Covid-19 Information

School will look much more normal this year as we peel back many of the protocols we employed in earlier stages of the pandemic.

The virus is still with us and we are all learning to live with it in different ways, but at school we are confident it will occupy less and less of our time and bandwidth, allowing us to keep our focus where it should be: teaching, learning and community.

We have learned a tremendous amount over the last two-plus years about managing health and safety at school and our success on that front continues to inform our policies and procedures. (For those of you who are new to the NSCD community, you can find our documentation and two previous “back-to-school” plans below. These will give you a sense of how we have managed COVID-19 to date).

The usual caveat pertains: if the local health situation changes, we will adapt to reflect the guidance we receive from our Medical Advisory Team. Flexibility and responsiveness will remain hallmarks of our approach for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond.

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

COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines

REVISED PROTOCOLS (August 2022)

What COVID-19 mitigations have changed?

Masks will not be required in any grade unless an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been designated as a close contact to a positive individual in the past 10 days. Of course we will support any community member who chooses to wear a mask.
SHIELD PCR testing will only be conducted on an “as needed” basis for all students, faculty and staff regardless of their vaccination status.
We will not be cohorting any classes, students will be able to mix in and across grades and lunch will be back to normal.
After-school enrichment and Later Raiders programs will be available to all students and will operate without restrictions.
Visitors are allowed on campus.
We will not offer remote learning access for students who are out sick. Students will be able to communicate with teachers and access our Canvas learning management system (for middle and upper schools) to keep up with work as appropriate. As always, if students are sick, they should attend to their health and not worry about schoolwork.

What mitigation strategies will remain to continue to promote a healthy community?

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.
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.
We strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccines and ask that your child(ren) are up to date with their series, which includes booster doses for most of our students.
- Please make sure to upload immunization records to the Magnus Health Portal as they become updated so we have their most recent COVID-19 vaccination status on file for your child(ren).
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.

What will happen to all-school COVID-19 testing?

SHIELD PCR testing will continue on an “as needed” basis 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.

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

How will the school continue to encourage community members to monitor and manage illnesses?

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.

What about participation in athletics and other extracurricular activities?

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.

Will there be remote access to direct instruction for students?

What internal/external metrics will be used for consideration of mitigation layering?

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.”

METRICS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MITIGATION LAYERING
METRIC	BLUE	YELLOW	ORANGE	RED
New Cases Per 100,000 Rate	<10	10-49	50-99	>100
School-Level Cases (assessed divisionally)	<9	10-24	25-39	>40
Positivity Rate in New Trier Township	<5%	5%-7.9%	8%-9.9%	>10%
School Vaccination Rate	>80%	70%-79%	60-69%	<60%

NSCD Illness Protocol

2022-2023 NSCD ILLNESS PROTOCOL

Your child will be sent home if they are displaying one or more of the following COVID-like symptoms:

Fever (temperature of 100.4F or higher)
Sore throat
Headache
Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
New loss of taste or smell
Cough

In accordance with current guidance for schools, your child cannot return to campus until:

A negative lab-based COVID-19 test result (can be antigen/PCR/NAAT) is received by the school nurse.* Proof can be a copy of the official lab result OR a note from a healthcare provider stating that your child "tested negative for COVID-19.” Your child will also need to be free of fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea for 24 hours without the use of over-the-counter medications and have improvement of other symptoms that may be present.

Your child has been out of school for a minimum of 5 calendar days AND has been free of fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea for at least 24 hours without the use of over-the-counter medication; if no testing was completed.

* Negative at-home test results will NOT be accepted when symptoms are present. Documentation of results must be faxed (847.784.5104) or emailed to the school nurse prior to return to campus. A parent/guardian must reach out to the school nurse with updated information from the healthcare provider, as necessary.

For questions, please contact the school nurse, Jamie Valker, by phone at 847.441.3333 or by email at jvalker@nscds.org.

Isolation and Exposure Protocols

Updated Isolation Protocols (For COVID-19 positive individuals)

Isolation protocols for COVID-19 positive individuals:
Updated August 2022

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 (unless actively eating or drinking) around others for 10 days from Day 0.
  - Must be a surgical-grade mask or higher, which are currently available on campus.

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.
- A negative test result is not required in order to return from isolation.
Contact information and positive lab-based 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 self report to covid@nscds.org), an initial form, NSCD Isolation Notice and Return to Campus Protocols, will be emailed to the parent/guardian and must be completed for the positive individual.

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 10 days.
Note: Remote learning access is no longer available for students who are out sick. Students should communicate with their teachers and access our Canvas learning management system (for middle and upper school) to keep up with school work, as appropriate.

Updated Protocols For Exposure to COVID-19

Important Reminders for ANYONE exposed to COVID-19:

While on campus, anyone with a known exposure to a positive individual must properly wear a well-fitting mask around others (unless actively eating or drinking) 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 though quarantine is no longer required following an exposure, 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 (via antigen/PCR/NAAT), the exposed individual would then have a minimum five-day isolation to complete (refer to isolation protocols).
  - Note: A positive at-home COVID-19 test result should be considered a case of COVID-19 and does not need to be verified by a lab/healthcare provider.
  - Here is a list of COVID-19 testing sites, should it be needed.
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.

Positive Test FAQs

My child or someone in our household tested positive for COVID-19. Who should I contact at NSCD?

My child or someone in our household tested positive for COVID-19. When can they return to school?

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. See the full isolation protocol above for more details.

If an individual comes into close contact with someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine, but it is highly recommended they get tested 3-5 days after the date of their exposure. See full isolation/exposure protocol above for more specifics.

If someone in the school community tests positive for COVID-19 will you tell me which division, grade, and/or cohort had the positive case?

NSCD protects the medical and privacy rights of our community and is unable to disclose anything that could possibly identify the infected individual. We will communicate each positive case with the entire school community, but we have been advised by our contact tracer at the Cook County Department of Public Health not to include any specific identifiers in our communications about cases, including division, grade, cohort, or whether it was an adult or a student. When contact tracing has been completed relative to a specific case, it is unnecessary to share any further details since those who were identified as close contacts already know. However, in the future, if contact tracing cannot be done in a timely manner, we will certainly reevaluate our policy regarding identifiers for positive cases. We are committed to maintaining the safety and health of our community and will act accordingly in sharing pertinent and relevant information with the community.

As always, it is vital for our community to avoid uninformed assumptions or discrimination, base our actions on the best information and data available, and support each other. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided resources on reducing stigma related to COVID-19.

Guiding Principles

Prioritize the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, their families, faculty and staff.

Deliver a powerful, connected learning experience for students with a strong preference for in-person learning.

Shape our policies and practices based on data, research and current guidance from local, state and national agencies, with medical experts.

Provide consistency and predictability for students and their families, faculty and staff.

SHIELD Saliva Testing

Program Basics

What is the SHIELD Illinois testing program?

SHIELD Illinois is a COVID-19 screening and diagnostic testing program that deploys the University of Illinois’ innovative PCR covidSHIELD saliva test. Unlike the Safeguard screening program utilized during the 2020-21 school year and for the first few months of 2021-22, SHIELD results do not require additional PCR confirmation. Since SHIELD is a PCR test, a saliva sample that tests positive through SHIELD is considered an official positive result and a subsequent negative test does not override it.

When would NSCD require COVID-19 Saliva Testing?

The goal of the COVID-19 testing program is to increase the safety of our school community by helping to reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

There may be times during the school year—for example, after an extended break or when transmission rates are higher than normal—when the entire school community will be required to test.

The relative ease of the saliva test, its accuracy, and the rapid return of results supports our current health and safety protocols by identifying asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 and thereby helping to reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Is the screening mandatory? Can my child opt out of the test?

There may be times during the school year—for example, after an extended break or when transmission rates are higher than normal—when the entire school community will be required to test. The screening is mandatory for all students, faculty and staff on campus.

If you choose to not have your child participate in the test, they will not be allowed to attend school at NSCD until they provide a negative PCR test result.

Will parents and faculty be charged for the COVID-19 screening?

Do I need to show proof of insurance?

My child recently had COVID-19. The pediatrician told us that testing could provide false results after their isolation period has been completed. Can this happen with the weekly saliva screening?

Testing Logistics at NSCD

How does a student provide a sample? Can they bring it from home?

Saliva collection for SHIELD testing takes place on campus during the school day. You do not have to send anything in with your student. Anyone submitting a saliva sample should not eat, drink or chew gum for at least 30 minutes prior to collection.

At the present time, the SHIELD Illinois test must be completed on campus under observation of the collection staff. SHIELD must maintain chain of custody due to FDA, EUA and CLIA lab regulations.

What if my student is absent on a saliva collection day?

If your student is unable to come to campus to submit a saliva sample on testing day, you must submit a negative PCR test before your student is allowed to return to school. If they are absent, but able to come to campus, students may drive up and submit a saliva sample from their car in the parking lot. Please send an email to covid@nscds.org to arrange for drive-up sample collection.

What happens after the sample is collected?

All samples are delivered to a CLIA-certified lab where they are analyzed.

Test results will usually be shared with the school within 24 hours, but they don't always come back in one batch. Parents will be notified of positive results via email. Be sure to check your email before coming to school the next day and continue to do so throughout the next day as results come in.

Results Notification

How and when will parents be notified of the results?

Parents will ONLY be contacted if their child receives a positive result. A member of the COVID-19 Response Team will notify the parents via email if the result comes in overnight. Please be sure to check your email before sending your child to school. If we learn of the positive result after the start of the school day, a member of the COVID team or another administrator will call you to alert you of the result and provide instructions on where to pick up your student. Please come ASAP.

What happens next if the child receives a positive result?

When can my child return to school?

Can siblings attend school?

Will teachers or students in their class be notified?

Will their class be forced to go remote?

About the Test

What kind of test is this? Can I trust the results?

SHIELD is a saliva-based RT-PCR test used to help screen and identify pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19. All of SHIELD Illinois’ tests are processed in CLIA labs located throughout the state.

SHIELD is a molecular test, not the less sensitive antigen tests often used at rapid testing facilities. This chart from the CDC explains the different types of COVID-19 tests:

Why is saliva collection better than a nasal swab?

For a nasal swab, proper sample collection technique is needed to collect a small amount of mucosal material from a specific nasal region, making it error prone. In addition, the process is invasive, and many patients find the process either difficult or uncomfortable.

By comparison, no skill is needed for saliva collection. The patient simply drools saliva into a tube; the sample collection process is neither invasive nor uncomfortable. Because the sample collection is not from a specific region and the sample size is larger than collected by nasal swab chances of human error are minimal.

Where can I learn more about the SHIELD program?

Confidentiality

Who will the COVID-19 test results be shared with?

Who will the COVID-19 test results be shared with?

Travel Guidance

COVID-19 Testing Locations

Currently, NSCD is only accepting a negative lab-based COVID-19 test result (antigen or PCR) as clearance to return to school when symptoms are present. Negative at-home test results will not be accepted for clearance to return to school.

Lurie Children’s Hospital

Drive-up testing available in Lincoln Park; in-office testing available in at the main hospital in downtown Chicago
Appointment required.
Make an appointment online or by phone at 312.227.5300

NorthShore University HealthSystem

In-office testing available at all Immediate Care locations, including Evanston, Niles, Skokie, Lincolnshire and Gurnee.
Walk-up testing, no appointment required.
NorthShore Immediate Care Centers are providing RT-PCR COVID tests, delivering same-day results, for all patients, with or without symptoms.

Physicians Immediate Care

Testing by appointment only at multiple locations, including Park Ridge, Edgewater and Lincoln Park.
PCR testing for asymptomatic patients only; symptomatic patients will receive a rapid antigen test and send-out PCR test if necessary
Schedule an appointment online.

Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care

Drive-up testing available in Glenview, Lake Forest Hospital and at the main hospital in downtown Chicago. In-office testing available in Evanston.
Appointment/online pre-registration strongly encouraged. Must be evaluated by a Northwestern Medicine physician to qualify for testing.
Visit the website for an appointment.

NTL Laboratory

Drive-up saliva testing available in Skokie. Also, locations in Cicero, Melrose Park and Oak Lawn.
Appointment required; no referral is necessary
24-hour turnaround time

Free COVID Care Testing Sites

Multiple locations.
Walk in or by appointment.
Offers standard PCR (free, results in 2-4 days) or rapid PCR testing ($125, results in 15 minutes)

Staywell Pharmacy (Palatine)

Walk-in testing at 912 E. NW Highway, Palatine, IL. No appointments.
M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sa. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Su. Closed. (Call 847-496-5559 to confirm hours)
Standard PCR (results in 48 hours) or rapid antigen testing available.

Lake Forest Acute Care

In-office testing.
Appointment required. Testing available to anyone with symptoms, as well as asymptomatic patients who meet screening requirements.
Call to make an appointment: 847.234.7950

Walgreens

Must be three (3) years or older.
Appointment required.

CVS

Must be three (3) years or older.
Appointment required.

Latest Communication

Trusted Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources

Illinois Department of Public Health

Cook County Public Health

HealthyChildren.org COVID-19 Information

Report Attendance

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The health, safety and wellbeing of the NSCD community is our top priority.

We are constantly monitoring information from the the Centers for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health. We will continue to communicate updates to the NSCD community via email. This is a challenging time; please protect yourself and your family by following these guidelines:

Wash hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or using a disposable tissue and then wash your hands afterward
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick
Practice social distancing
Following guidance from public health officials
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call your healthcare provider

If you have any questions about COVID-19 policies and protocols, please send an email to the NSCD COVID-19 Response team at covid@nscds.org.

COVID-19 Dashboard

2021 Return-to-School Plan

2021 REOPENING WEBINAR

2020 Return-to-School Plan

Medical Advisory Team

Seamus Collins, MPH P ’31 ’34

Vice-President of Operations, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

Jeff Foreman, MD ’80
Chair of the Board of Trustees, NSCD
Internal Medicine Specialist

Mark Haupt, MD P ’28, ’30
Pediatric Pulmonologist
Chief Medical Officer, Ariel Precision Medicine

Melissa Howard, JD P ’27 ’30
Civil Rights Attorney, U.S. Department of Education

Mike Howard, MD P ’27 ’30
Plastic Surgeon

Chethra Muthiah, MD P ’29, ’32
Infectious Disease Specialist

Judith Nerad, MD P ’19, ’22
Infectious Disease Specialist
Hospice and Palliative Care Physician

Richard Phillips, MD, MBA P ’25, ’28, ’32
Emergency Medicine Specialist
Medical Director, AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Glen Oaks

Jessica Rappaport, MD P '26, '28
Concierge Pediatrician
Rappaport Pediatrics, S.C. Winnetka