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With our landscape changing on a seemingly daily basis, we wanted to share a couple of brief updates as we prepare for the upcoming Special Meeting of the Board of Education, which will be held on Tuesday, February 22 at 7 pm at Wilmette Junior High School.
On behalf of the Board of Education, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude for the feedback you have provided throughout this week on our district’s reduced mitigation plan, as well as for your continued engagement and support. The information and insights have been extremely helpful and informative. Thank you.
District 39 is aware of the decision earlier this week by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to not grant IDPH’s request to reissue emergency rules relative to certain COVID-19 mitigation measures based on the pending decision before the appellate court. Early this morning the appellate court held that the appeal in these cases was rendered moot by the expiration of the ISBE and IDPH emergency rules at issue in the case and, as a result, the Appellate Court dismissed the appeal. Based upon these decisions and informed by an ongoing review of local COVID-19 metrics and mitigation measures, the District will move forward with its next steps in planning.
The Board is scheduled to finalize and approve the District 39 Reduced Mitigations Plan during Tuesday’s Special Board Meeting. Following approval of this Plan, the Board will direct its implementation, which could be as early as Wednesday, Feb. 23.
In preparation for Tuesday’s meeting and in continuing our steadfast commitment to prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff while simultaneously ensuring that in-person learning remains in place and predictable for our students, we want to make sure that students and staff are as prepared as possible to implement the Reduced Mitigation Plan. We encourage families to spend some time this weekend discussing a mask-optional environment and the expectations within their family for their childrens’ masking at school. When District 39 schools transition to mask-optional, it will become a choice for parents and guardians whether their child(ren) should wear a mask indoors at school. We ask that you please help prepare your child(ren) for this transition by taking the following steps:
- Discuss your family’s decision regarding whether you would like your child(ren) to wear a mask indoors at school. Please let your child(ren) know your decision.
- Please remind your child(ren) that their teacher will support all decisions and students. Please understand that teachers cannot enforce family decisions nor regulate individual student choices in this regard.
- Please let your child know what to do if they forget your family’s choice, and give them permission to do what they feel is comfortable.
- Please remind your child(ren) to be kind and respectful of their classmates and their families’ choices.
One of the things that makes this learning community special is our ability to support one another. We know that families will make decisions in the best interest of their children and we ask that all members of our learning community remember to choose kindness and show respect for each individual’s decision. Below are a few resources that you may find helpful in guiding your conversation:
Lastly, the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting (which contains registration information) is posted and available for your review. This meeting will be broadcast live on the District 39 YouTube Channel, and community members may provide public comment during the meeting either in-person or via Zoom. Anyone who wishes to attend Tuesday’s meeting in-person must register in advance. Ticket registration for this meeting will open today, Friday, at 4 pm.
Thank you for your continued partnership, engagement, and support of our learning community.
Your partners in education,
Dr. Kari Cremascoli, Superintendent
Ms. Amy Poehling, President of the Board of Education
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