Citing new guidance from the state, administrators at Oak Park and River Forest High School say plans are underway to possibly increase classroom time for its hybrid learning students.
New joint guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health revises social distancing requirements to no less than 3 to 6 feet for students and fully vaccinated staff, or 6 feet for staff who are not fully vaccinated. Other measures, such as wearing face coverings, remain in place.
“Following spring break, we plan to bring students back on campus much more frequently than our current schedule,” Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams said. “This will allow students to attend in-person classes whether two, three, or possibly every day in a week. We have measured classroom capacity and are running algorithms to determine what is possible.”
Pruitt-Adams said an announcement of any possible schedule revisions is expected the week of April 5.
Currently, there are four student cohort groups labeled O, P, R and F. Depending on their group letter, students are on-site for two days of classes and then have six days of remote learning before their on-site days return.
Pruitt-Adams said the number of student cohort groups could drop down to two or even one once a final revision is completed.
Regardless of the number of cohorts, Pruitt-Adams said the daily schedule will remain the same, and students will be dismissed at lunch time.
Since hybrid learning began, OPRF spokeswoman Karin Sullivan said 110 families have submitted change forms. Fifteen were from hybrid students who wanted to go remote, while the rest were full-time remote students who were requesting hybrid, in-person learning.
Sullivan said roughly 2,000 students have chosen in-person classes under the hybrid model, however, actual student attendance has been “considerably lower.”
While some community members wanted students to return to classes at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, administrators made the decision to begin the school year with full remote learning for staff and students.
In December, the school board approved a hybrid learning plan, which didn’t go into effect until February. Families had the option of staying fully-remote with learning, or take part in the hybrid plan, which includes both in-person and remote learning.
In speaking during the March 25 school board meeting, board member Matt Baron thanked administrators for moving carefully with reopening plans.
“Two weeks ago, I asked about the potential to have more students in the building,” Baron said. “I know this wasn’t prompted by my remarks, but by tons of developments locally and nationally. I want to thank [Pruitt-Adams] and your team for continuing to be nimble. It’s been a roller coaster year for a lot of places in this country. You’ve given us an opportunity to succeed and finish this year well. I’m confident the students will step up.”
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering