An Unfair In-Person Policy At La Grange Highlands?

LA GRANGE HIGHLANDS, IL — In mid-January, La Grange Highlands Elementary School revealed a policy that was apparently kept under wraps: A few students were allowed to attend in person every day when no one else could

"You may feel that this is unfair, but we have done our best to make this accommodation only for the significant cases and based on information shared by families," Principal Laura Magruder said in a mass email to parents, which Patch obtained through a public records request.

The decision, she said, was not made lightly.

"In retrospect, it might have been best to communicate our thinking to all families before moving forward with these students," she said.

The policy was quietly enacted in a school district where many parents have indicated they want a return to full in-person education. As of Friday, more than 350 have signed a Change.org petition supporting such a move.

Students in La Grange Highlands School District 106 have been following a hybrid model, where one-half of students are allowed to attend in person each day. The rest are connected remotely. The students are divided into groups labeled A and B.

In her email, Magruder said the district readily acknowledged the hybrid schedule is not optimal for students and families.

"While most of our students, however, have adapted well to this new instructional model, it has become apparent to us that a small number of our students are demonstrating a significant struggle," Magruder said.

Because of this, the principal said, teachers were asked in December to identify students having "specific and observable" needs warranting more in-person attendance.

"We also considered hardships shared by families with us while engaged in the A/B schedule," Magruder said. "Based upon staff recommendations, we invited a minimal number of students to attend five days a week. Because of limited capacity, we were only able to accommodate our most significantly impacted learners."

At the same time, she said, the school recognized many parents also wanted their students in person five days a week.

"While it is not our wish to create discord among our families, we need to consider individual students' unique learning needs and use our space as efficiently as possible," the principal said.

In her email, she did not indicate how many students were allowed to attend in person more often.

Magruder and interim Superintendent Steve Griesbach couldn't be reached for immediate comment.

La Grange Highlands School District 106 serves more than 900 elementary and middle school students. It's unclear whether the middle school had a similar policy.