Here are template letters to help with communication to parents in the event of a positive test or need to switch to remote learning or return to in person or hybrid model after switching to remote. The positive notification letter was produced by ISBE. The two others were written by IASA to help members.

In response to feedback from members, IASA met with suppliers to see if there was a way to provide COVID-19 testing kits to schools across the state at an affordable price.

Today, we want to share information for you to consider about one way your district can acquire COVID-19 tests to help keep students and staff safe in your buildings. The document linked below, "COVID-19 Testing Strategies," includes information from the supplier about testing options, pricing, testing scenarios and implementation.

A website has also been set up specifically for Illinois school districts as a portal to to purchase testing kits. An email address is also linked below if you have questions for the supplier after visiting the website.

Riverton CUSD #14 recently had the start of the 2020-21 school year upended when someone tested positive for COVID-19, just three days into the new year. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Brad Polanin, the district's superintendent, about how his district responded to the positive test, lessons he learned from the experience and how he plans to move forward.

IASA shared information with superintendents from a supplier about the availability of N95 and KN95 masks. Click the link to learn more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Illinois State Board of Education has released a chart with guidance for PPE usage.

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.