PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Public Schools will be returning to all distance learning beginning Nov. 30.
“Even though cases within Peoria Public Schools have not reflected the rise in positivity regionally and locally, we cannot ignore the recent surge in cases in Peoria,” said Director of Public Relations and Community Engagement Thomas Brunch in a news release.
In-person hybrid scheduling will continue through Nov. 24, but students won’t be returning to in-person after Thanksgiving break.
The district plans to continue with its Winter Remote Learning plan for the first two weeks of the semester following winter break as well.
The plan following winter break is for students to continue distance learning through Jan. 15.
“These are unprecedented times during a global pandemic and no decision is perfect,” said Brunch. “We must continue to preserve the health and safety of our Peoria Public Schools community and our Peoria community at large.”
Meal service will continue at the buildings.
District Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” Tuesday that most PPS students have handled remote learning well, but others need a lot of support.
“We’ll just have to continue to figure out how we can personalize that experience for them. Reach out to them, check in on them, make sure they have their streams, their connectivity,” Kherat said.
COVID-19 testing is available at Peoria Public Schools Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Starting Monday, Nov. 23, teachers that are not exhibiting symptoms at the district’s three high schools, Peoria Manual, Peoria Central and Richwoods, will be able to get tested for COVID-19 on-site for their peace of mind.
