The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
What will school look like this fall at Illini West High School? The Illini West board held a special meeting July 9 to discuss the options and to begin to set a structure for the fall.
Superintendent Kim Schilson told the board she has reviewed back-to-school requirements from the Illinois State Board of Education and talked with the superintendents of the elementary schools feeding into Illini West.
She asked the board for their opinions about how she should proceed. The next steps will be fleshing out the plan with teachers, and conducting a second survey of parents.
After lengthy discussion, the board recommended a plan for students to attend school five days a week, with a schedule of four 55-minute classes that run from 8 to 11:55 a.m. Teachers would be available on line for remote learning, guided practice and tutoring from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Students can choose in-class attendance or remote learning at home, but must stick with that choice as the semester proceeds.
The half day schedule would shorten the amount of time students are required to wear masks.
Additional bus routes will be added as needed to allow for distancing of students, depending on how many students choose the remote learning option.
Teachers will work with Schilson on details of the plan such as testing, ways to conduct in-class and remote learning, lunch, health screening procedures and the overall daily routine. A final plan will be presented to the board for approval at their meeting July 15.
"Everyone is tired of COVID-19, everybody wants to go back to normal. No one - I don't know of one person who wants to wear a mask. No one wants to shorten the school day or limit the number of days students attend," Schilson said.
Yet these may all be part of the new look of school, because of requirements the school can not ignore.
"Schools do not have a choice but to follow the directions of ISBE and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Masks must be worn at school and on the bus," Schilson stated. "We must do social distancing as much as possible.
"We are here today to discuss things we have a choice on, and how to make the best out of a terrible situation. There is no good plan, but there are plans that may be more tolerable."
From the surveys, they learned about parent concerns on internet capabilities, available computers, and waiver of fees for those affected by COVID. Some parents are worried about their students wearing masks, about kids bringing home COVID 19 to a medically fragile person at home, and how social distancing can be accomplished.
Schilson said the district has enough computers and portable internet hot spots to send home with students who do not have these services at home. They have received 22,000 cloth washable masks and gallons of sanitizer.
"We want our students to participate in their activities, their sports, their bands, their extra curriculars. We want all our students to have a normal high school experience," said Schilson.
However Illinois High School Association has issued rules on wearing masks and physical contact that may make sports and many group activities impossible. The year will likely start with no extra curricular activities.
The board discussed two basic options for the school day -- all students attending five days a week for half days, or two groups of students each meeting two days a week. The two-day plan shortened bus routes and reduced the number of students in the building at the same time.
Some board members were concerned about students only being at school two days a week, with remote learning the rest of the time.
"Some students don't do well with the remote learning,"said Betsy Wujek. "I think there is something to be said about the interaction a child has every day with a teacher. When you (a teacher) see someone on a Tuesday, and you think they are in a bad place, and then you don't get to put your eyes on them for another five days, I have a hard time with that."
Beth Pence noted: "I like the two days a week because it is just more separation of students. When kids get to college, on line learning is where they are headed. But I also think there's value for kids to get up and be here on time, having a schedule is good."
Once the board approves a final plan, a survey will go to families to determine how many students want to attend classes at the school, and who choose the remote learning option.