CSD17 REOPENING PLAN

The following is our recommended plan to safely reopen CSD17 Schools to all students beginning on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. These guidelines are a result of collaboration between planning teams including the CSD17 Task Force comprised of a variety of district stakeholders. This plan may be updated with any additional guidance or as new circumstances arise.

We are grateful for the survey feedback from our families and staff. The Task Force placed the strongest emphasis on the needs and experience of the student as a learner and support the statement from ISBE that, “Underpinning these recommendations is the need for resilience, critical and creative thinking, thoughtful responsiveness, and empathy to help ensure that students continue to grow personally, academically, and linguistically.”

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO OPTIONS:

OPTION 1: In-person instruction (Grades PK-8)

• Full return to live instruction for a majority of students five days per week with slightly shortened school days. Students will be dismissed at approximately 2:00 TRS/CJHS, and 2:35 NBG/PP. (Pre-k/early childhood half-day)

*A trimester-long commitment to either in-person instruction or e-learning is required. Students may change their selection each trimester.

OPTION 2: E-Learning (Grades PK-8)

• Students may be assigned to dedicated e-learning teacher or participate in classroom instruction via live video instruction and Google Classroom. This will vary based on the grade level.

*A trimester-long commitment to either in-person instruction or e-learning is required. Students may change their selection each trimester.

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OPTION 1 Details: In-Person Instruction (PK-8)

• All students who select in-person instruction are expected to attend school daily and follow the CSD17 School Re-Opening Plan. Students not following guidelines may not continue in-person instruction.

• Typical School Calendar

• School hours have been modified to promote a self-contained learning environment - students will be dismissed based on a staggered schedule. The following times are subject to change:

  • • • NBG/PP: 8:20-2:35

      • TRS/CJHS: 7:55-2:00

      • PK/EC will be a separate half-day schedule

• Parents & guardians will be required to certify that children are temperature and COVID19 symptom free each day by 6:30am (TRS/CJHS) and 7:00am (NBG/PP) through self-certification (using app) before boarding the bus or entering school. Families that do not check in daily will be unable to send children to school and will be moved to e-learning.

• Transportation will provided (fewer than 50 students/bus) - masks required

• Every student and employee in school will be required to wear a mask

  • • • Students who have a physician’s note may wear a face shield in lieu of a mask

      • We are planning for numerous outdoor instructional activities and breaks throughout the school day so that students may remove masks (with social distancing)

• Social distancing in school will include classroom seating as far apart as possible, no groupings/gatherings of more than 50 individuals at any one time, single direction sides of hallways and staggered class dismissals to hallways.

  • • • Classroom distancing may be less than six feet if wearing masks, but must be six feet for lunch

• Most school events for parents will be provided virtually (exceptions may be made if allowable in phase 4)

• If a student or employee tests positive for COVID19, they will follow physician’s orders including quarantine for ten days after the onset of symptoms and may return upon the presentation of a physician's note.

  • • • Students/employees that were in close contact (defined as within six feet, for more than fifteen minutes) of an individual with a positive COVID19 test will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from last exposure based on contact tracing.

• Additional classroom/building deep cleaning protocols will be in place.

• All students are eligible for before and after-school sports and clubs.

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OPTION 2 Details: E-Learning Instruction:

Visit our E-Learning webpage HERE

• Robust e-learning option with a dedicated CSD17 teacher in grades K-6, and remote participation in live classes for grades 7&8. In some cases, teachers may be providing live lessons from a remote location. In these situations, certified staff will be in the room to support learning.

• UPDATED JULY 25: ISBE has provided new guidance on participation on athletics and clubs. All students who select e-learning are now eligible for before and after-school sports and extracurricular clubs.