According to the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), vaccination is the leading prevention strategy to protect individuals from COVID-19 disease and end the COVID-19 pandemic.   Achieving high levels of COVID-19 vaccination among eligible students, as well as teachers, staff, and household members is critical to help schools safely resume full operations.  People 5 years of age and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. 

Vaccination benefits not only the individual but also schools and communities by reducing transmission. 

The District requests parents/guardians to submit COVID-19 vaccine documentation to the school building nurse to assist with contact tracing efforts. This standard protocol is also used to collect and secure other immunization or health status information from students and complies with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) statutory and regulatory requirements. 

To find more information about vaccines as well as local availability please see the Will County Department of Public Health’s Webpage.

Face Coverings are defined as cloth face coverings, N95 masks, KN95, surgical masks, or material that fully covers the face and nose as approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (“CDC Guidance”). The face-covering should have two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19. Face masks with exhalation valves or vents are not recommended. Pursuant to CDC Guidance, double layer athletic face coverings/neck warmers (Gaiters) are allowable.  Face coverings should be worn in a manner that fits snugly against the side of the face with no gaps and fully covers the mouth and nose.  Reusable face masks should be machine washed or washed by hand and allowed to completely dry after each use. Disposable face masks should only be worn once. Face coverings are considered contaminated after each use, therefore appropriate hand hygiene should be practiced immediately after every removal or replacement of the face covering. Face coverings should be changed immediately if soiled, wet, or torn.

Suggested Use

There is strong evidence demonstrating that the appropriate use of face coverings dramatically decreases the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19.  For this reason, the District recommends that face coverings be worn in all school facilities in alignment with our layered mitigation strategies. Per CDC and Will County Public Health Department, it is recommended that all individuals in a school building wear a face covering, even while maintaining social distancing, unless they have a medical contradiction, are under the age of 2 years old, have trouble breathing, or are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the face covering without assistance. 

CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, it is important to utilize layered prevention strategies. Because of the importance of in-person learning, CDC and IPDH indicate that schools should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.  Valley View School District will maximize distancing as much as possible.  

It is the top priority of Valley View School District to uphold the health and safety of its school community.  As such, in an effort to proactively prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the District will be offering on-site COVID-19 testing for its students and employees as needed.  Confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be reported to the local health department by the school nurse or designee as required by the Illinois Infectious Disease Reporting requirements issued by IDPH. Click this link to view the Notice of District COVID-19 Testing and Screening.

BinaxNOW
The District uses BinaxNOW, an antigen test that detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 infection for the assessment of onsite symptomatic students and staff, as well as identified close contacts to positive cases.  This testing is voluntary and will only be administered to symptomatic students and close contacts to positive cases with parent/guardian consent.  While BinaxNOW is the current Testing source the District is utilizing for this purpose, this on-site Testing may expand, and other Testing options may become available to the District. 

SHIELD Illinois
SHIELD is an innovative, saliva-based PCR test created by the University of Illinois that is being made available to support screening for COVID-19.  Weekly SHIELD testing is recommended for students participating in fall athletics, ROTC, choir, and band at both Bolingbrook and Romeoville High School.  It is also recommended for middle school athletics and some clubs.  Pending community transmission level and consideration of other mitigations, SHIELD testing may be expanded to include other student and staff populations.   Vaccinated students are exempt from recommended testing at this time.

You can read more about it at https://www.uillinois.edu/shield

The following bullet points summarize what Valley View has implemented to date, and mirrors the recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):

Increase outdoor air ventilation.
We recommend staff have the option to open windows where available.

Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and provide acceptable indoor air quality for the current occupancy level for each space.
Our district HVAC team monitors our computerized Building Automation System that includes real-time data related to air quality and ventilation.

Increase total airflow supply to occupied spaces, when possible.
We have made adjustments to the minimum cubic feet per minute (CFM) airflow supplied to individual classrooms that are a part of a variable air volume (VAV) system; this allows for more airflow into the building's spaces. 

Disable demand-controlled ventilation controls that reduce air supply based on occupancy or temperature during occupied hours.
We have input constant values that control outside air (OA) intake in place of outside air automatic resets. (For example, 40% constant OA instead of a modulating setpoint based on CO2. We are using higher values than standard to allow more fresh air into the spaces).

Further open minimum outdoor air dampers to reduce or eliminate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air recirculation. 
We have brought our minimum outside air (OA) percentages up as noted above, and we are constantly monitoring and increasing our minimum OA settings as the weather gets warmer and not in jeopardy of freezing out coils and equipment.

Improve central air filtration:

Increase air filtration to as high as possible without significantly diminishing design airflow.
The filter types were changed from a “minimum efficiency reporting value”, merv 8 to a merv 13 style filter, and in some cases, we are using merv 14’s in areas where the system is designed to handle a thicker, denser filter. (note; higher merv values indicate a denser media that filters smaller particles out of the air).

Check filters to ensure they are within service life and appropriately installed.
Filter changes have been increased from 3 change-outs to at least 4 change-outs annually.

Consider running the HVAC system at maximum outside airflow for two hours before and after the school is occupied.
We are currently starting the building heating or cooling systems earlier than we typically do, as well as utilizing optimal start to help offset large temperature swings.

Inspect and maintain local exhaust ventilation in areas such as restrooms, kitchens, cooking areas, etc.
Ensure through routine life safety inspections.

Use portable high-efficiency particulate air fan/filtration systems to help enhance air cleaning (especially in higher-risk areas, such as the health office).
Negative pressure HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) fan units were added to the Nurses, Main offices, And Sick Rooms of all schools.  These units are equivalent to HEPA filtration systems used in hospital settings.  

Consider that ventilation is also important on school buses.
Buses utilize the operable windows, as well as rely on the opening/closing of the door to introduce fresh air and air movement while students ride the bus. Fans are mounted at the driver’s seat, and heating/ventilation is provided on all buses, with air conditioning provided on special needs buses.

As demonstrated above, Valley View has taken significant measures to improve air quality and ventilation in our buildings, to combat the Coronavirus throughout our district. These measures are sanctioned and recommended by IDPH/ISBE published guidelines, and just as important, recommended by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), the gold standard used globally by the mechanical industry. 

According to the CDC, practicing appropriate hand hygiene, including the use of alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) or handwashing is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

The District intends to encourage frequent and proper hand hygiene by implementing the following changes:

• Ensuring availability of supplies such as soap and paper towels, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.
• Alleviating the use of cloth towels.
• Encouraging the use of handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, as much as possible and when not feasible, utilizing hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Requiring that hand hygiene occur upon entry and prior to dismissal from school, after blowing one’s nose, coughing or sneezing; following the use of the restroom; before food preparation; before and after eating; before/after routine care for another person; after contact with anyone that is sick; upon return from the playground/physical education; following the removal of face coverings or other PPE (i.e. gloves).

The District intends to utilize hand sanitizer throughout the day when hand washing is not feasible.  The District intends to take necessary precautions to ensure the safe use of hand sanitizer throughout the day.  In an effort to work collaboratively in this mission to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, the District asks that families immediately notify building administration of any health or medical concerns (i.e., allergies) that may impact the student’s use of District provided hand sanitizer. Appropriate medical documentation may be required prior to the District considering any parental requests for reasonable accommodations to the District’s hand hygiene practices.  An IEP Team, 504 Plan Team or Health Care Plan Team may meet, as needed, to consider appropriate accommodations. Please know, school staff will only disseminate school-sanctioned hand sanitizer for students’ use, unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent or designee with consent from the parent/guardian.  

The use of hand sanitizer will primarily be done under adult supervision, especially for younger students.  The Superintendent or designee will monitor the adherence to these practices.  Students found to inappropriately use hand-sanitizer will be addressed in accordance with Board policy 7.190 Student Behavior.

The District has implemented several cleaning measures in addition to our normal night cleaning, to ensure our buildings are cleaned and sanitized throughout the day and with added frequency.  Valley View has invested significantly in new cleaning technology, utilizing cleaning products that are safe for students, and safe for the environment.

Cleaning Products and Systems

• ECOLAB Facilipro Concentrated Foam Hand Soap   
• ECOLAB Facilipro Concentrated Foam Hand Sanitizer 
• Rubbermaid Commercial Products Gel Hand Sanitizer (64 oz. bottles) 
• PathoSans Electro-Chemically Activated Solutions (ECAS):
  - Pathocide Sanitizer/Disinfectant (Hypochlorous Acid Solution)
  - PathoClean Multi-purpose Cleaner (Sodium Hydroxide Solution)
  -    PathoCide® Effectiveness
• EMIST Electrostatic Sprayers
• Responder Van

Classrooms
Each classroom has a wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispenser near the door, to allow hand sanitizing upon entering and leaving the room. The product is a safe foam hand sanitizer solution.

Each classroom also has a spray bottle with cleaning solution (blue label called “PathoClean”), and another  spray bottle with sanitizer solution (yellow/green  label called “PathoCide”), and a large roll of paper towels located at the teacher’s desk, for everyday classroom usage as needed. Pathoclean is a general cleaner (think Windex or 409)- use when a general clean only is required, such as after a meal, or a non-suspected COVID clean is required. Pathocide is a sanitizer and disinfectant (think Lysol)- use when concerned that germs/virus may be left on a surface, such as after a sick child is taken to the nurse. 

Both of these products are chemical-free (unlike the Lysol and Windex/409). You can use either on any surface, depending on the need. The description below comes from the CDC:

“Cleaning” physically removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects by using soap (or detergent) and water. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

“Disinfecting” kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. 

The night crew is cleaning each weekday night and will be focusing on high-touch surfaces. This includes cleaning and sanitizing each desk surface, doorknobs, countertops, handrails, and other frequently touched surfaces. The night crew is prepared to provide deep cleaning and thorough disinfection of an area, or an entire building should that be required due to an outbreak. They will utilize electrostatic sprayers with Pathocide solution for efficient cleaning and allow for an immediate return to school for students and staff. The cleaning staff will utilize all necessary PPE such as N95 masks, gloves, and face shields when sanitizing spaces.

Common Spaces and Public Areas
Large public and common spaces have hand sanitizer dispensers in 64 oz pump bottles located at entrances and key spots. Several common spaces will also have wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers, such as cafeterias, gyms, and media centers. 

Drinking Fountains
All drinking fountains have been capped and shut off, to avoid shared usage. At least two water bottle fillers have been installed at each school; students and staff are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to school.

Restrooms
The restrooms have wall-mounted soap dispensers along with signage to remind everyone to wash their hands frequently.

Buses
Each bus is cleaned nightly by a dedicated cleaning team; the buses are cleaned utilizing electrostatic sprayers that disinfect in hard-to-reach places, along with electrochemically activated Solutions (ECAS) similar to products used inside the schools.

Responder Van
The District has a responder van; this is a vehicle that is equipped with electrostatic sprayers, electrochemical activation solution and equipment, pump sprayers, and 100-foot hose with sprayer. The van and electrostatic sprayers will be able to respond immediately should a space need special cleaning. The van will also be used for routine cleaning of playground equipment, athletic areas, bleachers, and any other outdoor/indoor general need.

Cleaning for Positive Cases
Areas of the school used by a COVID-19 positive individual will be closed off until proper cleaning and disinfection procedures have been completed.  All areas utilized by the COVID-19 positive person will be cleaned/disinfected (bathrooms, common areas, etc.).  In many cases, the disinfecting will commence immediately after the district is informed of the positive case. Facility Operations will dispatch cleaning staff and they will utilize the electrostatic sprayers to disinfect all identified areas that the positive person came in contact with. 

Additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary if more than 24 hours have elapsed since the COVID-19 positive person visited or used the school.

Staff are encouraged to frequently clean their spaces with the sanitizing products provided by the district.   If a staff member or student exhibits ill symptoms, staff are encouraged to sanitize the spaces utilized by the individual.

In an effort to ensure the health and safety of our school community, Valley View Community Unit School District 365U continues to seek the support of all of its community members, especially when it comes to symptom screening and remaining home when demonstrating COVID-like symptoms.  Individuals demonstrating any COVID-like symptoms should refrain from entering any school facilities or transportation vehicles.  

What is Symptom Monitoring?

Symptom Monitoring requires all parents/guardians to monitor their students for symptoms and to keep students home if they: 

1. Have received a confirmed diagnosis for coronavirus (COVID-19) by a coronavirus (COVID-19) test or from a diagnosis by a healthcare professional in the past 5 days, or are awaiting test results.
2. Have had close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 5 days.
3. Are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms: Fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of sense of taste or smell, fatigue from an unknown cause, muscle or body aches from an unknown cause. 

If your student is experiencing any of the above symptoms, has had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, or is COVID positive, or awaiting test results, your student must remain home.  Please report the absence to the school and report your student’s COVID-like symptoms.  

Students who display COVID-like symptoms, including a fever of 100.4 or higher, will NOT be permitted to enter school facilities or transportation vehicles. 

Students who arrive at school demonstrating COVID-like symptoms will be assessed and may need to be picked up.

It is the District’s expectation that parents/guardians will arrive in a timely fashion when contacted by the school due to their student’s display of COVID-like symptoms.  If emergency medical attention is needed, the District may need to utilize an emergency vehicle to transport.

Staff Wellness Protocols

The health and safety of our employees and school community remains our top priority. Valley View School District is committed to providing employees a safe and healthy work environment, to the greatest extent possible. Together we share a responsibility to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community. Information regarding the protocols for staff reporting of COVID-like symptoms, COVID-19 exposure, and COVID-19 positive illness can be found on the District’s Human Resources page.

Student Wellness Protocols

It is the District’s utmost priority to keep the entire school community safe and healthy during this pandemic.  As such, the District intends to adhere to the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) with consultation from the Will County Health Department regarding proper attendance and quarantine procedures.  

Attendance

The District will be closely monitoring attendance during this time. When reporting absences, parents/guardians should report whether the student is absent because of COVID-like symptoms, COVID-19 diagnosis, or COVID-19 exposure.  Individuals monitoring attendance will be responsible for documenting the reason for absence.  Individuals monitoring attendance will then notify relevant school personnel of the reason for the absence who will then contact relevant health officials. Prior to a student’s return to school, the parent/guardian must contact the school nurse to confirm the improvement of symptoms and/or that other criteria for discontinuation of quarantine have been met. 

Student Quarantine & Isolation Expectations

Given the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, the District intends to adhere to CDC and ISBE/IDPH guidance, with consultation from the Will County Health Department, as it relates to the expectation for a student to remain home (quarantine) due to demonstration of COVID-like symptoms, diagnosis of COVID-19, being evaluated for COVID-19, or has come in close contact with someone with COVID-19. A Close Contact generally means an individual who was within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable case for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period.  However, the CDC has established exceptions to this definition excluding the following as a Close Contact: 

• A student who was within 3 to 6 feet in a classroom setting for at least 15 minutes with a confirmed or probable student case if both individuals were consistently masked for the entire exposure period.  
• Students and staff aged 18 years and older who are fully vaccinated.  An individual is fully vaccinated when they have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters for any individual who completed the Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccination series more than five months ago, the Moderna primary vaccination series more than past five months ago, or Johnson & Johnson Janssen’s primary vaccination dose more than two months ago (and additional primary doses for some immunocompromised people). 
• A student aged 5-17 who completed the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine. 
• An individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days from the date of exposure.
• An individual who is solely exposed to a confirmed case while outdoors. Valley View School District will coordinate with the Will County Health Department to determine the necessity of exclusion for higher-risk outdoor exposures. 
• A student’s anticipated date of return to school buildings/facilities and in-person extracurricular activities will be determined by the school administrator or designee based on the following expectations: 

A student that was confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 must:

• Complete 5 calendar days of isolation from the date of the first symptom or onset, or if asymptomatic, the date of the specimen collection; and
• Be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
• Be free of vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours; and
• Demonstrate that other symptoms have improved.
• Wear well-fitting masks indoors and outdoors days 6-10.  If unable to wear a mask upon return, the student must isolate for the 10 days from onset of symptoms, or if asymptomatic, the date of specimen collection.
• Return to sports/extracurriculars as long as the student is asymptomatic and can remain masked and physically distanced until day 11. 

A student who experienced COVID-like symptoms but received an alternative non-COVID-19 diagnosis must:

• Meet the criteria for returning to school for the illness with which they were diagnosed.
• At a minimum, be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication; and
• Have had no diarrhea or vomiting in the previous 24 hours.
• Provide a negative PCR or antigen COVID-19 test result.  

A student with COVID-like symptoms that did NOT get tested for COVID-19 must:  

• Complete 5 calendar days of isolation from the date of the first symptom onset; and
• Be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
• Have had no diarrhea or vomiting in the previous 24 hours;
• Demonstrate that the other symptoms have improved.
• Wear well-fitting masks on days 6-10. If unable to wear a mask upon return, the student must isolate for 10 days.
• Return to sports/extracurriculars as long as the student is asymptomatic and can remain masked and physically distanced until day 11. 

Unvaccinated student, or student ages 18 or older who has not received the recommended vaccine doses including recommended boosters, was a close contact to someone with COVID-19 should:  

• Recommended to complete 5 days of quarantine calculated from the date of the last contact and demonstrate no COVID-9 symptoms. It is recommended that students test for COVID-19 on day 5, if possible.
• Recommended to wear well-fitting masks indoors and outdoors days 6-10. If unable to wear a mask upon return, the student should quarantine for 10 days.
• Return to sports/extracurriculars as long as the student is asymptomatic and can remain masked and physically distanced. 

*Students that feel well enough during periods of quarantine and isolation are encouraged to participate in remote learning opportunities until they can return to in-person learning. Remote learning is only available to students undergoing isolation/quarantine. Information will come directly from the schools regarding what this will look like for your quarantined or isolated student.

Procedures For Addressing Individuals Who Demonstrate Symptoms

Any individuals within the school environment who show symptoms will immediately be separated from the rest of the school community and escorted to the nurse’s office or other designated space. BinaxNOW antigen testing will be made available and conducted with parental consent. Students being sent home will remain in the nurse’s office or other designated space until their parent/authorized individual picks them up.

Parents/guardians notified that their student is demonstrating COVID-like symptoms during the school day and are being sent home must pick their student up within a timely manner.  Students will be supervised and monitored by an adult while in the area until a parent/authorized individual arrives. Students demonstrating COVID-like symptoms will not be allowed to utilize school transportation or public transportation for their return trip home. Failure to pick a student up in a reasonable timeframe may lead school administration to call for an emergency vehicle to transport the student to a hospital for monitoring. 

If an ill individual was tested within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, and they are awaiting results, household members do not need to be sent home unless there is a high suspicion the ill person has COVID-19 (e.g., they are a known Close Contact, they have lost sense of taste and smell). Pending test results (if the test is performed within the first 24 hours), household members can remain in school with consistent use of well-fitting masks both indoors and outdoors. 

If the ill household member tests positive for COVID-19, then any unvaccinated household members will be excluded from the school immediately and treated as a close contact. The quarantine period begins from the last date of the siblings/household members’ infectious period. Please contact the school administrator or designee with updates on all household members before returning students to school buildings/facilities or in-person extracurricular activities. 

Asymptomatic household members who previously tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to be excluded if it has been fewer than 90 days since the date symptoms began or the date of specimen collection (if they were asymptomatic).

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be reported to the local health department by the school nurse or designee as required by the Illinois Infectious Disease Reporting requirements issued by IDPH.

As has been communicated through our return to school plan and at recent School Board meetings, this is a reminder that students will only be able to remotely view classroom instruction if they are under a quarantine or isolation protocol due to COVID-19. 

K-12+ students that are under a quarantine or isolation protocol due to COVID-19 will access classroom instruction remotely via Zoom. Teachers will share the Zoom link with families/students that have been informed that a student is quarantined/isolated within a 24-hour period. Please note that only students that are quarantining/isolated due to COVID-19 will be provided remote instruction. 

In elementary, quarantined/isolated students will join the Zoom link for Morning Meeting, and the whole group portion of ELA and Math blocks each day of their quarantine/isolation. The Zoom link will be shared with students and their families via Seesaw. Materials for students in quarantine/isolation may be made available for pick up at school as needed. 

In middle and high school, quarantined/isolated students will join the Zoom meeting for each block/period similar to regular in-person attendance. For certain courses in middle and high school that utilize mostly hands-on activities, please note that other streaming options and/or independent projects may be used instead of Zoom to engage quarantined/isolated students in learning. Learning materials will be made available via Google Classroom and for pick up at school as needed.

It is recommended that all visitors to Valley View Schools and facilities wear a face covering. Prior to entrance into a school building/facility, visitors will also be expected to self-certify that they:

1. Have not received a confirmed diagnosis for coronavirus (COVID-19) by a coronavirus (COVID-19) test or from a diagnosis by a healthcare professional in the past 5 days, nor suspect they are COVID-19 positive.
2. Have not had close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 5 days.
3. Are not experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms (to include: a fever (100.4 or higher), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other COVID-19 symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
4. Are not currently under an isolation or quarantine protocol.

Visitors that cannot affirm all five (5) of the abovementioned self-certification requirements will not be permitted entrance into the building/facility.

Denial of Entrance
The District maintains the right to deny entrance to or seek the removal from any school building/facility for failure to adhere to the aforementioned health and safety requirements.  

Adaptive Pause
If an unsafe environment arises, the Superintendent, with consultation with the local health department may determine it is necessary for individual schools or the entire District to enter into an adaptive pause and provide remote learning.  In general, an adaptive pause may not be necessary if the school follows all recommended mitigation strategies.  However, if a large number of new cases makes it difficult for the school and the local health department to conduct prompt investigations to identify and to exclude close contacts, or if there is an unsafe environment due to lack of masking and/or testing, adaptive pause may be used to support the health and safety of all individuals. Schools will refrain from implementing all activities, including extracurricular activities during the adaptive pause.