Atlantic Community School District Superintendent Steve Barber, Monday (today), issued a statement with regard to COVID-19. Barber says “To say that the first half of the 2020-21 school year has been normal would be a huge understatement.  When our District Leadership Team met for the first time in late May, the thought of going to school everyday over the first semester was not a strong belief as we planned to meet the safety and educational needs of our students and families.  Yet here we are today finishing up our first semester after experiencing many accomplishments over the first half of the year.

“Over this time frame” he says, “we have become more knowledgeable about the disease and with the new release of COVID vaccines, there is hope that we may see more progress of slowing the spread or defeating the virus. The data from the school tells the same story it has since August.  We still have experienced positive cases and are required to quarantine both students and staff based on the CDC and IDPH guidelines.

“Having said that,” Barber adds “we have not experienced an outbreak in any of our buildings.  Everyone has helped us accomplish this, so I am very grateful for the effort put in to ensure that students and staff are safe and being in person for instruction, which we all know is the most effective for our students.  I see the joy students have being in school and I feel it benefits on multiple levels; academic, physical, and social/emotional.”

“The year 2020,” he said, “has been an extremely difficult year and for some, very painful as lives have been lost.  My wish for everyone is a healthy and prosperous 2021.” He concluded by wishing everyone “Happy Holidays!”