A Letter to Parents & Guardians from Geneva 304 Administration

Dec. 3, 2018

Dear Geneva 304 parents and guardians:

Geneva CUSD 304 has learned that the Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association will meet again this evening to continue negotiations.

Once we know the outcome of that meeting and can confirm whether a GEA work stoppage will occur tomorrow, Dec. 4, we will be in touch with you via the following communication channels:

• District & school websites
• 304 Connects email
• Social media
• Emergency phone notification system

Please note that out of respect for sleeping families, the emergency phone notification system will not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., but any updates that may occur during that time WILL be communicated via website, email and social media. If school will be closed tomorrow due to a teacher work stoppage, emergency phone notifications will resume as soon as 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

If you are a parent or guardian of a Geneva 304 student, be sure that your contact information is up to date in Home Access Center.

We are committed to keeping you up to date as we learn more. Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding as we navigate this situation. We remain hopeful and will update you as quickly as possible when we have additional information.

In the event of a work stoppage, we have provided below answers to frequently asked questions to help families plan.

Thank you,  
Geneva CUSD 304 Administration


Frequently Asked Questions: 
Q. Would schools be open to students if the work stoppage takes place beginning Tuesday, Dec. 4?
A. All school buildings would be closed to Geneva students.
 
Q. How would I find out information about the closures?  
A. We would share information on our District and school websites, 304 Connects email, emergency notification system, and social media accounts. If you are a parent or guardian of a Geneva 304 student, be sure that your contact information is up to date in Home Access Center.
 
Q. If a school is closed for more than one day, how often would I receive communication? 
A. Parents can expect daily communication during a school closure. We also would be in contact with you once school resumes.  
 
Q. What about transportation?
A. Transportation routes would not be operating during a work stoppage.

Q. What about school athletic practices or games?
A. All school-related athletic practices or games would be canceled.
 
Q. What about school clubs, activities or field trips?
A. All school-related clubs, activities or field trips would be canceled. Rescheduled events would be determined after the conclusion of a work stoppage.
 
Q. What about athletic practices or games for non-school clubs, such as feeder sports?
A. Athletic practices and games would be canceled for non-school clubs.  
 
Q. Would students in the Fox Valley Career Center still attend their program?
A. Yes, the students would still attend the Fox Valley Career Center and receive transportation according to the regular schedule.
 
Q. What if my child attends a Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative program or is enrolled in a therapeutic day placement?
A. Students enrolled in a specific Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative program or therapeutic day placement would still attend school in both Geneva CUSD 304 and other locations, as regularly scheduled. This includes: Little Hands/Little Voices at FES, New Pathways at FES, ABLE at MCS, New Pathways at GMSS, ELS at GHS, and New Pathways at GHS. Transportation would still be provided by Geneva School District or Spare Wheels. If your student is sick or absent during this time, families would need to follow the standard procedures when calling in an absence. Further information would be shared directly with these families from Student Services Director Anne Giarrante. 
 
Q. Would before- and after-school programs be open?
A. Before- and after-school programs for students would be canceled; however, programs for adults would be handled on a case-by-case basis by the organizing body.  
  
Q. Would Kids’ Zone be open?
A. Kids’ Zone would not operate in our buildings. Further information would be provided directly to Kids’ Zone families from the Geneva Park District.
 
Q. Would Friendship Station (the Park District Preschool) be open?
A. Yes, the Park District preschool program would be open and operate out of their location at Geneva Middle School South.