Parents Vow To 'Keep Pressure On' After Rally To Reopen Schools

NAPERVILLE, IL — Hundreds of parents, children and other supporters representing at least nine Illinois school districts gathered in Naperville Sunday to rally for a return to full-time in-person learning.

The Cross-District Rally to Reopen Schools kicked off at 11 a.m. at the corner of Webster Avenue and Douglas Street near Washington Junior High School, and then proceeded to the Riverwalk's Free Speech Pavilion. Michelle Casile, who has a freshman and a sixth grader in St. Charles Community Unit District 303, told Patch it was "very touching to see the solidarity" of the large group of supporters walking down Webster Avenue. As they marched they chanted phrases like "five full days."

Casile was just one parent representing District 303 at the rally. Parents and supporters also showed up from Hinsdale Township High School District 86, Community High School District 99, Plainfield School District 202, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, Indian Prairie School District 204, Kaneland Community Unit District 302, Geneva Community Unit School District 304 and Oswego Community Unit School District 308.

Casile said parents from the nine school districts organized the rally because they "thought having a cross-district rally would be impactful and a good thing to show that there’s unity between us parents, and we want the same goal." That goal is a return to full-time, in-person instruction with lunch and activities.

Whereas some Illinois school districts have shifted to full-time in-person for elementary students, others have opted not to do so for middle and high school students.

Casile told Patch the rally was "very exciting," adding, "There was a lot of energy in the air." She said, "I think everyone felt recharged."

The rally featured remarks from keynote speakers, including ex-Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul G. Vallas, Illinois State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and radio host Amy Jacobson.

Bailey said, "Schools and classes and sports have been canceled and, friends, that is unacceptable." He added, "Schools should be open five days a week, they should be open full time and our children should be learning."

Bailey encouraged prioritizing teacher vaccinations and getting grants for hand sanitizer and other items.

When Jacobson spoke, she said her two children, a sophomore and a junior in high school, have been "sitting in the basement for 352 days" because they aren't able to attend school in person. "It was supposed to be 14 days. Remember that?" Jacobson said.

Citing a recent decrease in the number of daily coronavirus deaths in Chicago, Jacobson said, "We should set our children free. They are not the superspreaders that they thought they were."

"Did you ever realize how much power your school boards had until this happened?" Jacobson asked.

Casile told Patch that the speakers, which included candidates from local city and school districts, were "just inspiring."

“It gives you that motivation to keep going," Casile added.

Many of those in favor of reopening schools full-time for in-person instruction are eager to see what new developments will come after the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) changed its guidelines for social distancing in schools. Under the new guidelines, proper social distancing is defined as anywhere between three and six feet between masked students and fully vaccinated staff.

“We’re going to see what reaction we have to that," Casile told Patch.

Shortly after the ISBE announcement, Naperville Districts 203 and 204, along with Plainfield School District 202, announced a return to five days of in-person instruction after spring break. At press time, District 204 had not provided schedule details regarding the upcoming change. Meanwhile, District 203 high school students will attend school five partial days a week.

In the meantime, Casile said she and other supporters of reopening schools full-time plan to "bring the science, bring the facts and keep the pressure on.”

Casile urged parents to "pay attention to what’s happening in their districts" and to "[stay] involved through the election and past the election."

She added, "Our school districts can do this."

More on Patch:

Districts 203, 204 To Resume 5 Days Of In-Person Learning

In-Person Learning 5 Half-Days A Week For D202 Starting April 7

Reopen Schools: Multi-District Rally Planned In Naperville