UPDATES - 05/25/21
On May 25, District 88 hosted virtual meetings with students and parents/guardians to provide updates.
Below are highlights of the information that was shared:
UPDATES - 05/14/21
We are pleased to share two positive updates that occurred this week regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
These updates are very encouraging and indicate we are continuing on the path to return to a sense of normalcy. We will be sure to keep you informed as more details become available.
Parent and student meetings:
I also invite you to attend our monthly meetings for District 88 parents/guardians and students, where we discuss current events and respond to questions and concerns. Please see the details below for our May gatherings, which will be our final meetings for the 2020-21 school year.
Thank you for your continued support of District 88 as we work together through this unprecedented time.
UPDATES - 05/07/21
During a press conference on May 6, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Illinois will enter the Bridge to Phase 5 of his Restore Illinois reopening plan on May 14. The Bridge Phase of the state’s Restore Illinois plan is the final phase of restrictions before entering Phase 5 (with no capacity limits). The Bridge to Phase 5 will allow for higher capacity limits at indoor and outdoor settings, as well as increased business operations. For details, go to https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/bridge-phase.
Pritzker also said the state is on track to enter Phase 5 – which would mark a full reopening – as early as June 11.
UPDATES - 04/27/21
On April 27, District 88 hosted virtual meetings with students and parents/guardians to provide updates.
Below are highlights of the information that was shared:
To watch the meeting, click the video above.
To view the PowerPoint presentation, click the link below.
UPDATES - 03/23/21
During the March 22 District 88 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the administration's recommendation to have all students who chose the hybird learning model attend school in person four days a week, starting on April 5.
District 88 shared this information during a Parent Transition/Reopening Committee meeting on March 23.
03/23/21 Return to School Plan presentation
Above is a recording of the meeting, as well as the presentation shared.
The presentation highlights:
To see District 88’s Return to School Plan, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturntoSchoolPlan.
UPDATES - 03/19/21
Pictured is District 88 Interim Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
We are excited to share recent updates that will allow us to continue moving forward and accelerating along our path to provide more in-person opportunities for students.
On March 18, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced a metrics-based pathway toward the fifth and final phase of the Restore Illinois reopening plan. All regions of the state will move through these next phases together. According to a press release, “This Bridge to Phase 5 will allow for higher capacity limits and increased business operations, before public health experts tell us it’s safe to move to the new normal that Phase 5 will bring.”
We are currently in Phase 4, and the metrics being used to move the state forward and back can be viewed at https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=5752.
Gov. Pritzker also implemented updated spectator capacity limits for Phase 4 (our current status), as well as the Bridge to Phase 5 (when we’re able to transition to that phase). See the chart below for details.
Setting | Phase 4 | Bridge to Phase 5 |
Outdoor spectator events | 15 people per 1,000 square feet | 30 people per 1,000 square feet |
Spectator events (ticketed and seated) |
Indoor venue with capacity < 200 people: Lesser of 50 people or 50-percent capacity * Outdoor venue or indoor venue with capacity ≥ 200 people: 25-percent capacity * |
60-percent capacity |
Theaters and performing arts |
Indoor venue with capacity < 200 persons: Lesser of 50 or 50-percent capacity Outdoor venue or indoor venue with capacity ≥ 200 persons: 25-percent capacity * |
60-percent capacity |
Recreation |
Indoor: Lesser of 50 people or 50-percent capacity Outdoor: Maximum groups of 50; multiple groups permissible |
Indoor: Lesser of 100 people or 50-percent capacity Outdoor: Maximum groups of 100; multiple groups permissible |
Social events |
Indoor: Lesser of 50 people or 50-percent capacity * Outdoor: Lesser of 100 people or 50-percent capacity * |
Indoor: 250 people Outdoor: 500 people |
* Denotes expanded activity in Phase 4 ^ Capacity applied for event sizes above the capacity limits allowed for social events
To view the full list, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=5752.
FUTURE PLANS
As we previously shared, based on the Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools recently provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the District 88 administration will make the following recommendations during the March 22 District 88 Board of Education meeting.
To see District 88’s Return to School Plan, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturntoSchoolPlan.
PARENT AND STUDENT MEETINGS
We will continue to meet with parents/guardians and students to discuss the above items in more detail.
ASSESSMENT UPDATES
Assessment | Date | Other important dates/information | Students |
SAT | April 13, 2021 | Makeup test dates: April 27 and May 18 Accommodations testing window: April 13-27 The essay portion is eliminated for spring 2021 Class of 2021 students are exempt from the SAT as a graduation requirement |
Class of 2022 |
PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 | Eliminated in spring 2021 and will not be offered by ISBE in fall 2021 | ||
Illinois Science Assessment | Fall: August 9 - October 8, 2021 | Students who were in grade 11 during the 2020-21 school year | |
ACCESS | May 2021 | English Learners identified via provisional screening should participate in ACCESS testing for school year 2021.
District 88 will test ESL 3 students. |
DISTRICT 88 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The next District 88 Board of Education meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on March 22. See details below.
Thank you for your continued support of District 88.
UPDATES - 03/12/21
Pictured is District 88 Interim Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente.
We are excited to share that on March 9, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) provided Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools. These updates include the lifting of several restrictions, which will allow us to accelerate our path to offering more in-person opportunities for students.
Our dates to transition to Phase 3 (Blended Remote/Hybrid) of our Return to School Plan will remain the same as previously shared and are outlined below.
As a result of the new guidance, the District 88 administration will make the following recommendations during the March 22 District 88 Board of Education meeting:
Other guidance for families:
Indoor/Outdoor Sports | IDPH Region Mitigations | IDPH Spectator Limitations |
Outdoor | Phase 4 | 20% of venue capacity * PLEASE NOTE: NO SPECTATORS FROM VISITING SCHOOLS WILL BE ALLOWED. |
Indoor | Phase 4 | Maximum of 50 spectators * PLEASE NOTE: NO SPECTATORS FROM VISITING SCHOOLS WILL BE ALLOWED. |
Parent and student meetings:
We will continue to meet with parents/guardians and students to discuss the above items in more detail.
Thank you for your continued support of District 88.
UPDATES - 02/26/21
Pictured is District 88 Interim Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente.
District 88 Return to School Plan
We are so excited to have more of our students safely return to campus each week, following the policies and procedures we have in place regarding social distancing, health and cleaning protocols. While we are currently in Stage 2 (Remote Plus) of our Return to School Plan, during its Feb. 22 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to go to Stage 3 (Blended Remote/Hybrid) of our plan in March. The transition to Stage 3 will begin on March 18 with a small, targeted group of students. A full transition will be implemented on March 22.
During Stage 3 (Blended Remote/Hybrid), students will have the opportunity to receive instruction from inside the classroom two days a week. The daily block schedule will remain the same for all students (whether in person or remote). For more information about Stage 3, including important updates regarding transportation and operational procedures, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12604.
Student Expectations for In-Person Learning
We understand there are still questions and concerns – particularly regarding graduation and prom for the class of 2021 and what lies ahead for the 2021-22 school year. I assure you we are looking at a variety of options to celebrate our seniors, and we will continue to monitor regulations and guidelines to provide a safe and robust learning environment this fall. We will share more details as they become available. We know this has been a long and difficult year, and we appreciate the support and partnership of our stakeholders as we work together through this unprecedented situation to protect the health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and community members.
Our Return to School Plan is aligned with the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance. That guidance consists of six metrics that feed into three Community Transmission Levels (Minimal, Moderate or Substantial). Our Return to School Plan consists of three stages – Remote, Remote Plus and Blended Remote/Hybrid – and those stages are tied to the metrics. We are transitioning through the stages of our plan based on the movement of the county metrics. Although DuPage County remains in the Substantial Community Transmission Level, we are seeing improved numbers throughout the county and state at this time, and we are thrilled this will allow us to provide more opportunities for students to be in school. For details and the most up-to-date information about our Return to School Plan, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturntoSchoolPlan.
UPDATES - 02/23/21
02/23/21 Return to School Plan presentation
During its Feb. 22 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to move to Stage 3 of the district’s Return to School Plan (blended remote/hybrid) in March.
The transition to Stage 3 will begin on March 18 with a small, targeted group of students. A full transition will be implemented on March 22.
District 88 shared this information during a Parent Transition/Reopening Committee meeting on Feb. 23. Above is a recording of the meeting, as well as the presentation shared.
For more information about District 88’s Return to School Plan, including details regarding Stage 3 (blended remote/hybrid), go to www.dupage88.net/ReturnToSchoolPlan.
UPDATES - 02/12/21
Pictured is District 88 Interim Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente.
Despite dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we are excited to provide opportunities for students to come on campus in a controlled environment that follows the policies, procedures and guidance in place regarding social distancing, health and cleaning protocols.
This week, it was wonderful to have music fill the halls as Jazz Band and CenterStage (show choir) students rehearsed. The auditoriums also were buzzing with energy as our thespians returned to the stage, and we welcomed members of National Honor Society, Orchesis, SkillsUSA, International Dance Show, Scholastic Bowl and Key Club. Our winter sports season is going strong as well, with student-athletes practicing and competing in the gym and on the court. We anticipate hosting more extracurricular activities in the buildings in the coming weeks.
The Board of Education recently approved transitioning to Stage 2 of our Return to School Plan (Remote Plus), which will begin on Feb. 22. During this stage, staff will begin to bring more students in for in-person learning. We will prioritize students who are struggling in remote learning, as well as curricular areas that require hands-on experiences (i.e. Career and Technical Education, Fine Arts, etc.). All self-contained programming will return to campus on March 2. Driver Education also will begin, and details will be sent to eligible students.
It’s wonderful to see our students back in the schools, and we look forward to providing more in-person options as the county’s COVID-19 numbers improve. In late February and early March, we will host events for seniors and freshmen, with opportunities for sophomores and juniors as well. We will recommend moving to Stage 3 of our plan (Blended Remote/Hybrid) later in the spring, if this positive trend toward lower case counts continues toward minimal community transmission.
Our No. 1 priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and community members, and we maintain our practice of following data and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education.
As part of that focus, we aligned our Return to School Plan with the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance. That guidance is comprised of six metrics that feed into three Community Transmission Levels (Minimal, Moderate or Substantial). Our Return to School Plan consists of three stages – Remote, Remote Plus and Blended Remote/Hybrid – and those stages are tied to the metrics. We are transitioning through the stages of our plan based on the movement of the county metrics, and we are prepared to move to a hybrid environment as soon as the data supports that decision. For details and the most up-to-date information about our Return to School Plan, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturntoSchoolPlan.
Parent and student meetings:
We understand this is a challenging and unprecedented time for everyone, and we will continue to meet with parents/guardians and students. We have hosted meetings with parents since June 30 and with students since Aug. 19 to speak with them directly, share updated information and respond to their questions and concerns.
COVID-19 resources:
District 88 is partnering with organizations throughout DuPage County to compile a list of COVID-19 resources to assist residents in the following areas:
View the list at https://tinyurl.com/DuPageResources. The information will be updated frequently, so be sure to check the list often.
If you have a resource to add, complete the form at http://www.dupage88.net/DuPageCountyResources, or e-mail dbrink@dupage88.net.
District 88 also is committed to making sure students continue to receive food service, and we are partnering with Chartwells and Cottage Hill Operating Company to host a community food-service program. See the food distribution details below.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOOD SERVICE?
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE MEALS?
WHEN WILL FOOD BE DISTRIBUTED?
WHERE WILL FOOD BE DISTRIBUTED?
*PLEASE NOTE: On Feb. 17, food will be distributed at door 2.
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
COVID-19 vaccines:
Thank you for your continued support of District 88.
UPDATES - 02/09/21
02/09/21 Return to School Plan presentation
On Feb. 9, District 88 hosted a meeting for parents/guardians to discuss the 2020-21 school year and the district’s Return to School Plan.
Above is a recording of the meeting, as well as the presentation shared.
UPDATES - 02/02/21
As we continue to deal with the negative impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, District 88 Interim Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente shares information regarding the district’s Return to School Plan.
Please view Dr. Barbanente’s video message and PowerPoint presentation below. Thank you.
Return to School Plan PowerPoint presentation 02-02-21
UPDATES - 01/29/21
DuPage County metrics:
As we continue to deal with the negative impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we maintain our practice of following data and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education to make decisions in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community members. For more information about District 88’s Return to School Plan, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturnToSchoolPlan.
As part of that focus, we aligned our Return to School Plan with the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance. The guidance is comprised of six metrics that feed into three Community Transmission Levels (Minimal, Moderate or Substantial).
Future plans:
We plan to implement the following, provided the community transmission levels don’t increase.
Athletic updates:
UPDATES - 01/22/21
As we continue to deal with the negative impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we maintain our practice of following data and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education to make decisions in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community members.
As part of that focus, we previously aligned our Return to School Plan with the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance. The guidance is comprised of six metrics that feed into three Community Transmission Levels (Minimal, Moderate or Substantial). Below is a link to the county’s current metrics and levels.
DuPage County Recent School Metrics
*Previous statistics can be viewed at https://www.dupagehealth.org/595/Schools-and-Daycares.
On Jan. 18, DuPage County (region 8) was moved to Phase 4 Tier 2 mitigation. While the county remains in “substantial transmission,” as a result of this change in status and improved numbers, District 88 will implement the following (provided the community transmission levels don’t increase):
- Boys Swimming & Diving
- Cheerleading
- Dance (Poms)
- Girls Bowling
- Girls Gymnastics
- Girls Badminton
- At this time, we haven’t received approval from state health organizations or the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to allow Boys and Girls Basketball to take place during the winter season. We will continue to monitor these sports and will share any provided updates.
Student-athletes who plan to participate in winter sports must register online at the links below.
- Addison Trail registration: CLICK HERE
- Willowbrook registration: CLICK HERE
On Jan. 22, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) provided Sports Safety Guidance. To view that information, go to https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/sports-safety-guidance.
Future steps:
We will provide weekly updates to parents via e-mail as we continue to monitor this situation. For more information about District 88’s Return to School Plan, go to www.dupage88.net/ReturnToSchoolPlan. Thank you for your continued support of District 88.
UPDATES - 11/18/20
As we continue to deal with the negative impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we would like to share the important update below.
DuPage County remains in the Substantial Community Transmission level – the highest of three levels – for the fifth consecutive week. The county is in the Substantial Community Transmission level for all six factors on the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance (see/click the image below for details).
As a result of these numbers, District 88 will maintain Remote Learning and will transition into an adaptive pause starting on Nov. 20, in alignment with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s implementation of Phase 4 Tier 3 Mitigations (see details at https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-mitigation-plan). This means all in-person curricular and extracurricular activities (including athletics, clubs, learning centers and in-person instruction) will be suspended until further notice. It also includes the transition of teacher aides to remote work status, and administrative, clerical and technical staff will implement intermittent remote work status to minimize exposure (specific schedules to be determined by supervisors with team input).
During its Nov. 16 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s use of adaptive pauses in the event of significant increases in COVID-19 case counts, local outbreaks and/or staff shortages due to exposures and quarantines. To watch the Board meeting presentation, click on the video above.
The district will continue to provide a robust curriculum and will connect with and care for students. The district is prepared to move to a hybrid/in-person environment when data and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education support that decision.
2020-21 school calendar amendments:
During its Nov. 16 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the following amendments to the 2020-21 school calendar.
See the updated 2020-21 school calendar at www.dupage88.net/calendars.
UPDATES - 11/12/20
Resource Period changes: In response to feedback from staff, parents/guardians and students, we have decided to restructure the Resource Period. Please see the changes below, which will be implemented on Nov. 19.
UPDATES - 10/20/20
On Oct. 19, DuPage County moved from the Moderate Community Transmission level to the Substantial Community Transmission level on the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance (http://www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool). The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) reported the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people moved to 115 per 100,000 (the threshold for Substantial Community Transmission is 100 cases per 100,000).
In the DCHD model, there are three levels of transmission we are monitoring weekly: Minimal, Moderate and Substantial Community Transmission. Each of these levels is determined by a variety of factors, including:
DuPage County’s level of COVID-19 community transmission is determined by the highest category in which a single metric is met or exceeded. When considering a shift to more in-person learning, all metrics should be under the identified thresholds for a given level for at least two consecutive weeks.
On Oct. 5, 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. The Board also approved the administration's recommendation to transition from Stage 1 (Remote Learning) to Stage 2 (Remote Plus Learning) of the plan starting on Oct. 19, provided conditions remain in the Moderate Community Transmission category.
As a result of DuPage County moving to the Substantial Community Transmission level, the Board approved during its Oct. 19 meeting the administration’s recommendation to extend Stage 1 (Remote Learning) of the district’s Return to School Plan until the DCHD metrics indicate Moderate Community Transmission (this will take at least two weeks). Contact Days for athletics and activities also are canceled until that time. 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.
UPDATES - 10/05/20
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 that was released on August 28, 2020 (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 plan. The transition will be implemented on Oct. 19, provided conditions remain in the Moderate Community Transmission category. Read more below.
Per the authority of the District 88 Board of Education at the July 27, 2020, Board of Education Meeting, the district has been in Stage 1-Remote Learning since August 24, 2020. The Board of Education agreed to review, discuss and reevaluate the status of the COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan-DuPage High School District 88 Return to School Plan for the 2020-21 school year at the October 5, 2020, Board of Education Meeting.
As we continue to face the challenges of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has been working closely with the DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) and school district administrators in DuPage County to help inform decisions about school reopening plans this fall. The DCHD has created a county-wide “back to school framework” (which provides guidelines/recommendations for different learning models based on disease activity levels in the county) as we make decisions about whether and when to shift between Remote, Remote Plus, and Blended Remote learning models in District 88 this school year. That document can be viewed at http://www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool. The DCHD recommends that in any learning model, school districts follow the health and safety protocols set forth by state and local health officials. Although they do not have formal authority to endorse or support a specific approach, the DCHD has reviewed the District 88 plan and has found it to be consistent with their “return to school” framework guidance document.
In the DCHD model, there are three levels of transmission that we will be monitoring weekly: Minimal, Moderate, and Substantial Community Transmission. Each of these levels is determined by a variety of factors, including:
DuPage County’s Level of COVID-19 Community Transmission is determined by the highest category in which a single metric is met or exceeded. For example, if one metric is met or exceeded in the “Substantial Community Transmission” category, DuPage County will be at that level. When considering a shift to more in-person learning, all metrics should be under the identified thresholds for a given level for at least 2 consecutive weeks. For example, all metrics in the “Minimal Community Transmission” category should be below the identified thresholds for at least 2 consecutive weeks before DuPage County will be listed in the “Minimal Community Transmission” level.
UPDATES - 07/27/20
During a Special Board of Education meeting on July 27, the Board approved a resolution authorizing our administrative team to open and operate the district’s schools and programs for the 2020-21 school year, as outlined in the Return to School Plan.
The Board approved starting the 2020-21 school year with Remote Learning through Oct. 5, at which time the Board and administration will reevaluate the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Return to School Plan. During this stage, all instruction and resource support will be remote (with exceptions for special student populations).