GV-NB Coronavirus Response

Dear District 34 Staff, Families & Community Members,

There will be many long-term -- even permanent -- changes that we will notice when we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. One very positive result is the collaborative work happening among the members of the Glenview Northbrook Coronavirus Response task force for the greater good. This highly effective team is coming together focused solely on serving the best interests of the citizens, organizations and businesses of Glenview and Northbrook. I am confident that those connections will continue to yield benefits to our schools, families and community for years to come.

In our schools, the work of our E-Learning Team and every one of our teachers will have a lasting impact on teaching and learning in District 34. We continue to plan for the evolution of E-Learning; if we must extend our time away from our school buildings, E-Learning will continue -- and will improve as we all adapt to this new environment.

We will be “back to school” after spring break on Monday, March 30, for our fourth day of E-Learning. As a reminder, E-Learning Day school hours are 9:00 am-2:30 pm. Teachers are available to support students by email, Google Hangout/Zoom and other tools during those hours. However, as teachers are also managing their own family situations, they may not be immediately available. Your child’s teacher may share a specific daily schedule that includes breaks.

I hope that you were able to find moments of a spring break mindset over the last week.

The Glenview/Northbrook COVID-19 Task Force continues to meet regularly to share information and resources and coordinate responses. Our collaborative efforts have resulted in governing bodies donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Northshore Universal Healthcare. Our community members are also invited to donate (see below). We also encourage citizens to visit our website for information from our agencies, and to check official sources about the spread of COVID-19:

• State of Illinois’ Coronavirus Website (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

• Illinois Department of Public Health

• Cook County Department of Public Health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our facilities remain closed or have limited access. Check the websites of individual agencies to learn how to access services by phone or online.

Jesse Peterson Hall, president of Glenbrook Hospital, explained that the NorthShore hospitals, including Glenbrook Hospital, are structurally reorganizing to create capacity for an influx of patients. He shared important information for our community:

Essential Elements of Infection Prevention and Control measures for COVID-19:

• Regular and diligent hand hygiene before and after:

• Touching your face,

• Blowing your nose,

• Coughing or sneezing,

• Going to the bathroom, and

• Eating or preparing food.

• Vigilant social distancing:

• Maintain a distance of 6 feet from each other whenever possible

• Limit the number of individuals involved in in-person conversations.

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve.

• Stay home if you are sick.

If You’re Sick

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, do not visit your doctor or the hospital until instructed to do so. You can get help either by calling the community health hotline at 847-432-5849, or scheduling an E-Visit at northshoreconnect.org or on the NorthshoreConnect mobile app. After you login, click the COVID-19 E-visit button. Based on your symptoms, you will be told if you need to be tested and will be given instructions on where to go for your test.

Donations

NorthShore is accepting financial, critical supply and other donations. Visit their website for information on how to donate.

The Governor’s “Stay-at-Home” orders are designed to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19; social distancing is the most effective solution. As part of the Governor’s orders, all playgrounds in Illinois are closed at this time.

It’s important to get out and get exercise and fresh air -- but you must do so without gathering in groups, large or small. Whenever you are out, wherever you are, maintain six feet between yourself and others. To be successful, we also need our youth to follow these guidelines. Please reinforce the following with your children: