District 214 Shifts To Block Schedule, Parents Get Reopen Choices

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — This fall, the 12,000 students in Township High School District 214 will be using a block schedule for study. The plan allows for flexibility and parental choice for students to attend classes in-person or remotely, according to school officials.

"Designing the school day and first semester this way allows for a rigorous and equitable academic experience whether the students are in the building or participating remotely," Superintendent Dr. David Schuler said.

Under the plan, students will have eight classes in total, but only four extended classes each day. This, according to officials, will limit movement throughout the buildings and be an "efficient and effective way" to deliver instruction in the event the District is required to go to a fully remote environment at some point this fall.

District 214 consists of Buffalo Grove High School, Elk Grove High School, John Hersey High School, Prospect High School, Rolling Meadows High School and Wheeling High School. It is the state's second largest high school district by enrollment.

District 214 Superintendent Clears Up Misinformation From Parents

Based on feedback from numerous stakeholders, the District prioritized the need to resume consistent in-person instruction while also ensuring student and staff safety and providing parental choice.

At the District’s six comprehensive high schools, the traditional eight-period, 48-minute course schedule will move to an extended block schedule that alternates every two days, with the option to attend zero-hour classes beginning at 8:45 a.m. and the first all-student instructional period beginning at 10 a.m, according to the district. The school day will end at 3:25 p.m. Buses will arrive at approximately 9:45 a.m., and after-school activity buses will run if co-curricular activities are allowed by the Illinois High School Association. All school buildings will open for students at 8 a.m.

Last month, Schuler had to clear up what he described as some misinformation regarding the start of the school year. Among the claims by a group labeling themselves as "Concerned District 214 Parents," was that the school year will begin in August with only two days of in-person instruction, and the cancellation of extra-curricular activities.

According to the district, in the event public health concerns require the need to move to a hybrid model where a reduced number of students are able to attend in-person learning or a fully remote model at any point during the first semester, the schools will continue to maintain the exact same schedule ensuring a consistent schedule for the entire first semester.

The first two days of the school year, Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, will now be professional development days for teachers. To ensure freshmen receive a unique and relevant high school onboarding experience that was missed in the spring, each school is utilizing the first Friday of the year, Friday, August 14, for freshmen orientation.

Schuler believes the plan also provides for a "seamless transition" to full online learning should Illinois revert to a previous phase in the Restore Illinois Plan.

"We look forward to seeing our students and staff back in the classroom in a safe way when we begin school again in the fall.” Schuler said.

While parents have the choice to have their student participate in-person or remotely each day, teachers will have several options using synchronous technology for working with students who are learning remotely, and the specific delivery of instruction may look different based on the class a student is taking. According to the district, the same curriculum will be taught both in-person and remotely, and students will be held accountable for their learning in both settings.

District 214 will follow and adapt the health and safety guidance released by the Illinois State Board of Education on June 24 to meet the "unique constraints" of its facilities and needs of its students and staff, to comply with Public Act 101-0643 regarding the implementation of a "Remote and Blended Learning Day Plan."