Menu

Second Semester - Spring 2021

Gradual Return to 4-Days per Week of In-Person Instruction:

The process of inviting students back to our buildings will be staged over a period of time allowing us to gauge any potential impact it may have on our current quarantining practices. The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Health recently provided Part 4 of their revision to the public health guidance for schools. These new directives provided new guidance supporting the return to in-person learning when practicable, giving us the ability to welcome additional students back to 4 days of in-person instruction while maintaining our commitment to the safest possible learning environment. With that in mind, we will initially allow current hybrid students the opportunity to attend classes in the following phased in approach:

  • Seniors: Current hybrid senior students will be given the opportunity to return for 4-day per week in-person learning on Monday, March 15. 

  • Juniors: Current hybrid juniors will be given the opportunity to return for 4-day per week in-person learning on Monday, March 22.

  • Sophomores & Freshmen: Current hybrid sophomore and freshmen students will be given the opportunity to return for 4-day per week in-person learning on Monday, April 5. 

If your student is enrolled in a specialized program (FCS, FLS, Lifeskills or STRIVE) they will continue to attend in-person five days per week. Students at Haber Oaks will also continue to follow their current schedule. 

Students who are currently enrolled in full-time remote learning will have the option to be added to a waitlist for 4-day per week in-person learning. Students in our current hybrid model will also have the option to switch to full-time remote learning for the rest of the semester.

The current daily second semester schedule will remain the same. All students will continue to participate in synchronous learning days Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with an asynchronous learning day every Wednesday.

Guiding Principles & Priorities:

  1. Student & Staff Safety - Follow all ISBE, IDPH and CDC guidelines.

  2. Maintain a 9 period day to ensure students maximize their high school credits and can easily transition back to in-person classes.

  3. The Second Semester 2020-21 Remote Plan will engage students synchronously multiple times each day/week.

  4. Provide social emotional, technology and academic supports for staff and students.

  5. Prioritize in-person instruction for special student populations when possible and needed.

  6. Attendance/Engagement is required.

  7. Standard curriculum will continue to be covered.

  8. Traditional grading and accountability (formative and summative assessments included in grades).

  9. Canvas will be used for all classes.

  10. Specialized classes may occur in-person for hands-on learning opportunities.

 

Updated ISBE Guidance:

  • Social Distancing: According to updated guidance from the CDC, ISBE and IDPH, appropriate social distance for in-person learning is now defined as 3 to 6 feet for students and fully vaccinated staff, with 6 feet being safest.

  • Face Coverings: The allowances of social distance of 3 to 6 feet means that schools must continue to require universal masking, regardless of whether schools use social distance of 3 feet or 6 feet.

  • Temperature Checks: ISBE and IDPH no longer recommend temperature screening upon arrival at school, while they do recommend continuing to self-screen for COVID-19-like symptoms prior to arriving to school or boarding the bus.

  • Occupancy Limits: Capacity limits for common spaces (i.e. cafeterias, gymnasiums, study halls) during in-person learning are now determined by the space’s ability to accommodate social distancing of 3 to 6 feet, with 6 feet being safest.

Please note: This page contains links to documents that are in Adobe's PDF format.  If you have accessibility needs that make it difficult for you to access and / or interpret information in PDF format, please call 815-455-8500 or email distmail@d155.org, and we will be happy to assist you.