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Community High School District 99
Guidelines for Returning to In-Person Learning
Bus Schedules Beginning January 5 - December 31, 2020
Second Semester Schedule - December 11, 2020
To view the list of messages sent to D99 families from March-May 2020, please click here.
The plan for the 2020-21 has changed and evolved throughout this public health crisis. Currently, students are following the Fully Remote Learning schedule. Starting October 19, we plan to follow a Modified Hybrid Schedule.
At the top of this 2020-21 Updates page, you will find the latest scheduling information.
There are three key reasons we need to divide students alphabetically, instead of by grade:
1. Students in the same grade tend to be in the same classes together; therefore, bringing in a single class of students would reduce the number of students in the school--but not in the classroom. This would prevent us from practicing social distancing in classrooms, and make In-Person Learning unsafe.
2. We want to ensure that family schedules remain the same; the only way to accomplsih this, is through an alphabetical split. (NOTE: Families with different last names will be identiifed and placed with similar learning schedules.)
3. In the case that one or more of our partner elementary districts should need to implement a hybrid schedule, the alphabetical split could be used across districts.
Bus routes will be designed with the goal of having one student per seat; it is possible some students might need to share a seat. Students must comply with the rule to wear both a mask and a face shield while riding the bus.
All Remote Learning periods will begin with a synchronous (i.e., Zoom or Google Meet) meeting. Teachers will take attendance every Remote Learning class period. Students will be expected to arrive on time and to be present (with the video camera on). Teachers may use the full class period for instruction or may provide time for individual work, but will stay online or be available in order to answer student questions.
When following the hybrid schedule, students will experience In-Person Learning:
Yes. If a parent provides permission and students have their own transportation, they may arrive late or leave early. Students may not exit and then reenter the building at a later time.
For this school year only, additional parking will be made available for students driving to school. There will be no cost to families for parking during Hybrid Learning.
Plans are being developed for specific curricular areas including Drivers Education, Physical Education, Band, Orchestra, Choir, Dual Credit offerings, Internship, and Technology Center of DuPage. We will share plans once available with those who are impacted.
Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists will be available for students as in the past. However, social distancing must be maintained when meeting and may result in meetings being moved to larger rooms or to virtual settings.
If health guidelines change and become more restrictive, we will return to full Remote Learning and discontinue In-Person Learning for most or all students.
We may also need to revert to full Remote Learning if:
Yes. Teachers will take attendance during every class period for both Remote Learning and In-Person Learning periods. This will help build relationships, create a synchronous connection between teachers and students every day that a class is scheduled to meet, and allow students to ask questions and/or for teachers to provide additional instructions. Both students and parents requested more regular synchronous meetings in the feedback gathered from Remote Learning last spring. In addition, District 99 will return to its standard grading practices, and a student’s grade can go up or down.
District 99 will return to its standard grading practices, and a student’s grade can go up or down during Hybrid Learning. Families can check on a student’s progress in Home Access Center and see the status of assignments.
Each week, students will be expected to engage in Independent Learning, which will be activities assigned by their teachers to help supplement instruction occuring during In-Person Learning and Remote Learning. This could include graded work, research, reading, small group work, or other activities deemed necessary by the teacher for learning to occur.
Yes. Each family must make the decision about whether or not to participate in the In-Person Learning component of the Hybrid Schedule.
Families who choose to opt-out of In-Person Learning must complete this form by August 7; if selected, families agree to opt-out of In-Person Learning for nine weeks, so that we may create balanced schedules.
If you opt-out of In-Person Learning, you must wait until the next opt-in period to resume following the Hybrid Schedule. Note that you may not be assigned the attendance day that correlates with the alphabet breakdown at that time. We will add students to the schedule that most supports their successful return and provides balance in the classes in order to meet social distancing regulations.
Yes, you may opt to move into the fully remote learning format at any time.
Students will participate in Remote Learning and will receive instructional supports based on individual student needs.
Students will participate in a Remote Learning experience and will receive the same materials as those selecting the in-person option.
All senior students are required to take the state-issued SAT in order to graduate from high school. The test is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14. As in the past, PSAT for National Merit Scholarship purposes will be offered in the fall. Spring testing for juniors is yet to be determined.
Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists will be available for students as in the past. However, social distancing must be maintained when meeting and may result in meetings being moved to larger rooms or to virtual settings.
Teachers, staff and students provide many opportunities for academic assistance. In addition to teacher office hours available to students outside the school day, each school has peer tutoring available.
As a complement to teacher and peer support, District 99 has contracted with an outside company called "Paper" to provide help to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students may log in at paper.co.
Tutors are full-time employees of Paper and have been subject to a background check. Many are former teachers, graduate students in education and/or subject matter experts, and skilled in encouraging students in an online format.
There will be student resource centers available, teacher office hours, and other traditional supports for all students. Students who need more help should start by reaching out to individual teachers or their counselor so that concerns or needs can be addressed based on their specific needs.
We have suspended all in-person visits this fall, and are working to support these visits in an online format.
Although students will not be consuming food while at school, District 99 will continue to offer “grab ‘n go” meals to students. We are developing a plan to ensure that all students who depend on us for meals continue to receive nourishment regardless of our school schedule. Please click here for the most updated meal distribution information.
Drinking fountains are available for refilling bottles only. The faucet portion has been disconnected. Students and staff will be able to briefly take off their mask for a quick drink of water.
No. Students may not consume food while at school, unless they have a medical reason to do so.
See the Special Education Parent Resource Document detailing information regarding special education services and supports.
At this time, the special education populations at Downers Grove North and South will follow the D99 Hybrid and Remote schedules in the same fashion as their peers. T99 students will follow a different schedule outlined in the Resource Document above. In previous communication we had planned to bring specialized populations of our special education students into the buildings more often than in the regular Hybrid schedule. This is still our goal; however, it will not be within the first three weeks of school. We now require time to process the new Board approved Hybrid and Remote schedules with our special education staff and organize appropriate staffing to meet our students needs.
Increased support and communication will be provided to teachers around providing accommodations in the hybrid model. Interventions will be made available as deemed appropriate by the team and supported by data. 504 Case Managers will contact families and teachers to review any special considerations regarding approved accommodations.
Families of students enrolled in EL English classes will be contacted on an individual basis to determine how best to meet the needs of their students.
We’re identifying those students who are medically fragile. Students who are immunocompromised will participate in Remote Learning and will be provided individualized supports based on student need.
We will be following the guidelines set forth by ISBE and the IDPH in order to conduct In-Person Learning while following the Hybrid Schedule:
Yes. District 99 has issued two cloth masks to all staff and students as well as two face shields. The masks are two layers; the outside layer is polyester and the inside layer is cotton. Any masks provided by the state will be used as a back-up supply.
Health guidelines encourage the use of plastic dividers whenever six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. A face shield provides this extra protective barrier, as we cannot install plastic dividers where this could occur.
Yes. Everyone who is inside the school building must wear a mask at all times, and when within six feet of others, a face shield as well. This is an expectation, like other school rules, that is outlined in the student handbook addendum. Failure for a student to comply with these requirements will result in a transition to full Remote Learning.
District 99 has provided additional types of PPE for high-risk staff members and students.
Yes. The mask must be worn properly, and cover your nose and mouth. In addition to a mask, everyone must also wear a face shield while in the school building. The face shield is a replacement for plastic dividers in various situations and locations in our buildings. The schools will be providing training to students about how to use PPE properly.
To minimize the number of people in our buildings, guests will not be permitted past the entrances of our buildings during In-Person Learning hours.
If people are outside and can maintain six feet between one another, they do not need to wear PPE. Fitness activities may be limited during PE, and locker rooms will be closed.
We have increased our sanitation protocols since the stay-at-home order was issued, and we will continue with these stringent measures. Each night, all areas, in particular high-touch items (i.e., desks, chairs, doors, handrails, pencil sharpeners, bathrooms and hand sanitizer dispensers) are cleaned and disinfected with EPA-approved disinfectant. We also follow all CDC and IDPH guidelines for cleaning. Classroom doors will be left open to allow for more air flow and eliminate additional touching of door handles.
Every classroom will be equipped with hand sanitizer, which all students must use when entering the class. In addition, students will spray every desk after the class period ends before leaving. Then, after the disinfectant has time to activate, students from the next class period will wipe the desks using paper towels before using the desks.
Restrooms breaks will be allowed only during class periods, and all restrooms will be cleaned more frequently on a rotating basis during morning class periods.
Yes. There will be hand sanitizer in every classroom and in common areas throughout the school buildings. Before every In-Person Learning class period, students must use hand sanitizer before entering the classroom. We will also be encouraging frequent and proper handwashing and will have tissues available in each classroom as well.
The quality of the air is important to maintaining a healthful environment, and District 99 uses an outside contractor to assess the quality of air in all of our buildings throughout the year. In addition, we are increasing the air flow to bring in 20% more outside air as well changing air filters more frequently. Fewer people in the building also helps promote air quality.
If students must share physical items, we will sanitize the items before and after use. Items may include equipment or textbooks.
All teachers will be using Google Classroom for Remote Learning, and will communicate to students through that platform. Families may use Home Access Center to check on grades, and can email teachers through HAC.
Staff will respond to family/student questions within 24 hours on weekdays. Requests that come in over the weekend will be responded to on Mondays.
District and school emails are sent automatically to all guardian emails listed in Home Access Center. If you are not receiving messages, please contact us at communications@csd99.org.
District 99 has the ability to send some messages in languages other than English. If a family indicates they prefer to receive communications in a language other than English during the enrollment process, they will receive messages in that language. To change your preference, please contact us at communications@csd99.org.
The specific schedule is being developed. Families also will be contacted about the process for receiving their Chromebooks.
If a student does not have access to Wi-Fi or a smart device with data, the student or family should contact the counselor or the main office.
Students needing technology support should stop by the tech center while at school or email (northcb@csd99.org or call 630-795-2720 at DGN or southcb@csd99.org or call 630-795-8556 at DGS) for assistance. If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or a smart device with data, contact your counselor or the main office. If your internet service is down (i.e., power outage), contact your teacher as soon as you can to make up your work.
Activities will be held in remote formats as much as possible.
District 99 is here to support you. If you cannot find what you need, please email us at communications@csd99.org.
Need to Report an Absence?
Attendance will be taken for every class period, in-person and remote. Parents/guardians should report the absence by calling the attendance line DGN at (630) 795-8450, DGS at (630) 795-8550, or Jeri Powers at Transition 99 (630) 795-2701. NOTE: If your student is ill, the school nurse will contact you by telephone in order to review your student’s symptoms with you.
If an absence is unexcused, parents/guardians will receive an automated phone message at 5 p.m. the day of the reported absence.