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June 26, 2020 Family Update
family update

Dear District 76 Families, 

On Tuesday, 6.23.20 the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released a “Starting the 2020-21 School Year” document.  It is a 63 page guide to help school districts with their planning for a safe return to school in the fall.   It provides the clearest guidance to date that Illinois schools are to maximize in-person instruction whenever possible and outlines recommendations for in-person learning, including transportation and in-school safety measures.   It also outlines that schools' abilities to respond to these recommendations will vary based on size, location and local conditions related to COVID-19.  

The minimum public health requirements that all public and nonpublic schools must meet as they create local reopening plans in Phase 4 are to:

  • Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face coverings;

  • Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space;

  • Require social distancing be observed as much as possible;

  • Require that schools conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and

  • Require an increase in schoolwide cleaning and disinfection.

  • As I have shared in previous communications, the district is preparing for 3 scenarios:

Scenario 1-District Learning Opportunities (DLO): Full remote learning model similar to the Spring of 2020 with some new parameters around the amount of time and rigor in instruction that will be provided by the District Leadership Team (DLT) and Planning Forward Task Force (PFTF).  


Scenario 2-Blended Learning: Any combination of DLO instruction and on-site learning within the guidance parameters set by the CDC, IDPH and ISBE, etc. This could be partial days, A/B days (alternate schedules), and/or other creative ways to provide both to students.


Scenario 3-On-Site: Returning to in-person learning at school buildings under the parameters and guidance set by the CDC, IDPH and ISBE.

Yesterday, you were sent a survey to complete in response to the above scenarios and how they would impact your families.  It is important that you please complete the survey so the DLT and PFTF can consider your feedback and needs as we continue our planning and preparations for a safe return to school. 

Please visit the new Planning Forward Task Force webpage on our district’s website.  You will find the latest information and/or updates about our committee’s work and return to school plans and resources.  

I appreciate your patience, understanding and support as we navigate the unknown and develop a responsive plan that focuses on everyone's safety, health and well-being.  Please call and/or email me should you have any questions/concerns.