D308 Adjusts School Reopening Plan Amid Pandemic

OSWEGO, IL — The Oswego School District has adapted its reopening plans amid the coronavirus pandemic. The district had announced its plan during the July 13 board meeting, however, changes were posted to the website Wednesday. Two of the major alterations include switching the times of the school day for junior high and elementary schools.

Students at the district's junior high schools who participate in the in-person learning option will have learning five days per week, with a shortened attendance time from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Students will have additional time at home for assignment and remote work completion.

In-person classes will have three periods per day, for approximately 70 minutes each. Independent reading and writing activities will be completed by students remotely, and physical education and health classes will be conducted remotely.

The original plan stated that students would participate in all six of their courses over a two-day period. On each day they would attend three of their courses. The school day was shortened from 8:20 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.

The in-person learning plan for elementary schools has been amended from the July 13 presentation. Elementary school students who choose in-person learning will have a four-hour day from 8:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., with a primary focus on reading, writing, math and social-emotional learning.

A full daycare option will be operated at each elementary school by the Oswegoland Park District's Kids Connection program, that will focus on the "continuation of learning and enrichment activities." Prices for the program will be set by the Oswegoland Park District.

Previously, students would have attended classes in person five days a week and instructions for art, music, library etc. would be shortened and provided in the general education classroom to limit the number of transitions. The school day was supposed to be from 9:10 a.m. to 3 :10 p.m.

The kindergarten program will operate as a four-hour, in-person instructional day with additional resources provided for learning opportunities at home, or as a remote learning option. The registration fee for all kindergarten students has been dropped to $120 for either in-person or remote learning.

Early childhood education will operate as either in-person or remote learning. In-person learning will have students participate in face-to-face learning for five days a week for an assigned morning or afternoon session that will be shortened by 15 minutes each. Remote learning for early childhood students will include a daily live session with the teacher, and pre-recorded activities that can be completed at home.

In the previous plan, early childhood students are not given a choice, and had to attend school five days a week, while maintaining social distancing practices.

High School plans have not altered. Students will have the choice of in-person or remote learning through the Edgenuity system.

The full plan for reopening has been posted to the district's website.

A choice between in-person or remote education is due to the district by 4 p.m. on July 22.
If parents or students do not announce their choice to the district by that time, district administrators will assume that students will be participating in in-person instruction.

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