District 89 Parents To Rally For Full-Time, In-Person Instruction

GLEN ELLYN, IL — A group of parents from Community Consolidated School District 89 will rally Friday outside the district headquarters Friday to demand a return to full-time, in-person learning.

The rally comes after Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) updated its public health guidance to prioritize in-person instruction. Per the new recommendations, proper social distancing is defined as anywhere between three and six feet between masked students and fully vaccinated staff.

The change has prompted a number of school districts in the western suburbs to announce a return to five days of in-person classes, which will take effect after their spring breaks. District 89 parents who are involved in Friday's rally believe it's past time for their school district to follow suit, one parent, who chose to remain anonymous, told Patch.

“We planned this rally because we have kids who are in crisis," they said. “We have kids whose mental health has been deteriorating month after month.”

“Being social and interacting with their peers is critical and crucial to their development," they added.

There are also "kids who depend on the schools to be fed, to be loved, to be nurtured, to be challenged."

As of March 22, District 89 plans to increase in-person instruction throughout its schools," something the parent called a "huge improvement." Nonetheless, they added, "We still want five full days."

When the March 22 changes take effect, the district's hybrid learning elementary students will be in session from 8:50 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. Monday through Friday and will complete the remainder of each school day remotely. Hybrid learning students in middle school will be able to return to class for a full day Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will remain fully remote for middle school students.

The District 89 parent with whom Patch spoke said the upcoming schedule changes, along with the district's ongoing coronavirus safety efforts show that there "is a light at the end of the tunnel."

“The district has done a wonderful job with layers and layers of mitigation," they said, adding that hundreds of students will return to District 89 schools for the first time in over a year on Monday "because our schools are so safe."

Nevertheless,“countless families have called the superintendent” and sent emails since Monday's board of education meeting, they said, to urge the district to move to five full days of in-person instruction. "We are so close," they said.

In the meantime, District 89 officials will hold a special board of education meeting Saturday at 8 a.m. to "review the district’s learning model for after spring break," according to an update on the district's website.

The District 89 parent with whom we spoke said Friday's rally was planned before parents knew about Saturday's board meeting. They said they hope board members will "re-examine the schedule and come up with a different solution."

They went on to express gratitude for District 89's teachers, whom they said have been "doing two jobs" by teaching students who are learning remotely and those who are learning in person.

“We have the most incredible teachers," they said. “What they have had to go through to educate and lift our kids is unbelievable.”

Friday's rally will be held at 3:30 p.m. in front of the District 89 office at 22w600 Butterfield Rd., Glen Ellyn. The District 89 parent told Patch the group is hoping Saturday's board meeting will result in five full days of in-person instruction.

They said, "We’re so looking forward to what could potentially be a wonderful way to end our crazy school year."

Also on Patch:

District 41 Plans To Return To 5 Days In-Person Learning In April

Parents Vow To 'Keep Pressure On' After Rally To Reopen Schools

Districts 203, 204 To Resume 5 Days Of In-Person Learning

D308 Board Rejects More In-Person Learning Time For Students

D303 To Move To Full-Time In-Person Classes After Spring Break

Geneva 304 Moving To 5-Day In-Person Classes After Spring Break

D-205 Approves Plan For Full In-Person Learning