ELGIN, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Tens of thousands of students in the Chicago area began their new academic year Monday in-person, including Elgin District U-46, the second largest school district in Illinois.
For Elgin District U-46’s 37,000 students, it was the first time all students would start school in-person five days a week since the pandemic began.
“We are so excited to welcome our students back to classrooms where they can experience the extraordinary learning moments that happen in person as students work with each other and teachers,” said U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders, in a statement. “Staff across the District have spent the summer preparing our buildings, classrooms, curriculum, and resources so that we can start the school year on a strong foundation.”
The staff of Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin greeted students with upbeat music, applause, and encouragement, as they exited school buses or were dropped off by their parents.
Supt. Tony Sanders rode school buses with students on Monday and said they were excited.
“It’s the first time we’ve felt normal at the start of a school year, obviously, in 18 months. It’s a wonderful feeling. It’s powerful for the students, and clearly you hear from the background noise, it’s also exciting for our staff.”
The day began at Kenyon Woods with the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements by English teacher Greg Crumpley, who acknowledged that, even though some students are in their second and final year of middle school, it’s the first time they’ve been actually in the building.
“Welcome 8th graders! Even some of you are coming into the building as students for the first time," he said.
Also excited are parents. Sandy Torres’ daughter started 7th grade at Kenyon Woods Middle School on Monday.
“I’m excited. It’s good to have them back regular school year so it’s nerve-wracking, but at the same time, exciting," she said.
Supt. Sanders added, “Last year, we were shedding tears when the day came for us to return to school, because we were in full remote and there were no kids to be seen. This feels 180 degrees different, even with masks on.”
And the superintendent said masks will be worn without exception.
“Bottom line: If you show up without a mask on, staff know they’re going to be sent home and marked unexcused.”
Even before Governor JB Pritzker had ordered that all schools enforce mask-wearing this school year, Sanders had recommended to the U-46 school board that it require district-wide masking of students and staff, regardless of vaccination status.
Additionally, District U-46 will also conduct regular COVID testing of unvaccinated students, if their parents give their permission.
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Sanders expects a good school year. He said this is the first year students from pre-K through 12th grade will be part of the Dual Language program being taught in English and Spanish.
Also, free breakfast and lunch is being offered to all students this academic year, regardless of their families’ income levels.
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The superintendent points out that, in a Twitter survey he conducted, many students said it was the “spicy chicken sandwich” that’s on the lunch menu, at times, that’s making them excited about the new school year.
There are 37,000 students in District U-46. Almost all of them will be in-person said the superintendent. Only a small number have allowable medical exceptions in order to attend school remotely.
“We had about 100 families apply, and I think, less than 30 actually qualified," he said.
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