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July 7: CCSD 89 planning for in-person learning with remote option for 2020-21
Community Consolidated School District 89 is planning to hold full in-person learning in the 2020-21 school year with an option for students to participate in fully remote learning. By 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, families will have to choose whether they want their children to participate in full in-person or full remote learning.
The in-person plan is contingent on the state of Illinois remaining in Phase 4 through the start of school in August.
With in-person learning, all elementary schools and Glen Crest Middle School will be open for regular school hours Monday through Friday (elementary - 8:50 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.; middle school - 7:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.). Students and staff will be required to wear masks. Classrooms will be set up to provide adequate social distancing throughout each building. Elementary and middle school students who participate in the in-person learning will remain in static groups with teachers coming to their classroom. Busing will be available.
Families can also choose to participate in full remote learning for the 2020-21 school year. With remote learning, students will be taught by full-time remote teachers who will provide a comprehensive curriculum focused on core academic areas. Lessons will be recorded to provide opportunities for students to review or participate at a time that is more convenient to their family. Families that choose remote learning will be committing for at least one trimester. In remote learning, attendance will be taken and grades will be given.
To see a graphic summary of the in-person and remote learning options, go here: https://bit.ly/2ZQ1amS
To watch a short video summarizing the in-person and remote learning options, go here: https://youtu.be/wIeS4_37j7c
Three learning options for the 2020-21 school year (full in-person with remote option, hybrid, and full remote) were presented to the Board of Education on Monday, July 6. The slides for the presentation can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3izR7dX
Submit your questions by Wednesday, July 8
On Friday, July 10, CCSD 89 Superintendent Dr. Emily Tammaru will be answering frequently asked questions from families and students in a video message that will be emailed and posted on the district’s website. Please submit any questions about in-person or remote learning to info@ccsd89.org by 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.
Family selection due Wednesday, July 15
All registered families will be sent a survey to the email address on file with the district on Friday, July 10. The survey should be filled out by one parent for each student by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.
The district needs the responses by July 15 in order to plan for staffing and resources.
Safety precautions in place
Throughout the summer, the district has been reviewing the architectural plans to ensure that each of the five schools will be able to provide adequate spacing in the classrooms. By reassigning and adding staff, removing extraneous items from classrooms, and using all available learning spaces, the district will be able to keep students socially distanced while learning.
In June, the State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health released their health and education guidelines for the 2020-21 school year. The recommendations encourage in-person learning, if possible. In addition to social distancing, the state requires:
- Masks for students and staff throughout the school day, except during lunch.
- Increased school-wide cleaning throughout the day and after school.
- No more than 50 people gathered in one indoor space.
- Screening checks prior to attending school.
The district will be hiring additional custodians to provide more cleaning during the school day with a focus on high-touch surfaces. During the day, classrooms will be cleaned with an electrostatic spray that can sanitize the room in a few minutes while students are out of the classroom.
In as many places as practical, the district will provide additional safety measures, above the mandated minimum requirements. For instance, the district will be adding a health aide to each building, monitors on each bus, among other precautions. More information is available in this document (column on in-person learning): https://bit.ly/3eZfeRa
If the state of Illinois were to move back to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, the district would not be able to open for full in-person learning. If the district has to pivot, the staff is prepared to quickly transition to hybrid or remote learning 2.0. The district will communicate any changes through email, posting on the website, and sharing information through the district’s social media channels.
What will in-person or remote learning look like?
In-person learning conditions
- Students will attend in-person for a school day that follows typical attendance hours.
- Classrooms will follow social distancing guidelines.
- All students and staff will wear masks whenever they are indoors.
- Touchless temperature screenings will be administered for all students as they enter school.
- Schools will reorganize spaces and staff to create additional learning places with reduced class sizes.
- Both in elementary and middle school, student groups will be as static as possible, with teachers moving rather than students.
- Assignments, grades, and feedback will occur.
- All school areas (classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, offices, etc.) will be thoroughly cleaned with a focus on high-touch areas, and electrostatic cleaning daily. Additional custodial staff has been added. Hand sanitizer will be available in all buildings.
- Busing will be provided to all students who normally ride the bus.
- Students will not share school supplies.
- Students, staff who show COVID-19 symptoms will be removed from the classroom.
- Lunch and recess will take place outdoors when weather allows.
Remote learning conditions
- All learning will be remote through a district-provided device.
- Students will receive a comprehensive learning experience with a focus on core academic areas.
- Remote learning will be taught by staff who are solely responsible for teaching remote learning.
- Teachers will be available to students and parents during normal school hours.
- Lessons will be recorded to provide opportunities for review and asynchronous learning.
- Assignments, grades, and feedback will be given and collected.
- Attendance will be taken.
- Interventions and supports will be available.
You can find additional details about the in-person learning plan here: https://bit.ly/3eZfeRa
Please note: the remote learning 2.0 information on the document would only apply if the entire district has to go fully remote.
More information
Latest COVID-19 news: www.ccsd89.org/COVID
Summer learning resources: www.ccsd89.org/remote
Information on meals: https://bit.ly/3hRNoIl
Free local WiFi hotspots: https://bit.ly/2xpjYz7
Posted: July 7, 2020