Dolton 149 School Board Taps Remote 2.0 Learning for 1st Quarter

(Calumet City, IL) –– South suburban Dolton School District 149 has opted to keep a full remote learning system in place for the new school year that starts in August

At its monthly board meeting on August 6th, the Dolton 149 Board of Education approved a “Full Remote 2.0” learning plan for the school’s first quarter, starting on August 24. Students will work from home while teachers, custodians, secretaries, nurses, social workers, counselor, psychologist, and contracted vendors will work in schools in their designated classrooms.

The first quarter runs through October 23.

“Due to the rise of COVID-19 cases and the positivity infection rate in suburban Cook County, the Board of Education decided that to ensure the health, life, and safety of our students, our staff, our parents and other community members that remote learning for the first quarter is the safest learning option,” said Board of Education President Darlene Gray Everett. “Science, professional medical advice, and input from a survey of more than 600 parents helped us to make our decision.”

As of August 17, COVID-19 positivity rates in suburban Cook County, the positivity rate was 6.4% in suburban Cook County, up from 5.2 in early August%.

If the transmission of COVID-19 indicates a major decrease in cases and the positivity percentage decreases to 1%, Dolton 149 will consider a “Hybrid Blended Model” – in-person and remote learning – for the second quarter which begins October 26, 2020 and ends January 15, 2021, according to Dolton 149 Superintendent Dr. Shelly Davis-Jones.

“Our plan is to analyze the positivity data and COVID-19 case load statistics before the end of every quarter and decide on a quarter-by-quarter basis regarding which learning model will be deployed,” said Dr. Davis-Jones. “Ultimately, we want our students and teachers back to school, but not at the risk of their health and safety and further spreading the virus throughout our school community.”

An “In-Person Model” could return in the fourth quarter (March 22, 2021- June 8, 2021) if a vaccine and possible treatment for COVID-19 become available. In the meantime, the district will prepare for all contingencies. In April, in order to supplement the remote learning program, the district placed an order for 3,000 Chromebook computers to be distributed to all students along with “white-glove service” to activate the devices. Delivery of the computers to Dolton 149 should begin no later than the week of September 24, 2020, or sooner. Curbside pickup by parents can begin on October 5, 2020, starting with one school per-day. Parents will be notified of pickup schedule.

“Our plan allows the district to remain flexible on learning options as conditions change and our intention is to leave no child behind,” said Dr. Davis-Jones. “But we will not compromise when it comes to protecting the health of students and teachers given that COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed the African-American community. Our red line is health and safety.”

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