Dear District 58 Staff and Families:
Happy Holidays from District 58! It is hard to believe that we have arrived at winter break, and 2021 is a few short weeks away. The last 10 months have certainly been a rough road to travel, but I am truly grateful for all of the support the District 58 community has provided.
The purpose of this letter is to confirm that District 58 will continue moving forward after winter break with its hybrid learning model with a full remote option. Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 is a scheduled non-attendance day (Teacher Institute Day), and onsite instruction will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021.
District 58 has done a great deal to keep our schools open. We currently are not experiencing virus transmission at our schools, our safety protocols have been effective at slowing the spread, and there has not been a substantial disruption to the educational process since our last adaptive pause (that was taken for logistical /staffing issues). I would like to commend the students, staff and families for all they have done to ensure strict adherence to the established safety protocols. I would also like to thank our community for taking this virus extremely seriously. While a vaccine is here, we are nowhere near out of the woods. We must double down on our efforts so we can keep our schools open. For further rationale behind the decision to continue to keep our schools open, please refer back to my Nov. 23 letter.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the safest way to celebrate the winter holidays is to stay at home with the people who live with you. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you must travel during the holiday season, I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the CDC’s recommendations and get tested prior to traveling and again upon return.
District 58 is committed to providing onsite instruction in a safe manner that adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). In order to provide such a model, everyone must do their part by and strictly adhere to the self-certification process (this includes taking temperatures at home). If you need a thermometer for your home, please contact Katie Hannigan at the District Office at channigan@dg58.org. We cannot provide onsite instruction if our absences return to unmanageable levels. This is truly a community effort and we need your help. Please avoid gatherings, stay home as much as possible, and be safe.
Continue to practice the 3Ws: Wear a mask, Watch your distance and Wash your hands frequently.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin B. Russell
Superintendent of Schools