Chicago Public Schools Hosts Feedback Meetings This Week on Reopening Plan

Chicago Public Schools is hosting several virtual meetings this week to discuss feedback on the district’s reopening plans for the fall. The first one was held Monday morning, reports NBC Chicago.

The district’s reopening framework includes plans for a hybrid model of learning that combines in-person learning and remote learning for students in kindergarten through 10th grade. Both half and full day pre-K programs will learn at school while juniors and seniors will learn entirely at home.

Under the hybrid model students will be placed in “pods” of about 15 students during the school day in order to minimize exposure and support rapid contract tracing if a student should get COVID-19. Pods will be given assigned homerooms with assigned seating and will use the same designated spaces in buildings.

Each pod would spend the same two days each week at school and the same two days at home. Every Wednesday, students would participate in real-time virtual instruction with their teacher.

The district’s plan also includes “rigorous public health protocols” including a requirement for masks, daily health screenings, temperature checks and hiring more custodians.

CPS is seeking feedback from the community before making any final decisions in August. CPS launched a survey for families, students and staff to submit feedback by July 31, which can be found here.

CPS will hold virtual meetings, three in English and two in Spanish, to solicit feedback as well. Registration is required to participate in the meetings which will be held each day this week.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.