A Message from Your Superintendent
Elementary students will not be returning to the buildings for hybrid learning next Monday, November 9, and will instead continue with remote learning for the time being. This decision was made through a unanimous consensus by the School Board, which has directed District Administration to continue carefully monitoring the external and internal metrics, with the goal of moving the elementary hybrid start date to Monday, November 30. The Board has requested this pause in the elementary plan after reviewing the rising external metrics and hearing concerns of the teachers’ union.
Board members felt that the latest metrics, which can be found
at this link, are simply not at an acceptable level that would indicate a safe situation for students and staff. Over the course of the past seven days, all of the external metrics worsened and are now within the range of “Substantial Community Transmission.” For example, the seven day rolling average of the positivity rate for Mount Prospect is at 9.39% (rising from 7.78% last week and 5.3% the week before that).
This is extremely disappointing news for so many of us in the District, as we have been working hard on preparations for welcoming many students back next Monday. I know that it is disappointing for many families as well. But I remain cautiously optimistic about our ability to move forward with our hybrid plans in the near future. I am hopeful that the current COVID-19 surge will improve, and I also have confidence in our planning and safety procedures.
For now, elementary students will remain with their current remote learning teachers and schedules. Students who are going to the schools for in-person services will continue to do so. We will be monitoring the situation for Lincoln, which is currently scheduled to start hybrid learning on November 30.
Thank you for your understanding as we make it through these challenging days together. I will continue to update you as we have more information available.
Dr. Elaine Aumiller
Superintendent of Schools