Update from the School Reopening Advisory Committee
District moves into Step 2 of the plan
The School Reopening Advisory Committee composed of students, parents, staff, administrators, an infectious disease specialist, and one Board member meet on a scheduled basis to discuss the current Learning and Operations Plan and consider adjustments to the school environment, including movement through the different phases of reopening. The committee will provide four scheduled updates throughout the fall, August 28, September 25, October 9 and 23. Additional meetings and updates may be added, depending on the progress of COVID-19 and the learning plan.
Date of Meeting: August 17, 2020
Summary of Discussion:
In its inaugural meeting, the School Reopening Advisory Committee made introductions, established shared expectations, and reviewed the 2020-21 Learning and Operations Plan.
Relevant Data:
The committee reviewed the current rates of building utilization by staff and students. Included in the discussion was a review of the impact of quarantines on the summer athletic programs. Additionally, a review of the freshman orientation activities was conducted, including concerns about social distancing enforcement as students passed from one area to another. A review of current state data of new cases and the positivity rates were also included in the discussion.
At this time, two of the seven indicators used to assess readiness to move between phases meet the established targets, while five remain in progress.
Considerations:
One of the indicators centers around creating a stable and consistent learning environment that upholds the district’s instructional integrity. By gradually adding students, we will be able to determine if there is an increase in transmission, which will inform whether additional students can be brought into the schools. It is crucial to avoid a series of opening and closing of the school as transmission levels ebb and flow. Having stable and consistent instruction with a certified teacher, even in an E-Learning environment, is preferred to any alternatives.
Recommendation:
Beginning on September 8, the district will move into Step 2 of the plan. This phase will bring in several hundred students, divided up into cohorts, meeting in the morning or afternoon, and on alternating days. Students, with and without disabilities, who have identified support needs in the areas of attendance, grades, interventions, social/emotional wellbeing, medical, or academic supports may be eligible to attend campus. Students with any of these needs are referred to their respective Student Services team for consideration. The Student Services teams meet weekly to review referrals and data points to compile a list of eligible students. Through this process, additional students can be added in Step 2 as needs and opportunities are identified. Similarly, the North Suburban Special Education District (NSSED) is committed to providing in-person instruction for students in the Teaching Life Skills (TLS) program, initially bringing in small groups of students, half days in the morning or afternoon, two days per week. Bus transportation services will be provided to all students that have purchased a bus pass. Routes will be operated in the morning, mid-day, and in the afternoon. Information regarding bus transportation will be announced by the end of next week.
Next Steps:
With this announcement, the Student Services teams from each school will begin developing a list of eligible students based on identified needs. School counselors or other members of the Student Services teams will contact the students and the families of those selected to provide further details.
Next Committee Meetings:
August 31, September 14, and 21
For more information, please continue to visit our webpage dedicated to the reopening of school.