Oswego School District 308 administrators unveil back-to-school COVID-19 safety plan

The plan to bring Oswego School District 308 students safely into the classroom for the 2021-2022 school year was made public Monday evening.

Director of Communications and Public Relations Theresa Komitas presented the plan to the public and the Board of Education at its Aug. 9 meeting at Oswego East High School. Prior to the meeting, parents, community members and students both against and in support of masks in schools gathered outside of the building, many mask supporters dressed in purple and opponents in red and black.

A summarized version of the plan, as well as an in-depth look, can be viewed online through the district’s website.

District officials had previously confirmed the district will be following Governor JB Pritzker’s mandate requiring face masks for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status, but had not revealed other portions of the plan prior to the Aug. 9 meeting.

Mitigation measures that will be employed by the district include: Cleaning and sanitization; promoting handwashing and respiratory etiquette; increased ventilation in buildings; adapting classroom layouts; implementing procedures for visitors and volunteers; wearing masks when the risk of the virus is increased; promoting the COVID-19 vaccine and social distancing; and using personal protective equipment.

COVID-19 metrics for the district will be evaluated in two-week intervals, to “reflect trends rather than sharp increases or decreases”, according to the plan. Metrics will continue to be reported for the district and its service area on the OSD 308 website, and will consist of a 14-day average of new cases per 100,000 population for the four zip codes that are located within the district.

Mitigation changes will be announced no later than the Thursday prior to the week that the changes would take effect.

Students and staff who display “COVID-like symptoms” are recommended to get tested for COVID-19, or consult a healthcare provider for an alternative diagnosis.

“Without a negative test or alternative diagnosis, individual(s) must complete 10 calendar days of isolation and be fever-free for 24 hours with improved symptoms before returning to school,” the plan states.

Different options have been put into place for students and staff who may have been exposed to COVID-19, ranging from the “Test to Stay” option, only available with universal masking where the exposed individual would need to be tested on the first, third, fifth, and seventh day since their exposure. Other options include 14, 10, or seven days with no presence at school or school events.

Testing is not required for the 14-day quarantine plan, but is recommended under the 10-day guidance. Those under a seven-day quarantine are required to take a PCR test on or after the fifth day since their exposure.

A positive test result for COVID-19 will require 10 days of isolation from the onset of symptoms for the individual and a resolution of fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and with the improvement of other symptoms.

“Vaccination status does not negate the isolation requirement following a positive test result,” the plan states.

Plans for eating lunch will differ if a student is in elementary or secondary school.

In elementary schools, students will eat lunch spaced three feet apart, while students in secondary school will have their choice of a socially distanced space to eat or a traditional lunchroom setting. “Eating surfaces”, the plan states, “will be cleaned as often as feasible throughout the lunch serving periods, sanitizing wipes are available in eating areas for student use as desired.”

The district’s plan, according to the presentation, is subject to change based upon “new or changing guidance from local, state, or federal health authorities, or as needed in response to increasing trends or outbreak of COVID-19 within the schools and/or community.”