Evanston RoundTable Schools

Aug. 4  An in-person option is scheduled to begin on Sept. 29, if it is safe to do so. In accordance with guidelines approved by ISBE and IDPH, the District has many safety precautions in place in an effort to prevent contagion and to protect students, teachers and staff.

Aug. 3    Evanston Township High School students will receive support in and out of the classroom during the 2020-21 school year thanks in part to a $1.5 million gift from alumnus Henry Engelhardt (Class of 1975).

School District 65 posted the results of a “Remote Learning Survey” on its website last week. The survey was conducted between May 19 and June 3 to gather information about the remote learning provided by the District last spring.

The remote learning plan will be 5¾ hours per day and include both live and recorded instruction. The District will ensure that all students have an iPad or Chromebook and access to WiFi. Students may participate in the free- and reduced-fee lunch program. Academic, mental health, and emotional supports will be available.

Evanston resident Kobi Evans, 19, was all smiles after graduating on July 14 from the Automotive Service and Repair Career Pathways Program, a partnership between Oakton Community College, Youth Job Center in Evanston and Evanston Township High School.

President Trump declares, “Open the schools.” Though clearly he overlooks the complexity, opening schools is the right thing to do.

The nationwide momentum to “defund” police departments – that is, reallocate resources to social services – is combined in Evanston with local calls to remove police officers from Evanston schools.

July 24  Remote learning will be in place for every student – including the freshmen, whose introduction to high school will be remote, students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 (accommodation) plans, and returning sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Remote learning will be in place for every student – including the freshmen, whose introduction to high school will be remote, students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 (accommodation) plans, and returning sophomores, juniors and seniors.

 Survey results were released on the afternoon of July 22, hours before a scheduled Town Hall video meeting with school leaders, who then confirmed the reversal of their July 13 decision to begin hybrid – in-person and remote – learning after Labor Day and reaffirmed their decision to postpone implementing that model.

We, as union leaders, along with other health experts, recognize that it would be best for students to be learning in an in-person school environment when possible. However, in these times of a global pandemic, we, as stakeholders, fully believe the social, emotional well being, health and safety of our staff, students, families and community are the first priority along with delivering high quality instruction to our students.

July 22  Under the plan, all students will begin the school year on Aug. 27 with remote learning scheduled on Mondays through Fridays. The remote learning will continue for all students through at least Sept.  29. An in-person option begins on Sept. 29, if it is safe to do so.