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Click HERE to read the update in Spanish.

Kahok Families, 

The first two weeks of school are always exciting!  Extreme heat and a full moon always add hurdles, but there is nothing better than seeing our schools full of activity as we take another step toward a normal school year.  Yes, things look a little different, but the positive interactions among students, their peers and staff were a much-needed boost for everyone! 

The district will continue our efforts to provide transparent communication to families regarding the health of our students and staff.  Please click the COVID-19 Dashboard on our website to find weekly updates on positive cases and exclusions.  This data will be updated at the end of each week.

A point of clarification: the Governor’s announcement yesterday – requiring all school employees to be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID testing – does not affect our PreK-12 students.

The district is once again partnering with the Madison County Health Department to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on September 1st at Collinsville Middle School from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Everyone twelve years or older is eligible to attend.  Children twelve to seventeen years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  Please visit www.madison.chd.org to schedule an appointment.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

One of the best sights at the start of the school year is seeing our students participate in middle school baseball, softball, and cross country; as well as high school cross country, golf, tennis, swimming, band, soccer, football and volleyball.  We have missed many things in the past 18 months. I don’t think we realized how much we missed our families, community members and students cheering on the sidelines until we experienced it last week at the Collinsville High School Kahok Kickoff.  This was a great reminder of the love and passion that resonates throughout Kahok Nation for our students!  

Finally, I want to remind you there is no school on Monday, September 6th, in observance of Labor Day.  Students will return on Tuesday, September 7th.  Enjoy the three-day weekend when it arrives and please be safe.  Thank you for your constant dedication to our students, have a great weekend, and don’t forget to wear your purple and show your Kahok Pride!

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich, Ed.D.
Superintendent   

The post August 27, 2021 Update from Dr. Skertich appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

While our plan specifies guidelines for our staff, students and buildings to follow, everyone’s health and safety is dependent on each individual. To review the complete Wellness Plan for Return to Learn in the 2021-22 school year, see the district’s full Return to Learn document.  For information and resources pertaining to COVID-19, click HERE.

Health Certification

Up-to-date COVID-19 requirements and policies are outlined in the latest issue of the CUSD 10 2021-22 Return to Learn Plan.  Click here to read the complete plan. 

Please note the following:

Masks are recommended to be worn indoors by all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to Pre-K-12 schools who are two years of age or older and medically able to tolerate a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

In order to attend school, all students must be screened by their parents for symptoms of COVID-19 and other criteria.  All staff must also screen themselves for this criteria prior to reporting to work.  By attending school, all students and staff are certifying that they meet the following criteria:

1. They do not have a temperature 100.4℉ or higher.
2. They are not taking fever-reducing medicines, such as those that contain aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, in order to reduce his/her fever.
3. They have not been directed to self-quarantine by a healthcare provider.
4. They have not been directed to self-quarantine by the County or State Department of Public Health.
5. They do not have any of the following symptoms:

Students and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms are to follow the CDC guidelines to determine when they can return to school. Please see the COVID-19 Return to School Flowchart below. (Click HERE for flowchart in Spanish)

At-School Point-of-Care Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Testing for Students & Staff

For more information and a link to parent consent form,  please see “Rapid Point-of-Care Antigen Testing” on page 12 of the district’s Return to Learn Plan. (English) OR (Spanish) 

Click the image below to see information and step-by-step videos produced by CUSD 10 Health Staff:

IDPH Guidance

Use THIS LINK for Illinois Department of Health COVID-19 guidance for schools.

COVID-19 Training for Students

Physical Distancing

CUSD #10 students and staff are expected to maintain physical distancing to the greatest extent possible keeping in mind the recommendation of 6 feet apart  throughout the school day. Signage reminding staff, visitors and students to maintain physical distancing is placed at all entrances, in classrooms and throughout other common areas.

Face Coverings

CUSD #10 understands that physical distancing will not be possible for all circumstances. Students and staff are required to properly wear masks.  A student’s refusal or repeated failure to wear a face covering will result in the student being placed on 100% Remote Learning.  Please note:  Some public health studies have determined a “gator” style face scarf is NOT as effective as a mask.  Students and staff will not be permitted to wear a gator unless a mask is worn beneath it.  

Hand Hygiene

Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing is key to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Students and staff will be instructed in the proper hand-washing technique.  Everyone must avoid touching their mouth, eyes or nose as much as possible. Staff and students are required to use hand sanitizer upon entering the classroom each time. Hand sanitizer is provided by the District. Each building has signage reminding everyone of the need for proper hand hygiene.

The post COVID-19 Health appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Español

Kahok Families,

The school year has been anything but conventional since August as our students have transitioned in and out of various  learning settings.  While we prepared for this throughout the summer internally, and continually shared information with families regarding what to expect, it doesn’t become reality until each change occurs.  At that point, regardless whether the shift is to  something we’ve already experienced or to something new, the change adds additional stress to our families, students and staff.   

Everyone’s efforts have collectively allowed our students to receive face to face, live or recorded instruction, as well as social emotional support, as we navigate this pandemic.  We are beyond grateful for the passion and dedication demonstrated for our students, and never take these efforts for granted.    

We will transition to Full Remote learning beginning Monday, December 7 until our scheduled Winter Break begins on December 23rd.  Over the next few weeks, the district will evaluate the learning setting most appropriate for the start of 2nd semester in January.  The impact of family gatherings that occur over Winter Break, and how they may impact the health of our staff and students, will factor into the district’s next steps.  A plan will be finalized and provided to families the week of December 21st.

Although we will not have students in our buildings the last 12 school days this semester, we are still asking families to communicate with your child(ren)’s respective school(s) if they test positive, are symptomatic, or considered a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.  This information will allow the district to continually monitor the health of our students and staff and drive district and building-specific learning setting decisions for the second semester. Please visit the district’s COVID-19 Dashboard that will be updated on our website each Friday.  

Nothing about this situation has been easy, but our Kahok family of  Educators has – and continues to – come up with incredible ways to help educate our students during a pandemic. Please check out the resources shared on our Learning Resources/Help website page. You will find links to resources recommended or created by CUSD 10 staff to provide you and your child(ren) with additional support and ideas for creative online learning.  

While you’re there, take a few minutes to visit the district’s virtual STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Room.  The site provides countless activities children can do at home individually or with their entire family.  Move your cursor throughout the page and over each item, you will be amazed at what is available.  As a side note, make sure you find the “StoryBots” musical take on the sun, moon, earth and solar system.  It is equally enjoyable, as it is educational for all ages!

Finally, you should have received information regarding the Rapid Point-of-Care Antigen Testing program we will begin administering in the second semester to students and staff who exhibit COVID-19  symptoms. There is complete information about the program, including the parent/guardian prior consent form, on our COVID-19 Health page. The page also covers important COVID-19 information, the daily student health certification checklist and Illinois Department of Health exclusion chart.  

Please be safe, wear a mask, wash your hands, and social distance.  Don’t forget to wear your purple and show your Kahok Pride.  Please be safe!   

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich Ed.D.
Superintendent

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