At the Monday August 3rd District 186 school board meeting, board members will be voting to approve the 2020–2021 Student and Family Handbook. Sections of this handbook have been revised to address Covid-19 health concerns.
Here are some of these revisions:
Students Enrolled in Remote Learning:
- Will attend all video class in their entirety (unless the teacher states
otherwise) - While in a video class the camera will be on and focused on your person
not another part of the room. - Will be sitting up out of bed preferably at a desk or table.
- Will be dressed according to the dress code below.
- Will participate in classroom discussions organized by the teacher
Student Dress Code:
Following COVID-19 recommendations from the ISBE and IDPH students will wear masks while in the school building. These masks must be in compliance with the school dress code above. Masks or gaiters that are solid colors, printed with District #186 or school logos are preferred. Bandanas will not be permitted to be worn as a mask.
Attendance Policy:
Academic progress is improved by regular school attendance. When a student is absent, a parent should call the school. If no phone call is made, the school will attempt to contact the parent or guardian. (No notes will be accepted at the high
school level.) If no contact is made between the parent and the school, the absence will be unexcused.
A student will be allowed ten (10) excused absences per school year without a doctor’s note. After 10 days, all absences without a doctor’s excuse are considered unexcused. Doctor’s notes must state the student was unable to attend school and give exact times when the student was seen in the doctor’s office. Parents please note: Nine (9) days of unexcused absence is considered chronic truancy (105 ILCS 5/26-2a) and may result in court action (705 ILCS 405/3-33.5). Parents please also note that 10 days of absence, excused or unexcused, will result in a student being classified as having “chronic absenteeism” on the school report card for the State of Illinois. The above attendance policy applies to Remote Learning days and In Person instructional days.
School Operations During a Pandemic or other Health Emergency:
A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect individuals and, because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads sustainably. Your child’s school and district play an essential role, along with the local health department and emergency management agencies, in protecting the public’s health and safety during a pandemic or other health emergency. During a pandemic or other health emergency, you will be notified in a timely manner of all changes to the school environment and schedule that impact your child. Please be assured that even if school is not physically in session, it is the goal of the school and district to provide your child with the best educational opportunities possible.
Additionally, please note the following:
- All decisions regarding changes to the school environment and schedule, including a possible interruption of in-person
learning, will be made by the superintendent in consultation with and, if necessary, at the direction of the Governor, Illinois
Department of Public Health, local health department, emergency management agencies, and/or Regional Office of Education. - Available learning opportunities may include remote and/or blended learning. Blended learning may require your child to attend school on a modified schedule.
- Students will be expected to participate in blended and remote instruction as required by the school and district. Parents are responsible for assuring the participation of their child. Students who do not participate in blended or remote learning will be considered truant.
- All school disciplinary rules remain in effect during the interruption of in-person learning. Students are subject to discipline for disrupting the remote learning environment to the same extent that discipline would be imposed for disruption of the traditional classroom.
- Students and parents will be required to observe all public health and safety measures implemented by the school and district in conjunction with state and local requirements.
- During a pandemic or other health emergency, the school and district will ensure that educational opportunities are available to all students.
- School personnel will work closely with students with disabilities and other vulnerable student populations to minimize the impact of any educational disruption.
- Students who have a compromised immune system, live with an individual with a compromised immune system, or have a medical condition that may impact their ability to attend school during a pandemic or other public health emergency
should contact school officials. - During a pandemic or other health emergency, teachers and school staff will receive additional training on health and safety measures.
- In accordance with school district or state mandates, the school may need to conduct a daily health assessment of your child. Parents and students will be notified of the exact assessment procedures if this becomes necessary.
- Parents should not send their child to school if their child exhibits any symptoms consistent with the pandemic or other health emergency.
- Please do not hesitate to contact school or district officials if you have any concerns regarding your child’s education, health or safety.