The PORTA School District, in cooperation with the Illinois National Guard, Menard and Sangamon County Health Departments, will be offering a Covid-19 vaccine clinic at our High School campus on June 11, 2021. There is no cost for the vaccine.
Pfizer will be the vaccine utilized at the June 11 clinic, which will allow ages 12 and up to participate.  A follow up clinic will be scheduled for July 2, 2021 at the same location and during the same time schedule. 
Appointments will be from 9:00 to 2:00 PM.
To Qualify for This clinic you must be 12 years of age or older and a legal guardian must be present during the vaccination for students 17 and under.
PLEASE READ:
If you are insured, please bring proof of insurance. The health Department will bill an administrative fee to cover some of the costs for the services they offer at the vaccine site. However, insurance is not required to receive the vaccine.
If possible, wear a short sleeved shirt to ensure vaccine is easily administered.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
You need to wait at least 14 days from your last vaccination (i.e. flu vaccine) to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This means you are not eligible until day 15 after your last vaccination.
Before you schedule your second dose, ensure you have waited the appropriate amount of time (see your blue card). If appointment times are unavailable, please wait until additional time slots become available. If you come too early, you CANNOT get your second dose.
If you want to reduce your time waiting, you can go to SCDPH and fill out the consent form online and bring it (Consent form can be found below or on scdph.org under COVID-19 Vaccine Info [Orange Button] seen below scheduling). Consent form is to be filled out for both 1st dose and 2nd dose appointments.
 
Entry to the clinic will be through the West Event entry doors on the Southwest side of the School and confined to the gymnasium. Participants will be temperature scanned before entry and must wear a mask. Please bring ID, proof of insurance/Medicare, and any necessary medical paperwork to verify eligibility. A legal guardian must be present for any student under the age of 18, vaccinations will be offered to 12 years and older.
To register for an appointment, please call any PORTA District building office between 8:30 and 3:00 weekdays at 217-632-3803. This is a first come, first confirmed, basis. Please make a note of the time of your appointment as reminders will not be sent.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment.
 
Consent Form Link:  https://scdph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/COVID-19-Consent-Form-002.pdf
Pfizer vaccine information:  https://scdph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pfizer-BioNTech-COVID-19-Vaccine-EUA-Fact-Sheet-for-Recipients-and-Caregivers.pdf

MEMORANDUM
TO: Local Health Departments
FROM: Communicable Disease Section
RE: Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Interim Public Health
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People in non-health care settings. In summary, fully vaccinated
people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any non-healthcare setting, except
where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local
business and workplace guidance. IDPH is working to adjust existing guidance documents in response.
Guidance for healthcare settings remains unchanged at this time and can be found at Updated
Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination. In
addition, employees and residents of congregate settings, such as correctional facilities and homeless
shelters, should continue to mask. Similarly, schools should continue to follow the CDC’s school
guidance until more people and children are vaccinated.
The CDC’s guiding principles for these updates are:
• Indoor and outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.
• Fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to unvaccinated people.
• Fully vaccinated people should still get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Fully vaccinated people should not visit private or public settings if they have tested positive for
COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
The following recommendations for fully vaccinated persons are as follows:
• Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by
federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and
workplace guidance
• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after
travel (For now, masking is still required on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public
transportation.)
• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by
the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States

• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for
specific settings (e.g., employees or residents of homeless shelters and detention facilities)
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible
For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

The Covid 19 Vaccination Clinic scheduled to be held at PORTA High School on May 5, 2021 has been cancelled due to low participation levels.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

In alignment with the CDC, 14-day quarantine continues to be the recommended period. Options acceptable to the CDC include:
 
A. Students may return to the classroom after 10 days of quarantine and a negative test taken on or after day 10.
 
B. Students may return to playing sports after 14 days of quarantine.
 
C. In accordance with CDC’s latest guidelines, if IgG antibodies are present they may return without quarantine. It is important to rule out the presence of IgM and any ongoing symptoms. It is important to use standard labs for antibodies testing and not home kits.
 
D. A student who has been fully vaccinated* does not require quarantine unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must isolate immediately and be tested.

​
* Fully vaccinated is two weeks after the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
 

DATE:         April 19, 2021
 
TO:             Sangamon-Menard Schools
 
FROM:       Gail O’Neill, Director of Public Health
 
SUBJECT:  Return of Students from Quarantine
 
 
Regional School Superintendents requested that the Sangamon County Department of Public Health allow student-athletes to return from quarantine at 10 days after exposure to COVID-19 rather than after day 14. They said that surrounding counties around us are less restrictive.
 
On December 2, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for establishing quarantine timelines for contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fmore%2Fscientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html
 
Subsequently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted the guidance.  On December 17, 2020, IDPH released updates to the quarantine guidelines for local public health authorities to determine and establish quarantine options based on risk factors. https://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/IDPH%20Quarantine%20guidance1.14.2021_0.pdf
 
Due to increased cases in the 0-19 population within Sangamon and Menard Counties, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health requires enhanced surveillance of the students before returning to school. Sporting activities have been the source of much of the increase in cases in our area.
 
After checking with several similar communities, we found that we are not the only ones adhering to the guidance provided by IDPH. Others have adhered strictly to the IDPH guidelines of 14 days of quarantine for student-athletes and the quarantine of members of both opposing teams if there is a positive person who has exposed either team. After much discussion with medical consultants, we offer the following directions regarding quarantine of student-athletes in sports.
 
In alignment with the CDC, 14-day quarantine continues to be the recommended period. Options acceptable to the CDC include:
 
A. Students may return to the classroom after 10 days of quarantine and a negative test taken on or after day 10.
 
B. Students may return to playing sports after 14 days of quarantine.
 
C. In accordance with CDC’s latest guidelines, if IgG antibodies are present for the athlete, they may return to play without quarantine. It is important to rule out the presence of IgM and any ongoing symptoms. It is important to use standard labs for antibodies testing and not home kits.
 
D. A student who has been fully vaccinated* does not require quarantine unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must isolate immediately and be tested.
 
* Fully vaccinated is two weeks after the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
 
All shortened quarantine periods require additional criteria to be followed. Key points to highlight include:

• Correct and consistent mask use (including within homes)
• Social distancing
• Hand hygiene
• Daily monitoring of symptoms of COVID-19 illness
• Avoid large crowds

 
As the legal public health authority, our staff will assess the processes in place for daily monitoring, proper testing, and any additional exposures. 
 
Thank you for your patience during this unique period in our community.  We truly appreciate the collaboration.

The PORTA School District, in cooperation with the Illinois National Guard, Menard and Sangamon County Health Departments, will be offering a Covid-19 vaccine clinic at our High School campus on May 5, 2021. There is no cost for the vaccine.
At this point the vaccination in use will be Pfizer for all initial vaccinations, but regardless if you need your first or second shot you may attend this clinic. If it is your second shot, you must inform us which shot (Moderna or Pfizer) you first received to pre-order the correct 2nd dose. (Bring your vaccination card for the 2nd dose.) A follow up clinic will be scheduled for either May 26th or May 27th at the same location and during the same time schedule. 
Appointments will be from 9:00 to 2:00 PM.
To Qualify for This clinic you must be 18 years of age or older.
PLEASE READ:
If you are insured, please bring proof of insurance. The health Department will bill an administrative fee to cover some of the costs for the services they offer at the vaccine site. However, insurance is not required to receive the vaccine.
If possible, wear a short sleeved shirt to ensure vaccine is easily administered.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
You need to wait at least 14 days from your last vaccination (i.e. flu vaccine) to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This means you are not eligible until day 15 after your last vaccination.
Before you schedule your second dose, ensure you have waited the appropriate amount of time (see your blue card). If appointment times are unavailable, please wait until additional time slots become available. If you come too early, you CANNOT get your second dose.
If you want to reduce your time waiting, you can go to SCDPH and fill out the consent form online and bring it (Consent form can be found below or on scdph.org under COVID-19 Vaccine Info [Orange Button] seen below scheduling). Consent form is to be filled out for both 1st dose and 2nd dose appointments.
 
Entry to the clinic will be through the West Event entry doors on the Southwest side of the School and confined to the gymnasium. Participants will be temperature scanned before entry and must wear a mask. Please bring ID, proof of insurance/Medicare, and any necessary medical paperwork to verify eligibility.
To register for an appointment, please call any PORTA District building office between 8:30 and 3:00 weekdays at 217-632-3803. This is a first come, first confirmed, basis. Please make a note of the time of your appointment as reminders will not be sent.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment.
 
Consent Form Link:  https://scdph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/COVID-19-Consent-Form-002.pdf
Pfizer vaccine information:  https://scdph.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pfizer-BioNTech-COVID-19-Vaccine-EUA-Fact-Sheet-for-Recipients-and-Caregivers.pdf
​

​On April 6, 2021, three seats for the PORTA Board of Education will be open for election.  During this election four candidates are running for those three (3) seats.  Incumbants are Jeff Smith and Jeremy Garner and new candidates are Jackie Brant and Tracy Thornton.  We would like to share biographical information on the candidates and invite everyone to attend a "Meet the Candidate Night" on March 24th beginning at 7:00 PM and ending at 8:30 PM.  During the "Meet the Candidat" event candidates will have an opportunity to share the reasons they are running for the Board of Education and will take questions during the Q and A session.  We look forward to everyone attending our event on March 24th at 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium. 

If you would like to join remotely please follow this link.  meet.google.com/ugj-eqwp-ybv

​On April 6, 2021, three seats for the PORTA Board of Education will be open for election.  During this election four candidates are running for those three (3) seats.  Incumbants are Jeff Smith and Jeremy Garner and new candidates are Jackie Brant and Tracy Thornton.  We would like to share biographical information on the candidates and invite everyone to attend a "Meet the Candidate Night" on March 24th beginning at 7:00 PM and ending at 8:30 PM.  During the "Meet the Candidat" event candidates will have an opportunity to share the reasons they are running for the Board of Education and will take questions during the Q and A session.  We look forward to everyone attending our event on March 24th at 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium.  

​Jackie Brant was born in Paris, IL and spent her childhood between there and locations in California, Connecticut, and the Chicago suburbs. She ultimately returned to Paris as a young adult and called it home until she, and her family, moved to Petersburg in 2013.  During her life, Jackie’s career has been focused on helping others, with roles in customer service, healthcare and, recently, work in the public school system.  She is married to Joshua Brant, Cyber Security Strategist at LRS in Springfield, IL.  Together, they have five children in the PORTA school district: Jacob, a junior, Johnnie, a 7th grader, twins Jillian and Joseline, Kindergarteners, and Joshua Jr. (JD), a preschooler. 
 
After arriving in 2013, Jackie quickly acclimated to Petersburg and became involved in multiple organizations and activities.  She obtained her paraprofessional license and joined the PORTA school district as an individual aide just a few months after moving to town.  She left that position in 2014 to be a stay-at-home mom after her twins were born.  In 2019, she returned to the district as a substitute teacher.  In addition to her duties as a mom and working within the school district, Jackie also has a home baking business, Morning Glory Cakes, where she specializes in custom baked goods. 
 
Jackie has volunteered in local VBS programs, summer lunch activities and children’s programs, and was a GROW mentor for several years through the Petersburg Church of Christ. She has been a member of the Town and Country Women’s Club since 2014 where she has participated in numerous volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, and community events. 
 
Message from the candidate:
 
As a mother of five children in the PORTA district, as well as a past employee, I am deeply committed to the success of our school system.  I bring a unique perspective to the board, having worked within the classroom for several years and having fostered numerous relationships with past and present staff members. I plan to use my position on the school board to continue my pursuit of helping others and to be an advocate for those within our school community.

Jeff Smith was born and raised in Petersburg, IL and has continued to live here with his wife, Tracy.  He graduated from PORTA High School in 1989 and from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1992.  After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Economics, Jeff worked as a substitute teacher while continuing his career in the agricultural field.  Now, Jeff farms full time with his father on the family farm west of Petersburg.  Jeff has one son, Luke, who is currently a freshman at Illinois State University and two step-daughters, Carly and Avery who attend school in the PORTA school district.  Jeff has volunteered to coach many youth sports, including baseball, basketball, and soccer.  He has served as the treasurer of the Menard County Soil and Water Board. Jeff is currently the Vice-President of the PORTA School Board and also on the Menard County Farm Service Agency County Office Committee.


Message from the candidate-
While serving in the Porta school board the last six years, I don’t think there has ever been a year as challenging as they year 2020. I hope to continue to serve the community in providing our students with the best education possible with safety of our students and faculty at hand, all while trying to keep the taxpayers interest in mind. 
I understand these challenges and I’m dedicated to the people within the PORTA school district. 

Tracy Thornton

​Hello, my name is Tracy Thornton and I’m honored for the opportunity to be a candidate for the PORTA School Board. I have lived in Petersburg since 2000, owned and operated Styles N More with my wife Amy since 2003, and our son Billy attends school here at PORTA. I have been an active volunteer or sponsor of many local youth sports leagues, and organizations. I formerly served on the Central Illinois Workforce Investment Board which focuses on real world job training for displaced workers and currently serve on the Menard County Board of Review. As a business owner and father, I believe that I can be a valuable addition to our school board and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve this community.
​

On April 6, 2021, three seats for the PORTA Board of Education will be open for election.  During this election four candidates are running for those three (3) seats.  Incumbants are Jeff Smith and Jeremy Garner and new candidates are Jackie Brant and Tracy Thornton.  Over the next few weeks we will share biographical information on the candidates and invite everyone to attend a "Meet the Candidate Night" on March 24th beginning at 7:00 PM and ending at 8:30 PM.  During the "Meet the Candidat" event candidates will have an opportunity to share the reasons they are running for the Board of Education and will take questions during the Q and A session.  We look forward to everyone attending our event on March 24th at 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium.  

One issue that invariabely causes confusion in the PORTA Board of Education races is the design of the Ballot.  Fortunately this year the ballot is very simple to understand.  For the first time in many years the Board Election is a true popular vote election, in that the top three vote getters will recieve the three board seats.  The Ballot this year is very simple to understand as all the candidates are on the same ballot question and the directions explain to vote for three of the four candidates.  In years past we have had candidates not earn a seat even if they received a higher number of votes because our school district elections are done so in voting districts. The School Board can seat no more than three board members from any one district.  If a voting district has three members seated who are not up for election and a candidate runs for a open seat but resides in the same district as the current three seated members, that candidate could not be seated even if they recieved the most votes in the election.
Fortunately, this election year there is no confusion, vote for your top three candidates and if they recieve the highest number of votes they will be your new Board of Education members.

​The PORTA Board of Education approved a recommendation from myself and the PORTA Education Association to begin full five day instruction with remote learning Wednesdays every other week, starting March 15, 2021.  Additionally, beginning March 15th, the A/B hybrid option will be discontinued and students/families will be asked to choose between full in-person and full remote options throughout the district.  Finally, the district will reinstitute and enforce current attendance/Absence policies, meaning that if a student has chosen to be in person and is not physically present at school that absence will be considered an absence regardless of their ability to sign-on remotely.  In the case, of students who choose to be fully remote, if they have not reported to individual courses as required they too will be considered absent and will have consequences consistent with district policy and procedures.  For those students who are in-person and have been quarantined by the district, we will continue to allow those students to remotely access courses without attendance consequences as long as they are signing in remotely into classrooms as expected. 
One might ask why the district has moved to make these changes during the 4th quarter. The simple answer is that we anticipate beginning the 2021-22 school year with a mandate to offer remote learning because pandemic related issues will remain and rules to mitigate those issues will still be in force.  As such, minimizing the options for students will allow the district to focus on student learning with minimal distractions.  Currently, allowing students multiple learning options and allowing students to move in and out of in-person and remote options reduces our teaching effectiveness.  In short, we are preparing to offer the most consistent and stable option for the vast majority of our students so that we can deliver the best educational opportunities to those students and help them and their families succeed.
 
In summary:  Beginning March 15th, we will have full five day instruction and every other Wednesday will be a full remote day (March 24, April 7, April 21, May 5 and 19 full remote). Students/families will be expected to choose between In-person learning or full remote options only, no A/B schedule and current attendance policies will be fully enforced.  If your student was on the A/B model or would like to move from full remote to in-person or Vice versa please contact your building administrator and inform them of your decision March 5th.
 
We hope everyone realizes that we are working diligently towards more normalization for our students and this is what we consider the final step in that process.  

Preschool Screenings

PORTA-Greenview Preschool programs will be conducting a developmental screening for any preschool-aged children on March 18th and 19th at Roots, 14305 State Highway Rt 97, in Petersburg.  Areas to be checked include speech, language, movement skills, and basic concepts.  The screening takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.  

Children turning 3 & 4 before September 1st, who are living in the PORTA or Greenview School District, are encouraged to attend.  If your child is not age-eligible at the time of screenings, but will be 3 in August, please bring them.  Please don’t wait to have your child screened!  Our program fills up quickly, and then students go on a waiting list.  Children must be screened in order to be considered for the 2021-2022 PORTA-Greenview Preschool programs.

To make an appointment, please call Petersburg Elementary School (632-7731), option 2.

​

​Hello PORTA Families, I offer some positive news this evening in regards to return to play for Illinois.  Recently, the Governor of Illinois and IDPH opened a pathway for school to return to play and this past week the IHSA has provided season dates (https://www.ihsa.org/News-Media/Announcements/ihsa-board-announces-sports-schedule-for-remainder-of-2020-21) and participation guidelines for our athletic programs.  We are completing schedules and have developed spectator guidelines to manage the capacity limitations we need to follow. In essence, for all indoor High School activities we will allow 2 spectators for each athlete at home events and 1 spectator for each visiting athlete.  In most cases we will be expected to follow these same rules at visiting team’s venues, if they allow spectators at all.  Because Central Gym is smaller we will only be able to allow one spectator per athlete for both the home and visiting teams for our Jr. High program contests.  Gyms will be cleared after each contest in preparation for the next contest and their spectators.  By doing this we will be able to manage the minimum requirements handed to us by IDPH and the IHSA, while still allowing fans to take part in the contests.
As vaccinations of staff are nearing completion we will begin to consider our next transition from our current learning models and consider full time in-person learning along with a remote option.  While a definitive date has not been set for a transition we would hope that increases in Covid Vaccination clinics over the next month would lend itself to allowing us to consider moving to a full 5 day model by the beginning of the 4th quarter.  Currently, we have been able to remain fairly steady on the numbers of staff and students who are in quarantine and if that is able to continue and hopefully improve we should have few issues moving to a new stage in our learning plan.
Are we seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?  I cannot say that is the case but at least we are starting to see some progress and hopefully by the end of the 2021 summer we will all have the opportunity to be vaccinated so that the next school year more normal.
So, as we continue down this road please do your part to keep our students and staff safe.  Please consider the benefits of being vaccinated and I hope you encourage your student to participate in the athletic seasons that are beginning next week, even if they would not have normally participated. With the reduced length of season and contests, what a great opportunity to be part of a team and determine if a particular activity is for your student.  

Well it is that time of year when "snow days" become an important discussion item and this year we add to the mix our remote learning and how that will affect snow days.  It would seem that it would be easy to halt snow days and move to remote learning on those days instead.  However, after having our fill of remote learning opportunities we believe that it is even more evident that every day we have students in the classroom with our professional staff, the better off our students will be.  Additionally, many times our snow days result from a last minute decision to cancel classes and our staff and students will likley not have the resources they need to fully engage in remote learning.  In situations where we have plenty of warning and there could be an extended break due to inclement weather we may want to consider remote learning, but for individual days we believe that extending the school year by that lost day is more beneficial than attemping to teach from home in potentially poor conditions.  So, for those students who love the anticipation of having a snow day and all the fun that can be had during an unexpected day off from school, you are in luck "Snow Days" in the PORTA District are still a possibility.  But as you know, those days do not come often or easy as it is still important to hold school so that students can learn and parents can get to work uninterrupted.   As such here is our yearly information on how and why we might call a "Snow day".

Each Winter, usually in February or March we create and set the school calendar for the upcoming school year.  In fact the Superintendent's council and I will sit down this week and begin the process for next school year and the Board usually adopts that calendar in March or April of each year.  Each calendar must have 174 student attendance days and 180 teacher work days and an additional 5 emergency days built into the calendar.  Typically, you would see those emergency days built in on the last five days of the calendar and as we use emergency days we change those calendar dates to attendance days, extending the school year for each "snow day"we use.  At the point that the district uses all the emergency days the new calendar would show that students would be dismissed 5 days later than expected.  Also, after the 5 emergency days are used the district can begin requesting "ACT OF GOD" days.  If Act of God days are approved students are not required to attend any longer than the original 5 emergency days and the School District's General State Aid is not reduced.  
Back to the Calendar, we have used zero emergency days so our expected last day for student attendance, at this time, is May 21, 2021.  We are planning on holding High School Graduation on May 28, 2021.  
Ok, now the decision making process we use to close school because of weather related issues.  I guess I would start by saying there is no set guideline or policy that the PORTA District follows.  I will say that at-20 degrees wind chill I am very concerned about the safety of our students, especially when I see our youngest students on a daily basis showing up to school with only a hoodie on or lite jacket.  So, when we hit those marks of -20 degrees or above you can expect that we may cancel school.  Most often snow and unsafe roads are the main issue.  The process I use to determine if we have school  begins with me driving many of our bus routes and worst roads to determine safety.  Sometimes it only takes me a matter of minutes to make a determination, others an hour or more.  During my driving time I usually talk with all the local Superintendents, road commissioners and County Commissioner.  All of the driving and discussion takes place prior to 5:30 AM because as a rule I like to make the decision by that time and get parents notified.  Of course, depending on the timing of the weather we may make that decision earlier or slightly later, but not much later.  If the weather on the previous evening indicates that we will likely close due to poor road conditions, poor timing of snow fall, and/or that we will have difficulty clearing our lots and sidewalks we will try our best to make that decision the night prior.  One aspect to school closures that I have only recently had to contemplate is insuring staff can make it to school and if they cannot will be have enough subs to cover classrooms.  With the shortage of subs in the State of Illinois we have to be cognizant of how many subs we have available to insure classroom coverage, if we foresee a shortfall that will also be a factor in making a decision to close school.
Once the decision is made to cancel school I create a SchoolMessanger call, notify all supervisors and each of those individuals have a specific task to complete as well, some of which might be calling radio and television or starting a phone tree.  We have to consider what events are occurring and when, how we can reschedule those events and how much time and manpower it will take to make the parking lots and sidewalks safe before we allow anyone in the buildings. 
Closing school because of extreme weather is a matter that we take very seriously.  In the end we want to balance the need to have the students in class with there overall safety and well-being.  Attending a few extra days at the end of the school year is much easier than having students placed in danger in a bus accident or getting frost-bite while walking to school or waiting for a bus. 
 Thanks for taking the time to read this piece.

​We are please to provide an update on changes occurring in our State in regards to Athletics.  The Governor’s office and IDPH announced today regions who are in phase 4 mitigation level are effectively open for athletic competition.  Districts are awaiting information from the IHSA on scheduling and timing of various athletic programs as a result of this unexpected announcement.  The PORTA District will likely have information on the available activities and their schedules by the middle of next week.  We would encourage everyone to continue practicing safe practices, such as facemask wearing and social distancing as we move forward so that our region can remain in phase 4 and will continue to offer our students access to the activities they love.
 
We are encouraged that we may begin to see a more concerted effort to vaccinate staff as part of the 1b vaccination group.  As we progress through the series of two vaccinations for our staff we would anticipate more opportunities for change for our district and those in the surrounding areas.
 
We will continue to bring you information on Athletic programs and their schedules and vaccination information as we receive notices.
 
Have a great weekend.

As we enter our Winter break we hope your Christmas and New Year are Happy and Healthy.  We are hopeful that the distribution of the COVID Vaccine goes smoothly and quickly so that we can begin to move to a normal school year in this next quarter.  While we are happy about the vaccine, we believe that educators and school staff will not likely have access to the vaccine until late January or Early February. If that is the case, I would guess that a substantial event such as mass vaccinations will have an impact on our daily schedules, but time will tell.  In the meantime please continue to social distance, wash your hands and wear your mask so that we can continue in-person learning as much as possible. 
As for the return to school following our winter break.  We are planning to begin the school year on January 4, 2021 fully remote and will begin in-person learning on January 7, 2021.  This is very similar to our return after Thanksgiving break and allows us to have a better grasp on staff and student COVID cases and quarantine issues.  We anticipate that everyone will be healthy and happy at that time and we should be able to maintain a consistent time period of in-person learning.
Parents between now and the beginning of the school term please be thinking about your choices for return to learn models.  We will continue to offer four day in person, A/B schedule and fully remote options and will anticipate that students will continue with their model choice as of the final day of the semester. If you plan to change your students learning model, for example, from full remote to in-person or in-person to fully remote please notify your building principal.  We will give parents until January 15, 2021 to make a final determination of their students learning model for the 3rd quarter and then will offer the chance to change once again prior to the fourth quarter of the school year.  We would appreciate knowing, as soon as possible, if your student who was full remote on the final day of the first semester plans on in-person learning beginning January 4th. .
Upon returning after the break, meals will continue to be free to all students and on January 4, 5 and 6th anyone can pick-up those meals at the school of their choice, delivery service will not be instituted unless we are forced into an extended period of remote learning.
 
In summary, PORTA Schools will begin the new semester in Full Remote for January 4, 5th and 6th and In-person learning will begin on January 7th, 2021.  If we see a surge in COVID cases we will notify our families of any changes to our return plan early in the week of January 4th. Meals will be available for pickup on those full remote days.  If your child is currently fully remote, as of the last day of the semester, and plans on attending in person after the break please be sure to inform your principal.  Additionally, the district will allow families to make a final choice of learning model no later than January 15, 2021 for the 3rd quarter of this school year.
 
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year Holiday.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer some information from our school district as we enter the final week of the 1st semester.  To begin we are hopeful that we will be able to continue in person learning in this final upcoming week.  We will continue to monitor COVID related quarantine and positive cases and make decisions based on our ability to maintain the services we provide.  Substitutes are a priority across this state and that is no different here at PORTA. As such, we are very susceptible to reduced staff numbers in times like these so please continue to monitor your children’s health and quarantine those who are showing signs of illness so that we can continue to offer in person learning.  Please remember when our staff and students are in contact with a positive case they are forced to quarantine regardless if they are symptomatic or not.  In the vast majority of cases our staff and students have been forced to stay at home even though they have negative test results.
As we enter the second semester and a new year we will monitor our staff’s health and make decisions as to our back to school plans.  At this time we are planning to return under our current learning model. Students will be offered the opportunity to decide to return to four day in person learning or continue with an A/B schedule or remain full remote.  So, please be prepared to make those difficult decisions in the first few weeks of the New Year so that we can settle into a routine as quickly as possible.
You may have heard that the CDC has offered options for reduced Quarantine in recognition of making it easier for people by reducing the time they cannot work. However, local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last, based on local conditions and needs. As such, the Sangamon/Menard County Health Dept has continued to the current 14 day quarantine rules.  The Health Staff and myself have questioned the local health Department officials about this decision and have been told the department did consider the CDC’s reduced quarantine guidelines but at this time the health board was unwilling to risk increased COVID spread.  We are hopeful that our region’s positivity rates will continue to drop and the Health Board will reconsider moving to a 7-10 day quarantine model.
News from the High School:
PORTA High School will not have traditional semester exams/exam days this semester. All students are expected to be at school and/or remote learning on Thursday, December 17th. Many students will earn the privilege to not have to come to school on Friday, December 18! Students are expected to be at school and/or remote learning UNLESS they have met the following requirement on a class by class basis- 80% or higher 1st qtr. and 2nd qtr. and also, fewer than 5 discipline points for the semester. Students have received more detailed information via email. If you have questions, please call the high school office. 
Thank you for your time and patience.  From the PORTA Family to yours we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This is a reminder notification that we plan on returning to in person learning on Thursday December 3, 2020 for those who choose to attend in person.  We will continue to offer the A/B and full remote models for those who have chosen those options when we transitioned to the four day in person model.  The school day will be a full schedule meaning no early dismissal at 2pm.  We will have full in person learning available M/T/Th/Fri and a remote learning day each Wednesday. 
If we see an issue with increased Covid positive cases and quarantine before Thursday, that would require our current full remote option to be extended, we will notify you either late Tuesday or on Wednesday of this week.  Please continue to self-certify daily. If your student is symptomatic or has been in contact with a positive case please quarantine and talk with our nursing staff to determine the best course of action. With the return to in person learning we will discontinue meal delivery beginning December 3, 2020.  For those families who are learning remotely after Dec. 3 meals can still be picked up at the school of your choice on a daily basis.
It is our goal to continue in person learning through the end of the semester, but that will weigh heavily on maintaining a healthy staff and student population.  Insuring that students are not sent to school while exhibiting symptoms is extremely important. Please help us keep our staff and families happy and healthy for the holidays by doing your part.  Thank you.
l while exhibiting symptoms is extremely important. Please help us keep our staff and families happy and healthy for the holidays by doing your part.  Thank you.

​As we contemplate when and how we should return to learning after the Thanksgiving holiday we have considered local COVID infection rates, Student and Staff Quarantine rates, colleagues across our area, Staff and Community member input.  We have considered returning on the 30th of November to full in person learning as we believe that our staff will be back to full force, unless we have an uptick in a positivity rate between now and Monday November 30th.  We speculate that we will continue to see COVID-19 rates increase over the next few weeks and through the Month of December as we will be confined inside more often and the holidays will aid in community spread.  In fact, many school districts are now contemplating or have already made the decision to move to full remote beyond the New Year as a result.
From a decision making standpoint we have weighed coming back full days on Monday November 30th vs. extending the current remote learning until December 7, 2020.  The thoughts are that we would likely be assured a full week of in person learning if we return on November 30, if all staff and student quarantine expectations remain as projected.  Unfortunately, we will not really know how our break will affect our quarantine rates until late in the weekend and that poses a problem for families if we are forced to make a last minute decision, something I would rather not do. 
Extending the remote period until December 7, 2020 would certainly allow the district to have a better understanding of our Quarantine numbers after the holiday and if we are able to open safely with expected staffing levels we may have a good chance to have a full two weeks of in person learning to complete the semester.  The down side to this decision is that we may be forgoing a guaranteed full week of in-person learning before our quarantine numbers increase due to the Thanksgiving break.
As such, in hopes that our community, staff and students are able to follow guidelines over the upcoming weeks, I have made the decision to extend remote learning through December 2, 2020 and will expect students to return to in person learning on December 3, 2020.  If between November 30 and December 3rd our community continues to see increases in COVID Positivity rates and our staff and students are compromised to the point we will be unable to hold in person learning we will make the decision to return to full remote and will likely continue so through the end of the semester. 
Beginning Monday November 30th our school day will return to a full day schedule, meaning that school will dismiss at approximately 3:10 across the district.  As we move into our in person learning the full day schedule will be the norm all five days of the week, including our remote Wednesdays, which will continue to be remote but will be based on a 3:10 dismissal. 
While this was a difficult decision to make I believe this will give us the information we need to insure safety for our students while also focusing on the need and desire to return to in-person learning as soon as possible. 
 
In summary:  PORTA Schools will extend remote learning until December 3, 2020 at which time we will renew our four day in person model with full day schedule.  Prek classes will return to their regular dismissal schedule on December 3, 2020 as well.  Beginning, November 30th the school day will return to a full day schedule for all days of the week including our Wednesday full remote days.

The PORTA District will begin full remote learning for our PREK- 6th grades students on Thursday November 19th with a plan to return to in-person learning on November 30, 2020.  Please note we have already moved 7-12 grade students to full remote as of November 16th.  We will continue to monitor our staffing and student counts and determine any future need to extend our full remote learning option.  As such, continue to self-certify on a daily basis while in full remote learning. 
Starting Thursday, November 19th meal delivery will begin again for all of those students who previously signup up for meal delivery during our A/B schedule.  As such, if your child received delivered meals during our A/B Schedule they will automatically be reinstated.  If your child did not receive those meals previously, but would like to take advantage now please email your name, address for drop off and number of students receiving meals to lunch@porta202.org and we will place you on a list for delivery.  As our students move into full remote their schedules will not change, we will continue with the 2:00 pm dismissal.  Also, please continue to self-certify on a daily basis and please call your principal if your child will not be able to remote learn for any reason.
In closing, we apologize that we are forced to make such a decision, it is certainly one that we do not take lightly, but we are forced to make this decision in the best interest of the district, our students and staff.  Thank you and as a follow up, the entire PORTA District will begin full remote teaching on Thursday November 19, 2020 with a return to in person learning planned for November 30, 2020.

​Remember to self-certify daily, even if your child is remote learning.  This allows us to understand the number of potential issues, contacts and need for quarantine.
 
If you have a student or adult in your household exhibiting COVID Symptoms, everyone in the household should quarantine until a negative COVID result can be shown. Your Doctor, the Health Department and our Nursing staff can help you determine quarantine length.
 
Remember to wear your mask, Social distance and wash your hands regularly.
 
COVID-19 Symptoms Include: Fever (100.4 or greater),Shortness of breath, New cough, Sore throat, New nasal congestion or runny nose, Nausea/Vomiting Diarrhea, New loss of taste or smell, Moderate to severe headache, Fatigue from unknown cause, Abdominal pain from unknown cause, Muscle or body aches
 
A High-Risk Exposure=Within six feet for more than 15 minutes throughout the course of the day to a known COVID-19-positive individual in the time frame from two days before until 10 days after the COVID-19-positive person’s symptoms started or person tested positive (if no symptoms). Example: Within three rows on a school bus; desks within six feet; riding in same car
 
Isolation=The person with symptoms must stay in their own bedroom/ bathroom with food brought to them starting on the day of the test (assume positive). If not independent or incapable of self-isolation (child, elderly with dementia, etc.) then attempt to limit the close contact with the symptomatic individual. If test is positive (or not done and therefore assumed to be positive), stay in isolation until completion of 10 days AND fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND all symptoms improving.
 
Quarantine is A waiting period for high exposure individuals without symptoms to see if symptoms develop. Quarantine is a minimum of 14 days, provided the individual remains asymptomatic and without new exposure. It begins on the last day of exposure to someone with COVID-19
 
COVID-19 positive in household? If other household members that were also in quarantine start to develop symptoms, the duration of quarantine for the asymptomatic individual will be more than 14 days. Stay home, wear mask if around other household members, increase handwashing and surface cleaning.

Thank you for continuing to follow my blog and the news about our current upswing in COVID related quarantining and positive cases in our community.  While the number of positive cases of COVID are relatively low in our district we are seeing increasing numbers of staff and students who are required to quarantine due to exposure to COVID cases.  We feel very comfortable that students and staff are doing what it takes to minimize the spread of the virus and in fact the overwhelming majority of issues we see originate outside our doors.  Unfortunately, the PORTA Jr/Sr High Staff has been especially hard hit and as a result we will return to full remote learning beginning Monday November 16th for the students in grades 7-12 and expect students to return to in person learning on November 30th.  We are choosing to begin full remote on Monday November 16th so that students and staff will have the opportunity to make any last minute adjustments on Friday so that they can be prepared for full remote on Monday.  Please note we are continuing in person learning for all K-6 grade students at this time, but we will continue to monitor our staffing and student counts and make a decision to move to full remote for those grade levels as we see the need.  As such, please be prepared for all of our students to move to full remote if the current trend continues. 
Starting Monday, November 16th, meal delivery will begin again for all of those students in grades 7-12 who previously signup up for meal delivery during our A/B schedule.  As such, if your 7-12 grade child received delivered meals during our A/B Schedule they will automatically be reinstated.  If your child did not receive those meals previously, but would like to take advantage now please email your name, address for drop off and number of students receiving meals to lunch@porta202.org and we will place you on a list for delivery.  As our 7-12 grade students move into full remote their schedules will not change, we will continue with the 2:00 pm dismissal.  Please remember 5th hour is prior to 4th hour and attendance is based on logging into your courses.  Also, please continue to self-certify on a daily basis and please call your principal if your child will not be able to remote learn for any reason.
In closing, I apologize that we are forced to make such a decision, it is certainly one that I do not take lightly, but we are at a point where we are unable to maintain an adult classroom presence in every classroom and as such must make this decision in the best interest of the district, our students and staff.  Thank you and as a follow up, the Jr/Sr High will begin full remote teaching on Monday November 16, 2020 with a return to in person learning planned for November 30, 2020.

I wanted to take a bit of your time to give you an update on our current standing in regards to Covid-19 and Quarantining within our district.  We currently have 16 staff members and 45 students in quarantine due to their positive diagnosis, close contact with positive case or are symptomatic.  As such, our district is dangerously close to being forced into a remote learning situation either at the building level and/or district wide depending on progression of our current Covid related data. 
Unfortunately, we have had numerous individuals ignore quarantine rules and have sent students back to school prior to being officially released by the Health Department, their physician or our nursing staff.  Each time someone ignores the quarantining rules we are forced to send more students and staff home for precautionary reasons making it more difficult to remain in our current learning model.  As you all know we are seeing record numbers of Covid positive tests state wide so please be vigilant in monitoring your family’s health and if there are any signs of sickness please do not send your child to school without consulting with your physician, health department or our nursing staff. 
We will continue to strive to remain in session as we believe that is what is best for children’s overall well-being but that will take a team effort.  Please help us remain in session by doing your part. 
We will continue to update you on our current standing, but please be prepared in case we are forced to move into remote learning in the near future. 
If you have questions in regards to Quarantining rules, Covid symptoms or any other Covid related information you can find that on the District’s website under “forms and documents”
 
Please have a wonderful week.