This page is an effort to keep members informed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide resources for members, parents and the community. If you have questions, or suggestions of resources to include, please send a note to web@ufea.org.
Most recent updates
A number of changes to COVID-19 mitigations occurred in February. As a result, the most recent guidance from Unit 5 includes:
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provided updated guidance that eases guidelines for universal indoor mask wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level.
As part of that guidance, the CDC no longer requires masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, school buses.
Governor Pritzker also announced that in light of the revised CDC guidelines, the Illinois school mask mandate will be lifted effective Monday, Feb. 28.
Unit 5 had already moved to a mask recommended practice in its schools, based on recent court rulings. As a result of these new updates, the biggest impact for Unit 5 is that masks will no longer be required by students when riding a bus or van.
Unit 5 will continue to offer other COVID mitigation strategies, including voluntary weekly COVID screening for students and staff, providing masks, providing table/desk shields, teaching and reminding students of handwashing and respiratory etiquette, and advising individuals to stay home when sick.
We also want to reiterate that students and families should respect one another’s decision regarding masks. Harassment, bullying or aggressive behaviors are unacceptable. If a student or family feels there have been incidents of harassment, bullying, or aggression related to masks they should report it to their teacher and/or building principal. A concern resolution form is also available by contacting the school office.
Positive cases & newly quarantined* in Unit 5
Unit 5 is making data available through a dashboard on their website. You can view the school-specific or community data at unit5.org. UFEA monitors the data weekly, including comparing positive tests to the staff + student population for the district and each building.
During the week of 2/13/22, Unit 5 decided to move to mask-optional. Starting the week of 2/20/22, the data includes “recommended to quarantine” rather than “newly quarantined.”
Current data
- CDC County-level data
- From Unit 5: Dashboard for Local Metrics | School-Specific Metrics: 2020-2021, 2021-2022
- From UFEA: Data by school showing positive cases, newly quarantined, and case positivity rate.
- From IDPH: Current County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics
Links to reliable, helpful information & resources
- Coronavirus.Illinois.gov
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- McLean County Health Department Updates
- WGLT.org/Coronavirus | local news & updates
- NEA: Schools & Coronavirus: What You Should Know
- Resources from Johns Hopkins | Interactive Map
Resources for members
- COVID-19 Sick Leave & Wage Protection Information and FAQ
- Letter of Understanding in Response to the Governor’s Executive Order mandating vaccines or testing
- IEA Coronavirus Updates & Resources
- Illinois State Board of Education Coronavirus Information | this includes regular updates & guidance
- ISBE: Continuing Education Resources | Open Educational Resources
- NEA: Resources for Online Learning During School Closures
- NEA: Schools & Coronavirus: What You Should Know
Resources for students & parents
- Free and low-cost internet from Comcast for eligible households
- CDC: Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
- A child-friendly coronavirus explainer video | from Brainpop
- PBS: News for Students and Teacher Resources | 6–12 Grade Level
- PBS: News for Students and Teacher Resources | 6–12 Grade Level | coronavirus resources
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
- ISBE: Continuing Education Resources
- Helping teens and children deal with stress
- Multilingual Resources
- Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus | from NPR