The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
Illini West High School students are now spending two more hours at school. The increased in-class time will allow for slightly longer class periods, a period of tutoring, and lunch.
On February 1, the district began offering in-person classes five days a week for all students who want to attend, with class time from 8 a.m. to noon. Now the district has extended school hours to 2 p.m.
Principal Scott Schneider explained the plan to the Illini West School board at their regular meeting Feb. 17. The new schedule was to begin Feb. 16, but was delayed a couple of days because of snow and below zero temperatures.
The administration considered several ways to use the extra time. Adding a fifth class to each student’s schedule could not be done mid-quarter.
"The second option was to add the time to the four classes we already had," Schneider said.
"That would be 85 to 90 minutes per class. That’s basically a block format, but a block schedule is every other day, not every day."
Schneider said the school has had trouble getting students to go to tutoring in the afternoon in the 1:30 to 3 p.m. time slot. A third option was to add tutoring period into each day.
The students are divided among teachers based on grade level, with around 10 in a class, during the second period of the day. Five minutes were added to each class period. The schedule now starts at 8 a.m. with a class, tutoring, class, lunch, and two classes to end the day.
Lunch is served, using the cafeteria and two separate parts of the gym for eating, to allow for proper distancing of students.
Students with afternoon dual credit on-line courses through Carl Sandburg College can use their Chromebooks at the school for these remote classes.
In her report, Superintendent Kim Schilson noted that concrete has heaved, blocking two of the four doors at the main entrance. The fire marshal assured her this not a safety issue as long as the other two doors can open.
Refunds will be given to several families who purchased athletic season passes for this year. The new white activity bus has arrived and been paid, with funds remaining in the transportation fund.
Schilson said two buses will need to be replaced next year. She recommended getting regular gas buses, because of the problem they have had with diesel fuel gelling in the bitter cold weather.
Looking ahead to next year, the board approved the 2021-22 student handbook. Additions to the handbook included clarifying expectations for school operations during a pandemic or other health emergency.
The course catalog was approved with minor changes. There will be a second drivers education section. Transitional math and algebra classes were added. The fee schedule for next year was approved, remaining the same as the current fees.
The school calendar for 2021-22 was approved with the first day of student attendance on Wednesday, Aug. 18. Christmas break begins Thursday, Dec. 23, and classes resume on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The last day of student attendance is Friday, May 13, 2022, unless emergency make-up days are needed.
Following executive session, two volunteer coaches were approved. Peyton Porter was named volunteer assistant baseball coach, and Mackenzie Patrick was named volunteer assistant girls basketball coach.
Second reading of several policy updates were approved.