Nov. 16, 2020
Throughout this school year in Geneva CUSD 304, we have emphasized the high value we place on in-person learning, and our goal to support students. We are so fortunate that we were able to meet this goal for the past 11 weeks by providing families with the choice of an in-person hybrid and an online learning model.
At the same time, we have remained focused on health and safety, while asking families to be prepared if we needed to make additional changes due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases. As our dashboard reflects, we reported 54 active cases and 145 total last week. This has a significant impact on the number of individuals sent into quarantine from contact tracing efforts, which means more students are missing out on their learning opportunities and an increased burden on our staffing capabilities.
We have also emphasized how we are closely working with the Kane County Health Department. This week, KCHD recommended that all school districts in Kane County take an adaptive pause, due to the continued spread of the virus and its impact on our community.
It is because of these reasons that immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday and starting on Monday, Nov. 30, all Geneva CUSD 304 students will transition to full remote instruction through at least Friday, Dec. 4. At this time, we are planning for a possible return to on-site learning on Monday, Dec. 7, while continuing to evaluate the situation. Here are some additional details about this transition:
- On Nov. 18 (A day) and Nov. 19 (B day), please have your student bring their school materials and 1:1 devices home.
- On Nov. 20, all students will connect with their teachers and their classmates for a previously scheduled half-day of remote instruction.
- On Nov. 23 and 24, faculty will conduct previously scheduled virtual parent-teacher conferences.
- Beginning on Monday, Nov. 30, all students will participate in daily, synchronous remote learning (additional information regarding specific schedules by level will be forthcoming).
- During this time of transition, families can expect to see the same strong academic program, focus on social-emotional wellbeing, engagement, and support that they have come to expect from our hardworking teachers and staff.
- As we transition, staff and families will receive information from the Learning & Teaching department, school principals, and teachers in the coming days. The District will also continue to communicate via 304Connects and the website.
This transition is necessary to protect and sustain our health & safety procedures, and our system of accountability that is paramount for continuing to ensure that our schools remain a safe place to learn. During this time, we need to work together to prevent the spread of this virus. It is important to emphasize how critical it is to follow the Three Ws: Wear a Mask. Wash Your Hands. Watch Your Distance. In addition, please stay home when you are ill and contact your healthcare provider.
Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and partnership as we navigate this situation. We recognize that not everyone will agree with this transition but remain confident that, like many other challenges we have faced, we can come together and do what is necessary to protect our students and our school community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kent Mutchler
Superintendent of Schools