With local COVID-19 metrics appearing favorable and a low community positivity rate, administrators at River Forest District 90 say they are looking at extending the school day for both in-person and remote learning students.
Administrators revealed at the March 2 school board meeting preliminary plans to lengthen the instructional day at both the elementary and middle school levels for all students for the remainder of the school year. Officials are hopeful the change can occur when students return from spring break on April 5.
“We aspire to have students here as much as possible, assuming we can do it safely in compliance with what we’re receiving from the state board of education, the Cook County health department and other local entities,” superintendent Ed Condon said.
Condon didn’t offer any specific plans, but said more details will be presented to the school board at its March 16 meeting.
River Forest District 90 began a “blended” learning model in October whereby some students would attend in-person classes while those choosing to remain fully remote would join virtually. In-person learning was paused last fall due to increased COVID-19 metrics; however, the district has been operating under its blended model since mid-December.
Among the issues that need to be addressed prior to increasing the school day include maskless time for students, which includes possible on-site lunch and recess, as well as space issues at Roosevelt Middle School.
“The biggest challenge we’re up against is this middle school density issue,” Condon said. “The reality is with faculty and staff, Roosevelt Middle School, on a daily basis under normal conditions, has just around 765 individuals. This is a school building that was built around 100 years ago and it’s had five additions to try to make it better suited to the needs of the community, but it has some physical limitations.”
More Top Picks Returning To School After A Concussion Vision Accommodations
Condon said the district could consider sending some students home for lunch and will have to address on-site supervision availability with its faculty union. The district will also have to plan for recess should inclement weather occur.
River Forest Education Association members Shana Joyce, Louisa Staff and Amy McFarlane submitted a comment on behalf of the union, asking the district to follow guidelines established by the COVID-19 advisory panel that met last year when establishing a new schedule.
The RFEA also requested the district prioritize an outdoor lunch option and expressed concerns over desk spacing in some elementary school classrooms.
“It is crucial we maintain a high level of precaution,” the union members said. “We hope a lunch plan can be constructed that meets the goal of in-person learning time, but also respects the preventative measures that are currently in place.”
Administrators say the district has been in constant contact with local health and safety professionals, adding that Condon and three school nurses recently met with three doctors from Rush Hospital’s infection prevention team to discuss safety measures.
Condon cited River Forest’s COVID-19 positivity rate of less than 5%, as well as the village having fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 residents, as reasons to believe expanding the school day can safely occur.
“The transmission rates and overall positivity rate in River Forest, and generally most surrounding environments, is much lower than it has ever been, or at least since late last spring,” Condon said. “This work is occurring and is taking place hopefully in a way people agree has integrity.”
As administrators finalize a plan to bring to the public, Condon said district families should soon receive a “quick hit” questionnaire, which will be used to gauge interest from families and better help the district plan for the in-person portion of the extended school day.
Board members appeared supportive of the plan, saying they look forward to seeing additional details later this month.
“This is very fluid throughout the past year,” board president Rich Moore said. “One phrase I hope the community continues to hear is we are proceeding in an abundance of caution. It’s definitely still front and center that the decisions we’re making assure that people, children, teachers and the community at large remain safe.”
Twitter: @steveschering