Evanston Township High School Superintendent Eric Witherspoon says the school will switch to an e-learning format next week that will continue through the start of spring break.
Witherspoon says there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at ETHS at this time. Tomorrow, Friday, will be a regulars school day, but starting at 4 p.m. tomorrow, all practices, events and activities for students on the ETHS campus are canceled, except post-season contests.
Monday, March 16, is a non-attendance day for students and will be a staff institute day.
The e-learning days start Tuesday, March 17, and Witherspoon says students and teachers should check their emails for instructions. Remote learning will continue on school days until spring break.
During spring break, from April 6 through April 10, students will not receive e-learning assignments or homework, but a deep cleaning and disinfecting of the building will be conducted.
All practices, events, and activities for students on the ETHS campus are canceled, except post-event season contests. Field trips are also canceled. However, the Scholastic Bowl, Speech & Debate, and Boys’ Basketball teams will finish their post-season contests as previously scheduled.
Update 8;15 p.m.: After Witherspoon issued his comments the Illinois High School Association announced that it’s canceling all the post-season contests.
All spring break travel for ETHS-sponsored trips is canceled. School-sponsored international travel is also canceled through the summer.
ETHS is freezing approvals for any new travel requests for students or staff.
Witherspoon says the Illinois State Board of Education is aware of the potential disruption to the spring testing window and is in communication with the U.S. Department of Education on this issue. Additional information on this topic will be provided as it becomes available.
School officials will continue to work with the local health department, the Illinois Department of Public Health and medical community partners, the superintendent says, adding, “We will take necessary steps to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of everyone in our community.”