Dear Students, Staff, and Families of District 2 and District 157:
I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well. Yesterday, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released guidance around opening schools for the 2020-21 school year.
This 63-page document has been much anticipated and will go a long way toward answering critical questions all of us share about what the 2020-21 school year will look like. The document addresses in-person learning, scheduling, transportation, wearing masks, social distancing and other measures intended to keep everyone safe and healthy, while also re-engaging students in the learning process.
Both Nippersink SD 2 and Richmond-Burton CHSD 157 are aware of the urgent need to communicate to families about what to expect next school year. As of now, we don’t have all the answers to specifics of the reopening as this document was released to school districts at the same time it was released to the public. Therefore, we ask for your patience as our staff thoroughly reviews this detailed guidance and develops an implementation process to meet these requirements.
Prior to the state’s release of this document, we had already formed a joint task force between both districts to review and enhance our remote learning program. We are making significant improvements in how we deliver instruction remotely, should we need to return to it this Fall. In addition, this joint task force will now begin developing plans for a return to in person learning or a blended schedule of remote and in person learning. In order to ensure all the state requirements and mandates are followed, we must examine all potential scheduling options.
Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as everyone in both districts navigates a situation together that none of us could have imagined.
I will be in touch soon. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy your summer.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Lind
Superintendent of District 2 and District 157