D202 Survey Shows Parents Want Children Back In School

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield School District 202 had recently sent out an Educational Choice Form asking families 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 response, 51-58 percent of parents plan for their student to be in school for in-person learning, depending on grade level.

Superintendent Lane Abrell told the Board of Education during its Monday meeting that the district is "cautiously optimistic" about possibly returning to in-person learning sometime in the third quarter of the school year if COVID-19 metrics allow.

"However, if history has taught us anything regarding COVID-19, we must remain vigilant and observe basic good health guidance of masking, handwashing, and social distancing," Abrell said.

He reiterated and stressed that the pandemic is a community health issue.

"We must focus on community health and driving the positivity rate down," he said. "As that occurs, our plan to return to school in person gains momentum and strengthens."

The district will continue to update families and staff as soon as possible.

D202 had a plan to bring back students in groups, however, as the COVID-19 metrics spiraled upward, it decided Nov. 9 to put its plans on hold indefinitely and not return more students until conditions improved. The multi-needs students also returned to remote learning Nov. 16.

Students will not return to in-person learning until COVID-19 metrics improve. District officials will continue to assess COVID-19 metrics and guidance from the Will County Health Department. The county’s rolling positivity rate has started to slowly decline.

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