On October 28, District 90 began an “adaptive pause” and shifted to remote instruction for two weeks in response to increased levels of COVID-19 transmission across the region (Cook County) and within the Village of River Forest. The “adaptive pause” strategy of shifting to remote instruction is an approach that is recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) as an effective way to mitigate the risk of disease transmission. We had hoped to return students to in-person instruction at the conclusion of the adaptive pause on Monday, November 16. Unfortunately, due to the continued increase in COVID-19 incidences, regional and local positivity rates, and weekly case counts, the District will continue to provide remote instruction to students through at least November 30. At the Board of Education Meeting on Monday, November 16, Board members will consider the option of extending the period of remote instruction for a longer length of time, based upon projected health metrics and the need that many families have expressed for heightened certainty about the instruction model.
While the increased rates of COVID-19 transmission over the past weeks have been readily apparent to most, we understand that many families may still be highly disappointed to hear the news of this development. Faculty, staff, and administrators share this disappointment, as well. Of most concern are our students, who are already experiencing a highly challenging and uncertain landscape. Please be assured that our faculty and staff will continue to remain responsive to the students’ needs and put their social-emotional well-being at the fore in their decision making. Similarly, please know that our social workers and administrative team stand at the ready to support your family as much as possible. We are also fortunate to have a number of community partners who can also provide assistance depending on the specific nature of the circumstances.
For families requiring childcare supports, D90 and the West Cook YMCA (WCY) have restructured the remote learning supervision program to support students and families in grades 1-6. Beginning on November 16 and hosted at the Dominican Priory Campus, the revised program allows for an expanded, dedicated space with a robust wireless network infrastructure. For more information about the remote learning supervision program, please click this link: YMCA Remote Supervision Flyer. To begin the registration process, please click this link: WCY Remote Supervision Application. Please note that families who have participated in this program in the past must re-enroll to join the new program.
We will continue to monitor the local and regional health metrics and rely on guidance from the CCDPH and the IDPH. We are also grateful to our consulting partnership with the Rush University Medical Center Infection Prevention Team for the guidance they have provided - and will continue to provide - about the safety of returning to blended in-person instruction. For additional information on the COVID-19 status of Suburban Cook County and the Village of River Forest, please click this link for the most recent D90 Data Dashboard update (Dashboard Update) or the D90 website page with links to external public health metrics resources (D90 COVID-19 Resources).