After voicing concerns in July that U.S. travel bans could delay some students’ return to school, Orland High School District 230 Superintendent Robert Nolting said Thursday he has not received reports that students are late due to the bans.
Nolting said the district has a large population of families that regularly take the summer to visit family abroad, and said there’s usually delays in students returning every year.
This year, he said the district anticipated a higher number of late students due to U.S. travel bans enacted under President Donald Trump in early June, as some students visit family in countries affected by the bans.
He said the district saw disruption and delays from travel bans in 2019 and 2020, along with similar issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
District 230 schools began Aug. 13.
“We were prepared, given some of the, you know, things that were out there with regards to the potential for families that might have some delays in returning,” said Nolting. “But I haven’t had a lot of people calling with that information, but we had our guidance department prepared.”
If students miss school due to travel bans or other reasons, Nolting said it’s helpful to communicate with the school as early as possible to establish a plan.
Nolting said there are other reasons students are late every year, too, such as students in the process of moving and transferring between schools.
As of Aug. 28, there were 2,816 students enrolled in Sandburg High School in Orland Park, 2,541 students at Stagg High School in Palos Hills and 2,214 students at Andrew High School in Tinley Park.
awright@chicagotribune.com
