Orland Park, Palos Hills and Tinley Park District 230 teachers push to start school year with remote learning, will hold car caravan to highlight unanswered questions

ORLAND PARK – Orland Park, Palos Hills and Tinley Park educators plan to take their concerns about the start of the new school year to the public. At 10 a.m. today, teachers from the District 230 Teachers’ Association (TA) plan to caravan in cars, calling for the adoption of remote learning to start the 2020-21 school year.

Today’s public action comes after the District 230 administration has pushed for a hybrid learning model to start the school year.

“Teachers want to provide the best educational experience for their students. Remote learning is the safest option for everyone,” said District 230 TA President Michelle Etchason. “Plans that include in-person instruction are an unnecessary risk for the health, well-being and safety of our students and staff.”

More than 1,000 educators, parents, students and community allies have signed a petition calling for the District 230 board to approve remote learning to start the school year.

“In-person learning during the global COVID-19 pandemic is stressful and difficult for our students,” said Etchason. “We are willing to work with the district to create a robust remote learning plan that protects the health and safety of our students, staff and community.”

The District 230 TA represents more than 545 high school teachers. There are 7,422 students who currently are enrolled in three District 230 high schools.

Today’s car caravan starts at 10 a.m. at the District 230 administrative offices (15100 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462) and proceeds to Carl Sandburg High School (13300 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, IL 60462); Amos Alonzo Stagg High School (8015 W. 111th St., Palos Hills, IL 60465); and, ending at Victor Andrew High School (9001 W. 171st St., Tinley Park, IL 60487).

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest education employee’s organization. IEA represents preK-12 teachers outside of the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

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