D303 Outlines COVID-19 Rules For 2022-23 School Year

ST. CHARLES, IL — St. Charles District 303 has put in place its COVID-19 mitigation plan for the 2022-23 school year.

Under the updated plan, students and families, staff and volunteers have the choice, but are not required to, wear a mask while inside District 303 buildings or while attending school, according to District 303 documents.

Masks will be available at schools upon request in the upcoming school year, according to District 303 officials.

The new protocol also nixes any special protocol previously put in place during the pandemic for specials or elective classes, including music, culinary and science classes. Instructional and engagement practices used prior to the COVID-19 virus will again resume, according to District 303.

In addition, District 303 spells out in its updated COVID-19 mitigation how students and teachers should isolate themselves if they exhibit symptoms or test positive for the virus. School officials say that regardless of vaccination status, students and staff should spent five full days at home if they are exhibiting symptoms or test positive for the virus.

They will be able to return to school if they are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving.

"If families choose for their child to return to school on days 6 to 10, a well-fitting mask is recommended and an optional area will be available during lunch while eating," according to District 303's policy.

Students will have access to academic support while they are him in isolation due to COVID-19 and a negative COVID-19 test is not required for them to return to school.

Other changes students and parents might notice this year is that lunchroom and classroom setups will return to "pre-COVID-19 norms" since physical distancing is no longer required by state or federal health officials. Student entry and exit points at school will also revert back to pre-COVID days.

District 303 officials said they may change their COVID-19 mitigation plan in the upcoming yer based upon guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health or other state or federal health officials.

The full mitigation plan for the District 303 school year can be found here.