All ETHS students and staff required to wear masks when school opens

On July 28 ETHS sent the following communication to its students and guardians:

With the start of school less than a month away, ETHS is sharing an update about the latest CDC guidance for schools. As of July 27, 2021, the CDC recommends that all teachers, staff and students of K-12 schools wear masks, even if they are vaccinated. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) fully aligns with the revised CDC guidance. All ETHS students and staff will be required to wear masks indoors as we begin the 2021-22 school year. ETHS will keep you informed if there are any changes prior to the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 16. 

Do I still need to submit Proof of Covid Vaccination? Yes. In order to support contact tracing efforts at ETHS and follow guidance regarding quarantining,  please submit your Proof of Covid Vaccination Form for Students by Aug. 5. Beginning the evening of Aug. 13, you may check your myETHS account to confirm that ETHS has received your proof of vaccination. Teachers and select staff members will be able to view vaccination status to support our contact tracing efforts. You may complete the Proof of Covid Vaccination Form for Students at any time once you are fully vaccinated. Please allow five school days for processing.

The Proof of Covid Vaccination Process at ETHS is also available on the ETHS website. 

Are masks required if the vaccination rate is high at ETHS? Yes. While we are encouraged by the high vaccination rate in the Evanston community, much has been learned about the Delta variant of COVID since the CDC released guidance in early July. According to the CDC, data show the Delta variant is much more contagious. Delta spreads more than twice as easily from one person to another compared to other strains. The CDC also reports that the Delta variant is causing some vaccine breakthrough infections. Most breakthrough infections are mild, and the vaccines are preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. 

Will more information be available? Yes. We know that there will be many questions as we continue to prepare for the return of our students and staff. The health and safety of our school community remain our highest priority. In addition to mask wearing, mitigation efforts include physical distancing, hand washing and contact tracing. These layered prevention strategies will help ensure in-person learning every school day at ETHS. We will be sharing more details with back-to-school information. With your support, we are committed to the strongest possible start to the 2021-22 school year at ETHS.