Officials at Winnetka School District 36 said Friday they plan to continue their hybrid, in-person student instruction plan this month, but will be taking a two-week pause following the holiday break.
“This week has brought some anticipated challenges our way with increased reports of COVID-19 cases and student/staff absences,” District 36 Superintendent Trisha Kocanda said in a Friday letter.
While Kocanda said the increase in cases was expected following the Thanksgiving break, she said, “there remains no evidence of in-school transmission at this time.”
In addition, though most of the reported cases have not had a quarantine impact on schools, Kocanda said some student learning has needed to pivot from in-person to remote.
“More than ever, it is critically important that we remain vigilant and strictly adhere to health and safety protocols,” Kocanda said. “Remaining safely in-person these final two weeks of the calendar year will take a collective and concerted effort.”
As announced last month, the district will follow a two-week, “return to campus” transition plan that features two-weeks of remote learning, including what officials described as an isolation period from Jan. 4 through Jan. 18 “for those who require it,” for example, families returning from holiday travel.
Students are expected to resume their hybrid, in-person instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 19, following Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18.
“The best way to return to campus safely after break is to have families and staff limit exposure to others and return home no later than Jan. 3 in an effort to prevent the return of the virus on our campuses,” Kocanda said.
Students are also urged to bring their personal belongings home before winter break, Kocanda said, as school buildings will be closed for a deep cleaning.
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