Return to School Goals

• Protect the health and safety of students, staff, and families

• Comply with local, state, and federal health and safety guidelines and directives with the ability to adjust to unpredictable circumstances and expectations

• Re-establish relationships and address the social-emotional needs of students

• Deliver a comprehensive educational program in order to meet the varied needs of all students

• Provide in-person learning to the greatest extent possible

On-Going Challenges

• CONSTANT CHANGE: New guidance is being issued frequently and requires constant revisions to the plan. The state could regress to a previous phase in the Restore Illinois Plan or issue new executive orders at any time.

• CONFLICTING NEEDS: Optimizing in-person learning experience vs. reducing transmission in community is a balancing act.

• SCOPE: The pandemic’s effects are far reaching and extend past the walls of our schools.

• URGENCY: Families and staff need adequate time to communicate and prepare for the start of the school year.

Stakeholder Input

• District 45 Parents/Guardians

• Villa Park Education Association (VPEA)

• District 45 Board of Education

• District 45 Staff

• Transportation and food service providers

• Community partners

• DuPage County Compact School Districts 4, 48, and 88

• DuPage County Regional Office of Education

Stakeholder Surveys and Feedback

• 6/12/20 Parent survey focused on multiple aspects of returning to school

• 7/6/20 Parent survey focused on family experiences and student social-emotional needs

• 7/6/20 Staff survey focused on multiple aspects of returning to school

• 7/14/20 Parent survey focused on parent interest in remote learning vs. in-person options

• 7/16/20 Staff feedback form focused on proposed plan

• 7/19/20 Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council feedback focused on proposed plan

• 7/20/20 District 45 Board of Education review of final recommendation

• 7/22/20 Plan disseminated to community

• 7/27/20 Community Town Hall offered to provide clarification/opportunity for questions

• 9/21/20 Board of Education viewed a presentation and discussed next steps with District Administration

• 9/28/20 Community Town Hall offered to provide clarification/opportunity for questions

• 9/29/20 Updated Parent Interest Survey

• 10/5/20 The Board of Education approved the updated learning plan recommendation that District Administration presented

• 10/19/20 The Board of Education directed District Administration to extend the return to in-person learning until the week of January 19, 2021

Why is Full-Time, In-Person Learning Not Feasible?

• Building capacity at 100% creates greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.

• Social distancing of only approximately 2ft. would be possible between students in classrooms.

• Students and staff would be required to wear face coverings for 5+ hours.

• Eating breakfast and lunch at school would increase risk of exposure.

• Students mixing at high volumes for specials would increase risk of exposure.

• Physical distancing requirements on buses would not be met.

Benefits of the D45 Plan

• Parents are able to choose between in-person or full-remote learning.

• The half-day blended (AM/PM) model allows staff to develop structures that build positive classroom communities and put routines in place for students and families. In-person learning also promotes individual connection.

• Students will attend school in-person every day* and experience continuity of education.

• The half-day blended model reduces risk of exposure with the building at half capacity.

• The length in which students are required to wear face coverings is significantly decreased.

• It eliminates the need for students to remove masks to eat and allows for students to still receive meals from the District in a safe manner.

• Students will not be mixing at high volumes for special area subjects.

• We are able to meet physical distancing requirements for transportation.

• Disinfecting and cleaning will occur frequently throughout the day.

• Staff will have a reprieve from wearing a mask for 7.5 hours.

*Modified schedule for early childhood students

September 21, 2020 Presentation to Board of Education

On September 21, 2020, the Board of Education viewed a presentation and discussed next steps with District Administration.

View Presentation

DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance

View the DCHD Return to School Framework Guide

September 28, 2020 Virtual Town Hall Presentation

October 5, 2020 Presentation to Board of Education

The Board of Education approved the updated learning plan recommendation that District Administration presented on October 5, 2020.

View Presentation

October 19 Board of Education Presentation

The Board of Education directed District Administration to extend the return to in-person learning until the week of January 19, 2021.

View Presentation or View Parent/Guardian Letter