Important updates regarding the 2020-21 school year and COVID-19
Pictured is District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton.
PLANNING FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
On June 30, we met with about 90 staff members and about 90 parents/guardians to discuss planning for the 2020-21 school year. As we continue to face the challenges of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, I would like to thank our stakeholders for your adaptability and support as we come together to overcome the adversity of this unprecedented situation. We will continue to meet throughout July, and we will keep everyone up to date through our newsletter, website, social media and automated e-mail messages. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at shelton@dupage88.net or 630-530-3980.
The conversation included the following topics:
- Guidance from federal, state and local organizations regarding starting the 2020-21 school year
- The results of our Remote Learning Survey
- Education models/structures to accommodate a variety of scenarios to ensure a flexible environment in which student learning can be maintained virtually or in person. We will need to be prepared to reopen school in one of three possible frameworks:
- Remote Learning: Continued use of the Remote Learning/E-learning environment, similar to the plan we used this spring, but enriched and enhanced. In this scenario, teaching and learning would be entirely virtual, and students wouldn’t be present in the buildings.
- Blended Remote Learning: In this scenario, the district would continue to rely on Remote Learning/E-learning, but would phase in opportunities for students to be in the classroom (as guidance permits). The district is looking at a variety of schedule options to determine the best way to implement this model, as the logistics are challenging.
- In-School Learning: In this scenario, the district would return to an in-person learning environment (while implementing any restrictions required by Centers for Disease Control or the Illinois Department of Public Health).
- Remote Learning: Continued use of the Remote Learning/E-learning environment, similar to the plan we used this spring, but enriched and enhanced. In this scenario, teaching and learning would be entirely virtual, and students wouldn’t be present in the buildings.
- Updates from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE): For the latest COVID-19 information from the ISBE, go to https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx and https://tinyurl.com/ISBEMessages.
AMENDED 2020-21 SCHOOL CALENDAR
During its June 22 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved a proposal to amend the 2020-21 school calendar. See the updated calendar at www.dupage88.net/calendars.
ATHLETICS
Taking into consideration the most recent guidelines and information, we will postpone resuming athletic practices until July 13. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will follow federal, state and local guidance/protocols.
DRIVER EDUCATION
We plan to resume driver education classes on July 13. Please note we will follow federal, state and local guidance regarding social distancing, health and cleaning protocols for the safety and well-being of students and staff.
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2020-21 school year is scheduled to begin on July 20. This year, we are excited to offer a full online registration process for our students and families. Parents/guardians will be able to register their student(s) using an online portal to provide required information and documents. They also will have the ability to make electronic payments for school fees, materials and supplies. Building administrators will be available to provide assistance, and further details will be shared soon.
ASSESSMENTS
Students classified as grade 12 in fall 2020 who were required to participate in the state’s final accountability assessments in spring 2020 may choose to participate in the ISBE-provided fall 2020 SAT with Essay to meet the diploma requirement and have the opportunity to receive a timely college- and scholarship-reportable score. See details at https://tinyurl.com/ISBEAssessment. Test dates for the ISBE-provided fall 2020 SAT with Essay for grade 12 students are:
- Primary test date: Oct. 14, 2020
- Makeup test date: Oct. 28, 2020
- Accommodations test window: Oct. 14 to 27, 2020
EQUITY AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
We have been committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment for all students through Deep Equity and Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series for more than half a decade, and we have put in place many programs to support these initiatives. We know equity is a journey and won’t be reached quickly or easily. However, we need to be relentless in our pursuit of equity, inclusion and the elimination of racism in District 88 and our communities. Read more about our efforts at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/11685.
- We are continuing our work with Deep Equity, Youth Equity Stewardship, Trauma-Informed Practices and Restorative Practices. We are hosting virtual opportunities for students and staff to share their thoughts, feelings and potential action steps we can take as individuals and as a district to improve.
- We invite you to participate in three upcoming virtual events to engage in this important work. See details at www.dupage88.net/EquityEvents.
- We have implemented the District 88 C.A.R.E. Team (Committed to Academics, Resiliency and Equity) for students and staff to expand and deepen our work in these areas.
AREAS OF FOCUS
- District 88 will maintain its collaboration with Addison School District 4, School District 45, Salt Creek School District 48, Arbor Management, Chartwells and Cottage Hill Operating Company to provide free meals to residents who are 18 years old and younger. Food will be distributed from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays through August, and five days’ worth of food will be provided (five breakfasts and five lunches). To see more details about our food-service program, including locations and how adults can volunteer to help, go to www.dupage88.net/Coronavirus.
- District 88 will continue to support the social and emotional well-being of students, staff, families and community members. See a list of available resources (including resources in Spanish) at www.dupage88.net/Coronavirus.
Our mission is to work for the continuous improvement of student achievement, and we will remain focused on accomplishing that goal. Thank you for your continued support of District 88.
Respectfully,
Scott J. Helton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools, DuPage High School District 88