June 1, 2021
Dear Manhattan 114 Families:
As we begin the final week of the school year, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your support and understanding this year, one more time. It has been a difficult and challenging year for everyone. I know that I can speak for the entire staff when I say that even though we have faced numerous unprecedented challenges, we recognize and acknowledge the great sacrifices that all of our students and families have made as well. Through all of it, we have been able to work and stand together, and that is what has made this year as successful as it has been. I believe the struggles we have faced together this year will make us stronger together.
As the year comes to a close, I know that many or all of you wonder what the 2021-22 school year will look like. I wish that I could clearly state for all of you that the 2021-22 school year will be completely “normal” from the start to finish. The Illinois State Board of Education recently passed a resolution stating that all public schools will begin on-time with in-person learning and that all public schools must offer some type of online or remote learning for students that become quarantined. The format of online learning at MSD 114 will be determined in the coming weeks. The Governor’s most recent Executive Order for schools expires at the close of the current school year. As such, we have begun the initial planning for the new school year and will do so in earnest beginning next week, with the intention and expectation of returning to our normal operations. We understand that some of our families or staff may still have concerns or medical conditions and wish to wear a face covering at times and that will be an option. We do not know what the next 12 weeks will look like or what the future has in store for all of us. However, we are looking forward with a very positive outlook, beginning the year with students returning to school on Wednesday, August 25th, in a normal school environment. I am looking forward to seeing all of their smiling faces and greeting the students in the car rider line once again!
I hope all of our families and our staff have an enjoyable summer. I hope all of you stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy!
Sincerely,
Rusty Ragon, Superintendent