Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 will transition to an In-Person Hybrid Program in mid-October, Superintendent Eric Olson announced to parents on Monday.
The District, which serves preschool through eighth-grade students in eight schools, is currently running a Remote Learning Plan for its 4,538 students. In July, the administration introduced a hybrid plan that would have half the students in schools on Monday and Tuesday and the other half on Thursdays and Fridays with schools closed Wednesdays for cleaning.
While about two-thirds of parents (in a District 64 survey) supported the in-person program, staffing issues, changes in Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidelines and completing the transition from remote learning all made it difficult to begin the year with students in the schools. When the District started the new school year under a remote plan, Superintendent Olson told the community he would continue working toward bringing students back as soon as possible.
Parents will be asked to choose between continuing with the Remote Learning Program or move into the In-Person Hybrid Program. Details of the new plan will be announced Friday, September 18. Olson said it is similar to the Hybrid plan that was announced in late July.
“Our hope is to continue moving forward with providing the best possible education while keeping the health and safety of students, staff, and their families a priority,” Olson said. “We will continue to plan for trimester two and will keep parents informed regarding instruction following Thanksgiving.”