07/24/20 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, I can assure you our dedication to and care for students and staff will remain constant.

PLANNING FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR

  • 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 have developed 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. See the proposed plan at www.dupage88.net/2020-21Plan. A Special District 88 Board of Education meeting will take place on July 27, where the Board will review the proposed plan and take action on a series of items to transition into the 2020-21 school year.

  • Return to School Plan timeline:

    • We met virtually with staff members and parents on June 30, July 14 and July 21 as part of our Transition/Reopening Committee to get their feedback and input as we plan for the 2020-21 school year. We also hosted a meeting in Spanish on July 9.

    • On July 10, we published a Return to School Family Survey to get feedback and input from parents to assist with our planning for the 2020-21 school year.

    • A Special District 88 Board of Education meeting will take place on July 27, where the Board will review the proposed plan and take action on a series of items to transition into the 2020-21 school year.

* The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. on July 27. Members of the public who would like to listen to the meeting can access a live audio stream at www.dupage88.net/boardstream.

* The meeting agenda and packet can be viewed at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/2936.

* Public comments can be submitted online at www.dupage88.net/BoardMeetingCard, or sent by e-mail to dbrink@dupage88.net.

    • We will meet virtually with staff members and parents again on July 28. If you would like to attend, or if you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to contact me at shelton@dupage88.net or 630-530-3980.

    • We will meet virtually with parents of students with special needs at 6:30 p.m. on July 30. See more information and register at https://forms.gle/DLqhEAosU6d5D3tP7.

    • A meeting will take place in Spanish on Aug. 6. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with general information about the 2020-21 school year, and a session regarding special education will immediately follow. See details and register at https://forms.gle/1UnBrakTP2idnmpw5.

2020-21 REGISTRATION
We are excited to provide a full online registration process for our families for the 2020-21 school year. Registration will open on July 29. See details at www.dupage88.net/Registration2020-21.

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.

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.

  • On July 29, 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 are continuing our work with Deep Equity, Youth Equity Stewardship, Trauma-Informed Practices and Restorative Practices.

  • 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.

  • 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