With all New Trier High School students scheduled to learn in person during the 2021-22 school year, officials are making adjustments to their operational approaches and COVID-19 testing policies.
This year, University of Illinois Shield COVID-19 PCR saliva diagnostic tests will be available to students and staff at both the Winnetka and Northfield campuses, according to spokeswoman Nicole Dizon.
“Given that it is free to schools and no further tests are needed to confirm it, we decided to use the Shield test this year. Our policy for testing aligns with CDC, IDPH, and Cook County recommendations for testing unvaccinated individuals, and we are also offering the tests on a voluntary basis to any vaccinated individuals who would like to test weekly,” Dizon explained in an email.
With the test available at the school, students and staff will not have to provide the sample at home as they did last year.
“It makes it logistically easier for families, for the school, for everyone,” noted Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations Chris Johnson at the Aug. 23 board meeting.
Johnson said all unvaccinated students who are participating in extracurricular activities will have to test weekly and all students participating in a school sponsored overnight trip — regardless of vaccination status — will have to take the COVID-19 test.
“When you are putting kids in close proximity in hotel rooms, and the things that happen when you travel, it makes sense that they test first regardless of their vaccination status,” Johnson said.
In other changes from 2020-21, school officials are still encouraging social distancing but lowering the distance from six feet to three in classrooms. In addition, hands-on group activities can take place in the classroom this year and athletic teams, performing arts and clubs are now set to meet as normal, according to Dizon.
Moreover, the school will not be providing a hybrid learning option this year, as all students are expected to report to the respective buildings five days a week.
These changes arrive as the school will comply with the recent state mask mandate for all staff, students and visitors inside the two buildings.
Northfield campus Principal Paul Waechtler did not sense there would be a major problem with the mask mandate from the nearly 4,000 students.
“Our kids are actually pretty compliant and they will certainly test limits like teenagers do, but when you remind them and can give them clear expectations, they usually rise to those expectations,” Waechtler said.
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However, he cautioned that administrators may walk around and remind children to put masks on as they are moving through the hallways.
Officials said 90% of students and 92% of staff have been vaccinated.
There are no obligations to show proof of vaccination, but individuals will be considered not to be vaccinated if they do not provide records.
Overall, school officials anticipate a much more typical year but will listen to guidance from local health officials and will keep track of the health data metrics as the year progresses.
“We learned our lesson last year that this virus changes and our responses change and if we see a situation that we want to get ahead of, we will all talk,” School Board President Cathleen Albrecht said.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter.