Danville School District 118 has announced its plans for the opening of the new school year. Those plans include having all students, staff, and visitors to the local schools wear masks – regardless of their vaccination status.
Wearing masks will also be required for transportation purposes, outdoor play, recess, physical education, sports, and extra-curricular activities which occur outdoors and involve sustained close contact with other people who are not fully vaccinated.
The District 118 School Board meets in a special session at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and one item on the agenda is Return to School Guidance.
In a message sent to the ‘Danville Family’ of District 118, Superintendent Alicia Geddis said as additional information is provided, adjustments to the plan may be necessary. And she said further information might come from Governor J.B. Pritzker, Center for Disease Control, Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, or Vermilion County Health Department.
All students will receive in-person instruction unless there is a medically documented reason that prohibits the student from attending school in-person. District 118 has arranged all aspects of its spaces to maximize the distance between students to the greatest extent possible.
‘’Together we will work through this situation so our students can continue with their learning,’’ said Superintendent Geddis in her message. ‘’District 118 will continue following their mission: All students will reach their fullest potential.’’ Geddis added the district will provide instruction while prioritizing the health and safety of all students, staff, and their families. She said research indicates that teacher-student relationships have the most positive impact on student learning, and this can best be accomplished through face-to-face, in-person instruction.
The entire message from Dr. Geddis can be found on the school district’s website at www.danville118.org.
