Barrington 220 weekly COVID-19 update
February 22, 2021

Dear Barrington 220 Community: 
 
For the first time since we began providing these weekly COVID-19 updates in early October, Health Metric #1 on our coronavirus webpage has dipped below the 200 cases per 100,000 threshold, which means it has reached Step 3 (Hybrid). As we have reported in recent weeks, all other metrics remain in Step 4 (Reopen). Based on the data, it appears our community is headed in a positive direction as the spread of the virus continues to decrease in all four zip codes. That being said, Metric #1 will need to improve to less than 50 in order to implement further changes to include a full reopen. This is because CDC guidance requires 6 feet or more of physical distancing if the number for Health Metric #1 is greater than 50. Once that number goes below 50, the CDC guidelines allow schools to relax the physical distance expectations and open for full in-person instruction.  
 
The district is currently developing plans at all grade levels so that Barrington 220 is prepared to safely implement full day instruction in the event that Health Metric #1 falls below 50 in our community. 

Currently all BHS students who wish to attend school in-person are able to do so five days a week for a full day. This is possible due to low in-person student attendance at BHS.
Distance Learning interest survey
Barrington 220 is planning for a return to full in-person learning for all students at the start of the 2021-22 school year. However, the district understands that given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, and the desire of some students to participate in a fully virtual program even after the pandemic, there are families who may wish to choose to continue with Distance Learning in the fall and beyond. In order for Barrington 220 to understand the interest of families who may wish to choose a virtual option next school year, the district sent out a survey to all families late last week. Please note, this is only a survey to gauge interest and not a commitment to a learning plan for next school year. The district will share the results of the survey at the April 6 Board of Education meeting. Based on the information received, the district may begin planning the details for a “virtual academy” for next school year.
Read our COVID-19 FAQs
Now that we're a few weeks into Hybrid 2.0 and there are more students in our buildings, we wanted to share some frequently asked questions when it comes to COVID-19 protocol in our schools. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to your school nurse.
Upcoming Board of Education meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is Tuesday, March 2 at 7pm. The meeting will be held in person at Station Middle School.

The number of people in the room will be limited to 50, as suburban Cook County and Lake County have moved from Tier 1 mitigations to Phase 4 under the State’s Restore Illinois Plan. The livestream of all meetings are viewable via the Board's YouTube channel.