Administrators at Homewood-Flossmoor High School looked at the COVID-19 numbers and decided against a Feb. 2 date for students to return to their classrooms.

The plan was for teachers to return on either Jan. 19 or Jan. 25 in preparation for students’ return, but that will not happen either.

District 233 Superintendent Von Mansfield and H-F Principal Jerry Anderson said in a letter to parents that they made the decision after reviewing the metrics that are in “a substantial risk category” based on test positivity percentages and new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. The guidance is presented by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health.

The administrative team will next assess the numbers on Jan. 15 to determine if H-F can open on Feb. 15. 

The plan is for students wanting to participate in hybrid learning to be divided into four groups. Over a two-week period, each group would attend school two consecutive days during morning hours. All other classes would be remote. Parents also have the option of having their student continue in a fully remote program.

H-F parents can get COVID numbers that directly impact the high school from a newly created dashboard at the H-F website. Statistics on the site show 30 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 and 44 others have quarantined after exposure to COVID since the pandemic began in March. The information is updated weekly.