Todd J. Vilardo , about 11 hours ago

This is an update on the status of our plans for starting the 2020-2021 school year. Most are aware by now of our plans to welcome all staff back on August 11 and to welcome students back for in-person, on-site instruction on August 17. When we developed our plans back in early July, we also made a commitment to monitor our local COVID-19 positive case data and to remain flexible with our plans accordingly. Recent reports from the Coles County Health Department reveal increased cases, particularly among youth, and an “Orange” level, warning of increased COVID-19 risk in our county. Due to this increased risk, especially when considering the approaching return of higher education students to Charleston, school district staff are considering multiple options for beginning our year. Some of these options include (1) beginning the year, as planned in early July, with daily in-person instruction and a remote learning option (2) beginning the year under a hybrid schedule that limits the number of students in schools, (3) beginning the year under full remote learning for at least one quarter, and (4) beginning the year at a later date. We acknowledge that there are advantages and drawbacks of each option, and no option will be pleasing or satisfactory to all. The complex work of balancing the safety of our school community with what’s best for student learning is nearly as impossible as reconciling community involvement relative to continually shifting science and data. We do, however, continue to strive to consider options from various perspectives including students, staff, parents and community members. Our primary aim is to arrive at a decision that represents our best collective efforts in returning to learn with the safety, health and well-being of our students, staff and entire school community as our highest priority. While such a process takes time, we also recognize that time is of the essence, as we all want to know sooner than later, with certainty, what the future holds. For now, securing child care, if needed, would be a proactive way for parents to prepare in the event that a return to remote learning days is warranted. We will provide more information as soon as we can. Until then, remember the 3 W’s of “Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands.”

CUSD1 , 8 days ago

Just a quick reminder that face coverings are required to be worn in order to access a CUSD1 school building at this time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

CUSD1 , 10 days ago

Charleston School Community,

District staff continue to work hard this summer to prepare for the safe return of students and staff for the 2020-2021 school year. While we are proud of our collective work (within our control) and are looking forward to seeing everyone in our schools soon, we recognize that external circumstances (outside of our control) will likely impact the status of how we begin the school year. Publicly available, local COVID-19 data is monitored by district staff daily, and positive cases are increasing locally. Aside from any debates about the data, district officials want to remind parents of our youngest students to have a plan for securing child care in the event it is needed as we approach the August 17 in-person attendance date and for any time after that. Although today we intend to open for on-site, daily instruction, data and contact tracing indicators may dictate that any classroom, school or entire district could be closed for any given period of time. Having a child care contingency plan in place now can help to prevent added stressors on families in the event classrooms or schools are closed for on-site instruction later. Thank you and stay well.

Todd J. Vilardo, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

CUSD1 , 16 days ago

Running out of ideas to keep your children engaged and entertained this summer? The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce is planning to host a virtual art show for local children this year before kids return to school. For more information or to register your child for this event, please visit: https://www.chamberorganizer.com/Calendar/moreinfo_responsive.php?org_id=tcca&eventid=375263

CUSD1 , 16 days ago

Remote Learning Option: https://5il.co/ijy4

*If you want to choose this option, you MUST submit the following form by July 30, 2020 so we have time to plan accordingly: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZVmoXzSDt0eo3d9OfKD91Sl4MXJkEZZAoTF45J5-XqFUNDFJMklGV0o4NjAwWldPOVY3UjI4QzZMNi4u