Valley View Students Return To School Thursday

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Valley View School District students will return to school Thursday in Bolingbrook and Romeoville.

Several districts have started the school year remotely amid a surge of COVID-19 cases. Valley View students will be returning in-person on Thursday.

"It is clear that 2022 will bring a new chapter of challenges related to COVID-19 and maintaining strong in-person learning and support for our kids," Superintendent Rachel Kinder said in a message to parents. "It is also clear that our team is working hard to continue to meet the needs of our learners despite challenges or complexities."

Kinder said that schools are not immune to the staffing challenges caused by the spike in COVID-19 cases.

"Our leaders are working to ensure adequate staffing coverage and back-up plans due to COVID-19 related staff absences," she said.

If there are critical staffing concerns that prohibit in-person learning for a day or short period of time, an emergency day or emergency e-learning day will be called. According to the message, staff and families will be notified via phone, email, and social media if this were to occur.

Kinder clarified that the decision for an "adaptive pause," which is a temporary closure of a classroom or school that occurs due to a large outbreak of COVID-19 cases, can only be made in consultation with, or by the direction of, the Will County Health Department. If this were to occur, families in the respective classroom or school would be notified and shift to remote learning for a designated period of time, according to her message.

"Despite the continued and evolving challenges, we are optimistic for the new year and new opportunities," she said.