Elmhurst Middle Schoolers Get Few Days In Person

ELMHURST, IL — To this day, in-person learning remains a rarity for students at Elmhurst's Bryan and Sandburg middle schools. Parents reminded officials of that fact at Tuesday's school board meeting.

"My sixth-grader got zero days of in-person schooling last week," said parent Jennifer Hopkins, whose child attends Sandburg. "The board and the administration need to develop a plan to get middle school students back in person five days a week."

At its meeting, the Elmhurst School District 205 board received praise for phasing in the return of elementary school students. In mid-March, high schoolers are set to return for four days a week.

But the middle schools lag. The district has set no target for reopening five days a week.

At Bryan and Sandburg — where the district says it lacks the space for social distancing — the situation is considered even worse. The students at those schools are divided into three groups, meaning they get in-person days one-third of the time. At Churchville and the other schools, students are split into two groups, allowing more in-person instruction.

Celia Grebs is among the frustrated middle school parents.

"My sixth grader at Bryan has been to school 18 half days this school year," she said. "This is unacceptable."

Like other parents, Grebs pointed to studies showing that the chances of getting the coronavirus in schools is rare, especially with universal masking. Even the district acknowledges that it knows of only one case in which the virus was transmitted in a school building.

The district says its new plan allows 3 feet of social distancing between students, down from 6. But Grebs and others say the district could go less than 3 feet.

"If you won't budge on 3 feet, let's problem-solve and get creative to get all middle schoolers in buildings five days a week. Set up trailers or rent room in the church across the street," she said.

Parents reminded the district that local private schools and nearby districts are offering in-person learning five days a week. And they asked the district to provide a plan soon for the fall, so they can consider their options, including sending their children to private school.

"Now that we know more about this pandemic, we have an opportunity to get in front of what in-person learning will look like next year," parent Meredith Vogel said. "I believe now is the time to provide guidance to families, so they can make an informed decision. Waiting until June is not going to work... It is becoming extremely difficult for students to get into private schools, and I believe as a community, we are owed a plan for next year, so families can make a plan for next year."

Hopkins also asked for a plan.

"You need to communicate with the community," she said. "Many parents have lost confidence in the board and the administration."

Following its policy, the board did not respond to the public input.