By Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Posted Aug 31, 2020 at 6:51 PM Tiffany Mathis acknowledged that parents are having to make tough decisions, especially since the School District 186 board of education voted to start with an all-remote model, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We knew there would be a huge need for … Read more As district takes ‘test run,’ working parents search alternative places for students

Brian Daugherty is one of our amazing SEA members and middle school teachers at Jefferson Middle School. His positivity, accountability, and support system blended together with some gnarly electric guitar riffs makes starting a day of school something that any kid would love. Keep rocking, Mr. D! https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=gfHcixr9QO8

By Emelie Cherrone Posted at 1:30 PM I write to you as a teacher with District 186, a family with a student in district, and a concerned citizen. The last semester was stressful and frustrating at times for everyone involved. We were (and still are) learning the ins-and-outs of “Remote Learning” together. Now, as we … Read more Commentary: Remote learning expectations rigid, unrealistic

SEA Members, Twenty six year old, Sri Lankan author Thisuri Wanniarachchi wisely said, “Life is at its best when everything has fallen out of place, and you decide that you’re going to fight to get them right, not when everything is going your way and everyone is praising you.” On the eve of what will … Read more Twas the Night Before Remote

Written by Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Photo by Justin Fowler Posted at August 30, 2020 9:08 AM Allison Acker delivered Aaliyah Sanders her brand new car Wednesday. Sanders hasn’t even started first grade yet. The “smart car” was really a souped-up U-Haul box that Acker fashioned with headlights made from paper plates. It included … Read more Teachers, families prepare for remote learning with creativity; urge ‘latitude and grace’

Schools Shapeshift Families adjust to ever-changing plans By Rachel Otwell Illinois Times Published August 20, 2020 Painting by Felicia Onen John Freml never anticipated squaring off with the Springfield public school district over pajamas. Among the details to work out for the coming school year, District 186 updated its student handbook. Per the guidelines, students … Read more Schools Shapeshift

By Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Posted Aug 8, 2020 at 5:29 PM At some points last spring when Springfield School District 186 was forced to go to remote learning by the directive of Gov. JB Pritzker as safety issues swirled around the COVID-19 outbreak, Diana Stewart of Springfield had seven students in her house … Read more ‘Giving it a shot is the best plan’: Teachers, parents react to District 186′s in-person model

By Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Posted Aug 5, 2020 at 10:29 AM Updated at 7:36 AM The head of the Springfield Education Association said he doesn’t think School District 186 has put into place a complete plan “for the safe return of students and staff.” Wednesday’s statement from President Aaron Graves on behalf of … Read more SEA: District 186 needs to have comprehensive plan in place “for safe return” of students, teachers