Coronavirus Closures: New Trier Area Schools Shift To E-Learning

WINNETKA, IL — Class is canceled Friday at public schools in Glencoe, Kenilworth, Wilmette and Winnetka, and local districts are shifting to remote learning plans as a precaution against the potential spread of the new coronavirus, administrators announced Thursday.

Superintendents of Glencoe School District 35, Winnetka School District 36, Avoca School District 37, Kenilworth School District 38, Wilmette School District 39 and New Trier High School said all school buildings will be closed to students starting Friday and e-learning plans would begin Monday and continue until further notice.

"Teachers will use different methods to deliver instruction, but all assignments will be meaningful and will keep courses moving forward," New Trier Superintendent Paul Sally told parents.

All after-school activities, including practices, performances, competitions and clubs, have also been canceled until further notice, according to to statements from superintendents of school districts in New Trier Township.

Administrators discouraged students from organizing their own gatherings during the closure.

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus — in any area schools, but the move to an e-learning plan was made jointly by local districts out of an abundance of caution.

The closures and cancellations — along with recommendations for social distancing and rigorous hygienic practices — are intended to lesson the burden of the disease on hospitals and medical professionals and avoid the kind of overload of the health care system currently being experienced in Italy, which reported its first case of a virus about two weeks before the United States.

More information about plans for the end of spring break on March 29 will be shared by March 25, according to District 35 Superintendent Catherine Wang.

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For students and families traveling during upcoming spring breaks, the statement cited guidance from the Center for Disease Control recommending anyone who has traveled to a high-risk country — currently limited to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea — voluntarily quarantine themselves until they go 14 days with no symptoms before returning to school.

"The District cannot prevent students from returning to school unless they are confirmed to be in required quarantine or are symptomatic for COVID-19 or have tested positive for it," they said. "Still, please use all necessary caution when deciding to return to school after Spring Break travel."

School days missed due to voluntary quarantines would not count as missed days, the superintendents said, asking families to check for changes to the list of high-risk travel destinations.

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In their joint statement, new New Trier area superintendents reminded parents and educators to demonstrate measured behavior and support one another.

"Our students take their cues from the important adults in their lives and we can weather this challenging time together by refraining from alarmist or stress-inducing language in their presence," the administrators said.

"This is a stressful and unprecedented situation for our school, our families, and our local and global community," they added. "We know there will be bumps in the road along the way, but together we will support our students and do what is best for them."