As COVID-19 cases rise, schools return to remote learning, library temporarily closes to public
A number of elementary school districts serving Glenview and Northbrook moved into so-called adaptive pause last week, while the Northbrook Public Library temporarily closed to patrons, officials said.
An adaptive pause allows schools to move in and out of in-person teaching under a district's learning plan, depending on conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic health metrics.
Citing substantial community transmission of COVID-19 in every metric for the Illinois Department of Public Health's Region 10, which includes Glenview and Northbrook, on Nov. 11 school districts 27, 28, 30 and 34 went into adaptive pause through Jan. 15. District 30 will begin its pause after school on Nov. 20. Students will return on Jan. 19.
Along with the health metrics, considerations urging adaptive pause included staffing and substitute challenges due to isolations and quarantines from the community spread of COVID-19; and expected travel during the holidays, according to a release issued by the school districts on Nov. 11.
The next day West Northfield District 31 issued its own message on adaptive pause effecting Henry Winkleman Elementary School in Glenview and Field Middle School in Northbrook.
Field moved to fully remote learning on Nov. 16 while Winkleman will start its version after the Thanksgiving break on Nov. 30. The tentative return date for both is Jan. 5, though that's pending board action in December to either confirm or extend that date.
After the Northbrook Public Library was notified Nov. 12 that an employee had tested positive for COVID-19, it closed to the public temporarily until at least Dec. 8. The employee last interacted with patrons on the afternoon of Nov. 6, according to a library news release on Friday.
Library services remain available, including curbside pickup, technology help, remote printing services and virtual programming. Outdoor book-drop service remains active as does delivery service to people confined to their homes.
People without a library card or whose card has expired may also complete an online form to receive a temporary card via email. Staff remains on hand to help patrons by calling (847) 272-6224. The library also is accessible by email at feedback@northbrook.info.