District 300: First week of class 'a lot smoother than it could have been'

Students, staff and teachers in Du Quoin Unit District 300 wrapped up the first week of the 2020-21 school year on Friday. This unusual first week of the school year involved two "first" days - as the student body was split into two groups, one coming to school Monday/Wednesday and the other coming to school Tuesday/Thursday.

Superintendent Matt Hickam said he and his principals have concluded the first week went a lot smoother than it could have, particularly in the K-8 building. Part of the reason is there are 162 students in K-8 who have opted for the "all remote" plan, which frees up space in socially-distanced classrooms, Hickam said.

For the sake of taking the attendance of remote learners, families are going to be asked to log in every day to the TeacherEase application, he added. Hickam said he will be contacting families soon with instructions.

Meanwhile, some students were sent home this week after exhibiting symptoms of illness. All students and staff are temperature-checked every day.

"Fever, runny nose, nausea, cough - all of these things have occurred," Hickam said.

Students sent home with symptoms are asked to isolate for 10 days. Students who report they have been exposed to a known case of coronavirus are asked to isolate for 14 days.

Hickam said District 300 families have been good about reporting their children's illnesses to the school district.