Dear Willows students, parents, faculty, and staff,
This afternoon Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois school buildings will remain closed until the end of the current academic year. For the safety of our students, teachers, and staff, Willows will follow this directive and continue our eLearning through May 29th, 2020.
What does this mean for the rest of our Willows year?
There will be no final exams!
- Students’ second semester grade will be an average of 3rd and 4th quarter grades.
- The service hour requirement will be waived and incorporated into a reflection assignment in Theology/Virtue through Literature/Philosophy classes.
6th-11th graders will attend classes through Friday, May 29th.
- Students grades 6-11 will attend classes through Friday, May 29th. There will not be classes June 1 - 4th as these were intended to be exam review and testing days; final exams have been cancelled so May 29th will be that last day of classes. Stay tuned for an end of school year celebration!
- Seniors will end non-AP classes on May 8th and end AP classes on their AP test date.
Friday, May 8th is the last day of classes for non-AP seniors.
- AP seniors will continue to attend mandatory AP classes (using the same eLearning weekly class schedule) up until their subject test date. Click here for the AP schedule. Once a senior takes her subject specific AP exam, she will no longer attend eLearning classes for that subject.
Virtual senior graduation will be held on Sunday, May 24th.
- If gatherings are permitted, we are planning an event in lieu of the Gala in late July or early August.
Virtual 8th grade graduation will be held on Monday, June 1st.
- If gatherings are permitted, we are planning a family dinner in late July or early August.
Thanks for your patience as we work out all the details.
- We are doing final tweaks on eLearning. Any feedback to share?
- Directions on how to pick up your belongings from school.
- Directions for how to return textbooks and Chromebooks to school.
- Plans for other end of the year events.
This news, while expected, is difficult for all of us. We are grieved to miss out on seeing all of our girls’ faces each day and saddened by the loss of so many end of year celebrations and traditions. I am confident that this season has a purpose, and our Eagles will come out soaring at the end.
In closing, I’d like to share a quote from Anne Frank. As you know, Anne hid from the Nazis for 2 years with seven other people in a 450 square feet “secret annex” and all while never even stepping outside. While we can relate to her confinement in some ways, her story reminds of the many blessings for which we can be grateful.
“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!”
May we be strengthened by her optimism to continue this journey and finish the year well.
Grateful for your support,
