D109 Reverts To Virtual Learning Amid Coronavirus Case Uptick

DEERFIELD, IL — With coronavirus cases on the rise, Deerfield Public Schools District 109 announced it is temporarily reverting to virtual learning starting Monday. The "difficult" decision was made by administration and the board of education.

"We know that this decision will please some and anger others, but we need to do what is best for our students and community," a letter sent out to parents read. "We expect there to be significant questions about our decision and what comes next, so please read below for answers to learn more about our decision-making process."

While kindergarten and elementary school students have been doing some in-person studies as part of a hybrid learning plan since the end of September, middle school students were scheduled for re-entry dates into buildings Oct. 26 and 29. With Friday's decision, that plan has been postponed indefinitely.

"We are still anticipating that we will be implementing the middle school hybrid plan that was approved by the Board of Education as soon as it is safe to do so," the letter continues.

New COVID-19 Cases Triple From Prior Week Increase In Deerfield

All elementary students will stay in their hybrid learning schedule. Any classes that were taken in-person will be taken in a synchronous virtual fashion, according to the release. Teachers will continue to provide Zoom links and schedule updates in Seesaw and/or Google Classroom.

The four pieces of data the district said it is looking at provided by the Lake County Health Department:

• 1) Lake County — Incidence Rate per 100,000 people
• 2) Lake County — Positivity Rate
• 3) 60015 Zip Code — Incidence Rate per 10,000 people
• 4) 60015 Zip Code — Positivity Rate

Related:
Kindergartners Return To Classrooms In Deerfield 109
Deerfield School Re-Entry Task Force Halts Effort Amid Complaint
Deerfield Parents Demand In-Person Learning
Virtual Learning To Begin School Year For Deerfield District 109