Okawville Schools Requiring Daily Temperature Checks for Student, Staff

With the first day of school set for August 13, West Washington County Community Unit District 10 released a copy of the school reopening plan to parents last week.

The plan was put together in accordance with guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Washington County Health Department.

In addition to requirements to wear face masks for all students and staff and hygiene and distancing guidelines, the plan also includes screening protocols for all students and staff.

All staff members and students will have their temperatures checked on a daily basis. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F will not attend school.

Students who drive, walk or are dropped off will have temperatures taken at the door up arrival at school. If a student has a temperature, he or she will be sent to the nurse’s office immediately, and parents will be called to pick up their child. Students may return to school once they are temperature free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medication.

Bus riders will also be checked prior to boarding the bus, and again before entering the school. Riders will be assigned seats in order to maintain a six foot distance whenever possible, and both riders and drivers will be required to wear masks.

Students in pre-k through sixth grade found to have a temperature on the bus will be placed in the front seat near the driver. They will go directly to the nurse’s office upon arrival at school.

Bus students in seventh through 12th grades will be sent back home and will not attend school that day. The bus driver will call parents to ensure they know their child is at home.

Staff members will enter through the office each morning where they will have their temperatures checked. The same protocols requiring 24 hours without a temperature apply with staff as with students.

In addition to having their temperatures checked before entering the building, students will not be allowed to congregate before the first bell rings at 8 a.m. Grade school students will go directly to their classrooms, and junior high and high school students will go directly to their first hour class.