Supt. Doan Letter Following Governor's Announcement of No More In-Class School This Year

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan issued this letter Friday evening in the wake of Governor J.B. Pritzker's announcement that afternoon regarding school this term.

April 17, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well.

Today, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced that remote learning in Illinois will be extended through the end of the 2019- 20 school year. Although in-person learning has been suspended for the remainder of the year in Effingham Unit #40, the entire staff remains committed to learning and engaging with all students through remote learning, as well as continuing with our food distribution program.

Like you, we are saddened by the reality that our school community will not be able to reconvene in person this school year due to this public health crisis. So many of you have worked so hard to learn and grow in both the classroom and in extracurricular activities that today’s announcement may feel like a step back.

Today’s pronouncement will result in significant and multiple scheduling changes. It will take a few days to sort out the many schedule details. Please be patient as we work as a district to get information to you in the next several weeks.

As shared in a press release earlier, Unit #40 has already postponed the EHS Graduation Ceremony planned for Sunday, May 31, 2020. It is the District’s plan to hold a graduation ceremony for the 2020 senior class when conditions permit. Additional information concerning a graduation ceremony will be shared when the situation allows and a date can be finalized.

I know this is not the school year that any of us imagined, but I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we have dealt with this unprecedented situation together. This period of Remote Learning offers us new ways to learn and grow. It’s important we continue to work together and support our students. I can't thank you enough for all that you are doing as we all work together through this.

Sincerely,

Mr. Mark E. Doan, Superintendent