Valley View School District vaccinates staff as students return to classrooms

Valley View School District 365U and other local agencies are working to vaccinate staff members this week as students return to in-person learning.

The district, which includes public elementary, middle and high schools in Bolingbrook and Romeoville, will vaccinate about 1,500 staff members this week, according to spokesman Jim Blaney.

To vaccinate its staff, Valley View partnered with the Will County Health Department, Edward Health EMS, the Bolingbrook Fire Department, the Romeoville Fire Department and the Rasmussen College of Nursing.

Paramedics from the area fire departments and nursing volunteers from Rasmussen College were administering shots at the district’s administration center in Romeoville, Blaney said.

Teachers are receiving their vaccinations as students at all grade levels have been returning to the classroom for at least some in-person learning.

The district announced a gradual return of students back into the classroom ending with high school sophomores and juniors this week.

“The level of energy in the buildings with even the limited number of students back is amazing,” Blaney said.

A similar vaccination campaign has been taking place with teachers in Joliet with AMITA Health and the Joliet Fire Department.

Teachers, like other essential workers, are eligible to get vaccinated under Phase 1B of the state’s plan.

As of Monday, about 14,200 people have been vaccinated in Will County, or about 2% of the county’s population, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.