Learning Selection Form For Trimester 3 Due Feb. 18

Press release from the Oak Park Elementary School District 97:

The Learning Selection Form for Trimester 3 is due Feb. 18, 2021. Below are some frequently asked questions that we have received regarding hybrid learning and the new trimester.

Click here for the full District 97 Hybrid Learning FAQ.

Will the district utilize the same hybrid schedules that we shared in December 2020?
Yes. Schedule options for elementary and middle school are outlined in the updated Framework for Reopening Schools.

Could the current hybrid schedules (five days for elementary, four for middle) change for Trimester 3 if on-site enrollment exceeds the previously communicated threshold of 54%?
It is possible that the district will need to make adjustments to the existing schedules if there is an increased number of in-person selections. That decision will be based on on-site enrollment, building capacity and the latest COVID-19 guidelines. We will make every effort to provide consistency for our students and families and maximize the number of instructional hours on site.

What happens if I don’t complete the form for Trimester 3?
If we do not receive a student’s form by the end of the day Feb. 18, they will default to their learning selection for Trimester 2.

There have been reports that the CDC is planning to release updated guidance for schools. Could this impact the district’s current safety plan?
Guidance from the CDC and state and local health departments is updated frequently to account for our growing understanding of COVID-19 and effective strategies for preventing the spread of the virus. As a result, our plans have changed over time. We will continue to review the most up-to-date information and adapt as necessary. Any changes to our district or school safety plans will be communicated to stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner.

Has the district considered spacing desks closer than 6 feet apart in order to accommodate more students and maintain the current schedule?
District 97 classrooms are currently set up to maintain 6 feet of social distancing between students and staff. However, the latest research from Harvard University, which informed our updated metrics for Trimester 2, cites 3 feet of social distancing between young learners as an important element of infection control.

In an effort to provide as consistent of a schedule as possible, it is possible that desk spacing may be adjusted to accommodate more students. We plan to review the latest health guidance as part of our planning for Trimester 3, and will communicate any changes to staff and families as soon as possible.

Are families able to switch to remote learning if they no longer feel comfortable sending their children to school?
Yes. Hybrid families may switch to remote learning at any time, but that change will apply for the duration of the trimester.

Will District 97 staff be vaccinated before the start of Trimester 3?
District 97 is holding two vaccine clinics in February in partnership with the Oak Park Department of Public Health and Oak Park and River Forest School District 200. Based on the timing of these clinics, as well as the information we have from individuals who received the vaccine elsewhere, we anticipate that the vast majority of our staff will be vaccinated by mid- to late-March.

This press release was produced by the Oak Park Elementary School District 97. The views expressed here are the author's own.