Superintendent message re: shift to fully remote for all students

Posted on 11/6/20

Dear Glenbard families,

Many thanks for your support, flexibility and patience during these ever-changing times. I recognize that families are navigating through all sorts of issues, and that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our everyday lives. I appreciate the many ways you are helping your students.

As  we have been closely tracking the data from the DuPage County Health Department, we are alarmed at the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases.  As of November 6, two of the key metrics — the positivity rate and the number of cases per 100,000 — are at an all-time high. 

Test Positivity for DuPage County

 

Cases out of 100,000 for DuPage County

Taking a Safety Pause, Shifting to Fully Remote
Due to the alarming trends, beginning on Monday, Nov. 9, we will take a safety pause and shift to fully remote teaching and learning for all students. This pause will be for a minimum of three weeks. We will keep families appraised regarding the prospect of returning to our hybrid model. Our schedule, which allows both on-site and streaming access, is designed so that we can efficiently pivot to a safety pause scenario. Know that all students will continue to experience quality instruction through our talented teachers’ livestream lessons.

Additional Information

• Over the last two weeks, we have had to quarantine 60 staff members and 232 students.  This is a 178% increase for staff and a 267% increase for students over the previous two-week period.
• Also over the last two weeks, we have had 13 staff and 54 students reported as positive for COVID-19.  This is a 217% increase for staff and a 270% increase for students over the previous two-week period.
• Note that per DuPage County Health Department COVID-19 School Metrics, other key health metrics have moved to substantial (red).
• Know that many of our K-8 sender school districts may continue to offer in-person learning as they have smaller campuses with fewer students. They are able to structure smaller size cohort groups than a large, comprehensive high school, thus creating safer conditions for students. 
• Since Sept. 30, we’ve had an increase from 25% to 43% of students district-wide choosing fully remote.
• Free breakfasts and lunches will be available for pickup beginning Nov. 9 at the main entrance to our four schools and the Glendale Heights Sports Hub. Meal pickup will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.  Students do not need to be present to receive meals. A parent/guardian may pick up the meals. No identification is necessary. 

Resources and Supports
We recognize that this shift is challenging to many and that it has an impact on students and families. Despite this frustrating and uncertain school year, we have worked diligently to provide students with an array of supports and opportunities. These include academic support periods, access to social emotional support, clubs and activities offerings. I encourage you to review your school’s document linked below for a list of these support opportunities and experiences and download it for future reference:

• Glenbard East resources
• Glenbard North resources
• Glenbard South resources
• Glenbard West resources
• Directions program resources

Fall 2020 Calendar
We will continue to follow the fall 2020 calendar. We suggest you bookmark the calendar for your convenience.

Six Ways to Reduce COVID-19 Spread
We hope to be able to return to our hybrid model as soon as it is safe. This will depend on the status of COVID-19 and the data we receive from health department officials. Next week, we will post a COVID-19 dashboard to our websites.

Each of us can take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Health experts recommend:

1. Wear a mask whenever outside your home or around people not from your household;
2. Watch your distance, staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your immediate household; 
3. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer often; 
4. Avoid large gatherings, especially indoors;
5. Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19; consult with your healthcare provider for medical evaluation and testing, as needed; and 
6. Get your flu shot, to prevent illness from influenza and to prevent possible co-infection from influenza and COVID-19. Information about free flu shots is here.

Share Feedback in Family Survey
We are working hard to ensure valuable learning experiences for all students and that connections between students and teachers continue. This week, our principals sent families a survey about their students’ learning experience. Please complete the survey by Nov. 12. 

We are confident in our hybrid and remote models. Students are engaged with their instructors in real time and they are supported by caring, knowledgeable faculty and staff. While school looks different these days, be assured well crafted teaching and learning is happening every day. Students are creating, communicating and thinking critically — they’re learning. Zoom breakout rooms allow small groups to collaborate, and students can meet in a breakout room one-on-one with an instructor or related services staff member for support.

If you have questions about what the shift to fully remote means to your student, please contact your student’s teachers or counselor. We will keep you updated when new information is available.

As always, many thanks for your patience, understanding, flexibility and commitment to safety.

Sincerely,
David F. Larson, Ed.D.
Superintendent