Employees

Employee Symptom Screening Procedures

• Employees will complete a Google Form each day prior to entering the building.
• They must certify they are symptom free each day they report to work.  

Employee Absence Procedures

• Employees will continue to enter absences in Frontline.
• All absences due to Illness must include the phrase "Not Covid Related" or "Covid Related"
• If the absence is "Covid Related," the employee must also contact the Director of Human Resources via email cmoore@d94.org or phone 630-876-6216 as soon as the absence is entered.
• The Director of Human Resources will contact the employee by phone to discuss the situation.  Next steps will be defined which will include a timeline for returning to work and any necessary communication to others.  As needed, the Dupage County Health Department will be contacted for guidance. 
• If the absence qualifies for leave under the FFCRA, the absence reason in Frontline will be adjusted by Human Resources.
• If the absence is "Covid Related," the employee should make a list of all individuals (students and staff) who may have been exposed (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more in the past two days prior to onset of symptoms) and provide that to the Director of Human Resources.  Notification protocol will be implemented and those individuals who were exposed will be required to quarantine.  
• If an employee experiences Covid symptoms during the day, he/she should contact his/her supervisor immediately.  The employee will be sent home and disinfecting protocol will be implemented. 

Mask Requirements

Anyone entering West Chicago High School will be required to wear a mask at all times.  Exceptions will only be made based on documented medical necessity.  All staff will be issued cloth masks, and disposable masks will be available for anyone who may need it.

Instruction and Schedules

Student Schedule

*Zero hour classes will meet from 10:25 - 10:55.

Mondays

• Mandatory all class meetings through Google Meets.  Classes are 30 minutes in length.

Tuesday-Friday  

• Schedule is course team/teacher discretion as to how the time is used.  This may take the form of scheduled individual student check-ins, small group discussions, independent study, full class meeting, etc.  No matter what the time is scheduled for, teachers will be available to their students during the slotted times for their assigned periods through Google Meets.
• Teachers will define how they will use the time and be readily available to students even if it is dedicated to independent study.  
• As a general expectation, classes would be expected to meet at least once Tuesday - Friday however there can be exceptions as approved by the Division Heads.

Student Grades and Attendance Expectations

Student grading will return to more traditional expectations.  Students will receive letter and/or percentage grades on assignments that will impact their overall letter grade.  As always teachers will make their own professional judgements on grading criteria and final grades for students.

Student attendance will return to traditional expectations as well.  Students will be expected to attend all assigned class sessions by teachers.  Students not in attendance will be recorded as such and school personnel will communicate with the parents of each student.  Chronic absences will result in referral to the Regional Office of Education.

Standardized Assessments - Advanced Placement

The 2021 AP exams will be administered over two weeks in May: May 3 through May 10. A full schedule for each test can be found here. Currently the College Board has not made any announcement about if the AP tests will be administered virtually, as they were for the 2020 administration, or in person. AP test ordering, for year long AP classes, will occur in the Fall specific dates and instructions for test ordering will be given to students in AP classes. 

SAT for Seniors 

Due to the mandatory closing of schools at the end of the 19-20 school year, the class of 2021 did not take the mandatory ISBE administered SAT. The SAT is both a college entrance exam and a requirement for high school graduation. To allow for safe administration of the exam, the SAT exam will be given in person to all eligible seniors on either Wednesday, October 14, 2020 or Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Students will receive a letter mailed to their home stating which day they are scheduled to take the test. Some Special Education testing will take place on October 14 and 15. Currently there is no option to take a remote SAT. If one becomes available or the situation evolves the decision to give an in person test will be reevaluated.  More information about how the SAT will be administered safely to students will be released closer to the date.     

SAT for Juniors 

The mandatory SAT for Juniors is scheduled for Tuesday April 13, 2021. Information about the administration of this test will be given closer to the date of the test 

Advanced Placement

The 2021 AP exams will be administered during two weeks in May -  May 3rd  through May 10th. A full schedule for each test can be found here. Currently, the College Board has not made an announcement about whether AP tests will be administered virtually, as they were for the 2020 administration, or in person. AP test ordering for yearlong AP classes will occur in the fall. Specific dates and instructions for test registration will be given to students in their AP classes. 

Classes with Performance Components

West Chicago Community High School is committed to giving students the opportunity to perform both individually and in groups. Performance is an important part of the curriculum in classes such as music and theatre. We will be working hard during the school year to find innovative ways for students to perform in a remote environment.  For example, music teachers are currently investigating new apps, websites, and strategies for students to actively work on their musical skills and receive feedback.  We recognize that being able to play and perform with their classmates is an integral part of music classes and strive to recreate that as best we can remotely.

Classes with Unique Technology Needs

To support learning, West Chicago Community High School distributes a Chromebook to each student. Every effort is made to ensure that students can complete their work on a Chromebook. However for some classes students require specific software for the completion of the class. Every effort will be made to provide the software and if needed additional hardware to ensure students can complete the class.     

Remote Learning for Students with Disabilities

Individualized Student Learning Plan: A Student Remote Learning Plan documents the special education, related services, and other supports that school staff will provide to a  student remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The student’s current Individualized Education Program (IEP) was developed with the expectation of in-person service delivery and the IEP may not be implemented in its entirety during these unique circumstances. In an effort to support the continuation of learning during this unprecedented time, this Plan identifies the specialized instruction, related services, and other supports in the student’s IEP that will be provided to the extent practicable.  This Plan will be distributed to staff members who will provide the services and supports listed in this Plan.  However, the implementation of this Plan will require partnership and support of parents/guardians, and we welcome any feedback from parents/guardians on the Plan.  When students return to school and in-person instruction resumes, this Student Remote Learning Plan will be discontinued and the student’s current IEP will be fully implemented again.

Self- Contained Courses:  Courses taught by a special education teacher.  Class sizes are less than 14 students, all of which qualify for special education services.   Students will receive instruction synchronous and asynchronous remote instruction virtually as a whole class, in small groups, or individually.

Resource (Co-Taught or Facilitated Courses):  Students receiving special education resource services in a general education classroom taught by a General Education Teacher.  

• Special Education teachers provide direct instruction or a Paraprofessional provides accommodations and modifications in adherence to student IEPs remotely.
• Students will receive instruction synchronous and asynchronous remote instruction virtually as a whole class, in small groups, or individually.
• Special Education teachers provide small group and individual support through Google Classroom and Google Hangouts Meet.

 Related Services: Speech, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy

• Service minutes will be provided virtually, in person, individually or in small groups by service providers in adherence to Individualized Student Learning Plans (Remote) or IEPs(Blended).
• In-home in person therapy support will not be provided.

Special Education Teacher Instruction:

Asynchronous Instruction: 

      Instructional supports/tasks include but not limited to:

• Pre-recorded audio and/or video recording of materials, directions, direct instruction, modeling.
• Flipped Classroom
• Google Classroom 

Synchronous instruction:

     Instructional supports/tasks include but not limited to:

• Google Meets, Zoom
• Individual tutoring
• Re-teaching
• Modeling
• Small Group Work
• Cooperative Learning

Paraprofessional Support: Certified teachers will assign tasks that paraprofessionals are qualified and trained/prepared to do. Tasks include both instructional and non-instructional classroom supports and will be planned by special education teachers and/or general education teachers. Synchronous and asynchronous tasks will enhance student learning, participation, and engagement  while adhering to each student’s Individual Education Plan. Paraprofessionals will also perform non-instruction tasks. Non-instructional tasks include but are not limited to: gathering and creating educational materials, delivering meals, distributing materials and essential supplies, sanitizing.

Annual Review, 3 year Re-evaluations, Initial Evaluation

• Student evaluations will be conducted onsite to the greatest extent possible.  

• Meetings will occur onsite, virtual, or a combination while following all guidelines provided for sanitation, social distancing, and mask wearing.  
• Draft reports and documents will be provided to parents for their review prior to meetings allowing for consideration of the length of meetings.

Therapeutic Day Schools, Residential Schools:

• Students placed in private day or residential placements will follow the programming 

provided by the placement site. 

Blended Learning Approach

WCCHS 94 recognizes that students with intensive needs have limitations regarding participation in a virtual learning environment. The District is prioritizing these students by developing opportunities to return to onsite learning as soon as possible.

Students who receive special education services in self-contained programs for a majority of their schedule will have a Blended or Full Remote option. This includes students who receive services in one of the following programs: Developmental Learning Program (DLP), Center, and Transition.  Parents of students in DLP, Center, and Transition were surveyed giving them the option of Blended or Full Remote starting September 10th. The schedules and program outlines are listed below.

• Blended 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

In School Instruction: 7:55 am - 12:00 pm

Lunch: Grab and go home 12:00 pm -1:00 pm

Remote Instruction: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm *(Staff will be available to support students)

• Full Remote

Monday

1:00-3:00

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

7:55 am - 12:00 pm

The following health and safety requirements as outlined by ISBE and IDPH will be in place for students who choose to participate in the Blended Option.

• All students and staff will be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE), including a face covering. 
• Classrooms will contain no more than 12 individuals 
• Social distancing will be maintained
• Daily symptom screenings before students, staff and visitors enter the bus and building.
• School wide cleaning and disinfection
• Students will participate remotely in any general education courses or electives they are enrolled in.  This could occur in the DLP, Transition, Center program.

Developmental Learning Program (DLP):

• Three classrooms - Three Special Education Teachers
• Student to Teacher Ratio:  7:1
• 2 Paraprofessionals per classroom
• Students will not switch classrooms in order to reduce the number of contacts they encounter while at school
• Students will be properly distanced at 6ft or more at individual desks or tables
• Students will participate in remote PE and Electives they are enrolled in under the supervision of the DLP teacher in the DLP classroom.
• Related Services will be provided individually or in small groups

Center Program: 

• Two classrooms - Two Special Education Teachers
• Student to Teacher Ratio:  10:1
• 1 Paraprofessional per classroom
• Students will not move about the building in order to reduce the number of contacts they encounter while at school
• Students will be properly distanced at 6ft or more at individual desks or tables
• Students will participate in remote PE and electives they are enrolled in under the supervision of the Center teacher in the Center classroom
• Related Services will be provided individually or in small groups

Transition Program:

• One classroom, a work lab, and a kitchen - One Special Education Teacher
• Student to Teacher Ratio: 9:1
• Three Paraprofessionals
• Students will be properly distanced at 6ft or more at individual desks or tables
• Onsite Job Training and Job Coaching within the community will not occur until further notice.
• Job Training and Coaching opportunities will occur within the school setting until further notice.
• Related Services will be provided individually or in small groups

Medically Fragile Students

IEP team members will meet to determine the best option to ensure each medically fragile student receives the specialized instruction and services outlined in the IEP while maintaining a safe learning environment. 

• Review Teams will include but not limited to the Building Nurse, Director of Special Education, Parent/Guardian, and Medical Professional when appropriate.
• Healthcare Plans will be developed, revised, and distributed to appropriate providers
• Communication between home and school 
• Maintain updated medical records

Special Education Transportation

Sunrise Busing Procedures

American Taxi:

• All passengers and drivers wear masks. 
• Drivers will open doors for passengers to make the experience touch free.
• Vehicles will be disinfected between every ride.

English Learners

Information will be posted here shortly.

Wildcat Athletic Participation Guidelines

• Fall contact days are limited to 20 for all sports not in season in the fall of 2020 and can only be used between Sept 7th and Oct 31st
• These requirements must be followed when conducting sport specific or strength and conditioning camp or contact day sessions. As allowed within IDPH and IHSA guidelines for youth and high school sport participation
• Maintain social distance by being 6 feet apart.  Masks must be worn by all at all times, except those involved in outdoor drills while social distancing. 
• Follow gathering guidelines of groups of 50 or less including the coach and medical personnel. 
• Groups of 50 or less must be pre-determined. 
• Groups of 50 must be 30 feet apart outdoors.  Indoors a group of 50 is maximum in each space.
• Once groups are determined, students may not switch from one group to another based upon sport. 
• Sessions can  include sport-specific drills  and sport-specific equipment may be used. However all drills and scrimmages that require contact are not allowed at this time
• Implement diligent and effective cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched objects and surfaces following the guidance of the CDC and IDPH.
• Coaches must maintain a daily record of what athletes are participating, when, symptoms they may present. Those are directed here Athletic Wellness Screening
• Athletes should be monitored at the start of practice for temperature >100.4F/38C or symptoms of COVID-19 (fevers, chills, cough, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell).  If symptoms are present they should not participate in practice and should be referred to a physician for evaluation and testing. 
• Free weight exercises that require a spotter can be conducted with spotter on the sides only and while honoring social distancing norms. Spotters must wear masks. Safety measures in all forms must be strictly enforced in the weight room.
• Players shall bring their own water bottle, shoes, towels, and other personal equipment. The use of locker rooms, shared water coolers with cups, will be prohibited during this stage.  Water fountains can be used for filling bottles only and not for direct drinking.
• If available, it is encouraged that an Athletic Trainer or medical personnel be available for workouts. They should be masked for all interactions with athletes and maintain 6-foot distance when feasible.
• Any person with positive symptoms reported should not be allowed to take part in workouts and should contact his or her primary care physician.  Parents understand that any student who has symptoms cannot participate and will have to be picked up from the school immediately.  Students are not allowed to return to camp for 10 days and must also be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT medication at the conclusion of those 10 days.  Providing a negative COVID-19 test will allow for return earlier.  
• If there is a positive COVID-19 test, then all in association with that positive test (within 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes) that can be contact traced will need to self quarantine for 14 days. 
• If there is a positive test that impacts a student or students, we will follow the guidelines as directed by the local and state health departments at that time.

Wildcat Expectations

• Daily Regimen 

1. Coach sanitizes all equipment before use
2. Students screened and attendance documented on sport specific google form (provided by coach)
3. Students wash hands
4. Students participate
5. Students wash hands
6. Students check out
7. Coach sanitizes all shared equipment after use - also as needed and required clean shared items between drills and/or rotations as necessary

• Coach 
• All coaches must be D94 employees and/or coaching staff members.
• Follow the CDC and IDPH Guidelines  
• Wearing face coverings required indoors and outdoors
• Follow hand hygiene instructions and/or wear gloves
• Wipe down personal spaces
• Follow high touch cleaning protocols to wipe down areas after use
• Coach sanitizes all shared equipment after use - also as needed and required clean shared items between drills and/or rotations as necessary
• Student 
• Wear a face mask at all times except when involved in outdoor drills that are socially distanced (as directed by IHSA guidelines
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet from another person
• Wash their hands before and after participation
• Bring their own water and water bottles, drinking fountains are permitted for filling bottles only. 
• Students should be encouraged to bring their own equipment for personal use to the greatest extent possible. (examples include but not limited to their jump ropes, bottles, towels, etc.) 

• Facility
• Both indoor and outdoor facilities may be used 
• Students should come and go with only essentials needed for participation (locker rooms will be limited use in season 
• Bathrooms will be limited

Student Activities and Clubs

District 94 strongly believes in the importance of student participation in Extracurricular Activities. During this time we hope to offer as many opportunities as possible for students to be involved in our student clubs and activities.  Often, many of these activities will be meeting remotely, but there may be occasions when student groups will be able to meet in person in the building for meetings or events while following Health Department guidelines for in-person gatherings.  

Social Emotional Support 

The COVID-19 pandemic and cultural events impacting society have underscored the importance of social emotional learning and support as a part of high quality education.  Systems and protocols for monitoring the emotional well being of students have been developed.  An emotional wellness survey will be administered to students to identify their social emotional needs and readiness to return to school.  Access to school counselors, social workers, and psychologists is available.  The methods and means of these meetings may be different, but the content and support should not change.  Schools are an important venue for students to receive social emotional support--no matter the mode of education.  Below are considerations for social emotional support for a remote learning model.  In all situations and as a basis for social emotional well-being, students can monitor screen time, exercise and eating habits, and sleep schedules in order to maintain physical health.

Social Emotional Support within a remote learning model

• An emotional wellness survey will be administered to determine needs and priorities
• Processes and procedures for accessing social emotional support will be posted on the school website
• School counselors, social workers, and psychologists will be available for students as they have in the past.  Students can access these resources remotely.  Meetings can be held in virtual settings, such as Google meets, in order to adhere to established safety guidelines.

Driver Education

• The classroom portion of Driver’s Education will be held primarily online through remote learning resources.
• When students are in the classroom, they will be working with the Driver’s Education simulators which will be disinfected between each class.  Students will be sitting in every other simulator to ensure that they are not within 6 feet of distance to each other.
• Students should bring their own headphones for use on the Driver’s Education simulators. Headphones will NOT be provided for any student.
• Behind The Wheel (BTW)  students will have assigned driving times for them to complete their BTW hours.  This schedule will be finalized by the teachers once the school year starts.
• Failure to show for at BTW drive will result in a $50 fine, payable prior to the students next drive.

School Environment

Q:  Will there be any students at school?

Yes.  There will be some Special Education student populations at school (DLP, Center and Transition).  There may also be some ESL students on site on a part time basis. There will be student athletes on site after 3:00 pm (golf, tennis, cross country, swim) and certain activities may meet after 3:00 as well. We are also developing a process to bring  limited numbers of students to school for specific reasons during the regular school day.  

Q:  How will this impact extra-curricular activities?

The district is committed to offering extracurricular activities to the greatest extent possible.  We will continue to follow the adjusted IHSA calendar for athletics and competitive activities.  We are also working with individual activity and club sponsors to determine the most effective and appropriate manner in which to conduct each unique activity.  This will involve after school activities occurring on campus in a safe and controlled environment that complies with all governing guidelines.

Instruction and Learning

Q:  What are the expectations during class periods?

Students are expected to be present through a digital platform whenever their classes are meeting.  While every class may not hold mandatory meetings during every assigned period, teachers will be available online to students at those assigned times.  Some days/sessions may be based upon the needs of the students and the design of the course.   For some classes/periods that may be direct instruction conducted remotely while for others it  may be open drop ins by students as needed.  It may be used as time to meet with a small group of students from that class who are struggling with a concept.  Teachers and teacher teams will work to flexibly meet the evolving needs of our students while providing routines and structure.

Q:  How will this impact performance based courses such as lab-based courses and music performance courses?

We are developing a process and criteria to bring students on campus in small numbers to access equipment or material only available at school (such as manufacturing or culinary equipment) for necessary learning experiences.  Additionally, we are working to reimagine the learning outcomes of many classes that are fundamentally structured around in person performances.  

Q:  How will this impact AP courses and examinations?

We continue to follow updates from the College Board on changes and adjustments they are making as a total organization and to individual courses and examinations.  Obviously this will present unique challenges for AP courses but we will support the teachers and students of these courses.  We will continue to update on any possible changes to exam dates and procedures from the College Board.

Q:  How much work should students expect on average?

The Illinois State Board of Education recommends five (5) hours of work per day for students.  This includes time spent in virtual classes and on school work.  Depending on each student’s schedule and the pace at which they work this could vary by student and may vary from week to week.  Additionally, students taking AP and/or Honors courses should expect more work just as they would in any other school year.  We will work throughout this period of e-learning to find the balance that works for students.

Q:  Will there be an SAT for last year’s juniors and this year’s juniors? 

Illinois has set a date of 10/14/20 for an in person SAT for all seniors.  We are working to try to facilitate this exam on campus based upon guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and our county health department.  As we have more specific details around this opportunity we will update you.  The mandatory SAT for Juniors is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Information about the administration of this test will be given closer to the date of the test.

Q:  Will we return to a hybrid or full in person model?  How much notice will I be given if this decision is made?

If conditions or guidance changes, we may return to a hybrid or full in person model.  We intend to give a minimum of two weeks notice if this decision is made. 

Q:  How will we take attendance in this model?

We are continuing to work on attendance processes that are feasible for all staff and students and allow us to monitor the engagement of students.  Once we have a system that meets ISBE guidelines and works for us as a school we will communicate it to all staff and students.

Other Information

Q:  Will registration fees be reduced as a result of opening remotely?

Student fees contribute towards the cost of a broad range of student program expenses such as general supplies, materials, equipment, technology, consumable materials, intervention materials, software licenses, web-based applications, etc.  While there might be a reduction in cost in materials and supplies in some areas, there are also increases in other areas to adjust to the changes that need to be made to starting remotely with E-learning on a technology based format. As such there are no plans to reduce registration fees at this time.

Q:  What if I have no/poor internet access or other technology related issues?

Please email our technology department at elearning@d94.org with any student technology issues.  We will support you with internet options including personal hotspots as well as any repairs to student issued devices.

Q:  Can I come clean out my locker?

Yes.  You can come to Entrance B between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday, August 10 through Friday, August 28 retrieve items from your locker and return textbooks. Bring a bag or box for your items. Masks are required and social distancing applies.

Q:  Will students who need food still be able to receive meals through the school?

Yes.  We are working with our food service vendor to set up delivery and pick up options for students who will benefit. 

Click here for information regarding school lunches and food resources for West Chicago Community High School students and their families.