After months of research, analysis and planning Community High School District 218 will start the 2020-2021 academic year on August 17 with three weeks of remote learning.
Over the summer staff members worked tirelessly to learn from the lessons from last spring on how to implement a more effective and meaningful remote learning experience for students.
Administrators chose to delay the start of in-person instruction to further implement safety protocols, give teachers an opportunity to enhance their remote learning instructional practices, and out of an abundance of caution for the health and welfare of students and staff.
On Tuesday, September 8 the district will initiate a partial return to in-person instruction.
The district will divide students alphabetically into two groups starting September 8. Each week half of students will attend classes in-person for two days while the other half participates in remote learning; on the two other days, the groups will reverse the remote and in-person instruction.
All students will participate in remote learning every Wednesday.
During both phases the school day will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m.
Parents who choose to enroll their students in full-time remote learning may do so. They need to submit the application affirming their choice by August 7.
Depending on how the COVID-19 pandemic changes District 218 may alter its plans at any time.
“We feel it is crucial that we prepare our students and staff for both worlds. Our plan attempts to do just that by gradually phasing in an eventual return to in-person instruction. We will use the first month of the school year to help both staff and students become acclimated to a new school environment, to prepare for new instructional platforms, and to learn how to effectively follow new, rigorous safety protocols,” said Superintendent Dr. Ty Harting.
Freshmen will begin high school with an orientation the week of August 10. They also will receive an iPad that they will keep as long as they’re enrolled in District 218.
Health and safety protocols
Administrators consulted with public health authorities, surveyed both staff and parents, and conducted focus group interviews to develop the exhaustive 20-page plan outlining the return to school. Anyone may view the plan in full at www.chsd218.org.
District 218 adhered to the Restore Illinois Plan in developing its guidelines for the new academic year. During all phases of the reopening, the district will strictly follow the general guidelines and requirements from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
This includes requiring all students and staff to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks; social distancing; increased school-wide cleaning and disinfection; no gatherings of more than 50 people in one space; and, requiring parents to self-certify that their students are free of symptoms before entering school buildings or require schools to conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks.
Further safety protocols include:
● Encouragement of frequent and proper hand washing.
● Students and staff will receive training/education on how to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
● Daily temperature check or symptoms surveys are required for daily access to school buildings.
● When necessary, hallways, staircases, and entrances will be designated one-way;
● The use of student lockers will be prohibited.
● Widespread safety signage will be posted.
● Traditional water fountains will be shut off; each school is equipped with reusable water bottle fillers so students will be encouraged to bring water bottles to school.
● Restroom use will be designated by class and all restroom use during classroom time will be tracked and logged.
● Elevators will be equipped with touchless hand sanitizer and signage.
Changes to remote learning
The remote learning experience will change substantially for students compared to last spring.
Students will follow their academic schedules in real-time whether they are learning remotely or in-person. Student attendance is required remotely at the time class is scheduled using district-issued iPads or any other electronic device.
Students also must log in to their remote Zoom classes on time based on the daily bell schedule.
For most classes, live instruction via Zoom will be provided for students learning from home, along with independent learning activities that are to be done during the class period and/or after the school day. The live instruction portion of the class will not necessarily last the entire period, but students will be expected to be in their next class on time.
Finally, grading policies will resume and all grades will count.
www.chsd218.org
