March 9, 2020
Dear Butler School District 53 families,
As the global outbreak of COVID-19 evolves, the most important thing for schools to do now is plan and prepare. I want to keep you updated and reassured that Butler School District 53 continues to be diligent in what needs to be done to keep our students and staff safe. Please know that we are strongly committed to the health and safety of our entire D53 community. It is because of this commitment that we will remain vigilant about staying abreast of the situation, and will provide updates about COVID-19 as we receive them.
We remain in direct contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention federal (CDC), DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE), and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Most recently, the CDC pushed out interim guidance for K-12 schools. D53 is using this recommended guidance as a checks and balance system; ensuring that we are in the least using our resources for best preventative measures, planning ahead, preparing, and having procedures in place to respond.
The District reviewed its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and has been making modifications in response to specific guidelines from health agencies.
D53 Actions
• Our administrative and health staff understand and monitor the situation with weekly meetings, or more as needed
• On-going communication with community stakeholders; Village of Oak Brook, Oak Brook Park District, Hinsdale School District 86, neighboring elementary school districts
• On-going communications with health agencies, ROE, and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
• Our health staff tracks reported symptoms of illness and absenteeism patterns
• Our Buildings and Grounds department ensures ongoing cleaning; daily and nightly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, door knobs, restrooms, and water fountains
• Extra attention to high traffic areas, front offices, and nurse’s stations
• Extra cleaning supplies available for all classrooms
• Assessed readiness and test drills to meet communication needs with area districts and stakeholders
• Developed a dissemination plan for communication with staff, and families
D53 Actions are on-going and fluid to the evolving situation and direction provided by health and education agencies. Should we have a student, staff member, or relative who contracts or is
exposed to the virus, we will work closely and collaboratively with DCHD to implement emergency plans to address those issues.
Current Recommendations for Families It is important to reiterate basic precautions of infection control and prevention, including staying home when ill and practicing respiratory and hand hygiene, will become increasingly important. These strategies are referred to as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).
Please use the following NPIs, which are everyday preventive actions that can help keep you and others from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses. They include:
• Your child should stay home if he/she is sick until at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications).
• Staying home when you are sick.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used instead.
• Please consult your healthcare provider if you have a concern for yourself or a family member shows symptoms of illness.
As always, we respect our parents/guardians’ wishes to determine what is best for their child’s individual needs. If you choose to keep your student home as a precautionary measure, such absences will be marked as excused. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the District Certified School Nurse Terry Hillen at thillen@butler53.com.
Again, we will provide you with updates about COVID-19 as we receive them. Please know that we are strongly committed to the health and safety of our entire Butler D53 community. In the interim, below are helpful links to information about the virus.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
https://www.dupagehealth.org/590/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19-Inform
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul O’Malley
Superintendent of Schools