MCHS Summer Update
July 1, 2020
Center for Science, Technology and Industry takes shape
An important update from Dr. McTague
Dear Warrior Family,
I hope this message finds you and your family well. Last week, over the course of three days, both East Campus and West Campus held more than 400 individual graduation ceremonies for seniors and their families. I want to thank our principals and staff members at both campuses for working so hard to celebrate, honor, and recognize our graduates and their families.
We hope that the senior parade, Distinguished Honors event, and individual graduation ceremonies were memorable and meaningful experiences despite the current circumstances, and provided the opportunity for closure as students end their high school journey and begin a bright future. Please join me in congratulating our graduating Class of 2020 and wishing them the very best in all their future endeavors.
I have good news on the construction front. All of our projects are still on schedule and on budget. We are making progress on the tennis courts and hopefully, they will be ready to pave this week. Construction crews are on-site at McCracken Field to begin replacing the stadium lighting. We have also started to replace all of the HVAC classroom unit ventilators, large air handlers, and LED lighting throughout the existing West Campus building.
We are on schedule to have all West Campus mechanical systems operate on one state-of-the-art building automation system by the end of the summer. I’m excited to share with you the amazing drone footage of our new 70,000-square-foot Center for Science, Technology and Industry at West Campus. You can view the drone footage by clicking the video above or by clicking here: West Campus New Extension Drone Video.
As you may recall, last Tuesday, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released guidance on reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year. The goal for MCHS will be to reopen for in-person instruction in the fall. The ISBE is also “strongly encouraging” that districts throughout the state return to in-person instruction during Phase 4 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan. At the same time, the ISBE cautions districts to be mindful of the continued risks associated with COVID-19 and, to that end, is mandating that all Illinois schools serving pre-K through 12th-grade students:
Require the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face coverings;
Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space;
Require social distancing be observed as much as possible;
Conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and
Increase the schoolwide cleaning and disinfection.
Trying to reopen with in-person instruction in the fall while complying with Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines will be challenging to say the least. Our transition team will be meeting with multiple stakeholders over the next few weeks to solidify a transition plan. However, we are committed to moving toward some form of in-person instruction, which may include a hybrid option or blend of remote and in-person instruction.
We are working to identify the best course of action that strikes a balance that is effective for student learning and protects the health of students and staff. Our goal is to share our transition plan to reopen school in mid-July. Thank you again for your support, patience, and understanding.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday this weekend.
Take Care,
Ryan McTague, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
More images of summer construction progress
MCHS hosts special goodbye to the Class of 2020
Well done, Class of 2020!