New additions to the toolkit include:

  • Reopening School Talking Points to Consider
  • National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement COVID Resources
  • Fighting COVID: Resources for Schools
  • IASA, IEA and University of Chicago partner on COVID-19 web series
  • COVID-19 Template Letter for positive test
Message from IASA Board of Directors
The IASA Board of Directors sent a message to administrators across the state on 7.23.20 about reopening schools this fall.
Fighting COVID: Resources for Schools
Here are some products to consider that could help districts save money keeping classrooms disinfected. Also, check out some options if your district wants to pursue COVID-19 testing.
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement has assembled COVID-19 resources to help schools support students during the pandemic. Click Here for sample scripts for teachers to use and other presentations and materials that can help your staff better support the mental health of students.
COVID-19 Positive Test Template Letter
Click the link for a template letter to help with communications to your school community if an employee or student tests positive for COVID-19.
Reopening School Talking Points
As leaders of school districts, superintendents are often charged with answering questions from the media and community members. With the start of the 2020-21 school year around the corner, superintendents might be asked questions from reporters and stakeholders about reopening school. To help superintendents be prepared for these questions, the IASA COVID-19 Transition Team has created a series of talking points to consider to help respond to questions.
IASA, IEA and University of Chicago partner on COVID-19 Webinar series
COVID-19 for Educators is a series of four weekly videoconference sessions focused on providing educators across Illinois with up-to- date information about COVID-19 and best practices to consider in the re-opening of schools. Each 75-minute session will include a brief didactic lecture (different topic each week) by Dr. Daniel Johnson, Director of ECHO-Chicago and Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Click the links below to watch webinars recorded on July 23. Webinars are also scheduled for July 30, August 6 and August 13. Seats for these webinars are reserved for districts served by the IEA. Contact the IEA for registration information.
IASA legal services are expanding and IASA podcast is growing! We recently introduced the IASA Legal Podcast. IASA General Counsel Chad Watkins interviews school attorneys on critical legal issues facing schools. First topic is school liability in COVID era. We speak to attorney Dawn Hinkle of Engler Callaway Baasten & Sraga, LLC.
IASA has partnered with CrisisGo for years on technology school districts can utilize to improve school safety. In response to new IDPH guidelines for the 2020-21 school year, we asked CrisisGo to develop a tool districts can use to assist with the pre-certification of staff and student temperatures and help protect against the spread of COVID-19. Click the link to learn more about the new CrisisGo’s Safety iPass.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released guidance for school re-entry. Click Here to read the document.
IASA, IPA, IASBO Joint Framework
To help school leaders in their efforts to develop a planning framework for the 2020-21 school year, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Association of School Business Officials and Illinois Principals Association have developed a new document to help plan for new challenges caused by COVID-19.
ISBE Transition Guidance and Template Letter
The Illinois State Board of Education released guidance about the 2020-21 school year. The link below is to a template letter you can use to communicate with your staff and families about the announcement. The letter is in "View Only" mode and you will need to copy and paste into a new document to modify.
The IHSA released a draft of Phase 4 Return to Play guidelines allowing IHSA teams to gather in groups of 50 coaches and students or less to conduct practices or contests. CLICK HERE to read the document.
PPE Guidance
The Illinois State Board of Education has released a chart with guidance for PPE usage.
IASA recorded two podcasts on planning and the availability of PPE in the fall with two purchasing cooperatives: Schools of Illinois Public Cooperative and BuyBoard.
IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark sent a message to members on May 14, 2020 in regards to the purchase of PPE and transition plan for the fall. Click Here to read the message.
Podcast on Collective Bargaining
The spread of COVID-19 has created a change in working conditions for educators across Illinois. In this episode, we speak to attorney David Braun of the law firm Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, and IASA Associate Director/General Counsel Chad Watkins, about collective bargaining issues related to remote learning.
Forecast 5: Illinois COVID-19 Financial Planning Webinar
Watch April 15 webinar hosted by Forecast 5 featuring IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark and IASBO Executive Director and CEO Dr. Michael Jacoby on the financial challenges school districts are facing as a result of COVID-19.
IASA Podcast with Dr. Michael Jacoby
Read a transcript or listen to a podcast with IASA Podcast with Dr. Michael Jacoby, Executive Director and CEO of Illinois Association of School Business Officials, on financial planning during COVID-19.
Sprint to Marathon Thinking
The IASA COVID-19 Transition Team has prepared a list of items school leaders should consider to help with future planning in the areas of short-term cash flow, staffing and benefits, contracts, travel, student registration, FY 21 budget preparation and the Census.
Proactive Leadership
As the mandated closure of schools continues, there will likely be new challenges school leaders will have to confront. To help you navigate through this difficult time, the IASA COVID-19 Transition Team has assembled a checklist of questions to begin to think through, as well as resources to help guide leaders through this process.
Emergency Planning: Document and Podcast
As COVID-19 continues to spread and infect more residents across Illinois, schools will be asked to take on additional responsibilities to support their communities. The time has come for superintendents to think more about emergency planning. Read questions school leaders need to be asking now.
#IL Schools Step Up Video
Click Image to View Video
Illinois: Learning Doesn't Stop Twitter Graphics
Also in Spanish
After you click "Get Image," you will need to save the image. For a desktop computer, right click over the graphic and click "Save Image As" to save to your computer. Once the image is saved, you will be able to add it to your tweet.
IASA COVID-19 Transition Team Reports