Chicago Public Schools Plan For Some In-Person Learning In Nov.

CHICAGO — Public school officials on Friday announced plans for a phased re-opening of in-person instruction staring with pre-kindergarten kids and special education students who aren't served well by remote learning.

The move, which officials said will be made based on recommendations from the city public health department, is set to begin when the second quarter starts in early November. As early as January the district plans to have students from additional grades return to school.

Officials said the push to return to in-school learning stems from a 44-percent decline in Black and Hispanic prekindergarten and special education student attendance compared to recent years. Overall, enrollment has dipped to 355,156 students, which is more than 15,000 fewer students than last year. Additionally, about 32,00 new students enrolled in city public schools this year, a 12,000 student decline compared to last year, district officials said.

"Though remote learning has allowed a great number of our students to safely continue learning in light of COVID-19, the fact of the matter is that it has also exacerbated social and economic inequities—preventing our youngest students, cluster program students and students of color from getting the high-quality education they deserve," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.

"We are working on a thoughtful and strategic plan that lays a strong foundation for a return to in-person learning. With the collaboration [between the school system and public health department], we will ensure that this next phase is engaging, equitable and above all, safe—especially for our most vulnerable students."

The Chicago Teachers Union immediately opposed the plan.

"The mayor’s excuse for pushing early learners and special education students back into schools is driven by CPS claims that these students are not being served well by remote learning. But CPS has rejected every Union proposal to improve remote learning for all students, or to improve services for the district’s most vulnerable special needs children. And CPS had been failing special education students for years before the onset of the pandemic," union officials said in a statement.

CTU officials suggested the school district's plan was dangerous as coronavirus cases continue to spike in the city and the "horrifying failure by CPS to guarantee and enforce safety protocols at school buildings."

Public school leaders on Friday said the district over the last few months has ordered supplies and implemented health protocols to prepare for in-person hybrid learning Chicago's public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said her team has been monitoring the spread of coronavirus in youth activities including daycares, camps, athletic teams, private and Catholic schools across the city.

The data shows when proper precautions are taken — screening, mask wearing, social distancing and cohorting, hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, paired with appropriate case investigation, contact tracing, testing, and quarantine when cases are detected — COVID-19 transmissions are rare, she said.

“We’re confident that we can start rephasing in-person education safely,” Arwady said.

On Wednesday, the district is set to send "intent forms" parents and guardians of preschool and special ed students to determine if they are comfortable sending students to school.

CPS officials said the district has committed to safety precautions including providing cloth face coverings that must be worn at all times to all staff and students. Daily temperature checks, handwashing and symptom screenings will be required before students enter classrooms. Free COVID-19 tests will b provided to all students or staff who have come in close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.