BENTON, IL — The Benton #47 School District has put into place its school reopening plan for the upcoming school year. The district’s school board unanimously approved the plan late last week.

Benton #47 School District Supt. Steve Smith says the plan calls for 100 percent in-person instruction at the school five days a week. Masks will be required. If students and their parents don’t feel like it is safe to go back or if students have a pre-existing health condition, then Smith says 100 percent remote learning will be available. Students who choose remote learning will be doing the same course work as those who are at school.

Smith says students who choose to do remote learning can reevaluate their situation in December and decide whether to keep doing remote learning or go back to school. Also students will also be able to do remote learning from home if they come down with COVID-19 until they are well to go back to school.

Smith says the district has a new website, benton47-dot-org, and a new app that can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store that has back to school information on it including a self-certification check list.

If a student and/or teacher were to get COVID-19, Smith says the district’s reopening plan includes a closure plan and return to school/work plan that involves working with local and state health officials to make sure the proper steps are taken to ensure a safe return to school.

As for students who ride the bus to school, Smith says no more than 50 students will be allowed and masks will be required.

The first day of school for Benton Grade School students is Aug. 10.