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* Chalkbeat…
Illinois superintendents are pressuring the state board of education to release public health guidance immediately as school districts prepare to reopen classroom doors in the fall.
The Large Unit District Association, which represents 52 of Illinois’ largest school districts and more than half a million students throughout the state, sent state superintendent Carmen Ayala a letter this week demanding that the state publish public health guidelines for schools aligned with the Phase 5 reopening plan.
“We request that social distancing, quarantining, and masking guidelines in schools be consistent with health guidelines of Phase 5 as applied to other venues in Illinois,” said the letter.
John Burkey, executive director of the Large Unit District Association, said in an interview with Chalkbeat Chicago that school districts are excited to get students back into classrooms after the pandemic year, but district leaders need immediate guidance to bring back students. […]
The state board of education passed a resolution in May requiring school districts to reopen in the fall with limited exceptions for remote learning. Since school districts have to operate at full capacity, the letter raises concerns about social distancing, masks and quarantining students who have or are exposed to COVID-19.
“Under the 6-feet social distancing guidelines, it is impossible for most of our schools to operate at 100 percent capacity, “ said the letter. “Using 3-feet social distancing guidelines, full capacity is possible in most cases, but only with significant modifications.”
* The state board has responded by saying that updated CDC guidance is expected sometime in early July. In the meantime, schools should plan for “both looser CDC guidance and the potential that current guidance will remain in place”…
Good morning. I received letter from @ISBEnews in response to open letter from @JohnBurkeyLUDA.
Lots of letters flying around but this is the one signed by the big school superintendents addressed to @GovPritzker @IDPH and state reps.
See attached. Encourage comments. pic.twitter.com/xbb9tf3Sg3
— Jon J. Kerr (@jonjkerr) July 7, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 11:29 am
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Also waiting for guidance from ICCB and IBHE for higher ed. The last guidance was shared almost a year ago.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 11:51 am
What’s the hurry? It’s not like schools open in 6 weeks or so? S/
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 11:52 am
Translation. Sharkey and ctu will dictate the rules
Comment by Slither Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 11:56 am
=== Translation. Sharkey and ctu will dictate the rules===
So… you have no real idea except mouth breathing?
Please, do tell of this translation, is it in Old Latin?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 11:57 am
A quick perusal of Jon’s twitter and newsletter seems to indicate he’s hanging with anti-mask COVID conspiracy crowd. He seems to be fixated on masking in schools and what other states are doing. But districts in Missouri are bringing masks back because of the awful outbreaks happening there.
Why would we end the school mask mandate when the Delta Variant is looming, and we are so close to vaccinations for kids? Please give us parents the chance to get our kids vaxed before ditching the masks. It won’t be much longer. These people need to chill. (I know they won’t.)
Comment by Moira Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 12:04 pm
Kids are ok with masks. They comply with it without much issue. However, I’m not sure we can fit every student in the building if they will require us to measure the distance between students. Class size is 31. That won’t work with 6 feet for sure. Three feet is pushing everyone against the wall. Lockers can’t be distanced. It wasn’t difficult to space kids out when half were home, but half didn’t do much.
Comment by Mandated Reporter Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 12:41 pm
Not all high school kids are OK with masks. Many of them have been vaccinated already. They don’t have to wear masks when playing indoor sports according to IDPH guidance.
The issue is the division between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Will we have separate “rules” like we do in stores, public places, etc.? Once again, schools lead the way by coming up with plans A, B, and C until CDC, IDPH, ISBE get their thoughts together.
Comment by School Guy Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:05 pm
We received this message from our district superintendent last week:
“We want to share today that beginning the first day of school on August 12, all District 60 schools will return to full-time, in-person instruction for all students Monday through Friday, and school schedules will resemble those in place prior to the pandemic.”
No word yet on safety measures or student vaccination expectations. I hope they’ll require masks, at least, as social distancing will be impossible.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:50 pm
==I hope they’ll require masks, at least, as social distancing will be impossible.==
Not to mention that kids 12 and under aren’t allowed to be vaccinated yet. Meaning basically a huge division in the junior highs between the unvaccinated 7th graders and the (hopefully) vaccinated 8th grade. Plus last I checked, clinical trials of vaccines for young kids might not be completed for a couple more years?
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:58 pm
Balanced calendar starts next week in Springfield. I hope reporters are there to talk to those teachers, parents and students. I’d be interested.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 2:49 pm
==I hope reporters are there to talk to those teachers, parents and students==
That includes you, Channel 20. That is unless there’s balanced calendar schools in Champaign or Danville.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 5:42 pm
There is another letter going around and I am embarrassed that 200 supts, mostly rural, have signed on demanding “local control”. Knowing as many supts as I do, I do not know of a single one that is qualified to make decisions with regard to a pandemic. Noen are virologists or anything that can be confused with that. They are dying to make bad decisions.
All I ask is that if we require anyone to wear a mask we require all. Otherwise enforcement is a nightmare.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 6:56 pm
Judging from the end of last school year, it will be very difficult to have students wear their masks. School administrators will have to stay strong, because the outside pressure is very different now. Frankly we had enough trouble keeping teachers masked appropriately at the end of the school year,
Comment by Merle Webb’s Jump-shot Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 8:57 pm
ISBE, IBHE, ICCB, and IDPH all need to STEP UP and require vaccines of all students, faculty, and staff for in-person instruction/education. The Governor does not have the political will to mandate the vaccine. The legislature missed it’s chance. It’s now left to the IDPH, ISBE, IBHE, and ICCB to take leadership. This is a no-brainer.
Comment by Eastern Bloc Gulag Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 10:02 am