Karen Ann Cullotta – Page 32

Danny Strauss outside District 25 in Arlington Heights. As the parent of two elementary students in the district, "there's a lot of uncertainty for us, but it's got to be really terrible for the teachers," he said.

As schools break for the holidays, there’s little break from anxiety over when and how they will reopen in 2021

December 21, 2020 at 11:17 a.m.

When the last day of school before winter break arrived Friday, Arlington Heights parents Danny and Leigh Strauss had hoped, for at least the next two weeks, they would get...

Kitty Horne, the school secretary, takes the temperature of students arriving for in-person student learning at The School of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity in Winnetka on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. After a COVID-19 outbreak, the school pivoted to remote learning for two weeks in November, but it has now reopened classrooms for in-person student learning.

Illinois schools have tallied more than 160 outbreaks of COVID-19. But what happens when they occur, and who decides if a school should close?

December 15, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

After a string of COVID-19 cases were reported at The School of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity in Winnetka last month, school officials dutifully notified the Cook County Department of...

New Trier club’s annual Christmas tree fundraiser survives pandemic: ‘We were sold out in 3 days’

December 9, 2020 at 12:57 p.m.

When the leaders of New Trier High School's Tri-ship club placed an order in October for their annual Christmas tree fundraiser, they decided to play it safe. Anticipating that the...

Wilmette School District 39 Mikaelian Center

Wilmette District 39 students will return to the classroom next week; COVID-19 testing at schools to start in 2021

December 9, 2020 at 8:11 a.m.

Students in Wilmette School District 39 will resume in-person classroom learning next week, but officials said they plan to shift back to remote instruction following winter break to prepare for...

People hold signs during a protest hosted by the Chicago Teachers Union outside the Thompson Center on Aug. 3, 2020, in Chicago.

School employees should be a priority in COVID-19 vaccine rollout, say Illinois teachers unions, which also seek rapid testing in schools

December 8, 2020 at 4:01 p.m.

The two largest teachers unions in Illinois are calling on the state legislature to put educators on the shortlist for the COVID-19 vaccine, and are asking for rapid testing at...

Fire at Arlington Heights church leaves one room ‘completely gutted’ by smoke

December 8, 2020 at 6:41 a.m.

A weekend blaze at a church in Arlington Heights that caused extensive smoke damage was likely ignited by an unattended candle, authorities said Monday. There were no injuries from the...

Heidel Graham and her daughters, Laurel Mason, 15, Signe Mason, 17, and Linnea Mason at their home in Wilmette on Dec. 4, 2020. A total of 24 North Shore girl scout troops have collected Christmas presents being for 34 families at a Chicago shelter.

North Shore Girl Scouts from 23 troops deliver holiday cheer to Chicago families in need

December 11, 2020 at 2:43 p.m.

The challenges of fundraising during a pandemic did not stop hundreds of Girl Scouts from across the North Shore this month from safely shopping, wrapping and delivering a truck-full of...

Shab Poloz is an English learners-world languages coordinator in Arlington Heights District 25, but on Thursday was filling in for a physical education teacher at Patton School. The kids did stretches and warmups then played a rock-paper-scissors game as they hopped around the gym.

It’s not just COVID-19 that’s closing schools — it’s a lack of substitute teachers. The shortage has reached crisis levels in some districts.

December 7, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

When the long-awaited return of students for in-person classes arrived at Schaumburg High School in late October, Jim Britton sat in his Hyundai Sonata in the school's parking lot, awaiting...

Winnetka District 36 to preserve in-person learning, but plans for two week pause in January

December 4, 2020 at 5:02 p.m.

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...

New Trier High School students pictured on Oct. 6, 2020.

New Trier expected to expand in-person instruction in January 2021

December 2, 2020 at 5:04 p.m.

Officials at New Trier High School are planning to double the number of students attending classes on campus by the start of the new semester in late January of 2021....

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