To: Marissa CUSD #40 Community January 6, 2022
From: Jeff Strieker, Superintendent
Re: COVID/Influenza Update
Good Afternoon, Everyone.
I am reporting that in our school district of 523 students and 99 staff members, the following:
- Students Positive w/Covid: Elementary = 5; Jr./Sr. HS = 6; 11 of 523 = 2%
- Students in Isolation due to Exposure = Elem. = 19; Jr./Sr. HS = 26; 45 of 523 = 9%
- Staff Positive w/Covid: Elem. = 5; Jr./Sr. HS = 2; 7 of 99 = 7%
- Staff in Isolation due to Exposure = Elem. = 1; Jr./Sr. HS = 1; 2 of 99 = 2%
- Total Number of Students/Staff Awaiting Results of Test = Elem = 7; Jr./Sr. HS = 6; 13 of 622 = 2%
- Total Students/Staff Out for Covid-related or Illness: Elem = 37; Jr./Sr. HS = 48; 85 of 622 = 13.7%
From this data, I’d like to point out that 2% of our 523 students have tested positive and 12% of our staff. Many of the students/staff represent the precautions we are taking to keep our learning/working environment safe and healthy- 18 positive cases out of 622 students and staff; 67 cases of those who have been sent home due to being in close contact or for exhibiting symptoms and needing to isolate for the proper period of time in accordance with the IDPH Guidelines in relation to their vaccination status. Our schools are continuing to be a safe place to be from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. We have canceled evening sports events for the rest of this week, and will monitor things closely for next week as well. It is our intention to keep the doors open for In-Person Learning- the best kind of learning there is- especially because we believe it to be safe.
A scenario that could play out, in the event numbers of isolated students becomes too great would be to move to an Early Dismissal Schedule on a week by week basis until numbers return to normal. This will enable students to experience in-person learning from 8 AM to 1:40/1:50 each day, then allow teachers to be provided time to address the work and communication of 'at-home students' for their final 90 minutes of the day. For families whose schedules would be compromised by the Early Dismissal, we’d offer to keep students at school in a supervised study area, utilizing the school internet to work on homework, and deliver those students home at the normal dismissal times of a typical school day. Students without home internet could also take advantage of that opportunity.
We will continue to monitor our numbers closely and do our very best to secure the intention to deliver In-Person Learning to the students of Marissa District 40. Should you have a question or concern, you may email me at [email protected] or call, 618-295-2313, ext. 301.
Sincerely,
Jeff Strieker, Superintendent