Dear Students, Staff, and Families of District 58:
I hope this message finds you and your family safe and well. It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through 2020. While the first half of this year was one of the most challenging times many of us have ever encountered, I am confident that with extensive planning we can “flip the script” and make the second half of the year memorable for positive reasons.
The purpose of this email is to update you on where the District stands in terms of planning for the 2020-2021 school year. As you are aware, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) last Tuesday released guidance around opening schools for the 2020-21 school year. Unfortunately, like many guidance documents, ISBE’s 60-page document left the District with more questions than answers. While District staff has been working around the clock to plan for next year, we have been frustrated with the state’s lack of specific answers and the shifting guidance pertaining to social distancing and face coverings. Nevertheless, we will continue to move forward together to ensure that school in the fall meets the same high standards that you have come to expect. The District will continue to prioritize in-person instruction while strictly adhering to safety protocols.
Earlier today, the District’s Remote Learning Task Force completed its final meeting. This group worked collaboratively to assist the District with planning for three scenarios:
- Full In-Person Instruction
- Remote Instruction
- Blended Instruction (a combination of in-person and remote)
Additionally, this group provided feedback on health and safety measures that need to be implemented to adhere to the guidance. All of this feedback will be shared with the District Leadership Team (DLT) on July 8, 2020. The administration will present its recommendation to the Board on July 13, 2020, including feedback from the Remote Learning Task Force, the DLT, as well as a summary of the updated ISBE guidance. District 58 will then finalize its plan later in July and inform all families via email.
District 58 is keenly aware of the urgent need to communicate to families about what to expect next school year. Right now, we don’t have all the answers to specifics of the reopening as the state’s document was released to school districts last week and it continues to change. Therefore, we kindly ask for your patience as our staff thoroughly reviews this evolving guidance and implements the suggestions as well as the requirements into our District’s own transition plan.
Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as our entire district navigates a situation together that none of us could have imagined. I will be in touch as soon as possible once I get all of the answers needed to finalize a plan. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy the 4th of July holiday later this week.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin B. Russell
District 58 Superintendent