Rift Growing Between Parents And D-205: Official

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst's public schools are back to full in-person learning, but the number of students in quarantine remains high, which is upsetting parents.

As of April 19, 342 students were in quarantine out of more than 8,000, or about 4 percent, according to Elmhurst School District 205's website. Two weeks earlier, 360 students were in quarantine. For staff, the number increased from nine to 13 in those two weeks.

District officials say they must follow the health guidelines from county and state health agencies.

"These regulations are not always logical, and that is creating a rift between the school and our parents right now because they're so frustrated with the quarantines in particular," Linda Yonke, the district's interim superintendent, told the school board Tuesday. "So I want to say again that we're working very hard and aggressively to talk with the county health department and any other agency that can have an impact on the guidelines."

Board member Jim Collins said parents believe some health guidelines make no sense and that he agreed.

"That rift is growing," he said. "I think people's patience is less and less."

In Hinsdale High School District 86, students are jokingly calling the officials informing them they are in quarantine as the "grim reapers."

Last week, a student leader at Hinsdale Central High told the District 86 board that many seniors are considering going remote so that they won't miss graduation due to quarantine.

For the board's April 13 meeting, two parents submitted written comments questioning quarantines.

"We are told 'masks work,'" parent Amy Wellman said. "Yet a child wearing a mask is required to quarantine for 14 days for being 'exposed' to another masked child who was positive for COVID. If masks work, then why the quarantine?"

Another parent, Michelle Shoemaker, said the school board should stand up to the state health department.

"I do not want my kids in masks. I do not want my HEALTHY kids being told they have to quarantine," she said in her written comments. "Healthy kids should NEVER be asked to stay home."