VVSD To Move Forward With Hybrid Learning In Fall Amid Pandemic

Abhinanda Datta
Updated ·3 min read

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Valley View School District administration is recommending a hybrid learning plan — consisting of in-person and remote learning — for the 2020-21 school year.

In a presentation delivered to the VVSD Board of Education on Monday, Superintendent of Schools Rachel Kinder said: "The overall goals of our Return Together 365 plan are to ensure safe and secure learning and working conditions for students and staff members. We also want to develop and implement a plan that is responsive to changing conditions, and flexibly meets the learning and support needs of every learner."

The district had sent out a survey, seeking recommendations on resuming classes. The survey came after the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health released guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year, adjusting learning for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents were asked in the survey that if in-person instruction is offered, will their child attend school this fall under the required parameters of use of face coverings, increased hygiene practices, and distancing as possible.

Based on the responses from the survey, VVSD decided to opt for the hybrid model, as 38.3 percent said they were in favor of this plan. Among the respondents, 34 percent were opting for remote-only learning.

"We want our students with us in school," Kinder said during the meeting Monday, "and we know that is what’s best for them, to have them with us. Nevertheless, we also care about the health and safety of our kids and families, our staff and their families. Those things are weighing heavily on everyone’s minds."

The following is a summary by grade level of the VVSD Return Together 365 Plan:

Early Childhood

  • In-person instruction daily with scheduled out and remote Fridays

  • First day of school: Sept. 2

Elementary Schools

  • In-person instruction daily (A/B alternating) two in-person days and three remote days per week for the first quarter; a plan for subsequent quarters will be based on assessment of the first quarter.

  • First day of school: Aug. 26

Middle and High Schools

  • A/B alternating daily schedule

  • Two in-person days and three remote days

  • Daily early release to support remote learning

  • First day of school: Aug. 26

For Secondary Transition Experience Program, there will be an alternating schedule for in-person instruction, modified plan for community-based instruction, and daily early release to support remote learning.

Kinder noted several times during the presentation that in addition to the VVSD Return Together 365 Plan, district administration and staff members continue to work on plans for remote-only learning. These efforts meet immediate needs for families who elect remote only learning instead of the hybrid option. A remote only plan is also necessary in the event that in person instruction cannot occur due to the continually evolving circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents or guardians have the option to select complete virtual learning for their students for the 2020-21 school year and need to inform the district of their decision by July 28.

In order to give VVSD families and staff members additional time to prepare for the adjustments to the 2020-21 school year, the VVSD Board approved an amended school calendar.

The amended calendar moves the first day of classes to Aug. 26 from Aug. 17 for grades K-12 and to Sep. 2 from Aug. 24 for students attending the Dr. James Mitchem Early Childhood Center.

View the full reopening plan here.

This article originally appeared on the Bolingbrook Patch