District 88 to transition to Stage 2 (Remote Plus Learning) of Return to School Plan

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 work together to overcome the adversity of this unprecedented situation.

We are committed to providing the most up-to-date information to keep everyone informed, and I would like to share the important updates below.

COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan-DuPage High School District 88 Return to School Plan

During its Oct. 5 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to align the COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan-DuPage High School District 88 Return to School Plan with the DuPage County Return to School Framework and the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance (http://www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool). The Board also approved the administration’s recommendation to transition from Stage 1 (Remote Learning) to Stage 2 (Remote Plus Learning) of the district's plan. The transition will be implemented on Oct. 19, provided conditions remain in the Moderate Community Transmission category.

For more information about our Return to School Plan, to view details about Stage 2 (Remote Plus Learning) and to watch a video explaining the plan and next steps, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturnToSchoolPlan.

Based on guidance and data provided by 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, we believe this is the best decision at this time to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our students, staff, families and community members.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

Food service: We are excited to share we are extending the hours of service and the number of meals provided through our community food-service program. We will provide seven days’ worth of free meals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Wednesday to all residents up to the age of 18. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12216.
Learning centers: We will continue to provide opportunities for students to receive onsite academic assistance through our learning centers on an as-needed basis. If your child needs extra support, contact Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden (mbolden@dupage88.net, 630-628-3302) or Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause (dkrause@dupage88.net, 630-530-3439).
Internet Essentials Partnership Program: The DuPage County Board, in partnership with the DuPage Regional Office of Education, recently approved a $1.5 million commitment to provide low-income students with internet service through the Internet Essentials Partnership Program. A promo code is required to get free internet service through this program, and eligible families will receive information from Addison Trail or Willowbrook to apply. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12111.
Athletics and activities:
- We are continuing our fall sports season with Girls Tennis, Girls Swimming, Boys and Girls Golf and Boys and Girls Cross Country.
- The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is allowing for a voluntary “Fall Contact Period,” which provides athletic teams that are not in season with 20 contact days through Oct. 31. Addison Trail is hosting contact days with Baseball, Cheerleading, Blazettes (Poms), Football and Boys Soccer, and Willowbrook is hosting contact days with Baseball, Boys Soccer, Football, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Poms, Cheerleading, Girls Badminton and Softball.
  
  We also are providing contact days for activities. Addison Trail will begin with band, orchesis and color guard, and Willowbrook will begin with theatre tech crew.
- We will continue to implement the procedures we have in place, which are based on guidance from 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. Per our procedures, contact days must take place outdoors, students must provide their own transportation, temperature checks and symptom screenings must take place before each practice and participants must adhere to policies regarding social distancing and wearing masks.
- For updates on athletics, go to https://il.8to18.com/aths or https://il.8to18.com/willowbrook. To view the IHSA’s intended plans for the 2020-21 school year, go to https://tinyurl.com/IHSAJuly29.
State funding for public education: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is asking educators, parents, students and community organizations to give their input on state funding for public education. ISBE is accepting testimony in writing and at virtual budget hearings. See more details at https://www.isbe.net/Lists/News/NewsDisplay.aspx?ID=1334. Individuals who wish to participate must submit their testimony in writing by completing the online form at www.isbe.net/budget. Individuals also are welcome to speak during one of the virtual budget hearings listed below.
- 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14 (Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11)
- 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 16 (Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11)

GUIDANCE FROM STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Return to School Framework: On Aug. 28, the DuPage County Health Department released a “Return to School Framework” with the DuPage Regional Office of Education. The framework recommends school officials review and consider the level of disease activity in their communities as they make decisions about shifting between learning models this school year. To view the document, go to www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool.
New learning standards: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently released new Illinois Priority Learning Standards. According to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, “(ISBE) collaborated with a diverse and skilled team of educators from across the state to identify the Illinois Priority Learning Standards. The group focused on identifying learning standards that depict the knowledge, skills and dispositions we want all students to have – the standards that are the most foundational competencies, the most critical for success at subsequent grade levels and best suited for interdisciplinary or project-based learning.” CLICK HERE for more information.
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) FAQs: This health-based Frequently Asked Questions document from the IDPH addresses many health-related questions. See the information at https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IDPH-School-FAQs.pdf.
Updates from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE): https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx and https://tinyurl.com/ISBEMessages

PARENT AND STUDENT MEETINGS

We will continue to meet with parents/guardians as part of our Transition/Reopening Committee. The next meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. 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.
We will continue to meet with students as part of our Return to School Student Advisory Committee. The next meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. To reserve your spot, complete the form at https://forms.gle/SEVCsS7anMt4hGCy6 by noon on Oct. 15.

DISTRICT 88 TO HOST PROSPECTIVE BOARD CANDIDATE WORKSHOP
Those who are interested in running for the District 88 Board of Education during the Consolidated General Election on April 6, 2021, are invited to attend a virtual Prospective Board Candidate Workshop. That event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and will take place online. To register, please contact me at shelton@dupage88.net or 630-530-3980.

Three full (four-year) terms will be open on the District 88 Board during the April 6, 2021, election.

Through the workshop, you’ll learn:

Time requirements of being a Board member
Expectations of being a Board member
How to complete the filing/petition process
You also will have an opportunity to ask questions about being a Board member

OTHER AREAS OF FOCUS

Resources: District 88 will continue to care for 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.
Equity work: 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 assist with 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. We are maintaining our work with Deep Equity, YES!, Trauma-Informed Practices and Restorative Practices, and we also 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.

Thank you for your support of District 88 and our mission to work for the continuous improvement of student achievement.

Respectfully,
Scott J. Helton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools, DuPage High School District 88