page background

New Guidance for Reopening Schools

An Update From Dr. Kaczkowski

New Guidance forReopening SchoolsAn Update From Dr. Kaczkowski

Dear District 41 Community, (clic para español)


As you may be aware, on Tuesday afternoon Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker released guidance for schools in the 2020-21 school year.


Our planning for the next school year began before the 2019-20 school year ended, and the state’s 63-page guidance document will help us answer many of the questions you have asked in regards to what school will look like in the fall. The document was released to school districts at the same time as the public, and we are reviewing it to determine the best way to implement the state’s recommendations.


At this time, no decisions have been made about what Glen Ellyn District 41 schooling will look like in the fall. Regardless of what decision is made, this fall will not look like any other that we have experienced.


The state has expressed a preference for in-person learning, if it can be done safely. Of course, D41 would also like to have students together in class, if it can be done safely and meet state and local guidelines. There is much work that needs to be done before articulating a model and the specifics for D41.


We know many families have questions and we all have an urgent need to know what to expect. We will communicate with our staff and families on an ongoing basis throughout this process.


As we move forward with our planning process, District 41 will anchor our decisions to the following priorities:

  • The health and safety of all students and staff members

  • Rich, robust and relevant learning opportunities for all students

  • Tiered support to meet the social, emotional and mental wellness needs of all students

  • Well defined and consistent expectations and supports across grade levels and schools

  • Ongoing professional development to support our staff in meeting the needs of all students

  • Equity and excellence


The district is planning for three possible learning environments in the fall:

  • In-person learning. This would mean all students returning to our school buildings with appropriate health and safety practices in place.

  • A blended model of in-person and remote learning. This would mean students returning to school in a model that would have some in-person learning and some remote learning.

  • Remote learning. This would mean all students would be engaged in meaningful schoolwork at their homes.


As we work through the guidelines we will begin the process of reaching out to our families to ask some questions that will assist us in our work. We are a step closer to being able to give the community a sense of what to expect this fall. Thank you for hanging in there with us as we navigate these new guidelines.


Dr. K


Dr. Melissa Kaczkowski

Superintendent