Lyons Township High School District #204 COVID-19 Mitigation Plan 2022-23

  • On August 22, 2022 we will begin a third school year since the start of the COVID Pandemic.  As a district, we continue to rely on guidance from the CDC, IDPH, and CCDPH, as well as legal guidance from our law firm, to make decisions in the best interest of our entire community.  

    We remain committed to cultivating a school environment that is respectful of the choices that are available related to the level of community transmission and are in accordance with public health guidance.  LTHS will continue to be a mask optional environment for all staff and students within our buildings.  A mask optional environment allows staff and students to determine if/when they would like to wear a mask with the following exception until further notice:

    • Masks are required upon entry to our Health Offices, regardless of the reason for entry (this includes illness, injury, or daily medication distribution)

    Additionally, the following mitigation factors will be in place for the start of the school year and will remain in place until any modifications are warranted/needed.  Any time changes are made, those changes will be communicated to the LT community and posted on the website for reference. 

     

    Current Local Metrics:

    Zip Code-based local metrics are no longer available as IDPH has shifted to county-based community spread metrics.  Therefore, our COVID-19 Dashboard will no longer be posted.  Please use the following link to view the Cook County Community Levels (and all other counties in Illinois)

    CDC Community Level Metrics 

     

    Layered Mitigation:

    The following chart provides updated information regarding mitigation measures that will be in place to begin the 2022-23 School Year at Lyons Township High School.

  • GENERAL PREVENTION

    • Promotion of COVID-19 Vaccination (and age-appropriate boosters) for all individuals ages 6 months+ (CDC Vaccine Info
    • Continued promotion of respiratory and handwashing hygiene (COVID Prevention and Protection)
    • Daily cleaning and of classrooms and surfaces throughout our buildings

  • MASKING

    • Masks are optional for all students, staff, and visitors to District 204 based on the CDC and IDPH guidance (CDC Mask Guide)
    • Masks are optional on public transportation, including school buses. (Public Transportation Order)
    • Masks required/must be worn by all students and staff when in the Health Offices for any reason (illness, injury, daily medication) (CDC Mask Guide)
    • Masks should be worn by students/staff who are returning from a COVID infection on Days 6-10.

  • EXCLUSION/ISOLATION

    Exclusion of any student or staff member who is positive for COVID-19.  

    • Individuals are eligible to return to school/work on Day 6 (after onset of symptoms or date of positive COVID test) provided their symptoms are improving and they remain fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication

      • Day 0 = the day symptoms appear or the day of positive test results if you had no symptoms.  

      • Day 1 = the first full day following the day symptoms appeared or following the day you were tested

    • In accordance with the most CDC/IDPH guidance, testing is not required to end isolation

  • ABSENCE REPORTING

    Absence procedures, symptom reporting, and the use of the studentcovid@lths.net and staffcovid@lths.net email for related documentation will continue to be in use.

    To report an absence, you must call the school before 9AM on the day of the absence. For students who have been excluded due to being COVID-19 positive, parents/guardians do not need to call every day as the length of exclusion is noted by the attendance office. 

    • North Campus Attendance: 708-354-4700

    • South Campus Attendance: 708-579-6528

    If your student is symptomatic/ill, please complete the Illness Report Form, which allows our Health Office to follow up on illness reports, maintain health and safety, and keep more students in school.

  • STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONS/REMOTE LEARNING

    If students require accommodations to meet the safety expectations, a COVID-19 Medical Accommodation Form must be completed by the student’s health care provider and parent/guardian. Submit completed forms to studentcovid@lths.net. Upon receipt and review, the health office will coordinate a meeting with the parent/guardian, student and applicable school staff to determine an appropriate plan.

    If you have any questions about learning/instruction during a period of exclusion, please contact your student’s Assistant Principal. 

  • TESTING

    LT has continued its partnership with Northshore Clinical Labs (NCL) to support symptomatic (point-of-care) testing within our Health Offices for anyone who becomes ill on campus (with COVID-like symptoms).  

    • Testing will only be provided once an updated registration/consent form is completed (see link).  If you completed a registration/consent form during the 2021-22 school year, an updated registration form is required for the 2022-23 school year.  Regardless of having a form on file, our Health Offices will always call parents/guardians prior to testing students.  

    • A rapid (antigen) test will be completed in the office and a PCR test will be sent to the lab for results (typically) within 24 hours.  Students with a negative antigen test will be allowed to remain in school unless the student presents with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.  All students presenting to the health office with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever will be sent home regardless of diagnosis.

    The NCL Registration/Consent Form requires insurance information for those who are insured.  Tests will be provided at no-cost and testing will not impact your deductible.  If an individual is not insured, that can be indicated* on the registration/consent form and testing will be provided at no cost. (form)

    *NCL utilizes a third-party verification service that is used for those who indicate that they are uninsured.  If the verification reveals that the individual is insured, their insurance will be billed.