July 17, 2020
We are continuing to work hard to provide our families and staff with plans for the start of the 2020-21 school year. This is no small task, and we thank you again for your continued patience and support. This week, we are providing information about the Back Together 304 plans for the fall, as well as next steps regarding the choices we are offering to allow you to decide what works best for your children and family. As you review these plans, please understand that this information is subject to change, and we will keep you informed of any changes.
BACK TOGETHER 304 LEARNING OPTIONS
The plans below have been developed with a great deal of care. We truly believe that, given the most up-to-date guidance, our plans for in-person learning represent the very best approach to supporting students while maintaining a safe, positive, adaptable, and healthy learning environment.
The information provided here is meant to give an overview of our approach to in-person learning while highlighting an online-only learning option designed for families with significant reservations about their children returning to any in-person learning this fall. The district staff is working on details that go beyond the information listed here, and families are encouraged to visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for additional details.
Early next week (the week of July 20), families will be provided with instructions for how to select the learning option that works best for your family.
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In-Person Learning Overview:
- Objectives: Current guidance from the State Board of Education strongly encourages a return to in-person learning for all students in Illinois. The goal of in-person learning is to minimize health and safety risks while maximizing in-person learning time.
- Schedule: Students in grades K-12 will attend school two to three times a week. Students with the last name beginning with A-K will attend school in person on Mondays, Wednesdays, and alternating Fridays. Students whose last name begins with L-Z will attend school on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and alternating Fridays. (Families can request a Family Change-of-Placement Request Form to have all children in the household attend on the same scheduled day if last names within a household are different.) To view a sample of the In-Person Learning A/B schedule, please click here.
- Off-site Days: Students will not take part in live regular education instruction during their off-site learning days, but will participate in learning activities as assigned by their instructors.
- Supports: Interventions, related services, or special education sessions may be delivered through synchronous instruction on these days as deemed necessary.
- Classrooms would be set up to honor social distancing, with excess furniture removed.
- Attendance will be taken every day of the week (face-to-face and off-site learning days).
- Symptom Screening: The district plans to institute a self-certification? process for all students and staff and the rare visitors that will be allowed into the building during school hours. The process will require all those entering the building to self-certify that they are, among other things, healthy, symptom-free, and do not have a fever.
- Cleaning and Disinfecting: All Operations & Maintenance practices will follow CDC guidance along with using EPA-approved COVID-19 products.
- Lunch: Multiple spaces will be designated as lunch areas. Students may be assigned a specific table/seat. The maximum amount of individuals in one space will not exceed 50. Social distancing will be implemented in accordance with ISBE guidelines.
- Grading: Standard grading practices and grading periods will apply to in-person learners. Grades will also need to be issued for all in-person learners for off-site learning opportunities.
- Transportation: The district plans to institute a self-certification process for all students who will plan to ride the bus. Masks must be worn at all times while boarding and riding the bus. Ridership will not exceed 49 students on any route at any time.
- Early Childhood: Students will participate in in-person instruction five days a week during their designated small group AM or PM sessions.
Online-Only Learning Overview:
- Objectives: The district has developed a limited online-only learning option designed for families with significant reservations about their children returning to any in-person learning this fall. Students in the online only learning option would be enrolled in virtual sections that would not necessarily be associated with your assigned neighborhood school.
- Schedule: Daily learning opportunities will be provided to online learning students that follow a variety of approaches.
- Early Childhood: Students who attend the Geneva Early Learning Program will be provided services through in-person learning only. Should a student have a documented medical condition, the parent should contact the Early Childhood Coordinator.
- Elementary: Families who select the online only learning option in grades K-5 will be enrolled in virtual sections limited to core-content areas and mandated topics. Students who are enrolled in the online learning option will receive learning opportunities in Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education.
- Middle School: Families who select the online only learning option in grades 6-8 will be enrolled in virtual sections of pre-identified courses. Offerings at the middle school level would be limited to core-content areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education.
- High School: Families who select the online only learning option in grades 9th-12th grades will be enrolled in virtual sections of pre-identified courses. Offerings at the high school level would be limited to core-content areas, mandated topics, and graduation requirements. More information is still being determined regarding the subjects offered.
- Attendance: Students will be required to submit completed daily learning opportunities to virtual instructor(s) or participate in scheduled synchronous learning opportunities which will be recorded as their attendance and engagement for the day.
- Grading: Standard grading practices and grading periods will apply to online learners.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & NEXT STEPS
We recognize there are still several questions surrounding regarding both of these options. Our team is also working hard to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions with all of the information and guidelines that we currently have available. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page of our website for updated information.
Early next week, you will be provided with instructions for how to select the learning option that works best for your family.
Our administrative team will also be providing an overview of these two learning options at the Board of Education meeting at 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 20. Those who wish to learn more may visit this link.
Thank you for your continued patience, grace, flexibility, and support as we work toward a successful start to the upcoming school year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kent Mutchler
Superintendent of Schools