Update for Re-opening of School 2020 - 2021
July 16, 2020
Hello everyone,
Many staff members are working on the written plan to re-open school for the 2020 - 2021 school year. There are so many issues to figure out based on the guidance we received from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). I wish the plan was ready today, but there are several layers of seeking feedback that must take place in order to have a quality plan.
Right now, school staff are still developing the framework of the plan. Next, we will seek parent input on the plan. Then, the school board members will need to provide feedback and eventually approve the plan. Along with those steps, we will hold a community meeting regarding the plan, but note we are restricted to 50 people at a gathering. We will have a place on our website soon to where the community may submit questions and express concerns once they see the plan. All of this takes time, but necessary to develop a plan that everyone can support and live with.
Right now, there are two known court cases regarding face masks. One involving Quincy Public Schools and another where ISBE, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the State Superintendent are being sued over requiring the wearing of face masks. The outcome of these could be a game changer in the return to school plan that all Illinois public schools are developing. We will keep you posted.
Some parents have inquired if they should come to the school board meeting. You are always welcome to attend a school board meeting. While we will be discussing the plan at the meeting on July 22, we will not be ready to vote or have things in final form. That step needs to occur, so we can share the plan with parents and guardians, and then field questions and concerns. Again, we would love to see you at the board meeting on July 22, but the plan will not be available for public feedback at that time. We will convene a community meeting in the near future solely devoted to the Re-entry Plan. Also, we will take feedback regarding the Re-entry Plan on our website, once the plan has been released.
Thanks, again, for your patience and understanding. We want to do what is best for our students and families under some very difficult restrictions.
Respectfully,
Kelle Bunch, Ed. D.
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