The District has implemented several new cleaning measures in addition to our normal night cleaning, to ensure our buildings are cleaned and sanitized throughout the day and with added frequency: COVID-19 Prevention & Protection Measures. 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)
• EMIST Electrostatic Sprayers
• Responder Van

Day Porters
Each school has at least one “day porter” whose responsibility is to provide on-going sanitizing and cleaning of high touch surfaces in hallways, bathrooms, cafeterias, stairways, and other public and common spaces. The day porter is assigned to the school throughout the day, while class is in session, to ensure frequent and effective sanitization. The day porter is also responsible for assisting in disinfection of a room or area if a student or staff member becomes symptomatic while in the building. On a routine daily basis, the day porter is cleaning and disinfecting according to this checklist: VVSD Day Porter Checklist.

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 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 focusing on high touch surfaces. This includes cleaning and sanitizing each desk surface, door knobs, countertops, handrails and other 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. The day porters will be cleaning these spaces during the day as part of their routine. When the cafeterias are used for meals, they will assist the district’s building maintenance team in cleaning and throwing out trash.

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.

Busses
Each bus is cleaned nightly by a dedicated cleaning team; the busses 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 purchased a responder van; this is a vehicle that is equipped with electrostatic sprayers, electrochemical activation solution and equipment, UV lights, 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.

Face Coverings are defined as cloth face coverings, N95 masks, surgical masks, or material that fully covers the mouth and nose as approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Pursuant to IDPH Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) issued on August 12, 2020 and CDC guidance, athletic face coverings/neck warmers should not be used as a substitute for cloth face coverings as it is unknown if these items provide any benefit to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. Additionally, masks with exhalation valves and vents should not be worn.  Face coverings should have two or more layers and must 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 faces masks should be machine washed or washed by hand and allowed to completely dry after each use.  Personal cloth face coverings should be stored between uses in a clean sealable paper bag or breathable container. Disposable face masks should only be worn once. Face coverings are considered contaminated after each use, therefore appropriate hand hygiene must be practiced immediately after ever removal or replacement of the face covering. Face coverings should be changed immediately if soiled, wet, or torn.

Expected 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, Valley View CUSD is committed to adhering to the face covering guidelines established in the Joint Guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). As outlined in this guidance, the District will require all individuals in a school building or utilizing school transportation 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.  

Face coverings may be removed in limited situations.  These include:

• While eating/drinking in District identified times/locations
• While participating in limited band activities, as necessary
• While outside when social distancing of at least six feet can be maintained
• While individuals are experiencing trouble breathing.
• Reasonable Accommodations
• If using a face shield when other methods of protection are not available or appropriate. 

The District acknowledges that there will be some individuals that cannot tolerate face masks due to medical conditions or disability conditions, or who present other justified reasons for not being able to wear a face covering.  If such conditions exist, the District may permit these individuals to use alternatives to face coverings such as a face shield or other reasonable accommodations. For a student with a medical condition or a disability, the IEP Team, 504 Team or health plan team will be responsible for considering what, if any, accommodations need to be made to the face covering expectations.  All determinations regarding the provision of such accommodations will require the individual to submit the District's Face Covering Accommodation Form to their school for consideration.  For adults with a medical condition or disability that cannot tolerate face masks, the expectation is that these individuals submit a physician’s note outlining the medical condition and accommodation that requires a deviation from this policy. All determinations of the provision of such accommodations of adults will be made at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee. The District will adhere to all state and federal law as it pertains to its considerations of reasonable accommodation requests. 

Staff working with students who are unable to wear a face covering or shield due to a medical contraindication should wear approved PPE and maintain appropriate social distance as much as possible. Students should also remain socially distanced from students who are unable to wear a face covering or face shield due to a medical contraindication.

Failure to Comply
Failure to adhere to the District’s expectations as it relates to face coverings will constitute a violation of the District’s health and safety policies. Student refusal to wear a mask will constitute a violation of Board Policy 7.190 Student Behavior as such action “interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or educational function” and “endanger[s] the health or safety of students, staff, or school property”. Refusal to adhere to the terms of this policy will prevent the individual from entering district building/facilities/transportation vehicles until the individual is willing to demonstrate compliance.  If a student removes his/her face covering during times other than those outlined above and does not have a medical condition or disability requiring a reasonable accommodation, the student will be given three (3) warnings to put his/her face covering back on.  After the third warning, whether in a single day or multiple days, and the student still refuses to comply, the student will be sent home.  The student will be allowed to return to school with a face covering the next scheduled school day after the third warning was issued.  If the student again refuses to keep his/her face covering on during school hours and at school events on a subsequent day, the student will be expected to participate in remote learning for the remainder of the semester.

The District will adhere to the same expectations outlined in Board Policy 7.160 Student Appearance, as it pertains to student dress code expectations with regards to appropriate designs or images displayed on masks. Specifically, the images/designs displayed on the mask must not disrupt the educational process, interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate or compromise reasonable standards of health, safety and decency.

Resources
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/FAQ-Part-3-Transition-Guidance.pdf

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Part-3-Transition-Planning-Phase-4.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/cloth-face-covering.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprevent-getting-sick%2Fcloth-face-cover-faq.html

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IDPH-School-FAQs.pdf

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 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).  In an effort to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, Valley View Community Unit School District (the “District”) intends to adhere to the recommendations outlined in the Joint Guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), as well as their subsequent FAQ document with regards to proper hand hygiene.

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 Team or Health Plan Team may meet, as needed, to consider appropriate accommodations. Please know, school staff will only disseminate school sanctioned hand sanitizer for student’s 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.

**All practices outlined herein may be changed in light of updated ISBE, IDPH and/or CDC guidance**

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 issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Joint Guidance Document regarding proper attendance and quarantine procedures.  

Attendance
Pursuant to ISBE/IDPH Joint Guidance and the CDC Guidance, 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 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 strictly adhere to ISBE/IDPH and CDC guidance as it relates to a student’s requirement 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.   Students will also be asked to quarantine if they have traveled to a CDC Level 3 or 4 International location.

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 10 calendar days of isolation from the date of the first symptom onset; and
• Be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications;  and
• Other symptoms have improved.

A student who experienced COVID-like symptoms but was not diagnosed with COVID-19 must:

• Meet the criteria for returning to school for the illness with which they were diagnosed.
• At minimum, the student must 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.
• Must provide a note from a qualified medical professional documenting the alternative diagnosis and no suspicion of COVID-19; or
• Provide a negative COVID-19 test result collected within 48 hours of symptom onset.

A student with COVID-like symptoms that did NOT get tested for COVID-19 and who did NOT provide a note from a qualified medical professional indicating an alternative diagnosis must:  

• Complete 10 calendar days of isolation from the date of the first symptom onset; and
• Be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications; and
• Other symptoms have improved.

Given the potential exposure to COVID-19, if one sibling/household member is being evaluated for COVID-19, the rest of the household must quarantine until an alternative diagnosis is made or a negative result is received.  If the sick student becomes a confirmed case or a probable case, siblings/household members will be expected to quarantine for a minimum of 14 calendar days. 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.  Students that feel well enough are encouraged  to participate in remote learning until they can return to in-person learning.

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.  Students will be escorted by an adult wearing appropriate PPE to the school designated Health Waiting Room. Students will remain in this space until their parent/authorized individual picks them up.  

Parents/guardians notified that their student is demonstrating COVID-like symptoms during the school day must pick their student up within a timely manner.  Students will be supervised and monitored by an adult while in the Health Waiting Room 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. 

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.

Cleaning
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.).  Pursuant to ISBE/IDPH guidance, for confirmed COVID-19 positive cases, the District may wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting the space if possible, or wait as long as possible. In many cases, the disinfecting will commence immediately after the district is informed of the positive case. Facility Operations will dispatch cleaning staff, and along with the day porter, they will utilize the electrostatic sprayers to disinfect all identified areas that the positive person came in contact with. The classroom/space will remain closed off, and after hours, the night cleaning crew will then further clean and sanitize the space using cloth and spray bottles to clean, followed by electrostatic spraying to sanitize, and allowed to air dry on all  surfaces overnight. This three step process will enable the classroom/space to be used by the following morning.

Additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary if more than seven (7) days 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.

Health Spaces For Ill & Well Students
Each school will create a separate space for ill students, the Health Waiting Room.  Only essential staff and students should utilize the space.  School staff should call the health office or designated space for ill students ahead of sending students or implement an online pass process to ensure the capacity of the health office to handle additional visitors while maintaining appropriate social distancing and separation requirements. 

During this time, in an effort to ensure schools are maintaining a safe space between individuals demonstrating COVID-like symptoms and well individuals, basic health conditions and first aid will be conducted in the classroom or in an alternate setting.  In an effort to keep students in place, staff will be provided first-aid materials (band-aids, gauze, etc.) to utilize in times of need. Students reporting to the health office for medical management (medication, tube feeding, assessment of injury, etc.) will be treated in a separate clean designated area inside or outside of the health office to prevent contact with potentially ill individuals.  These areas will be routinely cleaned.  High-touch surfaces will be cleaned daily with appropriate disinfectant. Staff will be required to adhere to strict hand hygiene practices between every student encounter.

School safety drills are a key component to ensuring our school community will be prepared in emergency situations.  These drills provide important learning experiences on what to do when faced with an emergency.  Therefore, pursuant to ISBE provided direction, the District is committed to moving forward with these drills during the 2020-21 school year. Below is a summary of what students, teachers and parents can expect for each of the required school safety drills.

Fire Drill
Fire drills prepare students and school personnel for situations that occur when conditions outside of the school building are safer than those inside the school building.  These drills require the evacuation of students and staff from the building.  It is the District’s intent to work collaboratively with the fire department to develop a walk-through process for this drill, potentially without the alarm. This drill will be conducted on multiple days to ensure that students attending on A &B days have the opportunity to participate.   During this drill, classes will exit one at a time until all classes have completed the drill.  Classes will follow social distancing and face covering practices while exiting the building and waiting outside.  Changes to this plan may be made based on updates to ISBE/IDPH guidance.

Shelter-in-Place Drills
Shelter-in-Place drills prepare students and school personnel for possible tornado and other severe weather incidents.  These drills are required to be held once a year at each school building housing students. This drill will be conducted on multiple days to ensure that students attending on A &B days have the opportunity to participate.  This drill will be completed on a class by class basis. Social distancing and face covering practices will be implemented during this drill. Changes to this plan may be made based on updates to ISBE/IDPH guidance.

Bus Evacuation Drills
Bus evacuation drills prepare students and school personnel for situations that occur when conditions outside of the bus are safer than inside the bus.  This drill will be conducted on multiple days to ensure that students attending on A &B days have the opportunity to participate.  Social distancing and face covering practices will be implemented during this drill. Buses will be cleaned between each class. The District must conduct at least one bus evacuation drill each year. Changes may be made to this plan based on updates to ISBE/IDPH guidance.

Law Enforcement Drills
Law Enforcement Drills address an active threat or active shooter within the school. These drills prepare school personnel for situations calling for the involvement of law enforcement when conditions inside a school building are safer than outside of a school building and it is necessary to protect building occupants from potential dangers in the school. These drills must occur within the first 90 days of school. The District will work collaboratively with local law enforcement to conduct a modified walk-through of our buildings with the students that are in attendance on that day. Changes may be made to this plan based on updates to ISBE/IDPH guidance.

In an effort to ensure the health and safety of our school community, Valley View Community Unit School District (the “District”) requires the support of all of its community members, especially when it comes to symptom screening and remaining home when demonstrating COVID-like symptoms. According to the Joint Guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) their subsequent FAQ document, and the IDPH FAQ the District must conduct temperature/symptom screenings or require self-certification and verification for all staff, students and visitors entering school buildings or utilizing school transportation vehicles. Individuals demonstrating one or more COVID-like symptoms may not enter any school facilities.

COVID-like symptoms include but are not limited to:

• A new or worsening cough
• Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
• New Congestion/Runny Nose
• Fever over 100.4 or Chills
• Sore Throat
• Fatigue from an unknown cause
• Muscle/Body Ache
• New onset of severe to moderate headaches
• New Loss of Taste/Smell
• Nausea, Vomiting, or Diarrhea
• Abdominal Pain from an Unknown Cause

Individuals that can display medical documentation indicating that the symptoms they are demonstrating are caused by alternative diagnosis or pre-existing condition may be permitted entrance into the school building/facility at school administration or designee’s discretion.

The District has elected to utilize the self-certification process to verify that all individuals entering the building are symptom free.  Self-certification will require all parents to verify that their students:

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 10 days, nor awaiting test results.
   
   
2. Have not had close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
   
   
3. Are not experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms (which are new symptoms not related to a chronic condition) which include but are not limited to a fever (100.4 or higher), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue from an unknown cause, muscle and body aches, a new onset of severe to moderate headaches, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, new congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain from an unknown cause or any other COVID-19 symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Given the widespread, ongoing transmission of COVID-19, the District may determine it necessary to limit access to buildings/facilities to individuals who have traveled internationally in the past 14 calendar days.  Currently this international quarantine is limited to students who have traveled to a CDC Level 3 or 4 warning area.

Self-certification MUST occur on a daily basis for students to enter school buildings/facilities. Students will be provided District authorized wristbands that will be used for the self-certification process.  Students who can answer yes to all three (3) of the above self-certification questions will be expected to wear the District provided wristband throughout the entirety of the school day, including while riding on school transportation or participating in extracurricular activities.  Nothing will preclude the District from taking necessary disciplinary actions as authorized in Board policy 7.190 (Student Behavior) against students refusing to properly wear the District provided wristband.

Students that do not provide proof of self-certification will undergo temperature checks prior to entering any school facilities.  Students that do NOT display a fever of 100.4 or higher or any other COVID-like symptoms may be provided an additional  wristband, if needed, and may enter the building.  Students will be expected to wear the provided wristband for the remainder of the day, on their person, including on school transportation vehicles and extracurricular activities. 

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

Students that arrive at school demonstrating COVID-like symptoms will be isolated while parents are contacted.  It is the District’s expectation that parents will arrive in a timely fashion when contacted by the school due to their student’s display of COVID-like symptoms.  Failure to arrive in a timely fashion may require the District to utilize an emergency vehicle to remove the student from the school in a safe and timely manner.

The Building Principal or designee will be responsible for keeping an accurate record of the students that arrived without wristbands, including which students were provided a wristband because they did not demonstrate a fever and which students had to be isolated due to a fever/COVID-like symptoms.

The Superintendent or designee will be responsible for monitoring the compliance of these practices.  Failure to adhere to these expectations may lead the District to prohibit the entry of that individual into school buildings/facilities/transportation vehicles until there is a demonstrated commitment of compliance. 

The District will work collaboratively with the local health department to conduct contact tracing.  Contact tracing involves identifying people who have confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 and the people with whom they have had close contact.  This process requires individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 to identify all individuals that they may have had close contact within the two days prior to their diagnosis or onset of symptoms.  The District requests that all members of its community remain available and responsive to individuals conducting contract tracing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is to limit close face-to-face contact with others.  This means that individuals should keep a safe distance between themselves and others.  Appropriate social distance practices require physical distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals in both indoor and outdoor spaces.  Social distancing must be practiced in combination with other health and safety expectations such as wearing of cloth face coverings and appropriate hand hygiene  to protect the well-being of our community.

With the reopening of in-person instruction, Valley View Community Unit School District (the “District”) will be adhering to the parameters of social distancing outlined in the Joint Guidance document issued by ISBE and IDPH on June 23, 2020 and the subsequent ISBE FAQ document.  The District intends to implement the following changes to support compliance with social distancing requirements:

• Keeping individuals spaced 6 feet apart, as much as possible
• Having no more than 50 individuals in a space at one time
• Limiting the number of individuals in the hallways at any given time
• Using markings on the ground and throughout the building to designate one-way paths
• Using markings on the ground and throughout the building to designate 6 ft distance in places where students are expected to line up
• Staging furniture in a manner to keep students safely separated
• Suspending the use of lockers

We are all in this together and therefore look to parents and students to support a healthy and safe learning and work environment  maintaining social distance as much as possible.  Compliance with these expectations will be closely monitored by the Superintendent or designee.  Failure to comply with such expectations may lead the District to consider preventing the individual from entering the school building/facility/transportation vehicle until they are able to demonstrate compliance with these expectations.

Valley View Community Unit School District is committed to maintaining the health and safety of its school community. As such, the District intends to maintain strict adherence to Board policy 8.30, Visitors to and Conduct on School Property, as well as, health and safety requirements as outlined by the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-47, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (ISBE) Joint Guidance,  the IDPH FAQ, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance.

School property is defined as District/school buildings, grounds, and parking areas; vehicles used for school purposes; and any location used for a School Board meeting, school athletic event or other school-sponsored or school sanctioned activities/events.  A visitor is any individual, other than an enrolled student or District employee.

Pursuant to the ISBE/IDPH Joint Guidance document, during the current state of emergency due to a health pandemic, the School District intends to limit any nonessential visitors, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations, to the greatest extent possible. During Remote Learning current Remote students will be classified as nonessential visitors during this time and will be expected to adhere to all visitor policies outlined in this document.  Prior to a visit, current students must: (1) obtain authorization for the visit from the Building Administrator/Designee, (2) directly schedule and confirm an  appointment with the staff member they are visiting , and (3) adhere to all District sign-in/out protocols upon entry/exiting the school building/facility.

During this time, the District will require all visitors to contact school/district prior to their arrival to allow the District to appropriately plan for the scheduled visit.  Visitors will be restricted to the main office area, or other area as authorized by the Superintendent, Building Principal or designee.

To the maximum extent possible, the District will hold remote meetings with parents.  This will include discipline meetings, IEP and 504 meetings. Should a parent be unable to participate in such meetings in a remote fashion, the District will work with the parent/guardian to schedule an in-person meeting in a fashion that will allow for appropriate social distancing.

While in a state of emergency due to a health pandemic, the District will limit the use of school facilities by all external parties to reduce additional risks of exposure to COVID-19. This includes limiting/suspending non-critical in-person before/after school programming on school facilities.  The District acknowledges the fluidity of the current health pandemic, and the possibility that positive health trends may allow the District to take a more flexible position regarding these programs.  At any time, should the District take a more lenient stance and determine to allow external parties to utilize its facilities, prior to allowing third parties to utilize school buildings/facilities, the third party will be required to submit a plan to the District that addresses procedures for program implementation during the current public health emergency.  These plans will be reviewed by the nurse, health related personnel, the Superintendent or her designee to ensure compliance with the District health and safety procedures.

Face Covering Requirements
Face Coverings are defined as cloth face coverings, N95 masks, surgical masks, or material that fully covers the face and nose as approved by the Centers for Disease and Control.  Pursuant to IDPH FAQ and CDC guidance, athletic face coverings/neck warmers should not be used as a substitute for cloth face coverings as it is unknown if these items provide any benefit to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles.  Face coverings must be worn in a manner that fits snugly against the side of the face with no gaps and fully covers the mouth and nose.  The District will require all visitors in a school building/facility or utilizing school transportation to wear a face covering, even while maintaining social distancing, unless they have a documented medical condition with an accomodation granted by the District, are under the age of 2 years old, have trouble breathing or are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the face covering without assistance. Proper face coverings will be provided to all visitors that do not bring their own personal face coverings.  Visitors that refuse to adhere to this requirement will be denied access to the building and asked to leave the premises.  

Social Distancing Requirements
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is to limit close face-to-face contact with others.  This means that individuals should keep a safe distance between themselves and others.  Appropriate social distance practices require physical distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals in both indoor and outdoor spaces.  Social distancing must be practiced in combination with other health and safety expectations such as wearing of cloth face coverings and appropriate hand hygiene  to protect the well-being of our community. The District will require visitors to remain spaced 6 feet apart from other individuals while in school buildings/facilities. Pursuant to the ISBE/IDPH Joint Guidance, the District will prohibit more than 50 individuals in a space at one time.  The District will make necessary accommodations to allow for participation in events/meetings that may attract more than 50 individuals to ensure for public access/participation as required pursuant to the Open Meetings Act.

Hand Hygiene
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 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 COVID-19.  In an effort to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, the District intends to adhere to the recommendations outlined in the Joint Guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) with regards to proper hand hygiene. All visitors will be expected to wash their hands or utilize hand-sanitizer upon entry into any buildings/facilities, after utilizing the restroom or touching high-frequency areas.

Personal Identification
Visitors will be expected to provide government identification upon entry on school grounds or in any school building, unless the individual is a uniformed police officer or firefighter.  As outlined in Board policy 8.30 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property, refusal to provide such information is deemed a criminal act. The Superintendent, Building Principal or Superintendent/Building Principal designee may seek the immediate removal of any person who refuses to provide the requested identification. Nothing precludes the Superintendent or designee from taking appropriate action to enforce this policy including but not limited to immediate removal of the visitor from the premises, contacting law enforcement and seeking to deny future admission to school events or meetings as outlined in Board policy 8.40 Spectator Conduct at School Events.

Record Keeping
In an effort to ensure that the District is keeping accurate records, to support the potential need for contact tracing, the District will ask that all visitors identify their name, the date/time, the reason for the visit, the staff member they are visiting, visitor contact information and all of the locations that the visitor will be accessing while in the building.

Self-Certification Requirements
Prior to entrance into a school building/facility, Visitors will 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 10 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 14 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, congestion or runny nose, 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. Have not traveled internationally in the last 14 days.
5. 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.  This includes the refusal to wear appropriate face coverings, maintain proper social distancing, adhere to appropriate hygiene practices, or affirm the self-certification requirements.