Dear CCSD59 Families,

As we have shared over the past two weeks, CCSD59 has continued to closely monitor the ongoing developments regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus. After ongoing discussions and planning with area districts D15, D21, D23, D25, D26, D54, D57, D62, D211, D214, D220, and NSSEO, all listed districts, including CCSD59, will be closed next week starting Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20. Spring break will continue as scheduled from March 23 through March 27. All CCSD59 schools are currently scheduled to resume classes on Monday, March 30.

The decision to close schools is being made as a preventative measure to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The safety and health of our students, staff, families, and community is our top priority. While we know this closure will present difficulties for families, we believe it is a necessary step to help minimize the potential for community spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

By taking important action, such as choosing to close schools and minimizing large group gatherings, we hope to help keep our school community healthy. While it is our goal to have students return to school on Monday, March 30, we will continue to monitor the most up-to-date COVID-19 developments, and we will communicate with families if school closures need to extend beyond March 30.

We are planning to share this information with our students through a common message this afternoon that supports any stress that may come with the change in daily routine, and we ask that parents not share this information with their students at this time. We appreciate your partnership and support.

E-Learning Days
In an effort to continue supporting student learning while schools are closed, CCSD59 will implement the use of e-learning days next week. In response to the developments of COVID-19, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has provided districts who have an approved e-learning plan with the ability to access e-learning days. By utilizing our approved plan, CCSD59 is able to provide students with opportunities to learn from home and count these days of e-learning as student attendance days, and these days will not be required to be made up at the end of the school year.

The district will utilize e-learning Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20. There will be no e-learning on Monday, March 16 as the district will shift the previously scheduled March 17 student nonattendance staff inservice to Monday, March 16. This change will allow staff to utilize the 16th for a day of professional development and preparation for the e-learning days that will take place the rest of the week.

In order to support students and provide access to digital resources for the upcoming e-learning days, all K-8 students will be taking their learning devices home at the end of the day today. Students in third grade through eighth grade will follow their usual procedure of taking home their district-issued Chromebook, while students in kindergarten through second grade will bring home the Chromebook or Chrome tablet and charger they usually use in school.

More information and guidance about our e-learning plan will be sent out to families on Monday, March 16. The communication will have additional details, direction, and support for students and families to be successful with our e-learning days.

We know the decision to close schools has a significant impact on our students, staff, and families. We will take every step possible to support all members of our learning community in the days ahead, and we appreciate your support and patience as we all work to navigate these challenging times together.

Dr. Art Fessler
Superintendent of Schools, CCSD59