parents can do to help.  

  • Familiarize yourself with and adhere to the new D39 Family Response to Illness Instructions Booklet – If your child is experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, is awaiting COVID-19 test results or has been identified as a close contact to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 (or if a member of your household is experiencing symptoms or awaiting testing results), your child must remain quarantined at home.  The D39 Family Response to Illness Instructions Booklet will help to guide your next steps and what you can expect from the school.  Careful adherence to these guidelines and the documentation requested by your school nurse will help to keep everyone healthy and safe. 
  • Consider attending one of our upcoming Parent Education Sessions:
  • If you are a parent of a student within our Enhanced Fully Remote Program, please take a few moments to respond to our D39 fully remote parent survey regarding your child’s experiences thus far.  Your feedback will help guide our ongoing improvement efforts.
  • Apply to be a Substitute Teacher - Consider applying to serve as a substitute teacher in your child’s school or as a fully remote teacher.  We need your help! It’s a fun and important way to support our success. If you are interested in learning more or would like assistance with the application process, please contact Ann Grochocinski or call 847-512-6042.

Thank you again for your support as we work together to nurture the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students as well as the health of our entire community.

We are looking forward to a great week! Be well.