11.13.2020 Letter to Families and Staff

11.13.2020 Letter to Families and Staff

November 13, 2020

Dear Butler D53 Families and Staff,

I am so proud and appreciative of our teachers, administrators and staff. This school year has presented many challenges. We recognize and realize the impact this year is having on our staff's physical and emotional well-being. We thank you for your commitment to our students and support of one another. I know our community will join me in extending our sincerest gratitude for the many ways our staff is going above and beyond this year in these most unprecedented times.

We understand there are concerns with the reported increase in positivity rates, we want to assure you we are continually taking steps  necessary for students and staff to be safe. The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) operates an interactive COVID-19 case map. We remain committed to prioritizing the physical health, safety, and emotional well-being of our students, families, and staff. As a District, we are following the guidance under IDPH and CDC. The District has a dedicated page on our website specific to COVID-19 Updates; the page has been active since March. In addition to housing D53 correspondence you will find many of the above noted links, and other valuable resources.

With each notification of a COVID-19 positive result within D53, District staff work collaboratively with our local health department (LHD) to assess the circumstances, review the information provided, determine necessary actions, and develop communication. As timely as possible, the District disseminates the LHD-approved communication to our families and staff. If you have questions or need further clarification, please reference the IDPH Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Schools and/or contact our District healthcare professionals. 

I want to remind our families and staff that you have committed to and are responsible for adhering to the daily symptom screening guidelines outlined in the self-certification form that has been signed and returned to the District.  Per the self-certification form, if you exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, you should remain at home.
 
Furthermore, I ask you to read Tips for Staying Healthy and Preventing Winter Cold, Flu, and Coronavirus, which was provided by a member of the Pandemic Awareness Committee (PAC). The PAC will be meeting again in the very near future to continue to improve upon our practices. 

We know this is uncharted territory; we need to unify as a community, as we always do, to provide the best educational opportunities.

Stay safe, be well,

Dr. Paul O’Malley
Superintendent of Schools