Pritzker: All K-12 schools must close starting Tuesday through March 30

Life is shifting rapidly — in the short term — for thousands of Illinois students and their families as schools close to tamp down the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

During a Friday briefing, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all kindergarten through 12th-grade public and private schools to close effective Tuesday until March 30.

School closings are “the right thing to do to protect our students and teachers,” Pritkzer said. “Let me be clear, I understand the gravity of this action and what it means for every community in our state. All of these choices have cascading effects.”

The move came on the heels of major players like the Chicago and Rockford archdioceses, Maine Township High School District 207, Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 and Barrington Area Unit District 220 already making that call.

District 214 Superintendent David Schuler said he made the decision to cancel classes “out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with medical professionals and area school district leaders.”

Fourteen new cases of COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can cause pneumonia, were also detailed Friday — nine in Chicago, four in Cook County and one in Lake County.

When healthy people under 60 contract COVID-19, their cases are usually mild and children do not seem as susceptible to the disease, current research shows.

“This is critical part of our larger social distancing efforts. In addition to kids with immunocompromised systems, we have teachers, administrators, parents and the larger population to consider,” Pritzker said.

Reducing the curve of the disease — slowing the rate of transmission to avoid an overwhelming surge in cases — will help hospitals and health care workers from being overburdened, officials said.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala called the epidemic “an unprecedented event in our lifetime, and we will get through this together. I want our teachers, our students, and our families to know that the Illinois State Board of Education is open and is here to help.”

The Illinois Federation of Teachers also released a statement in support of Pritzker's move — and criticizing preceding lawmakers' actions.

“This is an historic and difficult decision, but it is the responsible action to ensure the health of our students, faculty, staff, and communities,” it said. “Teachers are creating learning opportunities to keep children engaged and minimize any learning loss, but COVID-19 has revealed deeper issues that need to be addressed. The austerity budgeting of the last years is coming home to roost and now we are paying a public health price. We must learn from this.”

The state has also committed to providing meals for children on the free lunch program through delivery or parent pickup.

While some school districts plunged into e-learning plans and promised parents more details later, others appeared ready to go.

Tuesday is already a scheduled off-day for some students because of Election Day.

McHenry County College said it won't hold classes. Harper College is moving its classes to off-campus flexible learning. Other schools are in the midst of March break holidays, which partly eases the transition.

The Archdiocese of Chicago characterized its closure of the Catholic schools it operates in Cook and Lake counties as “temporary,” rather than committing to a particular amount of time.

Archdiocese officials noted the Office of Catholic Schools and other leaders are coordinating extended support to families and students most in need, while academic work will be expected to be completed through electronic or alternative learning.

District 211 Superintendent Dan Cates outlined his district's plans for e-learning in a letter to parents and students Friday.

“With e-learning days, we are making every effort to deliver quality learning experiences and maintain the connection and care that our educators and staff members provide our students,” Cates said.

“E-learning will provide opportunities for students to remain engaged in their learning and with our staff members during a challenging period that could extend beyond a couple of days.”

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Marni Pyke contributed to this story.