Summer 2020

Dear River Grove School Community,

I hope you are all safe and healthy and have enjoyed summer activities with your family. 

Making the decision about how to begin the 2020-21 school year has not been easy, as I am sure you understand. The circumstances in Illinois, and the nation, are ever changing. In June, Illinois had positive and promising news, with Covid cases decreasing and restrictions being lifted. And now, at the end of July, Covid cases are increasing and restrictions are being returned. River Grove, along with the entire local area, is mimicking the pattern in Illinois, with positive cases on the increase. 

Additionally, while the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued expectations for schools that all students and staff wear a mask and social distance 6 feet apart, if possible, there is no clear, actionable guidance for superintendents and principals to use to make decisions about excluding students, closing classrooms or closing the entire school, when faced with positive cases or exposure to positive cases.

With the health and safety of our staff, students, families and the greater River Grove community as our main priority, and like many other school districts across the suburban Cook area, River Grove School District has decided to begin the school year with full Remote Learning. Circumstances will be evaluated each month and if there is the possibility to phase in groups of students for safe on site learning, we will do that. It is our goal to have our students at RGS.

Please watch this short video explaining the plan: https://youtu.be/iU_YKz1EsjA

The first day of Remote Learning will be Thursday, August 20. Students will be expected to participate in a full remote school day that follows the same schedule as if the children were at RGS. The Remote Learning Plan is being finalized and will be shared with families soon and posted on the website.

All students will be provided a digital device (K-2: iPad, 3-8: Chromebook) and classroom learning materials. We are working on a pick up schedule and an opportunity to meet the teachers on the afternoons of August 17, 18 and 19. A schedule is being developed, and will be shared soon, to stagger attendance to limit the number of people.

Families will receive more detailed information about the start of Remote Learning, device pick up, food service, and other topics from Mr. Wiley, Ms. Nero and myself in the upcoming days.

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy your final weeks of summer break-- #WeAreRG!!

Dr. Jan Rashid