1 • Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 - The Elmhurst Independent
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THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2021
District 205 Board meets to discuss hybrid model of learning FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a regular meeting on Feb. 9 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. All seven board members participated in the meeting, with some attending the meeting in person and others taking part virtually. It appeared from the Zoom recording of the meeting that board president Kara Caforio joined board members Jim Collins, Margaret Harrell and Karen Stuefen to attend in person, while Beth Hosler, Christopher Kocinski and Courtenae Trautmann attended remotely. The start of the meeting was delayed for about an hour by technical difficulties. Some of the five community members who spoke during the public-participation segment at the beginning of the meeting noted those technical problems in voicing their criticisms of the district’s hybrid model of education, which includes in-person and virtual learning instruction. On Jan. 11, the district returned to a hybrid form of education after offering fully remote instruction since October 2020. The hybrid model includes a combination of in-person and remote learning. Public forum brings out concerned residents “I’m here tonight to advocate for increased time in the classroom for all D205 students, but I also want to point out what happened here tonight, with the Zoom difficulties, the problems with livestreaming, the inability for you all to get this meeting started on time, is what our little kids deal with every day,” said Elizabeth Thompson. “How are they supposed to navigate their education? I’m here
at almost eight o’clock at night, with my four young children, who are past their bedtime, because I believe in each and every child in this district, and we are failing them.” Thompson said the district’s plan to return to five days a week of
in-person education was a step in the right direction. She said the next step should be a full schedule of in-person learning. “They are far too young to navigate e-learning,” said Thompson in speaking about the district’s youngest students. “They are far too
young to navigate the Zoom issues that none of you could figure out tonight.” Monte Weirman, who also spoke during the public-participation segment, stated that some private schools have had full-time, in-person
instruction, since the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Weirman also said that while the district doesn’t allow bullying in school, he felt the Elmhurst Teachers’ Council had been
See BOARD, Page 16
ELMHURST COLLEGE PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
EU jazz dancers rehearse during the pandemic
Elmhurst University Advanced Jazz dance students rehearse for their Fall 2020 dance concert, which could not be held until December due to COVID-19. To keep everyone safe during the pandemic, performers wore face masks for all in-person rehearsals and performances and took other safety precautions.
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Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 19 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..............17
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