Minooka CCSD 201 Students and Families,
Over the past weeks we have developed a Framework to Return to School for 2020-2021 during the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that was shared with our staff and Board of Education this week. Based on the results of last month's parent survey that indicated 43% of respondents would prefer a full time Remote Instruction option, we have developed a hybrid model that allows families to choose either:
- In-person instruction in our school buildings using social distancing measures and face masks while in the building
- Full time Remote Instruction
First, we want to stress that this is our current framework and future data and planning can and will make further adjustments as necessary. Our framework for In-Person Instruction allows all students that wish to return to school to do so using safety protocols issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Our initial framework included early release days with lunches served in the classrooms, but after continued feedback from staff and ongoing dialogue over safety protocols, we have modified our framework to remove the student lunch component while in our buildings.
In Person Instruction during Phase 4 of the COVID-19 Restore Illinois plan:
- Each day will be a 4 hour attendance day with 1 hour of remote instruction after the students return home.
- Lunches will be handed to students as they leave the building or school bus to eat off site.
- Social distancing will be used as much as possible:
- All families must self-certify that the students are symptom free prior to sending them to the school or school bus.
- Facemasks will be required in all buildings and on all buses at all times when not drinking.
- Student movement throughout the buildings will be limited when possible.
- Student desks will be spread out as much as possible. It is not likely that all desks will be 6 ft apart, but all learning spaces will have desks facing the same direction and all unnecessary furniture removed to allow for as much distance as possible.
- Shared and larger spaces will be avoided to the extent possible.
- Increased cleaning of restrooms and surfaces will be employed.
For families that do not wish to send their students back into our facilities, a Full Time Remote Instruction option will be available:
- Remote Instruction will focus on the core subjects - limited access to fine arts, PE will be available.
- Students must log 5 hours of instruction/activity each day.
- Lessons will be delivered by Minooka 201 teachers using both via live interactive lessons and through online platforms.
- Grading will mirror that of traditional In-Person Instruction, with graded assignments, feedback and report cards issued.
- All Remote Students eligible for additional services (Special Education, ELL Services, Speech, etc) will retain full access to those services during Remote Instruction.
- Families selecting Remote Instruction must commit for the entire academic period (quarter, trimester for Kindergarten). Switching from Remote Instruction to In Person Instruction in the middle of the quarter will not be allowed.
A visual comparison of these options can be found in our Minooka CCSD 201 Return to School Summary . There are still many details being worked out in our schools and departments. Many parents are sending in excellent questions that our teams still need time to work through. All of our schools will be complying with the Starting the School Year Joint Guidance issued on June 23, 2020 by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. A great many of the questions on protocols when an individual is diagnosed or seems symptomatic can be found in this document. On Monday, July 20th we will be sending out communication for how families can indicate their preference for instruction for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. We would ask that families make their selection by Friday, July 24th.
We all understand the difficulties of both keeping our students and staff safe and still supporting their educational and social well being. We believe this Framework offers our families a balanced choice for the type of instructional model that is best for their students as we remain in Phase 4 of our recovery plan. It is also important to note that should Illinois move our region back to Phase 3 due to an increased threat of the COVID-19 virus in our area, Minooka CCSD 201 would revert back to full Remote Instruction for all students until such time as our local metrics improve. In the event that we can move to Phase 5 - Full Reopening, we would expect to transition back to full time In-Person Instruction.
We appreciate your patience and support as we all continue to work on behalf of the students, families and communities that make up Minooka CCSD 201. Stay safe everyone. We will get through this together.
Kristopher P. Monn, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Minooka CCSD 201
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