District 88 shares important COVID-19 updates

We are pleased to share two positive updates that occurred this week regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

1. On May 10, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals ages 12 and older. More information can be found at https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fda-authorizes-pfizer-12-15-year-olds/story?id=77419872.
   
   At District 88, we will continue to work with our community partners and local medical providers to secure the vaccine for our families. Given the expanded age range, we are looking to host another vaccine clinic. The date of the first dose is tentatively scheduled for June 21, and the date of the second dose is tentatively scheduled for July 12. Further details will be shared as soon as possible.
   
   
2. On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it has amended its guidance and now recommends that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors. More information, including exceptions, can be found at https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fully-vaccinated-americans-return-life-masks-cdc/story?id=77665771.
   
   “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in an ABC News article. “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing.”
   
   Please note that in Illinois, the mask mandate is part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Executive Order, which means the state must amend its guidance before we can implement any changes at the local level.

These updates are very encouraging and indicate we are continuing on the path to return to a sense of normalcy. We will be sure to keep you informed as more details become available.

Parent and student meetings:
I also invite you to attend our monthly meetings for District 88 parents/guardians and students, where we discuss current events and respond to questions and concerns. Please see the details below for our May gatherings, which will be our final meetings for the 2020-21 school year.

• On May 25, we will host a Return to School Student Advisory Committee meeting. The event will begin at 5 p.m., and students can register at https://forms.gle/ZZJTrYHgHn7rFnhg9. The deadline to RSVP is noon on May 21.
  
  
• On May 25, we will host a Parent Transition/Reopening Committee meeting. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., and parents/guardians can register at https://forms.gle/pocKGgvQxk5V1X959. The deadline to RSVP is noon on May 21.
  
  
• On May 27, we will host a Transition/Reopening Committee meeting for Spanish-speaking parents/guardians. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., and parents/guardians can register at https://forms.gle/KNEfWKG9aekKmhrv9. The deadline to RSVP is noon on May 25.

Thank you for your continued support of District 88 as we work together through this unprecedented time.

With District 88 Pride,
Dr. Jean Barbanente
District 88 Superintendent