D-86 Spring Break Decision Defended

HINSDALE, IL — The reaction was mixed to Hinsdale High School District 86's announcement last week to cancel spring break, which was set to start Monday. The idea was to continue the district's e-learning plan and end school a week early.

In an interview late last week, the school board's vice president, Kevin Camden, said the emails he had received were almost evenly split between those for and against the cancellation. He said the district had consulted beforehand with parents on district committees and virtually all supported canceling.

In a mass email Monday, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss said the district had considered various situations and scenarios that parents shared in reaction to the decision.

But Prentiss said with the rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases, the district could not advocate anyone engage in activities such as short- or long-distance road trips or visits to cottages and lakehouses because they violate stay-at-home orders in Illinois and more than 25 other states.

"Instead, we will continue to stress how critically important it is to be vigilant about following the guidelines, directives and parameters that have been issued by local, state, national and international health organizations and government agencies," the superintendent said.

Meanwhile, District 181, which serves kindergartners to eighth-graders in Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills, decided to continue with its spring break, which is this week.

"The situation at large regarding COVID-19 has ... taken an emotional toll as we face uncertainties regarding those most vulnerable, the health and well-being of our families, and the stress this has placed on our local businesses and economy," Superintendent Hector Garcia said in a mass email. "We are hopeful that this break will allow all of us the time to reflect and recharge before diving back in again on April 6."

Read more:

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