By Abel Rodriguez

In Cicero and across Illinois, schools will be able to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year, according to an executive order signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June. However, schools will be required to enforce new restrictions in an attempt to keep students safe from COVID-19.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released a 63-page document that outlines safety guidelines that includes requiring students and staff to wear face coverings, observing physical distancing and undergo symptom screenings, and more. The State of Illinois has said it will be providing 2.5 million cloth masks to all public school students and staff in the fall.

At the July 8 Board of Education meeting, District 201 Superintendent Dr. Timothy Truesdale stated they are still reviewing the guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Our goal is for students to be attending school,” said Truesdale. “To have access to services in addition to going to class that many kids have access to—obviously meals, access to the school nurse, social work services or all kinds of services that we offer and provide to the schools that are obviously really important.”

In a statement posted online District 201 states, “We kindly ask for your patience as our staff thoroughly reviews this detailed guidance and implements the suggestions into our district’s own transition plan.”

According to the statement District 201 will be releasing their transition plan the week of July 13. Representatives from District 201 did not respond to a request for comment.

Even with the new safety guidelines, some students are hesitant to return to class amid a global pandemic.

Jennifer Villagomez, 16, recalled the final days before shifting to e-learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, after-school programs were cancelled, a few days later students and parents were not allowed at sporting events. Finally, in early April they made the switch to virtual learning.

“E-Learning was kind of better for me because, I don't know, for some reason I learned more,” Villagomez said.

For the upcoming school year Villagomez says she is skeptical about returning to in-person classes. Though she wouldn’t mind wearing a mask for the entirety of the school day, she still worries about contracting the virus through person-to-person transmission or through contaminated surfaces like desks or lockers.

“I kind of want school to start back, but E-Learning is probably the safest way until the [COVID-19] numbers go down,” Villagomez said.

Angel Gutierez, 17, a rising junior at Morton East High School, said he also misses in-person classes but he sees Zoom classes as the safest option for students and teachers.

“I think we shouldn’t go back because the virus is still a problem and I wouldn’t feel safe knowing that I passed the virus to my parents or to my grandparents,” Gutierez said.

According to the CDC, it is possible to contract COVID-19 and not have a cough or fever or any of the symptoms associated with the virus. It is unknown whether asymptomatic carriers can transmit the disease to others.

Gutierez stated he would feel safer at school if the buildings were rigorously cleaned daily and if a system were in place to keep hallways and staircases from getting overcrowded.

Morton East High School is one of the largest schools in Illinois. It has a student body population just under 3,500 students and is a majority Latinx, Hispanic institution.

Screenshot of the launched fundraiser on GoFundMe organized by Steve Wascher.

In early June, Steve Wascher, an English teacher at Morton East High School for 23 years, launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise money for the purchase of COVID-19 safety kits for students. His goal is to raise up to $10,000.

“We have a great district with, you know, people who are working hard at all levels of careers, but there are still some kids who struggle financially,” Wascher said. “I'm worried that they're not going to have access to disposable masks, reusable masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves. So I wanted to raise money to provide kits for these families.”

Wascher plans to go to businesses in Cicero, Berwyn and North Riverside to ask if they’d be interested in donating. He also plans to establish relationships with stores like Target and Home Depot and buy large quantities of PPE once the school year approaches.

“Right now we’re about a third of our way from my goal which is great,” Wascher said. “I’m just looking for that next push to get closer to the goal.”

The next District 201 Board meeting is scheduled for August 12. Information for ways to virtually attend the meeting have not yet been posted on the district website. Members of the public are able to ask questions or make comments during a designated portion of the meeting.

Abel Rodriguez is a Reporting Fellow for Cicero Independiente. He recently graduated from Dominican University.