ROCHELLE — Rochelle schools superintendent Jason Harper confirmed that all Rochelle schools will be closed starting Monday, March 17 through Monday, March 30.
Following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency regarding the spread of the coronavirus on Friday and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s subsequent announcement that all schools in Illinois were to close from March 17 to March 30, Harper released a statement that all Rochelle schools would not be in session for the remainder of the month.
The plan as of Friday afternoon calls for students to return to school on Tuesday, March 31.
Rochelle school staff members have been preparing over the past few days for this impending announcement which Harper sent to parents and guardians through the schools’ email and text alert system. The following information was included:
“All students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 will be coming home with packets of school work for five days of Alternative Learning at home.
Starting Monday, students are expected to complete each day of work.

These Alternative Learning assignments will be due when school re-opens.
Your students' attendance will be determined on the days of completed assignments they turn in.
All expected tasks can be completed with paper/pencil. There is no expectation of Internet usage.
If your student was not at school on Friday, March 13, please e-mail your building principal for
arrangements.
We will communicate any changes or updates to this plan using our all-call/text system, social media,
district websites and local media outlets.
Additionally, all Rochelle schools are cancelling all public events in accordance with guidance provided by the Ogle County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health. This includes field trips, competitions, concerts, ceremonies, and other similar events. All school clubs and practices are cancelled while school is closed. We will communicate these cancellations via social media and through group advisors/coaches.
We encourage all community members to follow guidance provided by the Ogle County Health Department, Ogle County Regional Office of Education, IPDH, and the CDC. All decisions are being made with the safety and well-being of our students in mind, and we are being as responsive as we can with the most reliable information we are receiving.
We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated. In the meantime, call your child’s school for more information.”