District 214 Explains E-Learning Plans, Events Management; Cancels All Co-Curricular Activities Thursday, March 12 Through End of Spring Break Monday March 20, 2020

On Thursday March 12, 2020, Township High School District 214 Superintendent David R. Schuler, Ph.D. sent an email to the school district community notifying current plans and anticipated plans to mitigate the spread of the anticipated coronavirus outbreak in the United States, including the northwest suburbs and District 214 community. Specifically Schuler addressed E-Learning Plans, School Events, Domestic Field Tripos, Tours, Practices and Competitions, and Internships

E-Learning Plans

Township High School District 214 announced on Thursday, March 12, 2020 that staff are working on e-learning plans that can be implemented if Superintendent David R. Schuler, Ph.D. needs to close any of District 214 schools due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Schuler wrote, if all schools were to close, the school district would first exhaust the four emergency days built into the school district calendar before enacting any e-learning days. Any school-related closings would be announced via subsequent communications.

Students and staff were asked today to begin bringing home any materials, on a daily basis, including but not limited to their iPad that they would need in order to complete assignments in the event that the school district had a school closure.

For families with no access to the Internet at home, District 214 asked will make alternative arrangements.

According to Superintendent David R. Schuler, studies the school district is acknowledging suggest that the spread of the virus could reach its peak in our area in mid-April. Out of an abundance of caution, and with the intent to limit any spread of COVID-19 in our communities, District 214 will be taking the following actions beginning today, Thursday, March 12:

District 214 Events

District 214 is currently reviewing large scale events in schools, outside of the school day, that would have more than 250 people in attendance or have students and adults gathered in close proximity to each other. Most of those events will be postponed or canceled with a few exceptions. The school district may only allow immediate family members to attend specific concerts, plays or competitions, or allow a maximum attendance of less than a facility’s capacity.

Schuler said the specific information will be communicated in the coming days as District 214 continues to monitor and receive updates from health care professionals. However, it is important to clearly state that the vast majority of after school events where more than 250 are expected to attend will be postponed or canceled from March 12 through April 30.

District 214 also will not be hosting any building-wide school assemblies from now through the end of April 2020. It is imperative to note that any student who would like to opt out of an upcoming competition or event, based on concerns related to COVID-19, will not face any repercussions.

Domestic Field Trips, Tours, Practices & Competitions

All co-curricular activities will be cancelled from today, March 12, through the end of spring break. No practices or competitions will be allowed in order for students and staff to prepare in the event that District 214 needs to close schools and enact the district’s e-learning program.

All field trips and tours are cancelled or postponed from March 12 through April 30. Each building (school?) will communicate with impacted staff, families, travel agencies and other partners to assist in seeking refunds or rescheduling the field trip or tour.

Non-conference and non-district hosted competitions occurring after spring break will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and District 214 are seeking guidance from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) as necessary. The only reason school would be canceled would be for our students and community members to self-quarantine to further reduce the likelihood of the spread of COVID-19, so practices and competitions would not be appropriate. Schuler wrote, it is important to once again note that competitions may be held this spring with certain limitations regarding who may attend as fans. District 214 is also eliminating the sportsmanship handshake that is common at all levels of athletics and co-curricular activities.

District 214 Internships

Internships and work-based learning experiences will be cancelled or postponed from March 12 through April 30. Associated programs and opportunities, such as service projects where students are out in the community, also will be cancelled or postponed.

The email also described special cleaning underway at District 214 facilities, and advised methods of personal responsibility for preventive actions to avoid spread and transmission of the coronavirus.

The following resources were recommended in the email to provide guidance related to COVID-19 as well as mitigation strategies for home, school and the workplace:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Illinois Department of Public Health

Schuler also wrote that District 214 is actively monitoring the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois Department of Public Health, Cook County Health Department, the Illinois State Board of Education and local municipalities.

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