D202 Students Will Return To School In Groups Starting Jan. 25

PLAINFIELD, IL — As long as coronavirus health and safety conditions allow, the Plainfield School District 202 will start bringing in its students for in-person learning in small groups between Jan. 25- Feb. 16, Superintendent Lane Abrell told the Board of Education during the Monday meeting.

"As we have said many times this year, we all want our kids back in school," Abrell said. "But we must remember that this is a community health issue, and we must consider the impact
that a large school district has on the rest of the community. We are trying to balance that fact
with the fact that in-person learning is the best for most if not all, of our students. That is one of the biggest reasons we have been and continue to be so cautious."

D202 started to return students to in-person learning on Oct. 26, but implemented an "adaptive pause" that same day until at least the end of first semester as the COVID-19metrics spiked. The district extended its adaptive pause on Nov. 9 indefinitely until conditions improved. The multi-needs students also returned to remote learning on Nov. 16.

During this time, families received an Educational Choice Form in early December, to indicate whether they intend to send students back to in-person learning or continue with remote learning when the option is available. According to the responses received, 51 to 58 percent of parents, depending on the grade level, wanted their children back in school.

According to the new plan, students who chose in-person learning will use a hybrid schedule, in the classroom for two days, and at home for three days. COVID-19 metrics in Will County have improved since November and if the numbers hold, students whose parents have indicated they intend to return to in-person learning will come back in the following order:

• Jan. 25 – PreK-12 multi-needs and specialized program
• Feb. 1 - Grades 6 and 9, along with Grades 1-12 instructional special education students
• Feb. 2 – All kindergarten and instructional special education preschool (early childhood)
• Feb. 8 – Preschool tuition programs, preschool for all, and grades 1, 2, 7 and 12 students
• Feb. 16 – Grades 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11

The updated return schedule mirrors the original plan approved last summer. That original plan
also started with multi-needs special education students because they need the most attention
immediately and brought students back in small groups to allow for smoother transitions.

However, the updated plan also meets concerns from some community members by bringing high school seniors back first.

"We want to give seniors as much time in their schools and with friends as possible, since it is their last year," Abrell said.

School days will be slightly shorter than normal – and lunch will not be served – to minimize the
number and better control the movement of students in buildings and meet transportation
schedules. Elementary classes will run from 8:45 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Middle school will go from 7:55 a.m. to noon. High school will go from 7-11:15 a.m.

The half-day kindergarten morning session will run from 8:45-10:45 a.m., and the afternoon
session will run from 1:10-3:10 p.m. Schools will send more detailed information to families this week.