East St. Louis School District 189 COVID Dashboard
To promote transparency with parents and community stakeholders, School District 189 publicly posts our COVID-19 Data Dashboard. This dashboard contains no personally identifiable information. This data includes the number of positive COVID-19 cases as well as the number of quarantined staff and students (per local health district direction). The majority of COVID+ student cases are identified through school-based SHIELD testing.
School District 189's Test To Stay Program
In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and East Side Health District, School District 189 is now offering a Test to Stay program. When a student has possibly been exposed to COVID-19, they typically will have to quarantine for a set amount of time. Under the Test to Stay program, East Side Health District will conduct Rapid Binax Now PCR COVID tests for students who opt into the program. These students will remain in school and will be tested for COVID. As long as they continue to have negative COVID test results and do not exhibit any symptoms of COVID, they may remain in school and will not have to quarantine.
For students to participate, families must give consent by completing the form here.
On-Site PCR COVID-19 Testing
School District 189 will use on-site PCR testing as a prevention strategy to support a safe learning environment.
Shield Illinois Test - This saliva-based PCR test may be used weekly to test students for COVID. It is a highly sensitive test that identifies those who are asymptomatic carriers of the virus. Results are provided in less than 24 hours. To promote a safe learning environment, parental consent is assumed for students to participate. Parents may request to receive a Shield Exemption Form and complete it based on the student's physical inability to participate or religious restrictions only. These forms must be signed by a health care provider prior to submission. Exemption requests must be reviewed and approved prior to student exemptions from participation in the Shield saliva testing program.
Physical Inability Exemption Form
Students (12 years or older) who are fully vaccinated against COVID do not need to participate in weekly COVID Shield Testing. (Students are fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of the vaccine.) In order to qualify, students must submit a copy of their COVID vaccination card to the school nurse.
Parents can check the status of their student's Shield COVID test results. Follow these steps:
1. Sign up - Visit shieldilportal.pointnclick.com and sign up for an account.
2. Use agency code df5brbrj
3. Add dependent - Once signed up and logged in, visit the DEPENDENT tab on the left, add new dependent, and enter your child's details.
NOTICE OF STUDENT COVID-19 TESTING AND DATA SHARING
This notice is for parents/guardians of students attending School District 189. East St. Louis School District 189 will perform a weekly “SHIELD Illinois Rapid rtPCR” test (“Test”) as part of our COVID-19 Safety Protocols with students from August 2022 – June 2023. The purpose of providing these tests is based on the District’s need to maintain a safe environment for employees and students, and other essential persons with whom students may come into contact during the COVID pandemic.
What data is being shared?
School District 189 will share the following data to SHIELD for testing enrollment purposes: full student name, date of birth, sex, race, ethnicity, school name, home address, phone number, and email address.
If the Test is negative, the District Testing Medical Professional will provide next steps in accordance with IDPH/East Side Health District Procedures and Protocols. In the event the Test is positive, the District Testing Medical Professional or designee will contact you with next steps, including school exclusion and a strong recommendation to contact your doctor to discuss the test results. Exclusions/guidelines for return will be communicated to you by the local health department or School District 189 representative.
What is the test?
The School District 189 student will receive a free diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus conducted by collecting saliva (spit). Pursuant to the District 189 COVID-19 testing protocols, the student is eligible for a provided Test up to one (1) time per week.
Who will receive my child’s test results?
The School District and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) will receive your child’s Test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code. This notice acknowledges that some protected health information under HIPAA, FERPA, and/or ISSRA will be shared to the extent necessary to complete the testing and to allow District 189 or SHIELD Illinois or Zebra (third party tester) to provide the results (whether positive or negative) of the Test to local and state public health authorities. Protected health information will not be reused or disclosed by the organization to any person or entity other than above, except by law.
Participation Exemption
Parents may request to receive a Shield Exemption Form and complete it based on the student's physical inability to participate or religious restrictions only. Exemption requests must be reviewed and approved prior to student exemptions from participation in the Shield saliva testing program.
Hold Harmless
School District 189 has provided notification to parents and guardians and therefore assumes parents and guardians release, waive, discharge, covenant not to sue, and agree to hold harmless for any and all purposes District 189 and their healthcare staff, other staff members, administrators, board members, servants, agents, volunteers, and/or any other employees (herein referred to ask “Indemnitees”) under the Testing and from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, injuries (including death), or damages, including court costs and attorney’s fees and expenses, that may be sustained by students while participating in Testing.
