District 203 Pushes Back Start Date For 2020-21 School Year

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville Community Unit School District 203 announced Tuesday that it would push back the start date to the 2020-21 school year. The new start date is expected to be Sept. 1.

The district also announced that it has indefinitely suspended the deadline to opt in to full remote learning. Parents were initially given the choice between hybrid learning and full online learning.

The changes come amid additional guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges wrote in a letter to community members.

Bridges wrote that the district is modifying its calendar for the school year based on the delayed start date and will share the new calendar Aug. 3. Students in the remote learning option will also have access to dual language courses and advance placement courses, Bridges added.

Additional changes are expected to be announced by Friday.

Bridges wrote, "While planning for the 2020-2021 school year, we are working hard to balance the many, sometimes conflicting, needs of our whole community. And, while there are many opinions about the best way to return, the health and safety of our students and staff will always be our first priority. The Naperville 203 Return to Learn plan will continue to be guided by our state and local medical professionals. While our ultimate goal remains to return to full, in-person learning, our pathway to get there must be open to change based on new data and updated guidance."