Valley View District 365U to resume in-person learning four days a week next month

Students in Valley View School District 365U will begin attending school in person four days a week starting next month, the district announced.

Those students in kindergarten through the 6th grade as well as high school freshmen and seniors who have been attending school under a hybrid model will begin attending school in person on April 13. Those in the 7th and 8th grades and high school sophomores and juniors will begin attending in person on April 20, according to a news release.

“During the last year, we have taken steady, incremental steps to return to our classrooms when data and official directives indicate that it is safe to do so,” said District Superintendent Rachel Kinder, in the release.

The district said it’s able to have more students back in person due to new guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Specifically, the lessening of the required distance between students from six feet to three feet in class makes having in-person learning easier.

In addition, Valley View staff and faculty have been vaccinated thanks to a partnership with local providers. Also, the new guidance allowed for larger capacities in school spaces for activities.

“VVSD has properly placed health and safety at the top of the priority list, while also finding creative and appropriate solutions to best meet the needs of our students within the requirements,” said Steve Quigley, president of the district’s Board of Education, in the release.