This Week in School and Campus Safety

Good morning,

This Weekly Update by the Illinois School and Campus Safety Program provides links to the Starting the 2020-21 School Year transition guidance from ISBE and the IDPH, as well as linking to resources from NASP and ASCA for social and emotional learning and behavioral and mental health during school reentry.

Thank you for your interest in school and campus safety. However, if you wish to no longer receive our emails, just let me know and I will remove you from our contacts list.

Respectfully,

Laura Black
Program Coordinator
Illinois School and Campus Safety Program
ISBE and IDPH Release 2020-2021 School Year Guidance

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have released guidance for the upcoming school year. The " Starting the 2020-21 School Year " transition joint guidance provides recommendations on transitioning back to in-person instruction during Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. In addition to a brief Phase 4 overview, this guidance document provides information on planning, communication with families, blended remote learning days, student attendance, staff attendance, instructional recommendations, health and safety protocols, and more. Additionally, it provides a variety of appendices, including sample student intake/needs assessment forms, schedules to begin the school year, and blended remote learning schedules.

NASP and ASCA Address School Reetnry Concerns Regarding Social and Emotional Learning and Mental and Behavioral Health

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) have released the pdf " School Reentry Considerations Supporting Student Social and Emotional Learning and Mental and Behavioral Health Amidst COVID-19 ." Noting that students cannot effectively engage in the learning process until they feel safe, " This document outlines key considerations for district and building leaders, educators and school-employed mental health professionals (e.g. school counselors, school psychologists and school social workers) to guide efforts that support students’ social and emotional well-being. The document also focuses on the many unique discussions that must occur locally to help prepare schools to support students’ psychological safety, social and emotional learning, and mental and behavioral health."

Additionally, as part of their continued Return to School webinar series, NASP has released a webinar " Ask the Experts Webinar: Return to School Special Series - School Reentry Considerations: Supporting Student SEL and MBH Amidst COVID-19 . "
Illinois School and Campus Safety Program www.ilschoolsafety.org