Proof Of Vaccination Required For Maskless ETHS Students, Staff

EVANSTON, IL — Students and staff at Evanston Township High School have until next week to submit proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 if they do not want to be required to wear a face mask indoors.

Providing proof of coronavirus vaccination is voluntary. But anyone who has not submitted vaccination documentation to the district will be considered unvaccinated for contact tracing purposes, district officials announced.

Face coverings inside school buildings are optional for the fully vaccinated and mandatory for those who have not submitted proof of vaccination.

"In order to support and maintain a safe and healthy school environment for the 2021-22 school year, ETHS students and staff are asked to provide their proof of vaccination to the school," according to an announcement from the district. "A fully vaccinated school community will help ensure regular operations and support in-person instruction and activities at ETHS."

New masking rules took effect last week in the district. Fully vaccinated students and staff are no longer required to wear a mask while indoors.

In accordance with state and federal public health guidelines, everyone is still required to be masked when on public transportation or school vehicles.

According to a dashboard of self-reported COVID-19 cases and quarantines in the school community since June 10, there has been one new case among staff and none among students. One staff member and one student were quarantined during that period.

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In the spring, district officials announced plans for other changes that are set to be implemented in August.

All detention, tardiness and "social probation" disciplinary records will be removed. The school will also implement a block schedule. And administrators have eliminated end-of-semester exams.

“For years, we have heard concerns from students, parents, and teachers about the amount of testing in schools and at ETHS. These concerns are only heightened today,” Superintendent Eric Witherspoon said in a statement announcing the changes. “Eliminating semester exams may help students to better focus on their post-secondary options through their coursework."

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Staff have been asked to submit proof of vaccination by Aug. 2 in order to be processed for the start of the 2021-22 school year. Students have until Aug. 5 to be processed for the first day of school Aug. 16.