Vandalia CUSD #203

Vandalia CUSD #203 is asking all parents to take a survey about our schools. The survey is an evidence-based system designed to drive improvements in schools nationwide. The Survey will be open until March 11, 2022. https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

Active COVID + cases as of 1-7-22: VES= 0.78% of the student population; VJHS= 0.58% of the student population; VCHS= 1.06% of the student population; Staff= 1.79% of staff.

Dear Vandalia CUSD #203 Parents and Guardians, We are pleased to share that the isolation and quarantine period for students and staff members sick with COVID-19 or considered a close contact has been reduced to five days. Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education announced the agencies have adopted CDC guidance for P-12 schools that halves the isolation and quarantine period. (The Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance for P-12 schools on January 6: Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools | CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-quarantine.html). As a result, effective immediately, Vandalia CUSD #203 will implement the updated guidance. As soon as possible, we will contact staff, students and families who are currently impacted by a quarantine with a revised return to school plan. Vandalia CUSD #203 CDC/IDPH Updated Isolation/Quarantine Guidance for P-12 Schools January 7, 2022 Isolation/COVID positive- quarantine for 5 days from symptom onset or positive test result day if asymptomatic. Can return on day 6 as long as symptoms are improving and fever free for 24 hours. The employee/student must wear a mask for 5 days. Refusing to mask will extend the isolation period for the full 10 days. Quarantine/close contact unvaccinated- must quarantine for 5 days. Can return on Day 6 with a negative test recommended and must mask for 5 days. Refusing to mask extends the quarantine time to 10 days. Close contact to a household positive (unable to isolate away from the positive)- Day zero starts on the last day of exposure. The child must quarantine for 5 more days until Day 10. (example: Mom is positive and can not isolate from her children. The child's day zero begins after the mother’s 5 days.). Close contact to a positive who is able to isolate away from the positive- Day zero starts on the last day of exposure. The child must quarantine for 5 days. May return on day 6 masking until day 10. Vaccinated students & staff that are asymptomatic do not need to quarantine. Masking for 10 days and testing on day 5 are recommended. Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. Take care, Dr. Jennifer Garrison

Reminder from District Nurse, Joy Lewis: Parents, please keep your child home from school if they are sick. This is an important mitigation effort to help keep our school buildings as healthy as possible! Thank you for your help! We are looking forward to a great 2nd semester!

2022 is almost here! Please see below for our next flash sale! This sale will start on 12/31 and end on 1/1 at 11:59 pm EST. To celebrate the new year, we are offering 22% off any order, no minimum purchase required.

Active COVID + cases as of 12-17-21: VES= 0.98% of the student population; VJHS= 0.97% of the student population ; VCHS= No active positive cases; Staff= 1.35% of staff.

Watch the Pre-Probation Conference here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nEy7U6AhJ8

We have an immediate opening for a 7th grade volleyball coach. Please email Mr. Kern at bkern@vandals203.org if interested.

There are two weeks left to purchase senior tribute ads for the yearbook at Jostens.com. Anyone wishing to purchase through Mrs. Dunn must do so before the end of the day next Tuesday, December21. No ads will be sold after these dates. Check your email for more info

VCUSD #203 will be dismissing school early on Monday December 20 th and Tuesday, December 21 st Dismissal times for Monday, December 20 th and Tuesday, December 21 st are as follows: VES: 2:00 PM walkers/pick-ups/and early bus students 2:10 PM Late bus students Pre-K AM 8:00 – 11:00 AM Pre-K PM 12:00 - 2:00 PM VJHS: 4 th Grade – 2:00 PM walkers/pick-ups/and early bus students 5 th thru 8 th Grades – 2:15 PM VCHS:2:15 PM There will be NO school from Wednesday, December 22 nd thru Monday, January 3 rd , 2022 School will resume on Tuesday, January 4 th .

The 3rd Grade Christmas Music Program will premiere in 5 minutes! Check it out on our District YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu6pcOjDYZQ (After the premiere, you will be able to watch it at any time)

Thank you to The FNB Community Bank for your continued sponsorship of the Vandalia Holiday Tournament! For continued updates during the tournament go to our website: https://www.vandals203.org/page/holiday-tournament

Our Community Connections program is looking for mentors. This entails being assigned to a student at VCHS, working one on one with the student to prepare them for college, work on social and emotional skills, connecting them with community resources, and academic accountability. If this is something you’d be interested in please contact Rachel Willenborg at rwillenborg@vandals203.org.

VCUSD #203 will be dismissing school early on Monday December 20 th and Tuesday, December 21 st Dismissal times for Monday, December 20 th and Tuesday, December 21 st are as follows: VES: 2:00 PM walkers/pick-ups/and early bus students 2:10 PM Late bus students Pre-K AM 8:00 – 11:00 AM    Pre-K PM 12:00 - 2:00 PM VJHS: 4 th Grade – 2:00 PM walkers/pick-ups/and early bus students 5 th thru 8 th Grades – 2:15 PM VCHS: 2:15 PM There will be NO school from Wednesday, December 22 nd thru Monday, January 3 rd , 2022 School will resume on Tuesday, January 4 th .

The 3rd Grade Christmas Music Program will premiere tomorrow, Thursday, December 16th at 4:00pm. Check it out on our District YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu6pcOjDYZQ (After the premiere, you will be able to watch it at any time)

Active COVID + cases as of 12-10-21: VES= 0.78% of the student population; VJHS= 0.39% of the student population; VCHS= 0.26% of the student population; Staff= 0.45% of staff.

Attached is the schedule for the upcoming 49th Annual FNB Community Bank Holiday Tournament. For continued updates visit our website: https://www.vandals203.org/o/vandalia/page/holiday-tournament

This is a friendly reminder that there is no Pre K attendance at Vandalia Elementary School on Friday, December 10th. For those of you that returned the form to attend the Parent/Child Interaction Day at Starmax Movie Theater on Dec 10th, please arrive before 10 a.m. to get your drink and popcorn and find a seat to enjoy the show. There is no transportation available by bus for this event. Any questions, please call 618-283-5166 or email your child's teacher.

Congratulations to our 2022 Illinois State Scholars! Eric Barenfanger Isabella Eller Abby Guffey Ryan Kaiser Leo Krueger Andrew Myers

Active COVID + cases as of 12-3-21: VES= 0.20% of the student population; VJHS= 0.19% of the student population; VCHS= No active student cases; Staff= 0.90% of staff.