January 4, 2022

Dear Barrington 220 Community,

My hope is that you have been able to enjoy time with family and friends during this winter break. On behalf of our Board of Education and the entire staff, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year.  

As you are aware, there has been a consistent rise in COVID-19 transmission in recent weeks. Throughout winter break we have monitored community transmission, as well as staff cases, and evaluated recent changes to guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). We feel it is appropriate to provide an update at this time as we plan to welcome our students back for in-person learning on January 10, 2022. 

On December 27, 2021, the CDC updated recommendations for quarantining for those who test positive and those who are considered close contacts. However, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) informed schools that while the IDPH has adopted the CDC’s guidance for the “general public”, it has not applied this to the school setting. Therefore, students and staff will continue to follow IDPH COVID-19 School Guidance, which means we will continue to follow the same quarantine protocols we followed prior to winter break. We are hopeful that new guidance will be released by the IDPH soon and we will update you when we receive additional information.
MITIGATION EFFORTS
District leaders and the Board of Education have established that the primary goal for this school year is to do everything possible to provide in-person learning, as this best supports our students' academic, social and emotional growth. To that end, we will continue to implement the following layered mitigations that were in place prior to winter break:

  • Symptom screening
  • Designated entrances for students/visitors
  • Physical distancing 
  • Universal masking
  • Hand sanitizing 
  • SHIELD, BinaxNow, and PCR testing
  • Limited visitors
  • Seating charts and assigned cohort seating in lunch (PreK-8)
  • Physical education outside whenever possible

Due to the recent increase in cases, the district has added the following mitigation efforts:

  • All students and staff are encouraged to test prior to returning to school on Monday, January 10, 2022. The district will be offering testing to any interested students and/or staff members in the Barrington High School cafeteria from 9:00-3:00pm on Thursday Jan 6, 2022 and Friday Jan 7, 2022. Please enter through Door 45 off Lake Cook Road. Please bring your student or staff ID badge. Participants are consenting to the results being viewed and maintained confidentially by the school district. 
  • Students who have not been participating in SHIELD testing may choose to opt into SHIELD testing when school resumes. If you are interested, please contact the front office at your child’s school beginning on Monday, January 10, 2022. 
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distancing in all lunch rooms.
  • Install bipolar ionization units to improve air quality.
  • Review and reinforce mitigation measures including hand washing, masking, and social distancing during the school day.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The current trend in cases with staff and students, as well as the continuation of current quarantine recommendations, places our primary goal of providing in-person learning at risk. Although there have been divided opinions throughout this pandemic, there has been consensus around the importance of keeping students in school. It is in this place of agreement that I ask you to assist the district in doing everything possible to maintain in-person learning.
  • Complete a COVID-19 test prior to returning to school on January 10.
  • Review and reinforce the importance of the above mitigation strategies at home.
  • If your child has not been vaccinated or received the booster, consider this option in consultation with your pediatrician.
  • If your child has received the COVID-19 vaccination, email a copy of the vaccination card to districtnurseoffice@barrington220.org.