Skokie D219 Schools Closing On March 16

From Niles Township High Schools District 219:

March 13, 2020

Dear D219 Families,

Based on the rapidly developing spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, and in order to err on the side of caution in doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the virus, Niles Township High School District 219 has decided that Friday, March 13 will be the last day for students to attend school, at least until the end of spring break, which goes through March 29.

The D219 administration will continue to monitor conditions in our community regarding COVID-19 to assess when it is safe for students to return to school, based upon health and safety conditions in Niles Township.

Schools will be closed to students beginning March 16.

All students should take their Chromebooks and materials home with them on Friday so they can participate in e-learning and alternate learning lessons during the non-attendance period. We are also asking them to take any personal belongings home with them today. If students need a Chromebook, they should come to the Help Desk with their ID today. We have asked students to let us know if they need a wifi hotspot at home. For those students who have told us they need a hotspot, we will notify them via a text and email with information on how to pick one up once we receive them.

If students were absent today and need to pick up their Chromebooks or other materials, they may come to school on Monday, March 16 anytime between 8 a.m. and noon to pick up those items.

We recognize how difficult it is to make a decision to close schools at this time. However, given guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that “social distancing” is the most effective way to prevent or reduce the spread of this dangerous virus, we believe the most responsible action we can take for the health and safety of our students, their family members, our faculty and staff, and the community at large, is to close our schools for the time being.

In addition, buildings and grounds staff members will thoroughly disinfect our buildings during the closure.

Students, parents and community members will not be allowed in the buildings after Monday, March 16 at noon. During the closure, only designated school employees will be allowed in the buildings.

Alternative lessons for students

On Monday, March 16, we will hold sessions in our schools with teachers and support staff members to finalize plans on how we will offer continuing instruction to students via electronic learning, or e-learning. Teachers will use different methods to deliver instruction, but our goal is to make assignments meaningful and to have students working with materials that will allow them to gain relevant knowledge in their respective courses.

The district anticipates to begin offering e-learning on Tuesday, March 17. Students and parents will receive an email and a text confirming the actual start of online instruction.

There is the potential that we may have to add up to five emergency makeup days for students after the end of the planned school year.

Spring break

Spring break will be as planned, from March 21 to March 29. All spring break school-sponsored trips have been cancelled.

Students will not be assigned school work during spring break.

Testing

We are in communication with the College Board regarding plans both for the AP testing window and SAT testing as they are affected by virus developments. We will provide the latest information to families about testing as we receive updates from the testing agencies.

Communications with families

We know how important it is that we keep you apprised of any important developments as we deal with this serious and challenging situation. We will continue to provide you with updates as this situation develops. We will also post any developments on our website: www.niles219.org.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding as we work together with our families, our staff members and our Niles Township colleagues to support our students and do everything we can to keep them safe and secure. We are blessed to have a caring and compassionate community. Working together, we will get through this.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven Isoye

Superintendent of Schools

This press release was produced by Niles Township High Schools District 219. The views expressed here are the author’s own.