Dear UChicago Charter families,
I am writing to inform you that the UChicago Charter School will begin the school year on September 8, 2020 with students fully remote. Our current plan is for remote learning to extend through the end of the first semester on January 22, 2021. This decision takes into account the public health risks posed by rising COVID-19 infection rates, the recent announcement from Chicago Public Schools and the preferences of our community.
We did not come to this decision lightly and we understand how difficult this time has been for our entire community. Since the end of last school year, UCCS leaders have planned for multiple contingencies to prepare for an evolving public health landscape and changing local and state requirements. In the days and weeks ahead, we will be sharing more information about our remote educational plans for fall. This includes lessons we learned from last spring about remote learning and how we plan to improve upon the experience for all our students.
We also want you to know that we heard you: When we surveyed you on your preferences for fall earlier this week, more than 66 percent of families said they preferred remote learning to an onsite experience.
We understand the reasons why some families expressed a preference for a fully remote program and others for a hybrid program, because through the course of our planning, we’ve weighed many of the same factors impacting our community as you have for your families. In the coming weeks, we will address how we plan to provide all families with devices and internet connectivity and deliver best-in- class instruction and care.
Your campus director will be in touch regarding your child’s teachers and schedule as well as campus- specific plans for the school year.
UCCS leaders want to listen to and address any thoughts or concerns you may have about this upcoming school year. Please submit questions by Monday, August 17 for a virtual town hall on Wednesday, August 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., through this form: https://forms.gle/dK9QR9AasMSHVCdd8
We thank you in advance for your feedback. While Back-to-School at UChicago Charter will look different this fall, rest assured that our commitment to your wellbeing and to students’ realization of their potential remains as strong as ever.
Tanika Island Childress