D202 Students' Return To School Could Be Delayed As Cases Surge

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield School District 202 students should be prepared to go back to remote learning once they return for in-person classes, Superintendent Lane Abrell said in a message to the community Thursday.

"Without question, the constant changes related to COVID-19 are confusing and stressful for everyone. They can begin to disrupt the rhythm of a consistent school experience," he said.

As per the district's Return '20 plan, multi-needs special education students will get back to in-person learning on Oct. 26, followed by Prekindergarten and kindergarten students on Nov. 5.

"We have consistently said that all details of our plans to return to in-person learning are tentative and subject to change. If we continue to see COVID-19 on a larger and growing scale, and it appears to be widely and rapidly spreading throughout our community, we may adjust timelines of other groups of students or grade levels returning. Please prepare now for that possibility," Abrell said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced earlier this week that state official will impose new restrictions Friday on Region 7 (Will and Kankakee) after positivity rates in those two regions eclipsed 8 percent for three straight days.

While school districts are generally exempt from the governor’s mitigation strategies, they are an important indicator of the environment created by COVID-19. Abrell said the district has implemented and installed all appropriate health and safety measures and resources at all schools receiving students next week based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health, or Illinois State Board of Education.

"We understand the concern many parents are feeling now after the governor’s announcement this week. Scientists have been telling us for months that even if we re-open schools safely, we maybe in and out of in-person and remote learning," he said. "Other districts that have re-opened (including several we have visited and spoken to) have subsequently had confirmed cases of COVID-19. Confirmed cases require contact tracing and quarantining of groups of students or staff."

Since school staff was required to go back to school facilities on Aug. 10, the district has reported 41 positive cases, with 304 staff and students having direct exposure to the virus. According to the district website, there are about 1,500 staff members and 600 students at various facilities on a typical day.

Abrell said the district is continuing to monitor the coronavirus metrics while balancing the needs of the students.

"Many of us are so 'done' with the pandemic. Sadly, the virus is not done with us. We will
address the ongoing challenges appropriately to ensure the health and well-being of our students,
staff, families, and community," he said.

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