Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for Schools

Dear IW Families:

The isolation and quarantine period for students and staff members sick with COVID-19 or considered a close contact has been reduced to five days.

Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education and Hancock County Health Department announced that the agencies have adopted CDC guidance for K-12 schools that halves the isolation and quarantine period. The Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance for K-12 schools on January 6.

As a result, effective immediately, Illini West High School will implement the updated guidance. As soon as possible, we will contact staff, students and families who are currently impacted by a quarantine with a revised return to school plan.

The state of Illinois’ mask requirement for anyone inside school buildings remains unchanged. The Governor’s indoor mask mandate for school is still in effect until further notice.

Staff and students who are currently impacted by a quarantine now have a revised return to school date and those families will be contacted by the IWHS Office to coordinate your new return date.

Mr. Harnack, Superintendent