07/17/20 updates regarding the 2020-21 school year and COVID-19
Pictured is District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton.
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.
The safety, health and well-being of our students and staff is the No. 1 priority at District 88, and we will continue to follow federal, state and local guidance to ensure the safest environment possible at our buildings. We will cooperate with Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education regarding social distancing, health and cleaning protocols. While there are still many questions to be answered, what I can assure you is our dedication to and care for students and staff will remain constant.
PLANNING FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
- We met with staff members and parents on June 30 and July 14 as part of our Transition/Reopening Committee to plan for the 2020-21 school year. We will meet one last time on July 21. If you would like to join the committee, or if you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to contact me at shelton@dupage88.net or 630-530-3980.
- As we transition to the 2020-21 school year, it is critical we implement plans that will allow us to be successful in this fluid situation. We are developing 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 must be ready to provide a high-quality educational experience for all students – in whatever format necessary. We’ve updated our plans based on feedback we’ve received from stakeholders. Below is the most current information.
- STAGE 1 – REMOTE (DATES TBD): The success of remote instruction will be the most critical component of our instructional planning, as all of our stages during this pandemic will contain a robust remote academic program. During this remote period, all instruction and resource support will be remote. In-person orientation may take place for freshmen and any special student populations to facilitate a high-quality seamless connection to our remote learning environment.
- STAGE 2 – REMOTE PLUS (DATES TBD): All instruction will remain remote on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (with the exception of the Transition, DLP, Link 1 and ELL 1/Newcomer populations). On Wednesday, support may be provided in person, based on teacher discretion and student/parent request by appointment. All other Wednesday support will be remote.
- STAGE 3 – BLENDED REMOTE (DATES TBD): Blended instruction would begin, bringing groups of students on campus for in-person instruction.
- STAGE 1 – REMOTE (DATES TBD): The success of remote instruction will be the most critical component of our instructional planning, as all of our stages during this pandemic will contain a robust remote academic program. During this remote period, all instruction and resource support will be remote. In-person orientation may take place for freshmen and any special student populations to facilitate a high-quality seamless connection to our remote learning environment.
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
We will continue to monitor and evaluate resuming athletic practices based on the most recent guidelines and information. We will follow federal, state and local guidance/protocols to ensure everyone’s well-being. Athletes will be contacted by their coaches when further details are available.
DRIVER EDUCATION
We will continue to monitor and evaluate resuming driver education classes based on the most recent guidelines and information. We will follow federal, state and local guidance/protocols to ensure everyone’s well-being. Students who are eligible to take driver education at this time will be notified when further details are available.
REGISTRATION
We are excited to provide a full online registration process for our families for the 2020-21 school year. See details at www.dupage88.net/Registration2020-21.
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 a virtual discussion about equity and social justice. See details and register at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/11784.
- 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, 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.
- The Addison Township Food Pantry also will distribute free milk and produce throughout July. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=5260.
- The Addison Township Food Pantry also will distribute free milk and produce throughout July. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=5260.
- 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.
- Updates from the Illinois State Board of Education: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx and https://tinyurl.com/ISBEMessages.
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