April 7, 2021
D220 offering families choice to participate in virtual program for 2021-2022 school year
At the April 6 Board of Education meeting, district leaders shared the results of a survey that was administered in February and March in order to gauge interest in a virtual program of choice beginning in the 2021–22 school year. Survey results from that point in time indicate that more than 25% of Barrington 220 families are interested in such a program.
 
Barrington 220 is planning for full in-person learning for all students at the start of the 2021-22 school year. However, the district understands that given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, there are families who may wish to participate in a fully virtual program next school year.
 
Later this week the district will be sending out a questionnaire, asking those families who wish to participate in a virtual program to commit for the entire 2021-22 school year. More details will be made available in the questionnaire.

It is important to note that a student who chooses to participate in the virtual program can not participate in another district program such as Chinese Immersion, Spanish Dual Language or the Extended Self-Contained program. It is also important to note that if not enough families sign up to participate in a virtual program next school year, it is possible the district may not be able to offer it. In addition, if the district is able to implement the program for the 2021-22 school year, there is no guarantee the district will continue offering the program beyond next school year.
Dr. Harris shares 2020-21 school year updates
In his Superintendent report at the April 6 Board meeting, Dr. Harris shared that since March 29 all students across the district who selected in-person learning have been able to attend school five days a week for the entire school day. Most families who selected Distance Learning remain in that instructional model, however accommodations are being considered based on space availability at each school. Currently only about 35% of BHS students have chosen to attend school in person and there is space available for up to approximately 1,000 more students to attend each day in person. If you are a high school student who is currently participating in the Distance Learning model and you would like to switch to in-person learning, please contact the BHS main office. 
BHS Homecoming games to be held April 16 & 17
In his Superintendent report Dr. Harris also shared that for the first time ever Barrington High School will be celebrating homecoming in April! The activities will kick off on Friday, April 16 at 4:30pm with the freshman football game, followed by the varsity game at 7:30pm. The Broncos will take on the Hoffman Estates Hawks. Homecoming Ambassadors will be announced at half-time during the varsity game. On Saturday, April 17 at 7:00pm the senior girls will take on the junior girls during the annual Filly football game. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will not be the annual homecoming parade down Main Street. In addition, at this point in time the varsity game on Friday night will have very limited access to the general public. All student participants (athletes, homecoming court, cheerleaders, dance, and band members) can receive up to four guest tickets.  A survey was sent to high school seniors and juniors earlier this week in order to gauge interest in attending the game. BHS will be sending out additional details to interested students about tickets and entry procedures.
Board approves sale of bonds and construction bids for Build 220 projects
At its April 6 meeting, the Board approved the sale of $75,000,000 in bonds for upcoming Build 220 projects. This is the second sale of bonds for the $147 million referendum, which was approved by voters in the March 17, 2021 primary election. By law, the funding secured by the bonds can only be used for needed infrastructure projects.
 
Board members also approved bids for the construction projects at Grove Avenue Elementary. The bids came in at $5,772,366. An estimated total of $8,656,156 will be spent at Grove, as items like safety and security and furniture are not included in construction bids. Construction at Grove is expected to begin later this spring and tentatively wrap up in December 2022.