In just about two weeks, Noble students and staff will be back on campus, starting off the new school year on September 3.

Here’s the latest update to our comprehensive plan to return back to schools safely in the midst of COVID-19:

MASKS
Face masks must be worn over the mouth and nose at all times by staff, students, and visitors when inside a Noble school. This masking requirement also applies to indoor meetings that are Noble-sponsored at other locations.

VACCINATIONS
The most effective way to protect our community is to have a high rate of vaccination against COVID-19. Since the current Covid-19 vaccines are approved for everyone ages 12 and older, we strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Esperanza Health Centers is offering vaccinations to Noble students.

Click here to find a free, safe, and effective vaccination opportunity.

We have asked all staff to share their vaccination records with Noble Schools’ human resources department. We will also ask that all students share their Covid-19 vaccination records with their school’s main office (in the same way students submit records of vaccination every school year). You will hear more about that process from your campus in the days to come.

As you may have seen just last Friday, Chicago Public Schools announced a vaccine mandate for all of their staff. Key officials in the Biden administration have suggested that the Pfizer vaccine will be fully authorized by the FDA in the next few weeks. We will continue to monitor these developments and update our guidance accordingly. We would like to note that between now and October 15, our policy is effectively the same as CPS policy, requiring testing for unvaccinated staff.

CONTACT TRACING & QUARANTINING
We will conduct contact tracing and communicate with students and families if they are in close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case. Any staff member or student who has not shared a record of being fully vaccinated who becomes a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 must quarantine for 7-14 days.

TESTING
Beginning August 23, all Noble staff who have not shared a record of being fully vaccinated will be required to complete a weekly saliva test with our SHIELD Illinois partners. Students will be subject to the same masking, quarantine, and testing requirements, but will also be exempted from the quarantine and testing requirements if they submit evidence of fully vaccinated status.

ADDITIONAL MEASURES
In addition to masking, quarantine, and testing, Noble will also be following other mitigation strategies, including increased ventilation and air purification, increased cleaning, creating opportunities for distancing where possible, contact tracing, and staying home when sick.

All of these measures are designed to maximize the safety of students, students’ families, and staff as we welcome all students to the building on September 3.

For more details on our health & safety plan, head over to our Full Return Guide.

To read more on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our COVID-19 page.

Have other ideas of stories we should share?
Please send your ideas to communications@nobleschools.org