COVID 19 / Coronavirus - Pandemic - Rock Island

A message to families from Dr. Lawrence about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and students returning to school on January 19, 2021.

The Rock Island-Milan School District is beginning Blended Learning on Tuesday, Jan 19. The building schedules and copies of the Blended and Remote Learning Plans are on our website https://www.rimsd41.org/elearning/

Also, beginning Jan. 19 we will be doing meal distribution at all school locations from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. every day (as opposed to just Tuesdays and Thursdays). Any one under the age of 18 that lives in our school district boundary area can receive free meals. Students in the Blended Learning plan will be able to pick up breakfast when they arrive at their building and then grab lunch to go before they leave for the day.

In the event that there are positive COVID-19 cases in a school building, staff and families will be notified with a robo-call and Remind message. A letter will be posted on the school district web site www.rimsd41.org and the school building website. Those who were exposed to the positive COVID-19 case will be notified by the school building or a Contact Tracer from the Rock Island County Health Department.

Announcement Dec. 14 Third Quarter Commitment Form >>

The Remote/Blended Learning Commitment Form for the 3rd quarter of the school year is closed. If you have any questions or concerns about the form please contact your child's school.

RIMSD #41 plans to begin Blended Learning on January 19, 2021. If parents do not submit a Commitment Form for their student(s) by December 22, the student(s) will remain in Remote Learning for the remainder of the 3rd Quarter through March 10, 2021. Parents can review the Remote and Blended Learning Plans on the website and can contact their child's school with any questions.

Announcement Nov 13 - Return to Remote Learning >>

On Friday, Nov. 13, RIMSD #41 announced that the school district would return to Full Remote Learning due to the rising number of positive COVID cases surfacing in the school buildings.

Therefore, the school district will be using Monday, Nov. 16, and Tuesday, Nov. 17 as Remote Learning Planning days for staff to be ready to transition to Full Remote Learning on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Students will not report for Blended Learning or Remote Learning on Monday, Nov. 16 or Tuesday, Nov. 17. Students are to log on to Full Remote Learning on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

The remote learning plan will extend through Monday, January 18, 2021, to allow for a safe quarantine period due to expected travel and gatherings during the Winter Holiday and New Years Holiday season. All schools will return to blended learning on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, the day after the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, pending it is safe to do so at that time.

RIMSD #41 staff and families received a robo-call message and a letter through Remind about the decision. A news release was also sent to media.

Read the letter to families >>

Blended Learning Plan Oct. 19 >>

The Rock Island-Milan School District began the second quarter of 2020-2021 on Oct. 19 with the Blended Learning Plan.

In the event that there are positive COVID-19 cases in a school building, staff and families will be notified with a robo-call and Remind message. A letter will be posted on the school district web site www.rimsd41.org and the school building website. Those who were exposed to the positive COVID-19 case will be notified by the school building or a Contact Tracer from the Rock Island County Health Department.

If a school building has a growing number of positive COVID-19 cases, the superintendent may deem it necessary (in consult with the Rock Island County Health Dept.) to temporarily close the building and quarantine for two weeks. Staff and families will be notified via robo-call and Remind and a media release will be sent to local news organizations.

Letter to Families Oct. 1 2020 >>

2020Oct1LettertoFamilies

Update September 16 >>

Second Quarter Commitment Form Open

The Rock Island-Milan School District is in Full Remote Learning for the 1st Quarter of the school year.

The district has opened up the 2nd Quarter Commitment Form from Sept 16 - 23 to ask parents to choose whether their child will stay in Full Remote Learning or move to the Blended (combination of in-person and remote learning) Learning Plan for the 2nd Quarter of the school year >>

Update August 18 >>

Rock Island-Milan School District Board of Education's Reopening Plan Approval Resolution

On August 18, RIMSD #41 Board of Education approved a COVID-19-related resolution that gives superintendents autonomy to implement school programs during this time and make adjustments and plan modifications as needed. Read the resolution >>

Update July 16 >>

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

UPDATE: The Rock Island-Milan School District is starting the 2020-21 School Year with a Full Remote Learning Plan >>

Update June 23 >>

TUESDAY, JUNE 23

Governor Pritzker announced in a press conference that students will be allowed to return to the classrooms for the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Schools must follow Illinois Department of Public Health requirements to reopen.

The Rock Island-Milan School District will release information and a comprehensive plan about what learning will look like for students on the first day of school on Monday, August 3, 2020. At the moment, school district Administration are going through the guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and working on creating a plan to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. Communication will be sent to parents once a plan is finalized.

The school district Administration Center will be on Summer Hours from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 309-793-5900 before visiting the Administration Center. All visitors must wear a mask.

Update June 1 >>

MONDAY, JUNE 1

On Friday, May 29, 2020 the State of Illinois announced that the state would move to Phase 3 of Restore Illinois to take effect on June 4, 2020.

Per Illinois Department of Public Health, all schools must follow requirements, which:

Prohibit more than 10 individuals from gathering in one space;
Require social distancing policies; and,
Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

RIMSD school buildings will be open, however the public/parents can only come in by appointment and must call school offices first. School building doors will remain locked and a sign with phone number will be posted, indicating an appointment needs to be made for entry. Visitors must wear a mask.

At this time, the school district is not granting any Building/Facilities Use permits.

The school district Administration Center will be on Summer Hours from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 309-793-5900 before visiting the Administration Center. All visitors must wear a mask.

For staff working inside the school buildings, masks are required when working in a location where social distancing cannot be guaranteed.

If the office/building will be closed because employees are working from home, notification will be posted telling visitors who to contact and how.

It is anticipated that all RIMSD staff will work on-site effective July 1, 2020.

Letter to Families April 17 >>

APRIL 17, 2020

State of Illinois Governor Pritzker announced that in-person learning is suspended for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. With this announcement, school district administration will begin making additional decisions necessary for a smooth transition to close out the school year.

The Rock Island-Milan School District is planning to continue meal kit distribution twice a week and will continue with remote e-learning plans. Chromebook devices were deployed to students last week and teachers have been using Google Classrooms for academic activities since April 14.

RIMSD #41 will have additional details forthcoming about grading, report cards, summer school and Class of 2020 graduation.

VIDEO Message from Dr. Lawrence >>

March 31 Letter to Families >>

MARCH 31, 2020
State of Illinois Governor Pritzker announced that the stay-at-home order is extended through April 30, 2020. The Rock Island-Milan School District is planning to continue meal kit distribution twice a week, as well as remote e-learning resources on web site. Administration is also currently working on a plan to distribute devices to students so that our e-learning resources are accessible. Please watch for an announcement next week with more information.

March 31 Letter to Families (languages) >>

March 27 Update >>

MARCH 27, 2020
The Rock Island-Milan School District is planning to distribute 3-day meal kids again on Monday, March 30 and Thursday, April 2 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the seven locations listed below. A robo-call reminder will be sent to families the evening prior to meal distribution day.

MARCH 20, 2020
Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a “Stay-at-Home” order for the entire state, effective on March 21 at 5:00 p.m. through Tuesday, April 7. Therefore, all RIMSD #41 school buildings are closed and all events and activities are suspended until further notice. For any school district needs, please call the Administration Center Monday - Friday, 309-793-5900.

RIMSD #41 will still provide meals to families with children under the age of 18 and will have two meal kit distributions next week on Monday, March 30 and Thursday, April 2. Families will receive a robo-call reminders the evening prior to the distribution.

The Rock Island-Milan School District will continue to do whatever is necessary to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID 19.

RIMSD #41 schedule for meal pick up >>

We understand that some of our students may need to have access to medication that remains in our school buildings. In an effort to ensure that you can meet the medical needs of your child, we have scheduled the following days and times for you to pick up medication at your child's school on March 23, 24, and 25th from 9 to noon. Parent should come directly to the main office.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 itself, please contact Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) at (800) 362-2736.

BUILDING ACCESS IS LIMITED. We will exercise social distancing practices to the best of our ability to keep the community safe. Parents and community members can call their school or the Administration Center 309-793-5900 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Letter to Families March 20 >>

Dr. Lawrence Letter to Families March 20 (PDF)