Illini Bluffs Middle School

December 21, 2021

Dear IB families,

I know this year has been especially challenging due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to your continued support and help, we have been able to remain in-person for instruction, which is incredibly important for all of our students.

Although the recent uptick in COVID cases is of concern, we are confident the district’s mitigation efforts are keeping our students and staff safe. Our policies of being universally masked and being socially distanced to the greatest extent possible has helped limit the number of close contacts. We continue to utilize UV disinfecting machines in our learning spaces, have provided air purifiers for every classroom, and continue to implement additional disinfecting protocols. We plan to continue our rapid testing program, at no charge, for students who exhibit symptoms while at school. This program has been able to keep more of our kids in school, and we are thankful for that.

Thanks to some recently retired staff members who were willing to drive buses for us, we were able to avert too many disruptions to our transportation efforts in the last week and a half since my last communication. On the student side, as compared to last year, with more students being vaccinated, we are not seeing as many kids having to quarantine due to exposure. For example, last year, on average, each positive student resulted in 10-30 students being excluded. This year, on average, three students are being excluded due to exposure to a positive case. We are moving in the right direction.

I ask that you please remain vigilant over the holidays. Please encourage your children to continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks in public spaces, and washing their hands. If your child tests positive over the break, please do not send them to extracurricular activities, and send an email to our school nurse, Erica West, at ewest@ib327.com with any information you can provide.

As a reminder, tomorrow is our last day before winter break and students get out one hour early. On behalf of the entire IB staff, I wish all of our IB families a wonderful winter break and a safe new year!