The Illinois State Board of Education is conducting a COVID-19 Student Learning Study "to better understand how student learning changed following the onset of the COVID-19- pandemic and the associated suspension of in-person instruction." For more information on taking part in the study, click here.

Yesterday, the Illinois Department of Public Health updated the Frequently Asked Questions for Schools and defined a school outbreak as:

"Five COVID-19 infections (laboratory-positive by PCR or antigen testing) occurring within 14 calendar days of each other in individuals in the same classroom would meet the case definition for an outbreak in a Pre-K-12 school. This is because the cases would be epidemiologically linked (by known exposure) with respect to place (same classroom) and time (within 14 calendar days). This would prompt an investigation by the LHD that may result in recommendations for testing and quarantining all students/staff in the affected classroom."

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program, in collaboration with the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training at Louisiana State University, is pleased to announce a session of the "Campus Emergencies Prevention, Response, and Recovery" course will be held Nov. 23rd & 24th from noon to 4:00 pm via Zoom. This course aims to train personnel from PK-12 schools and institutions of higher education, first responders, elected officials, and community stakeholders to respond to campus emergencies effectively and cooperatively during an active shooter incident. Participants will examine successful, nationally accepted emergency management principles that can be used to address the wide range of threats and hazards that educational entities face. Additional class information, as well as the registration information, will be released next week and spots in the class will be limited.