With all of Illinois moving back to more COVID-19-related regulations, School District 202 Superintendent Eric Witherspoon said, “I expect this pause to last quite awhile.”
Witherspoon and Evanston Township High School Principal Marcus Campbell addressed the latest restrictions during their “E-town Live” YouTube program this morning.
All sports and extracurricular activities have been put on hold. Witherspoon asked students to take advantage of “virtual interaction” in such programs wherever possible.
ETHS has been on remote learning since mid-March, when the coronavirus first hit. “You can’t imagine how much we miss the students,” the superintendent said.
Witherspoon also discussed the district’s recent survey. Students, parents and guardians, and staff were asked to evaluate e-learning, and make suggestions for improvement.
Witherspoon said 60% of students, 71% of parents and guardians, and 77% of staff were “satisfied” with how remote education is going. “That doesn’t mean people said let’s keep it,” Witherspoon noted. “We know it’s not equal to in-person learning.” However, survey results will be used to improve remote schooling as long as it’s in place, as well leading to changes for in-person education.
“We’ve gotten feedback on what we can do differently when we get back,” said Campbell.
Both administrators acknowledged how hard it will be to give up a traditional family Thanksgiving in order to stay safe from COVID-19. “We’re all tired, we’re all exhausted,” Campbell said. “But we’ll all get through this.”