Morris High School superintendent informs families of district policies

Morris Community High School

MORRIS – Morris Community High School District 101 Superintendent Craig Ortiz sent the following letter out to families in the district Thursday:

Dear MCHS Families:

With the new school year quickly approaching, I am writing to share our plans for the fall. These guidelines are very similar to what many area school districts are planning. I am in frequent communication with other superintendents, with legal counsel and with our local health department. Each day brings new information, so please keep in mind this plan is subject to change at any time.

• All students will be provided a full day of in-person instruction.

• As long as supported by local health data, mask usage is recommended for unvaccinated individuals, but there will be no universal mask mandate for students and staff at school. We will continue to monitor this in the coming weeks.

• The CDC/IDPH requires masks for all students and staff on any school district transportation, including buses, driver education vehicles, vans, etc.

• Individuals will not be required to disclose their COVID vaccination status to school district officials. However, students and staff may wish to voluntarily provide proof of vaccination status to avoid a mandatory quarantine due to close contact with a COVID-positive person. A copy of students’ vaccination records can be submitted to our school nurse, Ms. Tracy Steffes, at tsteffes@morrishs.org or delivered to the high school office.

• Students who are absent from school due to quarantine will be afforded the same opportunity to make up work as for other excused absences. There will be no livestreaming of classes.

• The district will continue with the following health and safety strategies: social distancing of at least 3 feet when possible.

• Encouraging parents/guardians to self-check their children daily for COVID symptoms prior to school and keeping them home if they display symptoms.

• Mandatory quarantines for COVID-positive students and staff pursuant to IDPH guidance.

• Mandatory quarantines for unvaccinated individuals in close contact with a COVID-positive person or those with COVID symptoms, pursuant to IDPH guidance.

• Encouraging and practicing proper hand-washing and respiratory hygiene.

• Ensuring proper ventilation to the extent possible.

• Practicing proper cleaning and disinfection.

• Voluntary community-based COVID testing program for symptomatic students and staff.

• In accordance with CDC guidance, age-eligible students (currently age 12 and older) are encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

• The district will continuously monitor local health data and consult with local public health officials. Should the data require increased mitigations (e.g., mask mandate, increased social distancing, changes in lunch service, remote learning, etc.), the district will make such changes to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff.

• As was the case last spring, all sophomores through seniors will have the open campus option for lunch. Freshmen are required to eat lunch in the cafeteria.

• The school year will begin with students having access to their lockers. This could change later in the year if necessary.

This is great news, especially compared to where we were last year. Nevertheless, we are still navigating this pandemic. It is not uncommon for there to be illnesses at the start of every school year. I cannot stress enough the importance of staying home when sick to minimize the impact on other students and staff. Please help us out with this.

We look forward to having all of our students back on campus on Aug. 18. Please stay tuned to emails for any updates.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Craig R. Ortiz, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Morris Community High School District 101