District 47 To Shift To Full-Day Hybrid Learning In Early April

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Although the school year hasn’t been the one they hoped for as the coronavirus pandemic continues, District 47 officials are hoping to finish strong after announcing Wednesday students will return to the classroom for full-day learning beginning after spring break.

Superintendent Kathy Hinz said that the district will make the move on April 5 after spending the school year moving from one learning model to another. In a video presentation released by the district, Hinz announced the changes, citing positive COVID-19 health metrics as well as the fact that the majority of educators in the district have been fully vaccinated.

The changes will go into effective for K-8 students in the hybrid and remote learning models and is being made because Hinz said that a full instructional day is in the students’ best interest academically, socially and emotionally.

In announcing the shift to full-day learning, Hinz said that she is proud of the progress students and parents have made throughout the difficult school year.

"We've shown we can change on a dime when we need to while moving from one learning model to another and thinking outside the box to deliver quality education while prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and students during a global pandemic," Hinz said.

For elementary students, the district will revert to its pre-pandemic schedule as students will shift to a day that will run between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Hinz said. Those learning in the hybrid model will be in the school building all day while teachers will be accessible to those learning remotely during those hours.

Lunch and recess periods will last 50 minutes and students will remove masks while eating. Masks will be required for recess, Hinz said, unless students are designated for mask breaks. Students will be required to wash their hands before going outdoors and before returning to the building.

For middle school students, learning will take place in-person from 8 a.m.-noon before being dismissed at noon and returning to the classroom on a virtual basis from 1 p.m. until 2:34 p.m. Remote students will adhere to the same time schedule, Hinz said.

To make the situation work, Hinz said the district will be hiring several lunch and recess supervisors to ensure the safety of students.