Community Consolidated School District 89 would like to thank all of the students who have been working so hard this school year, as well as every family member who has been part of our extended learning community.
Next week, the district expects to communicate updated information about the expansion of in-person learning. Please continue to check district communications for more information. As we have throughout this process, we will keep you informed at each step so you can help your children prepare.
There are long-term health trends consistently moving in a good direction. Infections rates at the county still show substantial spread, but they have been steadily decreasing. Vaccines are becoming more widely available and many of our staff members have had the opportunity to begin the vaccination process.
At each step we've taken since last March, the district has had to balance health and safety, staffing and resources, and a consistent educational environment. Our goal remains to safely move toward a more traditional educational environment while supporting all our in-person and remote learners. At this time, we have about 1,400 students learning in school buildings and more than 700 students learning fully from home. (Remote learning will continue to be an option for all families in the 2020-21 school year.)
Expanding in-person learning depends on so many factors beyond infection rates - down to the physical shape of rooms, the number of students who have selected to stay remote, and much more. Regulations continue to be updated; the CDC released new criteria this week that we are incorporating into our plans.
All these details are crucial for building a healthy environment for all of our students, their families, and our staff. The next step will bring new opportunities and challenges, and our staff will be ready to support your students. Thank you again for your patience and persistence during this challenging year.