Lincolnwood School District 74 announced to parents its plans to reopen recently, plans that include who will attend school in person and what measures the district will undertake in regards to social distancing and cleaning.
“Our overview is under the umbrella of working together,” said Dr. Kimberly A. Nasshan, Superintendent of Schools. “Our goal on the district level is to provide families with a really healthy choice that’s good for your family.”
Parents were allowed to attend a pair of Zoom town hall meetings on July 16 and had the opportunity to ask follow-up questions.
Nasshan noted that the decisions the district made reflected guidance from the Illinois governor’s office, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The current plan is to start school on Aug. 25. Prekindergarten and kindergarten students will have orientation and start later. Children will attend for a full day, with a target goal of five hours of learning daily.
Before the start of school, parents will receive a survey that gives them the option of choosing in-person or remote learning for their children. If they choose remote, children will be expected to virtually attend their classes.
Nasshan noted that back-to-school plans have been formulated by a committee of 33 people from the district’s different buildings, a group that are still working to fine-tune those plans. Their decisions are reflecting concerns presented in surveys completed by parents.
“We’re going to resume school with protocols that everyone feels safe about,” Nasshan said. “Our guiding principles are safety and social, emotional, and mental well-being of students and staff.”
Nasshan described the details of how those needs will be met.
Students and teachers will be required to wear face coverings when they are inside or when they aren’t able to stay six feet apart outside.
Desks in classrooms will be rearranged so that they all face the same direction and, whenever possible, are six feet apart.
Students who take school buses will have their temperatures checked with a touchless thermometer before they enter the bus. Those who arrive by car or walk to school will have their temperatures checked before they enter the building.
There will be no more than 50 children on a bus and kids will be required to wear face masks on the bus. Buses will be thoroughly cleaned several times each day. When students arrive at their school, they will go directly to their classroom. They won’t be allowed to gather outside.
Children will eat lunch at their desks. They may either bring their lunch or purchase a bistro box from the lunch program. Kids will be required to wash their hands and wipe down their desks before and after eating. Cleaning spray and cleaning wipes will be available in every classroom.
During recess, fewer than 50 kids will be allowed in any area. Activities will allow for them to be six feet apart whenever possible. Playground equipment will be wiped down between groups.
Children will be asked to bring their own water bottles because water fountains will not be available.
Hallways and stairways will be one-way and locker access will be staggered to allow for social distancing.
Every night, all areas will be cleaned and disinfected with hospital-grade disinfectant.
“We’re doing everything we can, working with all our teams, to make sure we’re keeping everyone safe,” Nasshan explained.
Art, music, and education will still be included in the curriculum but, whenever possible, these activities will occur within the classroom.
Nasshan stressed that the district has included in its planning every child “from special education to speech and language to our English learners to our gifted and talented. All those needs will be addressed.”
If someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, anybody who was in close contact with that person will be notified. Close contact is defined as spending 15 minutes or more within six feet of a person.
Following the superintendent’s presentation, Christina Audisho, director of community relations, read questions asked via Chat by parents participating in the town hall meeting.
In response to a question, Nasshan said that children who are attending virtually will be able to interact with their teacher, and that the district will assist families with technology.
Other questions dealt with outside activities. Questioners were told that there will not be a Back-to-School Bash, assemblies or field trips, and that the district is not currently planning to use parent volunteers.
Nasshan stressed that some aspects of the return to school are still being planned and that the district is also preparing for the possible return to remote learning because of the likelihood of a pandemic resurgence.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter.
