This communication provides information relevant to possible school closure due to adverse effects of the second dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our Central 301 staff received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in early February. They will participate in a follow-up vaccination clinic on March 9th – 11th to receive the second dose of the vaccine. The Kane County Health Department (KCHD) has informed us that it is not uncommon for individuals to experience some symptoms following the second dose of the vaccine. Our staff are required to self-certify symptoms on a daily basis; thereby, allowing us to call school each day in the event too many staff members are out. The plan for determination of calling school off is listed below:
- On Wednesday, March 10th – Friday, March 12th staff will complete the self-certification process by 5:00 a.m. for bus drivers and by 5:30 a.m. for other staff positions.
- If staff members are experiencing symptoms to the level that would prohibit their ability to complete their job functions, they will enter a sick day.
- If there are too many employees absent within transportation or within a building we may need to close a building or the district by using an emergency closure day.
- We have established by building and department the number of staff that can be out for us to still be able to hold school based on internal substitution capacity.
- Transportation ranges from 3-5 employees, depending on the day
- Elementary grade schools range from 3 to 8 employees
- Middle schools range from 2 to 3 employees
- High school range is approximately 9 employees
- The district is not counting on having external substitutions in making this determination because: 1) substitutes are included in our second vaccination clinic; 2) timing of getting a sub commitment may be too slow due to calling school by 6:00 am.
- Should absences cause the closure of a single building, the school day will not need to be made up at the end of the year. Should absences result in the emergency closure of the district, that day will be made up at the end of the year.
It is our practice to have schools remain open whenever feasible to do so, and it is our desire that staff will be able to complete their assigned duties following the second dose of the vaccine. In the event that a school closure is warranted, families will be notified by 6:00 a.m. by phone blast, email, and posting on the school website. Please pay close attention to this on Wednesday, March 10, Thursday, March 11, and Friday, March 12.
We recognize that the prospect of canceling school in the morning on March 10th, 11th, and/or 12th may put a hardship on some families. We encourage you to arrange child care now in anticipation of possible emergency closure. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation. Our continued goal is to keep school open, if possible, while completing the vaccination process.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of Central Community Unit School District 301.