D-86 Sticks With In-Person Learning

HINSDALE, IL — DuPage County has moved into a level of coronavirus cases in which the county's health department advises that schools go entirely remote in their learning.

But Hinsdale High School District 86, which runs Hinsdale Central and South high schools, announced Monday evening that it is continuing with its phased-in approach to in-person learning.

On Friday, Elmhurst School District 205 announced it would take a different route, going remote for two weeks starting Wednesday.

In a mass email to families, District 86 noted the DuPage County Health Department encourages schools to consider other factors when making decisions about in-person instruction — case and outbreak activity, absenteeism among students and staff, and safety protocols, among them.

According to District 86, the percentage of coronavirus tests that are positive is 4.4 percent over the last seven days in the communities the district serves. That compares to 13.8 percent in Addison, 11.1 percent in Glendale Heights, 8.3 percent in Carol Stream and 7.7 percent in West Chicago.

The outbreak activity in DuPage County schools has been minimal since March, with five outbreaks taking place, according to District 86. None of those outbreaks occurred from Sept. 29 to Oct. 13.

On Friday, the county reached "substantial level of community transmission," which is causing some schools to go remote.

In its Monday announcement, District 86 Superintendent Tammy Prentiss said local schools are taking a "prudent and measured approach."

"Based on the (local situation), the current local level of transmission and the comprehensive COVID-19 protocols and procedures we have in place in our buildings, we plan to continue bringing students on campus in conjunction with our phased-in approach for resuming in-person instruction," she said.

As of Friday, the district had five positive coronavirus cases among students, faculty and staff, according to its website. It has had a total of 19 cases since the start of the school year.

In-person learning began at District 86 on Oct. 5, with a quarter of students in the schools at any one time. Some sports and activities have been taking place since August.