Peoria Public Schools families,

I would like to share a few updates with you. From the beginning of this Return to School process, we have said that as ISBE guidance continues to change, Peoria Public Schools will also adjust its Return to School plan for the fall.

Right now, our focus is to continue finding more options to increase in-person instruction, and we are working together with all stakeholders to achieve that goal.
We do believe that in-person instruction is the most ideal for our students, and we are committed to providing those options while also balancing the health and safety of students and staff.

As a result of the June 29th ISBE guidance, the Blended Learning model adopted by our Board will now feature alternating Friday in-person instruction. Under the A/B model, Week 1 Friday will be A students; Week 2 Friday will be B students. The rotation will continue in the following weeks. Students who are not in person on a Friday will still be participating in off-campus independent learning as assigned by the teacher.

I also want to remind our families that we are offering a Virtual Only option. To find details about this option, please visit the district website under the Fall 2020 Reopening tab.

Lastly, please be on the lookout for a Childcare survey that will be sent to you today. We strongly urge that families fill out this survey in order for us to determine the childcare needs for each building and how we can assist.

As you remember, we were proactive in putting a tentative plan in place with board approval early in the summer, which included over 131 participants and over 70 meetings.

I suspect that the guidance from ISBE may continue to evolve throughout the summer, and Peoria Public Schools will be dynamic in updating our Return to School plan primarily with a focus on increasing in-person instruction. All updates will be posted to our district website under the Fall 2020 Reopening tab or by visiting psd150.org/reopening

Have a safe and relaxing Fourth of July weekend,

Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat

Superintendent

Peoria Public Schools families,  

Following the special Board of Education meeting on June 22, I want to formally announce Peoria Public Schools is adopting a Blended Learning model for the upcoming fall semester.

The plan is based on ensuring the health and safety of our students and employees while also addressing the need for in-person instruction.

The plan is aligned with the current guidance from the federal, state and local health officials.

Here is an overview of what you need to know right now:

• The intent of the blended model is to allow students in person instruction while maintaining safety guidelines for physical distancing through a reduced number of students in each building.
• Students will follow an A/B style schedule Monday through Thursday. Students on the A schedule will attend school in person on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Students on the B schedule will attend in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Friday will be virtual only *(with exception of potential on-campus flexible scheduling for high school) 
• Families will be assigned the same schedule for student continuity across schools.
• For those families that do not want their child attending in-person, families will have the option of choosing a 9-week full virtual learning schedule. That option will be available to sign up for starting with online registration opening on July 8^th.
• Students who choose the virtual option will be using an online learning platform. This online K-12 program allows students the option of working in all content areas​ virtually and independently. Students listen to a pre-recorded lesson from a certified teacher and then complete independent activities to practice their new knowledge.
• We understand that childcare is a top concern for our families. The Return to School Childcare committee continues to work with existing community partners while building new partnerships to provide our families with options for affordable childcare.

We will start the school year safely and cautiously with our approved plan, and my team and I will continue to explore additional ways to increase in-person instruction for the benefit of our district students.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in what has been a rapidly evolving several months.

Peoria Public Schools is committed to keeping your student safe while continuing to provide excellent educational opportunities. Remember the plan is flexible and will continue to evolve.

Thank you and be safe,

Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat

Superintendent

Dear Peoria Public Schools students, families and staff,

While I have not historically weighed in on national matters, I am finding it hard to remain silent as I see our community hurting as protests and riots broke out locally and across the country in response to the horrific death of George Floyd.

What I keep thinking about is the over 13,000 students in Peoria Public Schools, and the pain our African American students, especially, and others are feeling right now, and how this is a pivotal moment for our country. We know that a recent study by Harvard Public Health Professor Dr. David Williams shows that police shootings of unarmed African Americans cause severe psychological and physical trauma within the African American community, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. We also must acknowledge the missed opportunities and inequities of the past, both socioeconomically and in education.

As the leader of Peoria Public Schools, a backbone and important foundation of our community, we have an opportunity to be a voice for change and a healing presence in our communities. Choosing silence and indifference may not be what our community needs right now. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Now is the time to do everything we can to make sure students and staff feel safe and are treated equally. We have our work cut out for us, but I know Peoria Public Schools is up for the challenge. We need to be leaders and encourage everyone to choose kindness, tolerance, understanding and empathy. It’s time to love each other and come together to treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Yours Sincerely,

Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat
Superintendent