Reopening Plan

DOLTON WEST 148 BOARD APPROVES REMOTE LEARNING FOR FALL

Tonight, the Board of Education approved my recommendation that Dolton West School District 148 implement remote learning the entire fall semester (through December 18) for all students and staff with the school year starting as scheduled for students on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Under this approach, students will participate in teacher-led online lessons five days a week using a computer and home internet access provided by the District at no cost to families.

This recommendation aligns with the approach being implemented by several of our neighboring elementary school districts, as well as Thornton Township High School District 205.

ABOUT REMOTE LEARNING THIS FALL

All summer, our teachers have been participating in professional development to further enhance their skills and ability to deliver our curriculum remotely. Remote learning in District 148 this fall will include:

A traditional school-day structure with a minimum of five clock hours of daily instruction and/or coursework
Mandatory attendance
Grading and the use of baseline assessments to identify and inform strategies to address any summer learning loss or gaps in learning that may have occurred due to the disruption of the spring semester

Teachers will be available to deliver instruction, support student learning needs and to respond to parent inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (grades K-6) or 2:30 p.m. (grades 7-8).

We are also going to provide additional technology supports and resources to our students and families that make me confident that we will have strong student participation and success with remote learning this fall.

Our students in grade 2-8 already have laptops and we will be providing those devices to them for use at home.
Within a few weeks of the start of school, we will also be providing Chromebooks to our pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students.
We are also working to provide internet hotspots that will enable our students and families to get online at no cost.

In addition to our required coursework, we are encouraging our teachers to provide additional, optional enrichment opportunities to support our students’ academic skills and social-emotional health.

District 148 will also continue to provide breakfast and lunch meal service Monday through Friday.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLANNING

All returning District 148 parents must register their student(s) for the 2020-21 school year. This can be done online at https://www.district148.net/registration/online-registration.

Grade-level school supply lists are available on our website at https://www.district148.net/registration/supply-lists.

A timeline for families of registered students in 2nd through 8th grade to pick up laptops and internet hotspots at their home school will be provided in the coming days. Chromebook and internet hotspot pick-ups for grades Pre-K through first grade will be announced at a later date. A parent or guardian must be present to sign for the devices.

We know there are many questions about returning to school, including teacher assignments, etc. Our administrative team is currently working to address these items and will communicate via email with additional instructions next week.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please visit the District’s website to review the E-Learning Plan approved by our Board, as well as responses to some Frequently Asked Questions, which we will update regularly. The District will continue to communicate important information directly to parents and staff through automated phone messages and email. Parents can register to receive future District 148 updates by text message or email by visiting our website and clicking on the “District 148 Email SignUp” box. If you have questions or comments, please send them to feedback@district148.net.

District 148 administrators, teachers and support staff will do everything we can to get us off to a strong start to the school year on August 19, 2020, to continue to deliver exceptional education, and to support the needs of our students, staff and families.

As always, thank you for your support of Dolton West School District 148, our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Nohelty, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Dolton West School District 148

Quick Links