07/31/2020
Dear District 204 Community,
I sincerely appreciate your patience as we have navigated the options for safely returning our students to school this fall. Under normal circumstances, July is a hectic time as we prepare for the start of the school year. Preparing to open schools in the midst of a pandemic has made it even more challenging.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and asked thoughtful questions over these past few weeks. Your individual comments have been very helpful to us as we examined our plans. We know that each family has unique situations to consider when determining what is best for their child.
We have had more than 100 teachers and administrators take that feedback into consideration when they have worked over the past several months on our Return to School Plan. Their task was not an easy one, as they followed evolving state guidance and remained focused on what we prioritize: the safety of our students.
With new guidelines being released on a regular basis from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education, and local health departments, it is my recommendation that we provide stability by announcing we will start the school year having all students begin remotely through October 30. We will continue to monitor guidance from state and public health officials and adjust as needed at the end of the first quarter. If you haven't already done so, please complete your child's registration in ParentVUE.
This fall's remote learning will not be the same as what students experienced in the spring. The state's remote learning guidelines are very different from when schools were closed in March. Students will have robust and challenging coursework that is reflective of the caliber of teachers in our district and aligned to the expectations of our parents.
This is not a decision I make lightly. However, I am confident that we can maintain District 204's commitment to excellence and rigor while keeping our students and staff safe.
I know you have many questions. Our Board of Education will review our revised plan on Monday, August 3. I will send you additional information and details after the meeting.
On behalf of our staff, know that we are committed to providing high quality instruction in a safe environment. Again, thank you for your patience and your support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adrian B. Talley
Superintendent