VVSD Could Revert To Full Remote Learning For Fall Amid Pandemic

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Valley View School District will recommend a full remote learning plan for the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year at the special Board of Education meeting Thursday. This strays from the original hybrid plan — presented July 20 — which required students to engage in both in-person and virtual lessons.

In the new VVSD Return Together 365 Plan executive summary, the district wrote that since March, the teams have worked diligently on plans targeted at meeting the following goals:

• Ensure safe and secure learning and working conditions for staff and students in accordance with ISBE and IDPH guidelines.
• Develop and implement a plan that is responsive to changing conditions and flexibly meets the learning and support needs of every learner.
• Provide high quality instruction and support in an innovative and responsive fashion.
• Ensure a lived commitment to the district's core belief of equity in meeting the diverse needs of the students and families.
• Ensure resources are (re)allocated to priority areas to support students, staff, and families.

With that in mind, the board will be presented with a plan that has students learning at home for the first quarter of the fall, starting on Aug. 26 and through Oct. 23

Superintendent Rachel Kinder wrote in the action report that there were several considerations before arriving at this decision. These include but are not limited to:

• Resurgence of positive Covid-19 cases in Illinois; continued positivity increases in Will County and Region 7 over the last 14 days.
• Anticipated county and state level public health coordination and guidance for supporting finalization and implementation of health protocols.
• ISBE issued Fall 2020 Learning Recommendations on July 23, and subsequent directive from the state superintendent which makes our previous draft plans unattainable at this current time with current resources (2.5 hours synchronous learning for remote students cannot be met at all levels among other reasons).
• Staffing and logistical constraints to provide for hybrid and full remote simultaneously.
• Increase in current (and anticipated) staff FMLA and ADA requests complicating staffing.
• Trend of school districts in our immediate area moving to a full-remote model creating additional challenges with staffing.

The new plan describes four phases "in which we will reassess the status of health conditions,

official guidance, and district readiness to determine when we can begin a cautious and measured approach to bringing students on-site," Kinder wrote.

Stage 1 (Through Oct. 23) - Remote Learning

• All learners participate in remote learning
• On-site student visits by appointment only as authorized by administration (or designee)
• Faculty and staff work from on-site as required to meet work expectations

Stage 2 (TBD) - Remote Learning and Transition

• Remote learning continues for the majority of students
• Learners invited on-site for targeted learning/support
• Consideration of return to on-site learning for specific programs/grade bands
• Faculty and staff work on-site as required to meet work expectations

Stage 3 (TBD) - Hybrid Learning

• Learners participate in hybrid learning (remote +on-site learning) as assigned
• Remote learning continues as necessary based on family selection

Stage 4 (TBD) - In-Person Learning

• All learners and staff return to full in-person learning

The district will reassess at the 6-week mark for a possible return at 9 weeks and then continue to reassess at 6 week increments as necessary. Stages 1-3 will be implemented as long as the State of Illinois is in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Stage 4 will be implemented only when Phase 5 is achieved and IDPH and ISBE guidance allow for a full return. Extracurricular participation will be allowed as per IHSA and IDPH guidelines.

Upon the board’s decision, "we will begin immediate communication with families, students and staff, post updated information on our website and continue to support schools in solidifying their plans and communication," Kinder said.

Detailed information regarding what to expect for academic and support services, as well as other needs such as meal service will be provided. Information will continue to be updated on the district website.