Oswego D308 Board Approves Phase 3 Of Hybrid Learning Plan

OSWEGO, IL — During its Monday meeting, the Oswego School District 308 Board of Education voted to approve plans for the third phase of hybrid learning for the students.

According to the new plan, there will be no changes for elementary students, and they will attend school in-person for four mornings a week for instruction in reading, math and writing. In the afternoon, will students receive digital instruction in art, music, physical education, and also have independent work time. The schedule for those in special education as well as early childhood will also remain the same.

However, a change was approved for junior high and high school students, who will now be attending in-person learning four days a week for five hours each day. Students will follow the Phase 2 schedule where in-person attendance for junior high students will run from 8:05 a.m. until 1:05 p.m. High school students will attend in-person from 7:20 a.m. until 12:20 p.m. Junior high and high school students will not eat lunch at school.

Wednesdays will remain in remote learning days under the Phase 3 plan, with students taking part in Go Live! sessions.

The plans will take effect April 7, following the conclusion of the district’s Spring Break.
Communication regarding the new plans will be sent to parents by March 4. Parents who may wish to switch their student from in-person to remote learning, or from remote to in-person will be asked to submit their choice no later than March 10.

Superintendent John Sparlin said at the meeting that district has a goal to start the 2021-2022 school year with students in person for five days a week for full days of school.

"We have begun the conversations on what does it look like, five days, full days. We’re talking about next year, but to be perfectly honest right now we’re focused on right here, right now," he said.

During a public forum held before the meeting, Cindy Rook, a district parent, said that parents who are afraid of their children contracting the virus while at school are grateful for the steps the district has taken to conduct remote learning.

But, she said that suicide deaths for children in school is the third-leading cause of death in that age range. She said less than 250 children have died of the virus in America, and there are 300 million people in this country.

"Two hundred and fifty out of 300 million, which, yes, is very sad, but it’s also minuscule to the number of children that are hurting in this district and around this country from not being in school," Rook said.

Board President Lauri Doyle said the district is currently required to provide an option of remote learning for students. The district does not know yet if it is required to provide that option for the next school year.

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