Park Ridge schools switching to hybrid model in mid-October

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 will transition to an in-person hybrid program in mid-October, Superintendent Eric Olson announced Monday.

The district, which serves preschool through eighth-grade students in eight schools, is currently running a remote learning plan for its 4,538 students.

In July, the administration introduced a hybrid plan that would have half the students in schools on Monday and Tuesday and the other half on Thursdays and Fridays, with schools closed Wednesdays for cleaning. While about two-thirds of parents supported the in-person program, staffing issues, changes in Illinois State Board of Education guidelines and completing the transition from remote learning all made it difficult to begin the year with students in the schools.

Parents will be asked to choose between continuing with remote learning or moving to the in-person hybrid program. Details of the new plan will be announced Friday. Olson said it is similar to the hybrid plan announced in late July.