We, the parents of D101 students, request that our children return to in person all day instruction here in Western Springs. Surrounding districts in our area are returning their full student bodies to school with great success.

We understand from your recent communication that 6 feet is a rule this administration has adopted, and one of the barriers to returning to all day in person instruction with our entire student bodies. However, ISBE guideline #14 from the Part 3 Transition guideline dated 8/17/20 states:

Social distance must be observed as much as possible. Desks do not need to be spaced 6 feet apart.

6 feet is not a law or rule. It is a CDC guideline. We can return our student body back to school and keep 3-6 feet apart, and be within guidelines, similar to districts like Palos, Butler, Gower, and even schools that share our same zip code such as Highlands and SJC. Some of these schools have much larger student populations than us, and they are making all day in person instruction work within guidelines. You still do not need to quarantine full classrooms if students are 3-6 feet apart, only those that were within 6 feet of a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes.

Current studies show that there are not large outbreaks of COVID from children returning to school, and that the recovery rate from COVID for those under 70 is 99.5%. Under 19 has a 99.97% recovery rate. And under 50 has a 99.98% recovery rate - which covers the majority of our students and staff. Statistically there is very little risk to returning to a full day model. The CDC recently released IFR rates: 0-19 is .003%, 20-49 is .02%, 50-69 is .5%, 70+ 1.4% (and this is inclusive of at least one if not multiple co-morbidities). Covid-19 has a high transmission rate but a very small illness or death rate to those under 70 and even less for those without health issues. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/plan

In a study from Brown University has found minimal evidence that Coronavirus is transferring within K-12 buildings.

Source: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-globa

We fully support continuing remote options for those who are concerned, not ready for full day school or are immune compromised.

In our area our numbers have never been lower, our hospitals and healthcare system is not overwhelmed, and our curve is flattened.

We respect and admire our teachers and administrations for all that has been done this far to bring our children back. But given that we are entering week 6 of hybrid instruction with only one student case, our children deserve to be in school all day. We request that the D101 administration and board call an emergency session to find a way to bring our children back to school full time as soon as possible. It can be done. D101 families are asking our elected board members and administration to do this. We cannot wait for MAP scores to tell us what we all know - in person education is the best way to deliver instruction. Our children deserve a full all day in person education to not be left behind. Let's keep Western Springs schools "A Place Where Children Thrive".

Thank You