February 10, 2022
Dear Shiloh 85 Families and Staff,
We deeply appreciate your patience this week as we gathered advice from the District’s legal counsel, unions, staff, and our community. Whether or not to wear masks has been a polarizing topic for our community and the nation at large. Shiloh Schools have moved forward through these decisions with thoughtfulness and consideration of all facets of this issue. Also, we've had a chance to continuously monitor our case numbers. Beyond the case numbers,
From January 21 to February 10, Shiloh 85 had a decrease in positive/excluded students and staff members of 83%. Based on the decreasing cases in Shiloh 85 as well as Governor Pritzker’s announcement yesterday that masks will no longer be required in public places, we will move to a mask optional approach in our schools beginning tomorrow on Friday, February 11, 2022.
Please remember for tomorrow:
· Masks are also still required on buses, per federal requirements. Please be sure students have a mask on prior to boarding the bus.
· It is the parent’s decision on whether or not your child wears a mask. Please communicate this with your child, as it will be your child’s responsibility to follow your directive.
· Symptomatic students will continue to follow the same guidelines as we have previously. We continue to encourage families to monitor for symptoms before sending students to school. This is key to allowing us to safely remain in person, which has always been our priority. We will continue to monitor data which may necessitate a future revisit to enforcing mitigations.
· We want to offer an inclusive and supportive environment for all students attending our schools, no matter the decision of each family. The District will require that everyone give one another respect, regardless of a choice to wear a mask or not.
· Those who have concerns regarding their individual child are encouraged to reach out to begin conversations about options such as seating, additional PPE, or desk shields.
I understand that this news may come with varying opinions and views within our community. Our Board has done its best to be thoughtful in abiding by the rules and guidance as they have been communicated to us.
Again, I want to thank you for your patience and support as we work through these and other challenging issues for the sole purpose of developing and growing our students. We promise to continue to do the great work of delivering an exceptional education in Shiloh School through a devoted, caring, and beyond competent staff.
Sincerely,
Dale F. Sauer
Superintendent