Official Unit 40 Release on Masking Change

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Published on February 12 2022 8:30 pm
Last Updated on February 13 2022 2:19 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

masks on bus 2021

In case you haven't seen it, here is the official release from the Unit 40 School District in the wake of the school board's vote Friday evening to make masking and weekly testing strongly recommended, but not required.

Friday, February 11, 2022

Dear Unit #40 Family: 

The Effingham Unit #40 Board of Education met late Friday afternoon to discuss COVID-19 policies and procedures.  At this meeting, the Board approved the following changes to Unit #40 protocols, effective Monday, February 14th:

  • Masks and weekly COVID testing will be optional but strongly recommended. 
  • Masks will continue to be required for all Unit #40 transportation as this is a Federal requirement.
  • Contact tracing of possible exposures will continue, and parents will be strongly encouraged to follow quarantine guidelines.   
  • The District will continue to send students home due to illness, and families are asked to keep children with any illness at home until they are symptom and fever-free for 24 hours.

The District’s voluntary 'rapid antigen testing' program for symptomatic students and staff will be expanded to each weekday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (Monday-Friday). The District also will continue all other established mitigations, including social distancing, handwashing practices, and facility/transportation cleaning and ventilation. These mitigations have been highly effective and will continue to be a point of emphasis moving forward.

During this school year, the number of positive cases in our county and school district has fluctuated, rising and then falling. Therefore, the District will need to be flexible moving forward and continue to collaborate with public health officials regarding logistics and decision-making including, but not limited to, health/safety protocols and potential emergency school closings (if needed).

The District will have some students, teachers, and staff wearing masks and some not wearing masks, depending on their personal circumstances and choice. We ask everyone to support each other and the individual choices made so that the District can continue to move forward and create a positive, learning environment for all. Thank you.

Mark E. Doan

Effingham Unit #40 Superintendent