Dear District 90 Families, Faculty, and Staff,
Information surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in our local community and the nation is extremely fluid and constantly changing. On Friday, Gov. Pritzker ordered all public and private K-12 schools closed from Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 30, 2020. As such, District 90 will recommence E-Learning on Monday, March 30 upon our return from Spring Break, with students currently scheduled to return to school on Tuesday, March 31. Further, President Trump has declared the coronavirus situation to be a national emergency. Despite these pronouncements, the risk of coronavirus infection in our community currently remains low. Yet, all of District 90’s administrators, faculty, and staff are committed to meeting this situation with composure, resourcefulness, and flexibility. This message includes important information as we implement our remote learning plan and help our students understand these events.
Please remember that the District’s E-Learning Days begin tomorrow, March 16, and will continue until March 20. The following week is Spring Break in District 90, and no E-Learning will be conducted (March 23-27). The E-Learning school day for students begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Teachers will be sending instructional activities and assignments to families of elementary students daily by 9 a.m. Middle school students will receive and must submit their attendance form at 9 a.m., with assignments available online through the Schoology platform. Our faculty and staff are committed to helping our students and families by providing appropriate remote lessons and instructional activities. The D90 E-Learning Plan provides an overview of the instructional day, information about student attendance, the posting of assignments and instructional activities, provision of instructional support, and where to submit student and family inquiries. To review the attached E-Learning Plan for District 90, please click this link: D90 E-Learning Plan.
Families will need to have access to the Internet in order to participate in many E-Learning activities. If you don’t have Internet access, Comcast is offering free WiFi and Internet access to families who meet specific income guidelines. Low-income families who live in a Comcast service area are able to sign-up for Internet Essentials. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service. Please click the link for additional information about accessing Internet Essentials: https://www.internetessentials.com, or comca.st/39Q3aza. In addition, Comcast has indicated that Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone for free to anyone who needs them – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Individuals who still may need assistance after contacting Comcast are encouraged to contact District 90 at [email protected]
Students who currently receive or are eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL) will be able to continue receiving these meals. Daily, weekday pickup for pre-packaged lunch will be at the Administration Building (7776 W. Lake Street) only between the hours of 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20. Only students who have been approved for FRPL will be provided with the meal.
We are frequently asked about the topic of when District 90 schools will definitively re-open. Because of the uncertainty of the situation, we are unable to know whether the current date of return will be extended. I ask that you please monitor your email and the District’s website. Information about the definite reopening of schools will be delivered as soon as expeditiously possible once the decision is made. Please also monitor the CDC’s travel restrictions closely, as they may continue to change over time.
While keeping our students engaged in robust E-Learning activities is vital, it is even more important to keep our students, staff, and families healthy and safe. The health and well being of our larger community is also of the utmost importance. To learn more, please click on the documents below. They provide some of the most current guidance available.
- COVID-19 and You
- What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019
- Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource
District 90 will continue to provide our families, staff members, and partners with regular updates throughout the E-Learning week, and as the health situation evolves. Please continue to visit the District website (district90.org) and monitor your email and voice mail for messages from the District.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our students, families, faculty, and staff.
Sincerely,
Ed Condon, Ph.D.
Superintendent