McHenry District 156 plans alternating days of in-person, remote learning for 2020-21 school year

McHenry High School District 156 will use a hybrid model of face-to-face (in-person instruction) and asynchronous digital (remote learning) days when students go back to school for the 2020-21 school year.

District 156 Superintendent Dr. Ryan McTague released the district's plan Friday. Students will be split into two groups based on their last names and go to school for in-person instruction on an "every other day" schedule. Families with students with different last names in the same household may request to the principal to have the children assigned to the same group.

According to the plan, "students who are medically fragile, have an immunocompromised family member(s) in the household, or who are unable to attend in-person instructional days can apply for a digital learning waiver."

Applications for the digital learning waiver are due by 8 p.m. July 29.

In-person instruction days will follow a modified eight-period schedule, starting at 7:25 a.m. at McHenry East and 7:35 at the McHenry West, and ending at 1:15 and 1:25 p.m., respectively.

Virtual office hours will be provided in the afternoon where students can connect virtually with teachers for additional help.

School return dates are not affected, with the first group of students going back for in-person instruction Aug. 17, followed by the second group Aug. 18. The last day of the school year is scheduled May 21. The second semester start date is scheduled Jan. 18.

The district has eliminated fall semester final exams to ensure every student gets a minimum of 44 days of in-person instruction (88 days in the semester). The second semester will have 92 in-person instruction days, which includes two days for state testing.

WiFi hotspots will be provided on loan at no cost to families who meet criteria for economic disadvantage, according to the plan. A map of hotspot locations can be found here.

All students, staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings at all times while indoors.

Parents must self-certify daily that students are going to school without a temperature over 100.4 degrees or COVID-19 symptoms. Students will be subject to screenings at school if they do not self-certify at home.

Students must maintain social distance in hallways and common areas. Classroom and common area seating will be organized or rearranged to observe social distancing. No space in the building can exceed the Centers of Disease Control maximum gathering limit. Classrooms and common areas will be sanitized and cleaned every night. Hand sanitizer will be located in each classroom, as well as the hallways and common areas.

School buses will follow the IDPH requirement of no more than 50 students per bus. School buses will use the same routes as last year.

Food service will be offered during in-person instructional days. Lunches served in the cafeteria will be plated or prepackaged. Seniors in good standing will be allowed to obtain "open campus permission forms" and leave school during their lunch period.

Students will not have access to lockers and will move from classroom to classroom to avoid "unnecessary social contact," stopping only for restroom use.

A staff or staff member showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be referred to the school nurse for evaluation and placed in a quarantine room.

All classrooms and common areas will be regularly sanitized using electrostatic disinfectant
machines. Additional PPE, sanitation and hygiene supplies have been ordered and will be available.

"Newly installed HVAC unit ventilators, air handlers, and optimized HVAC Building Automation
Systems will increase our intake of fresh air and promote better air circulation in the buildings," the plan states.

Acrylic shields or guards will be installed in high traffic areas. Touchless water bottle fillers will remain available for use in all buildings.

The district is in the process of ordering one reusable mask for every student and staff member. Students are encouraged to bring a mask of their choosing from home.