Area schools close, library and park district programs cancelled in reaction to coronavirus

Like dominoes, area schools, libraries and park districts that have not already done so are deciding, one by one, to cancel classes and programs to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Hinsdale High School District 86 announced Friday afternoon that it would close its buildings at the end of the school day and keep them closed through spring break.

From March 16 through March 27, the district will use its e-learning plan, in which students study and complete assignments at home on their Chromebooks.

All after-school events, sports and club activities will be canceled during that time, District 86 Superintendent Tammy Prentiss said in a statement announcing the decision. “We will provide more detailed information about our plans for the next few weeks later today and tomorrow,” Prentiss said Friday.

Hinsdale Clarendon Hills School District 181 has canceled classes as of Monday and all activities and events at its nine elementary and middle schools effective immediately, district officials said Friday afternoon.

Before and after-school care provided by the Community House at District 181 schools also has been canceled.

“We are working with our food service provider to establish a plan to provide meals for students who qualify,” District 181 reported on its website.

“If students need to pick up essential items, books, or valuables left at school following the end of the day today, they can do so Monday, between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. or by making an appointment with the building principal,” District 181 said on its website.

Students in District 86 and District 181 are off for spring break from March 30 through April 3.

So the earliest students will return to school is April 6, District 181 officials said.

The District 181 Department of Learning has been preparing for the possible implementation of e-learning since the earliest cases of COVID-19 were identified, officials said. Parents will receive details on how to implement e-learning by email.

Lyons Township High School District 204 has cancelled classes at both its campuses in La Grange and Western Springs effective Monday and will implement remote learning.

Students will have no school Monday and should check their LTHS email account Monday evening for details on how remote or e-learning will work, district superintendent Timothy Kilrea advised on the school district’s website.

“We currently have no indication of the coronavirus in our schools, but are initiating e-learning in an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in our communities,” Kilrea stated. “The health and safety of our students and staff are paramount.”

LTHS students will use remote learning from March 17 to March 20, be on spring break from March 23 to March 27, and resume e-learning from March 30 through April 6. Students are scheduled to return to regular classes Tuesday, April 7.

“While e-learning is not an ideal substitute for in-school instruction, it will allow for some continuity of instruction,” Kilrea said.

Frequently asked questions and information about expectations for LTHS students during e-learning days can be found via the district’s website.

Kilrea asked students’ parents and guardians to email their child’s school nurse, at either the North or South campus, if their student is ill with a combination of a fever, cough and shortness of breath, if someone in your household is under a self-quarantine, or if someone has a COVID-19 positive test result.

Nazareth officials said similar e-learning plans and timelines will be implemented at the following elementary school districts: LaGrange District 102, LaGrange District 105, Western Springs School District 101, LaGrange Highlands School District 106 and Pleasantdale School District 107 in LaGrange and Burr Ridge.

Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park announced it would be following the directive from the Archdiocese of Chicago to close all Catholic schools beginning Monday, March 16.

“It is our intention to resume in-person classes on March 30, but we will be assessing the situation continually,” Nazareth officials said in a statement.

Teachers will spend Monday preparing e-learning lessons for the students. Students will begin remote learning electronically Tuesday and continue through Thursday, March 26.

Students are expected to check their Google Classroom pages daily beginning Tuesday and to complete posted assignments, Nazareth officials said.

All after school activities and sports practices have been cancelled as of Friday.

“We are hopeful they will resume on April 20,” Nazareth stated.

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Cancelled activities include SAT testing Saturday, Stations of the Cross services April 8 and the school musical April 23 to 26. Drawings for the Fathers Club Queen of Hearts Raffle at the Driftwood Lounge are postponed until April 21.

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 announced Friday afternoon that all its schools will be closed from March 16 to March 20, for what officials called a time “to exercise plans and preventive measures to slow the spread of illness during this unprecedented health season.”

In a letter posted Friday afternoon to District 205 families, Superintendent David Moyer said facilities and grounds department staff will conduct extensive deep cleaning and disinfection of all buildings during the coming week.

The move means a two-week break for students and most district personnel, as the following week, March 23 to March 27, is the district’s already scheduled spring break.

Moyer said from March 30 to April 3, the district will operate on a home learning/e-learning schedule. Students will not report to school, but will participate in distance learning from their homes.

La Grange Park District is suspending all programs until April 6, according to Kevin Miller. Fitness center and walking track stay open.

At La Grange Park Park District all programs are suspended from March 17 to April 6, Director Jessica Cannady said.

Area libraries in Hinsdale, La Grange, LaGrange Park, Elmhurst, Clarendon Hills and Oak Brook and the Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien and the Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs, have closed until at least March 30 or until further notice. Materials that have been loaned out are due May 1, with no overdue fines. The Hinsdale Public Library has canceled all programs and events through April 20.

The libraries ask people not to return any materials prior to the library reopening to the public.

The Community House in Hinsdale has cancelled its open gym, programs and rentals to outside groups, including the Rotary Club, Illinois Chess Tournament and Stage Door rehearsals, through March 29. The building underwent a deep clean over the March 14-15 weekend, employees said.

The Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Department temporarily has suspended its youth programs and adult and senior programs through March 31, in “an effort to encourage social distancing,” and to protect the most vulnerable people in the community, the village said on its website.

The Oak Brook Park District is canceling all programs and activities, and closing all facilities beginning Saturday.

While the Oak Brook Park District has no confirmed COVID-19 cases, districts officials said, in a release, they are exercising an abundance of caution. The park district closure follows Butler School District 53 and recommendations from public health officials to minimize exposure to participants and staff.

Officials will continue to work closely with local city, school, and health department authorities to monitor the pandemic daily, and will re-evaluate the situation and inform the community of any decisions. The park district will be closed a minimum of 14 days. Residents can check the district’s website, www.obparks.org/news, for updates

The Clarendon Hills Park District suspended all programing, cancelled its Community Center rentals and closed its administrative office, at 315 Chicago Ave., through March 29.

The park district said it hopes to make up all cancelled programs. If that is not possible, the refund policy will apply.

Freelance writers Hank Beckman and Graydon Megan contributed to this report.