St. Charles high seniors can return to in-person learning five days a week after spring break

Seniors at St. Charles North and East high schools who are doing both remote and in-person learning will be able to do in-person learning five days a week after they return from spring break.

St. Charles District 303 School Superintendent Jason Pearson made that announcement at Monday's school board meeting.

"We thought it would be important for seniors to have that opportunity, given that this is their last year," Pearson said.

Spring break starts March 29 and students will resume classes April 5. The district this week plans to send a survey to those seniors who are doing hybrid learning asking them what they would like to do.

"We need that information for planning purposes," he said. "We are going to have to make some adjustments."

In District 303, elementary school students are doing in-person learning, while middle and high school students have a hybrid of in-person and remote learning. Pearson made the announcement prior to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education on Tuesday releasing revised public health guidance for schools.

Social distance for in-person learning is now defined as 3 to 6 feet for students and fully vaccinated staff.

"Maintaining 6 feet remains the safest distance, but schools can operate at no less than 3 feet in order to provide in-person learning," stated the Illinois State Board of Education. "Unvaccinated staff should maintain 6 feet social distance as much as possible because adults remain more susceptible to infection than children. Strict adherence to social distancing must be maintained when face masks are removed in limited situations and monitored by school staff."

District 303 board members plan to review the new guidance at the board's Learning and Teaching Committee meeting next Monday. During Monday's school board meeting, board member Jillian Barker asked about the district's teaching plans for the fall.

"When will we expect to see a draft plan?" she asked. "Several districts have already been putting out information for next year."

Pearson said the district has been planning for full in-person learning for the fall "with the understanding we may still be required to offer some kind of remote opportunity for students who choose remote."

The district meets weekly with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Kane County Health Department "to try to achieve some adjustments in those guidelines based on what's happening both across the state and nationally," Pearson said.