Frustrated District 203 and neighboring district community members demand full return to in-person learning

Danielle Pritchard

Community members across nine districts demand a return to full in-person learning with activities and lunch at a rally on Sunday, March 14.

Amisha Sethi and Danielle Pritchard
March 17, 2021

Parents and community members representing nine area school districts, including Naperville District 203, held a rally on March 14 demanding the return to five days of full, in-person instruction with lunch, pre-COVID-19 school day schedules, activities and athletics reinstated. The group arrived at the corner of Webster and Douglas in Downtown Naperville at 11:00 a.m., then marched to the Free Speech Pavilion at Rotary Park. There, several individuals including District 203 Board of Education candidates Bill Eagan and Adam Russo spoke to the crowd. Current board member and Naperville City Council candidate Paul Leong and Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools were also guest speakers.

The rally took place after District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges announced on Thursday, March 11 that the district would move to a five day per week in-person schedule. Many rally attendees expressed dismay at administrators and current school board members, some of which will be up for re-election on April 6.

Below are photos and videos that Central Times reporters took of the rally:

With local school board elections coming up, some protesters hold signs showing their candidates of choice, some of which are attending or speaking at the rally. (Danielle Pritchard)

Community members gather to watch D203 Board member and Naperville city council candidate Paul Leong speak about his platform. (Danielle Pritchard)

A man attending the cross district rally to reopen schools on March 14 holds a Gadsden flag, which reads “Don’t tread on me.” (Danielle Pritchard)

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About the Contributors

Amisha Sethi, Editor-in-Chief & Community Co-editor

Amisha Sethi is a senior at Naperville Central. When she is not writing for the Central Times she is playing tennis, listening to music, or doing hot yoga. Amisha is not sure of what career she would like to pursue but is excited to discover what the future holds for her.

Danielle Pritchard, Head Photo & Art Editor & Features Editor

Danielle Pritchard is a senior at NCHS, and is looking forward to her second year on the Central Times’ Editorial board. While intrigued by nearly everything, she has yet to choose a career path. With interest in the arts, writing, design, justice, and STEM, she tends to shift from hobby to hobby, and panic when asked to make decisions. Hopefully she’ll figure herself out by the time she has to adult.