Dear District 96 Community:
What will it look like?
We are excited to share what in-person learning will look like–and what it will look like for in-person and full remote students to learn together simultaneously.
Take a look (less than 2 min.):
The Return to School for Hybrid In-Person Learners
Keep reading, please! This message also includes general information about the return to school for hybrid in-person learners.
Willow Grove
We were thrilled to welcome to Willow Grove today our kindergartners who are attending in person!
In our half-day kindergarten model, each section was built to reflect parent/guardian choice: full remote or in-person. Thus, each half day section is either fully in-person or fully remote. This model ensures that we can focus on orienting our youngest learners to school routines and expectations as we phase in in-person learning.
In January, families will have the option of integrating their full remote kindergarten students back into the physical classroom. We will share any updates with you at that time, as it may require the use of our high-level technology to make that happen seamlessly. For now, though, in-person learners will learn in person with their current teacher and full remote learners will learn remotely with their current teacher.
Elementary
Many of the questions that families have asked center around the health and safety protocols for each school. Please refer to the In-Person Learning Protocols for information.
Lunch
Another frequently asked question focuses on lunch. Lunch routines at each of our schools will follow health and safety protocols:
- No more than 50 people will be allowed in one space or room.
- Students eating lunch will be seated at least 6 feet apart at lunch tables.
- Students may be eating lunch in both traditional and non-traditional spaces that include the cafeteria, gym, and classrooms.
- All surfaces will be cleaned following each use, as outlined by IDPH protocols.
- Some classes will not be allowed to eat lunch in their classroom, due to severe allergy concerns.
- Bagged lunches offering 2 cold options will be available for preorder through Organic Life.
Revised info: An email with preordering information for students in Grades 1 and 2 starting in person on Oct. 19 or Oct. 22 was sent on Oct. 14. An email with preordering information will be sent on Oct. 21 for students starting in person on Oct. 29 and on Nov. 4 for students starting in person on Nov. 9. - Each school’s lunch plan may be different based on the availability of space and supervision.
Travel within the school building
- Elementary students will travel within the school with their classmates for various reasons including:
- Lunch (possibly)
- Exploration Lab
- Music
- PE
- Art
- Outdoor or indoor movement breaks
- Students will surface clean their area when arriving and departing all spaces
Middle School
Many of the questions that families have asked center around the health and safety protocols for each school. Please refer to the In-Person Learning Protocols for information.
Lunch
Another frequently asked question focuses on lunch. Lunch routines at each of our schools will follow health and safety protocols.
- No more than 50 people will be allowed in one space or room.
- Students eating lunch will be seated at least 6 feet apart at lunch tables.
- Students may be eating lunch in both traditional and non-traditional spaces that may include the cafeteria, gym, and classrooms.
- All surfaces will be cleaned following each use as outlined by IDPH protocols.
- Some classes will not be allowed to eat lunch in their classroom, due to severe allergy concerns.
- Bagged lunches offering 2 cold options will be available for pre-order through Organic Life.
Revised info: An email with preordering information for students in Grades 1 and 2 starting in person on Oct. 19 or Oct. 22 was sent on Oct. 14. An email with preordering information will be sent on Oct. 21 for students starting in person on Oct. 29 and on Nov. 4 for students starting in person on Nov. 9. - Each school’s lunch plan may be different based on the availability of space and supervision.
Travel within the school building
- Middle School students will travel from class to class, as remaining in a pod would require the elimination of some leveled courses.
- Students will surface clean their area when arriving and departing all spaces.
Health and Safety for All Grade Levels
Annual Self-Certification
As a reminder, the annual self certification and acknowledgement form must be signed and returned by all parents prior to your child attending school in person this school year.
Daily Self-Certification
Parents must submit a daily self-certification prior to their student being allowed to attend in person.
Parents will need to download the TeacherEase app in order to access the daily self-certification form. Instructions on how to do so were sent to parents on Oct. 9 (Fr Sch Dist 96: In-Person Parent Video Instruction)
Masks
- Send your student to school with a comfortable mask that complies with CDC/ISBE guidelines, ensuring that the face covering fully covers the mouth and nose and that the covering fits snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps.
- There will be extra masks at school for students who need one or whose masks become unusable during the school day.
- Please refer to the CDC guidelines regarding safe and appropriate masks
- Please note the CDC does not recommend the use of a gaiter as a face covering and will not be permitted.
- Alternate face coverings will be provided to students on a case-by-case basis (e.g., a mask with clear window for lip reading, and face shields, when warranted).
- If students are using a washable face covering rather than a disposable mask, we ask that parents/guardians please wash the face covering regularly.
- Some very rare situations preclude a student from wearing a face covering, as indicated by a physician. We will address these situations with families and their physician on a case-by-case basis.
Water bottles
Please send your student to school with a water bottle, as water fountains will only be operational to fill water bottles and not as water fountains. Cups will be made available for those who do not have a bottle at school on any given day.
Travel within the school building
- Middle school students will rotate classes.
- Elementary specials will be hosted in their usual classrooms.
- Students will wipe their space when they first sit down and once again before they leave.
Partnership
While we cannot control the local and regional COVID-19 metrics, we can influence them by doing our part each and every day.
- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently
- Watch your distance
- Wear a mask
- Report symptoms diligently
- Follow the IDPH decision tree regarding isolation and quarantine
- Cooperate with health department officials, should you be contacted as part of a contact tracing process
- Be open and honest with your child’s school