Dear Hanover Park Regional High School District Community,
As discussed at our August 26 Board of Education meeting, there were two scenarios that would cause the district to shift to 100% distance learning – staffing or indoor air quality.
The district received requests throughout the course of the summer from teachers who require leaves and accommodations. These requests have continued into this week and have brought us to the point where we can no longer provide the quality of instruction that students in the Hanover Park Regional High School District deserve.
As of today, it is simply not possible to overcome our significant staffing issues in time for opening. Therefore, the Hanover Park Regional High School District will transition to our Distance Learning for All platform highlighted on page 6 of the Reopening Plan.
Chromebooks will be distributed on September 3 and 4 as previously outlined by your building principals. Freshmen students will receive a modified virtual schedule for Tuesday, September 8 – building principals will be in contact with you shortly regarding this new Freshman Orientation schedule. All students will transition to a full-length, full-class period “remote” school day on Wednesday, September 9. High school athletics and extracurricular activities will continue as planned. We anticipate that due to the lack of staffing in the district, the shift to distance learning for all will occur through the end of the first marking period, November 13, 2020.
Keeping our teachers connected to every student will be the guiding principle of the district’s distance learning plan. The staff is currently participating in targeted professional development to ensure that the distance learning experience is responsive to the needs of every student.
Please know that the district’s goal will continue to be to provide students with the best quality, uninterrupted education as possible. Our administrative team will continue to work to ensure that high-quality instruction is being provided throughout the course of the 2020-21 school year, regardless of whether we are in a full distance learning, hybrid, or full in-person format.
Updates on our progress to bring our students and staff back to school in a safe and productive manner will continue throughout the fall.
Maria Carrell
Superintendent of Schools
