Covid-19 Information

• North Shore Country Day will shift to a mask-recommended environment for students and staff, SK-12, beginning March 4. Junior kindergarten students and their teachers will continue to wear masks indoors.

  • It is recommended that unmasked persons maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet while indoors. 

  • Per recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)—masks can help protect you and others from COVID-19.

• Masks are required under the following conditions:

  • After returning from isolation (after a positive COVID-19 result) or quarantine (after exposure), individuals will be required to wear a mask through “Day 10,” even if able to return to campus by “Day 6.”

    • This includes while riding the school bus and/or while participating in extracurricular activities (ex. athletics, instrumental ensemble, choral activities and theater performances).  

  • When in a one-on-one instructional setting,  if one individual is masked, the other individual will also be expected to mask, whether a student or a teacher.

• Weekly SHIELD PCR testing will continue through the week of April 4 (and on an “as needed” basis thereafter) for all students, faculty and staff regardless of their vaccination status.

• Monitoring your health daily. Be alert for symptoms. Stay home if you are ill.

• Maintaining hygiene/cleanliness:

  • Facilitate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

  • Continue daily cleaning and evening disinfection of facilities.

  • Provide ample hand sanitizer throughout campus. 

• Encouraging physical distancing:

  • Organize classrooms, learning spaces and other common spaces such that physical distancing of 3 feet is possible and encouraged.

  • Facilitate operations of each division and divisional and all-school events such that physical distancing of 3 feet is possible and encouraged across settings.

  • Continue to manage areas where students and staff eat lunch and snack in order to provide 3-6 feet of space.

  • All individuals returning from isolation (positive) or quarantine (exposed) will remain 6 feet apart from others while eating lunch/snack for a full 10 days, even if able to return to campus by “Day 6.”

• Maintaining high-quality indoor air through ventilation systems:

  • Maximize fresh air exchange, and optimal ventilation performance and air purification for campus buildings.

  • Utilize outdoor instruction, when appropriate.

  • Implement outdoor lunch seating opportunities, weather permitting and when appropriate. 

• Encouraging employees and eligible students to keep vaccination status up-to-date. 

• Providing education regarding COVID-19, variants and other common infectious diseases.

• Promoting respect of individual needs and differences of opinion: 

  • Promoting kindness, inclusion, mutual respect and a sense of belonging for all. 

  • Emphasizing reducing fear and anxiety. 

  • Providing social-emotional classroom instruction and supports in conjunction with SEL programming and curricula.  

• Ensuring availability of masks at division offices.

• Ongoing review of public health guidance for schools. 

• Facilitating access to reasonable accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act. 

• Weekly SHIELD PCR testing will continue through the week of April 4 (and on an “as needed” basis thereafter) for all students, faculty and staff regardless of their vaccination status.

• Lab-based testing is required for symptomatic individuals to return to school. 

  • Negative at-home test results are not accepted, per the local health department.

Free PCR testing is available widely through community testing sites, pharmacies and hospitals.

• Promote healthy habits and personal symptom monitoring in accordance with public health guidance. 

• Stay home if you are unwell.  

• The school will continue to follow COVID-19 guidance for schools from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH).

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19: 

• Everyone who tests positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status, must do the following:

  • Stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 10 days after the first day of symptoms or the date the positive test was taken if asymptomatic.  

  • Individuals may return to school after five days if they are symptom-free AND have been free of fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea for at least 24 hours without the use of over-the-counter medication, and other symptoms have improved. 

  • Be aware that your clinical provider may determine you need a longer  period of isolation based on certain underlying conditions such as a weakened immune system. 

  • All individuals returning from isolation will be required to wear a mask through “Day 10,” even if able to return to campus by “Day 6.”

    • This includes while riding the school bus and/or while participating in extracurricular activities (ex. athletics, instrumental ensemble, choral activities and theater performances).  

  • All individuals returning from isolation will remain 6 feet apart from others while eating lunch/snack for a full 10 days, even if able to return to campus by “Day 6.”

• Anyone returning from isolation on “Day 6” who fails to properly wear an appropriate face covering at all times (except when eating/drinking) will be sent home for the full 10-day isolation period.  

Individuals with COVID-19-like symptoms:  

• Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must immediately be excluded from school until: 

  • A negative PCR test result confirms the symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19. 

  • Negative COVID-19 diagnostic tests are valid only for the date on which they are collected; positive specimens collected 48 hours prior to symptom onset, after symptom onset, or while symptoms are present (within 48 hours) are acceptable for determining school exclusion status. 

  • Per the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), a negative PCR test result is required to return to school. If testing is not completed within 48 hours of symptom onset, individuals must remain off campus for a minimum of five calendar days, and be free of fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea for at least 24 hours without the use of over-the-counter medication, and other symptoms have improved.  

  • Individuals who develop symptoms and do not submit proof of a negative PCR test result must continue to wear a mask around others through “Day 10.” 

    • This includes while riding the school bus and/or while participating in extracurricular activities (ex. athletics, instrumental ensemble, choral activities and theater performances).

• Anyone returning from isolation on “Day 6” who fails to properly wear an appropriate face covering at all times (except when eating/drinking) will be sent home for the full 10-day isolation period.  

• Those testing positive should be excluded from school and follow guidance for persons testing positive. 

• Mitigation strategies will also apply to athletics and extracurricular activities.  

• When our teams compete at other schools, our teams’ players, coaches and visitors will respectfully adhere to the other school’s requirements for face coverings. 

• Athletic and extracurricular activities may be temporarily suspended as a layered mitigation strategy.

• For absences specifically due to a COVID-19 diagnosis (isolation) or an exposure to COVID-19 (quarantine), families should contact their divisional administrators for their guidelines pertaining to remote learning.

• For absences unrelated to COVID-19 and/or of short duration (three days or fewer), typical absence procedures will be followed.  

• Internal and external metrics will include:

  • Internal assessment of positive cases by  grade, class and division

  • School vaccination rates

  • Positivity rate in New Trier Township

  • Rate of hospitalizations (Illinois Region 10)

• An administrative recommendation to add or reduce mitigation layers is contingent upon an assessment of the combined impact of all metrics, rather than a predetermined threshold for a given indicator. 

  • Further reduction in mitigation measures will be evaluated weekly based on a review of internal metrics, public health guidance and operational needs. 

  • A recommendation to reduce mitigation strategies further will be made no less than two weeks from last reduction.  

• In consultation with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), the administration may recommend the modification of mitigation strategies based on consideration of the local COVID-19 metrics listed.

  • Note: CCDPH has the authority to order the temporary isolation of an individual, or closure of a classroom/grade/school, and conditions for return to school based on their independent assessment of the health risks under a given health situation. 

• Layered mitigation strategies may be utilized at a classroom, grade or division, and may include the following.  

  • Physical distancing of desks, lunchroom seating, during school activities and transportation. 

  • Use of face coverings. 

  • Temporary suspension of school activities (e.g., athletics, clubs, gatherings) 

  • Temporary modification of learning environment (e.g., in-person, remote) 

• A targeted increase in mitigation strategies will be reviewed and considered when the  classroom, grade, team or division level cases reach the “orange.” A targeted increase in mitigation strategies must occur when the classroom, grade, team or division level cases reach the “red.”

Updated isolation protocols for COVID-19 positive individuals: 

Students, teachers and staff with a positive COVID-19 test result are required to isolate for a minimum of five days. Day 0 is the day the positive test specimen was collected, if asymptomatic at time of testing, OR the first day of symptoms, if present at the time of testing. 

NSCD protocols required for return to campus following a five-day isolation: 

• A positive individual may return to campus on Day 6, if they:

  • are symptom-free AND have been free of fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea for at least 24 hours without the use of over-the-counter medication.

    • Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

  • Can properly mask at all times around others for 10 days from Day 0.

    • This includes outdoors, during recess and during any extracurricular activities (ex. athletics, theater, instrumental ensemble, bus rides).

    • Must be a surgical-grade mask or higher (ie. KN95 or KF94), which are currently available on campus.

  • Can sit six feet away from others when eating and re-mask when not actively eating or drinking.

Note:

• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not be tested again for the following 90 days, unless deemed necessary by their healthcare provider due to being symptomatic and/or having a known exposure.

  • Positive individuals will be exempt from the on-campus school screenings at NSCD during this time.

  • A negative test result is not required in order to return from isolation.

• Contact information and positive test results are reported to the Cook County Department of Public Health. Contact tracers may be in contact with you within a couple of days of your receipt of COVID-19 results.

  • Please note that you will probably not recognize their phone number (ex: IL COVID HELP or 312-777-1999) so make sure to pick up phone calls from any unknown numbers for the next few days.

Should the COVID-19 Response Team be notified of a positive COVID-19 test result (via SHIELD or self report via covid@nscds.org), an initial form, NSCD Isolation Notice and Return to Campus Protocols, will be sent via email and must be completed for the positive individual.

• Once completed by a parent/guardian on behalf of a student, an administrator from the division will follow up with details on how to access remote learning.

• Note: A follow-up form, Return to Campus: Confirmation and Agreement, will be sent on Day 5 to verify if the individual is able to return to campus on Day 6, per NSCD required protocols.

  • The follow-up form must be completed if attempting to return before Day 11.

• Should symptoms persist beyond five days, individuals should remain home for up to ten days.

Who needs to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19?

Students, teachers and staff who come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for at least five days (day 0 through day 5: quarantine ends on day 6) after their last close contact (day 0) if they are in one of the following groups:

• Anyone age 18 or older who has completed the primary series of recommended vaccines, but has not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.

  • Note: Beginning February 22, 2022, any individual age 12 and older who is eligible for a booster shot and has not yet received it will need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.

• Anyone who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (completing the primary series) more than two months ago and has not received a recommended booster shot.

• Anyone who is not vaccinated, has not completed a primary vaccine series or it has been less than two weeks since series completion.

NSCD protocols required for return to campus following a five-day quarantine: 

• An exposed individual needing to quarantine may return to campus on Day 6, if they:

  • Are symptom-free.

  • Can properly mask at all times (including outside and recess) around others for 10 days from Day 0.

    • This includes outdoors, during recess and during any extracurricular activities (ex. athletics, theater, instrumental ensemble, bus rides).

    • Must be a surgical grade mask or higher (ie. KN95 or KF94), which are currently available on campus.

  • Can sit six feet away from others when eating and mask when not actively eating or drinking.

  • Provide proof of a negative PCR test result collected no sooner than Day 5. 

    • Should the PCR result be positive, the individual would then have a minimum five-day isolation to complete (refer to Isolation protocols listed above).

      • Here is a list of COVID-19 testing sites providing PCR options, should it be needed.

      • Please connect with an administrator from the COVID-19 Response Team (covid@nscds.org) if you want to participate in drive-up PCR testing via SHIELD.

      • Note: SHIELD testing is typically done on Wednesdays and results can take 24-36 hours to be finalized.

Should the COVID-19 Response Team be notified of an individual exposed to COVID-19, a NSCD Quarantine Notice and Return to Campus Protocols will be sent via email and must be completed for the individual in need of quarantine.

• Once completed by a parent/guardian on behalf of a student, an administrator from the division will follow up with details on how to access remote learning.

• Note: A follow-up form, Return to Campus: Confirmation and Agreement, will be sent on Day 5 to verify if the individual is able to return to campus on Day 6, per NSCD required protocols.

  • The follow-up form must be completed if attempting to return before Day 11.

• Should symptoms develop at any time after returning to campus, the exposed individual will need to isolate and obtain a subsequent negative PCR test result to remain on campus.

Who does NOT need to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19?

Students, teachers and staff who came into close contact with someone with COVID-19 and are in one of the following groups do NOT need to quarantine:

• Anyone age 18 and older who has received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people (proof required).

  • Note: Beginning February 22, 2022, any individual aged 12 and older who is eligible for a booster and has not yet received it will need to quarantine, if exposed to COVID-19.

• Anyone age 5–17 who has completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines at least two weeks before being exposed (proof required).

• Anyone who has had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 90 days (tested positive using a viral test).

Important Reminders for ANYONE exposed to COVID-19: 

• While on campus, everyone must properly wear a well-fitting mask around others (including outside, recess and during any extracurricular activities) for 10 days from the date of their last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered Day 0). 

  • NSCD household members may not be mask-optional during this time period.

• Even if a quarantine is not required, it is highly recommended that all exposed individuals, especially those with a positive household member, get tested at least five days after their last close contact, unless they had confirmed COVID-19 in the past 90 days and subsequently recovered. 

• • Should the test result be positive, the exposed individual would then have a minimum five-day isolation to complete (refer to isolation protocols).

    • Here is a list of COVID-19 testing sites providing PCR options, should it be needed.

    • Please connect with an administrator from the COVID-19 Response Team (covid@nscds.org) if you want to participate in on-campus PCR testing via SHIELD.

    • Note: SHIELD testing is typically done on Wednesdays and results can take 24-36 hours to be finalized.

• For 10 days after their last exposure to someone with COVID-19, they should watch for fever (100.4 F or greater), cough, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms. 

• Those who test positive or develop COVID-19 symptoms at any time should isolate themselves from other people and follow requirements for isolation.

School-aged children (along with faculty and staff) do NOT have to quarantine after returning from domestic travel. They should continue to attend school in-person. 

• Anyone traveling to an orange state should get a PCR test three to five days after returning from their trip, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Your return from travel day is considered "Day Zero".

  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. Please send a copy of any positive test results to covid@nscds.org.

• If traveling to a yellow state, no testing is required.

• You do not need to provide documentation of a negative PCR test result to NSCD, but please keep those results available in case they are requested. 

ALL travelers are advised to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms after travel, and isolate and get tested if they begin to feel ill.

Note: If you have documentation of a positive case of COVID-19 within the past 90 days, you are exempt from the testing portion of the requirement.

International Travel Guidance

As of January 2022, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring all air passengers, regardless of vaccination status, to show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before travel to the United States or provide proof of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days.

Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers 2 years of age and older prior to boarding. Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.

Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

NSCD International Travel Policies for Returning to Campus

For those who are NOT up to date on their vaccines:

Option A

• Get tested (PCR ONLY) three to five days after international travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full five days after travel.

  • Your return from travel day is considered "Day Zero".

  • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full five days; you can leave your house after five days and should continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

  • If your test result is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. Please send a copy of any positive test results to covid@nscds.org.

• You do not need to provide documentation of a negative PCR test result to NSCD, but please keep those results available in case they are requested. 

Option B

• Quarantine for a 10-day period once you return to Cook County. Your return day is considered "Day Zero."

For those who are up to date on their vaccines:

• Get tested (PCR ONLY) three to five days after international travel. You do not need to self-quarantine as long as you are without symptoms. 
  • Your return from travel day is considered "Day Zero".
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. Please send a copy of any positive test results to covid@nscds.org.
• You do not need to provide documentation of a negative PCR test result to NSCD, but please keep those results available in case they are requested. 

All travelers are advised to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms after travel, and isolate and get tested if they begin to feel ill.

Tips for helping kids stay safe during a confusing time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's main Covid-19 information portal.

An always updated website maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailing the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation.

This link will take you to the Illinois Department of Public Health's main website.

This link will take you to the Cook County Public Health website.

A handwashing guide provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – PDF

A guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailing how you can help prevent the spead of germs – PDF

Key Terms and Defintions

This link will take you to the COVID-19 information page maintained by healthychildren.org.