The new school year is set to begin Wednesday at Danville’s Northeast Elementary Magnet School. A staff institute is being held on Tuesday, but students do not report until Wednesday. Superintendent Alicia Geddis says the school will follow the mask requirements for when a building has a majority of students under the age of twelve….
{AUDIO: ‘’Because Northeast started before all the guidance is clear, we – District 118 – can show that we started with all the guidelines – all the mitigation – in place. We can then – as we show Northeast’s success – and our numbers remain favorable – we can begin to peel back those mitigations.’’}
Superintendent Geddis says District 118 is going to be hearing from parents on their interpretation of the State’s and Illinois Department of Public Health guidance….
{AUDIO: ‘’The masks, we have some flexibility. We could consider once you get to your desk, you can take the mask off as you’re seated and you’re no longer in the common spaces. And that’s what we’re considering.’’
But Geddis cautions not wearing masks could lead to quarantines….
{AUDIO: ‘’When masks are not present, I am required to follow the quarantine guidelines. That means everyone – if there is a positive case – everyone within less than 6 feet for more than 15 consecutive minutes – will be required to isolate for 10 to 14 days.}
Northeast Elementary Magnet School operates on a balanced calendar schedule. The Danville Public Schools that operate on the traditional schedule kick-off the new school year with a staff institute day on August 18, 2021. Students at those schools will be dismissed early on both August 19th and 20th (which are the first days students report back).
