Valley View District 365 board to vote on remote learning start

As local COVID-19 cases rise, Valley View School District 365U could become the latest district to begin the upcoming year with only remote learning.

The Valley View Board of Education on Thursday will consider a proposal to begin the year with remote learning, according to a message to parents from Superintendent Rachel Kinder.

If the board approves the plan, then remote learning for all students would begin on Aug. 26 and continue for at least the first quarter of the school year which ends on Oct. 23.

"This is not a decision that we make lightly since we truly want our students in school with us where we know we can support them the best," Kinder said in the message. "We also realize this will be quite disappointing news for some families, students and staff who were hoping to have at least some in-person time together."

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Lukancic Middle School in Romeoville. Those interested can watch via live stream on the district's YouTube channel. Kinder said the district will provide follow-up information to parents and guardians on Friday.

Valley View originally planned for a hybrid return to school in which some students would be learning in person and some remotely on a given day.

Other school districts in Joliet and Plainfield chose to begin the year with remote learning. Administrators, teachers and parents have cited increases COVID-19 cases locally as a concern for how safe any in-person instruction might be.

For more information, visit vvsd.org.