Dr. Hannigan discussed the District’s decision to return students to in-person learning. Hawthorn continues to follow guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and public health entities. The Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (Lake County School Decision Dashboard) has migrated to a risk stratified model that provides for the implementation of solid mitigation strategies as indicators for making decisions regarding remote, hybrid, or in-person learning. The District has developed mitigation strategies and will continue to evaluate the public health data and best mitigation practices.

The Administration Team selected two dates in January as Remote Planning Days, and two dates in February to implement hybrid learning:

•  January 21, 2021: Remote Planning Day (Early Release Day is cancelled)
  •  Students in grades K-8 general education and grades 3-8 self-contained special education are not in attendance. 
  • Students enrolled in early childhood, pre-kindergarten, and K-2 self-contained special education are in attendance. 

• January 28, 2021: Remote Planning Day
  • Students are not in attendance. 

• Week of February 1, 2021: Hybrid Learning Begins for Select Grade Levels
  • Students registered for hybrid learning and enrolled in early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1-2, or grade 6 attend school in-person. 
  • All other students attend remotely. 

• Week of February 8, 2021: Hybrid Learning Begins for Remaining Grade Levels 
  • All students registered for hybrid learning attend school in-person. 
  • All students registered for remote learning continue to attend remotely.

The District continues to prepare for multiple scenarios, including pivoting back to a remote learning model. Transportation information will be available via the PowerSchool portal. Pickup and delivery of student lunches will continue. Student lunches will continue to be free until June 30. Staff vaccinations are anticipated in late January or early February. Staff should register through the health department’s AllVax site.

The PALS program will continue to offer full-day and after school options. It will remain at the Townline building. For more information, please see the full presentation posted on our website at: www.hawthorn73.org/school-board/board-presentations.

Dr. Hannigan discussed the return to in-person Board of Education meetings. It is recommended that beginning February 4, meetings will be held at the Vernon Hills Village Hall located at 290 Evergreen Drive in Vernon Hills. Public participation will be limited due to the need for social distancing. Meetings will continue to be live streamed for public viewing. 

For families of kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grade students or students that are new to Hawthorn: In order to participate in hybrid (in-person) learning, your child’s physical and immunization reports must be up to date and on file with the building nurse’s office. Students who are not up to date with their physicals or are missing immunizations will be excluded from school.