Dear District 99 Students and Families,
I hope you are doing well and keeping safe.
As you may be aware, on May 5, Governor Pritzker released “Restore Illinois,” a five-phased plan to reopen Illinois. This is an initial framework based upon regional healthcare availability, and it recognizes the distinct impact COVID-19 has had on different regions of our state as well as regional variations in hospital capacity.
We have been working closely with the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) and the DuPage County Regional Office of Education, and they have communicated that no large in-person school-organized gatherings should be held for the entire summer unless a vaccine or effective and widely available treatment becomes available, or until there is elimination of new cases over a sustained period of time through herd immunity or other factors. The DCHD has also shared this is very unlikely to occur any time soon based on the current data.
Unfortunately, this means that our previous announcements and plans for in-person graduation and prom must be canceled. Please know that we were being optimistic and hopeful when we made our plans for graduation and prom, and we are disappointed for our senior students and families who were looking forward to these milestone events. We are unable to hold prom but will develop a new plan for honoring and celebrating members of the Class of 2020 in a meaningful way on the rescheduled graduation day. We know these can never replace these traditional events, but we will do our best to honor the memories of your high school experience.
For senior students, the collection and distribution of items (Chromebooks, locker items, caps and gowns, etc.) will continue as planned (see North and South.) Your school will share details of the process for all other students soon.
In addition, summer camps are canceled. Summer school will continue as a virtual program. Please stay tuned for details.
Moving forward, the DCHD will communicate how and when we will return to normal operations. According to the state plan and the DCHD, we are currently in Phase 2, schools may start to open at Phase 4 with guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and we likely will need to be in Phase 5 to fully reopen large high schools like ours.
These are difficult and disappointing times for all of us. We are all experiencing a sense of loss and confusion about the future. We will continue to do our best to manage the coming weeks and months to ensure that students receive the care and support they need to continue their learning.
Thank you,
Hank