March 13, 2020
Due to a directive by Gov. Pritzker for all Illinois schools, Geneva 304 schools will be closed from Monday, March 16, through Monday, March 30. We will hold an Institute Day on Monday to allow teachers the time to work on plans for learning activities that can be delivered remotely. We will still observe our scheduled spring break from March 30-April 3. Additional communication about the exact details of these remote learning plans will be forthcoming.
While we currently do not have any known active cases of COVID-19 within our school community, after consulting with public health agencies, local authorities, and other area school districts, we have decided that this cautious path is the best one for our students, families, community, and country. We recognize how challenging this situation is for some of our families, students and staff.
We are confident in the skills of our teachers and their abilities to deliver meaningful instruction to our students using the tools and resources that we have available. As educational professionals, we understand that there is power in learning by doing, and working to continually improve our ability to deliver instruction remotely, not as a replacement for being in school, but as a substitute made necessary by the circumstances.
All students with access to 1:1 devices have been asked to take home any necessary materials including their device, reading materials, and books in preparation ahead of the weekend. Please note this will be a new experience for students in grades 3-5, as they typically work on their devices in class. This message was communicated to staff and students prior to dismissal today. We will share with you additional information regarding students in kindergarten through second grades as those plans are finalized.
If your child was absent today, they will have the opportunity to pick up their devices and materials at the school on Monday. Students and/or parents will only be allowed in the school to pick up their belongings.
Please continue to watch for information from the District. Communications to families will continue to be distributed by e-mail, with an alert by phone call. Information will also be posted on the website.
We would like to reiterate that we are finalizing plans to best support our families and staff, and will communicate more information with you as soon as possible.
This is clearly an unprecedented situation that none of us have faced before. Whatever new challenges arise, we want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure that we do the very best for our students in this trying time. We also ask, humbly, for your partnership and grace as we navigate this together.
— Geneva CUSD 304