Dist. 300 to ship out next curriculum to homebound students

The next wave of learning material will likely be pushed out to Du Quoin Unit District 300 students on Thursday, Superintendent Matt Hickam said.

Hickam said his teachers have been working hard on the next set of curriculum, to keep students engaged during their coronavirus-enforced absence from school.

The school closure has been extended a week, to April 7. Gov. J.B. Pritzker made the announcement on Friday, when he called for a statewide "shelter in place."

Hickam said he is hearing from his principals that the home lessons are going over well.

"We've seen more positives, with what the teachers have done in terms of connecting with the kids," Hickam said. "We're pleased with the number of students who are participating," and the teachers who are trying to make the best out of the situation, he added.

Hickam said the next set of lessons will be more challenging to devise. Parents who cannot get the material electronically will have to come pick it up, he added.

Whether the students do the work is not up to the district - no one's grades will be affected but how well they do or don't do on the assignments, Hickam added.

The idea behind the schoolwork is to provide a continuity of education for students whose length of time out of the classroom is uncertain.

Meanwhile, the food program has been going well, Hickam said. The district is combining breakfast and lunch into "grab and go bags" that are available at four locations in the district.

About 2,700 bags were picked up last week, he said, and the numbers grew each day.

"We had no idea what to expect," Hickam said, but added the numbers could very well continue to go up.

The meals are available to children up to age 18, from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at: Ward School, 200 N. Division; Du Quoin High School, 500 E. South St.; Du Quoin Elementary School, 845 E. Jackson St.; and AME Zion Church, 101 N. Maple St.