Community Divided Over D202's Remote Learning Plans For Fall

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield School District 202 opted for remote learning to begin the 2020-2021 school year amid the coronavirus pandemic on Aug. 31, with the possibility of returning to in-person learning during the second quarter of the fall if COVID-19 conditions allow.

However, this has sparked a heated debate among parents and teachers, who either strongly agree or disagree with this decision. Plainfield resident Lisa Rivera told Patch she is relieved with this decision because her autoimmune illness has compromised her immune system.

"I don't want to put my daughter at risk and myself," she said.

She cited the case of her 28-year-old neighbor who had renal failure and was on dialysis. His two daughters who attended Charles Reed Elementary School came home with the flu, which was then passed on to to their father, and he died.

"My family was shocked," Rivera said. "This COVID-19 is worse than the flu, people who were once healthy are dying. Also, there isn't a vaccine or medicine to cure this illness."

Sharon Sullivan, the grandmother of two girls who attended Plainfield schools growing up, said she would not want them in school now.

"The only defenses we have right now against COVID-19 is stay home, wear a mask if you must go out and stay away from crowds, including a classroom of children," she said. Hopefully, there will be a vaccine soon, but until then, we must stay as safe as we can, for ourselves and others."

Another Plainfield mother, who chose to remain anonymous, said she is proud of the school district for leading the way with remote learning to protect students and teachers.

"Many parents are angry. Some parents on Facebook were starting groups saying that not only should students be in the classroom with teachers, but masks and temperature checks should not be allowed," she said. "That’s why we need remote learning, because some people have politicized a deadly virus. They see any precaution as being a political statement against their beliefs, so I don’t trust them to do the absolutely minimum to avoid spreading this virus to students who are at risk or have family members at risk."

She said that teachers don’t have a choice about whether to show up to school, yet parents are eager to put them at risk without knowing if the teachers "have comorbidities that put them at greater risk of death or if they have family members who do."

"My son will start second grade. Would he be happier and learn better at school with his friends? Certainly, but not at the cost of someone losing a family member to COVID-19. It’s not OK to prioritize not wanting your kid home over the very lives of people in your community," she added.

The Association of Plainfield Teachers President Dawn Bullock told Patch that even though she agrees students belong in classrooms, she is not sure parents understand "how different the classroom will be when students go back."

D202 was one of the first school districts in Illinois to choose fully remote learning and Superintendent Lane Abrell said this was done to prioritize safety of students and staff members.

A Patch reader said that as a parent and former teacher, she supports the district's decision.

"It was made using science and data, it protects the health of everyone involved. Teachers want to be in the classroom, they want to be with their student but this is what has to be done," she said. "The teachers I know and my kids' teachers worked hard in the spring and I know will be working hard this fall."

Another said: "As a parent of an incoming freshman, I think the district is making the best possible decision to keep teachers, students and staffers safe. I feel for the kids who miss out on the social development school provides that can't be replicated online, but that's far less scary than the emotional trauma of a very sick teacher, friend or family member. People need to give teachers a break. This is not ideal for anyone and everyone is doing the best they can under crazy circumstances."

However, many other Plainfield Patch readers do not agree with it. Here are some unedited responses Patch received when readers on Facebook were asked for their opinions.

• "In person school is essential. Find a way to do it as safely as possible. This is beyond ridiculous. Those who drone on about safety etc etc and have the LUXURY of a stay home parent or financial resources better be staying at home and not endangering who they do consider essential workers such as doctors nurses police restaurant and store owners hair stylists etc. unbelievable!"
• "We now have to send our daughter that's starting 3rd grade this year to a private school. There she will get a proper education and not be stuck in the house all day. My wife and I are both working through this s***show. We haven't missed a day. Therefore we can't take off to be home so she can do this stupid remote learning."
• "We withdrew our 4 students from the district last week. I will be homeschooling them this year. I don’t want their education disrupted. They stay home first quarter, then go back, then someone gets sick, then they have to go back to e-learning. I want a stable environment for them to learn in, and as a parent, I’m excited to have them home with me and get to have a say in what they learn."
• "I am disappointed in district 202 and how they are not organized compared to other districts around here, there is no way I am paying any kind of school fees until my child physically walks into that building for the first time. All these tax dollars wasted."
• "Obviously parents and taxpayers don’t get a say. The weak Board caved to the anti-student position of the filthy teachers union. Refund our outrageous school taxes!"
• "Teachers need to get their asses back to work like everyone else."
• "What this means, I want a tax refund. My tax dollars are not being used for their stated purpose. Also, long term, we need to rethink the education system as a whole. This is telling me that educators are not essential employees and we should have our taxes changed accordingly."
• "If you are going remote... and kids are home to watch your zooms ... teachers should report to school like normal working adults and teach from the safety of their classroom with no home distractions. There is no one else in your room except maybe TAs. Literally zero risks and all your supplies are available."

For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Plainfield Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!