Country Meadows Families,
Although it was a short week with students, it was still full of learning and fun. Please remember that all elementary students will begin following our updated elementary schedule next Monday (see below for specific details). We are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of our 1st and 2nd grade students who have selected in person learning next Monday, and we appreciate the patience of our school community as we navigate our first day of in person learning! We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Fondly,
Meghan Bird - Principal
NEW *In Person Learning Report Dates*
In an effort to welcome students to Country Meadows and proactively inform students/families of safety protocols and daily procedures, we ask that you please watch this video with your child. This video includes information related to:
- Morning Arrival Procedures
- Specials Set Up
- Bathroom/Drinking Fountain Protocols
- Classroom Set Up
- Lunch Protocols
- Dismissal Procedures
NEW *In Person Learning Report Dates*
Please note that ONLY 1ST & 2ND graders who selected in person learning will report to school next week. In person learning for 3rd/4th/5th graders is scheduled to begin the week of 10/29.
ALL elementary students, 1st-5th grade, will begin following this schedule previously shared by Superintendent Julie Schmidt.
October 19th:
- ALL elementary students will follow this schedule previously shared by Superintendent Julie Schmidt.
- 1st/2nd Grade students with last names beginning with the letters A-L who selected the in person hybrid learning option will report to school.
October 22nd:
- 1st/2nd Grade student with last names beginning with the letters M-Z who selected the in person hybrid learning option will report to school
NEW *Early Release Schedule*
This is a friendly reminder that Tuesday, October 20th is an Early Release. This is the Early Release Schedule we will be using. All elementary students will be dismissed at 2:00 pm. If your child is a 1st/2nd grader reporting for in-person learning on Mondays and Tuesdays, please arrange for pick up at this time.
NEW *Lunch Preorder Info Emails for In-Person Learners*
An email with lunch pre ordering information for in-person learners in grades 3–5 will be sent on Oct. 21 for students starting in person on Oct. 29 and on Nov. 4 for students starting in person on Nov. 9.
(Preordering information for in-person students in grades 1 and 2 starting next week was sent on Oct. 14.)
If your student is in grades 3–5 and will be learning in person, please make a note to watch on the date listed above for the lunch preorder email.
NEW *Specials Materials*
Here is the updated Specials Materials Schedule. Please reach out to specific specials teachers with any questions.
NEW *PTO Blog*
Don't forget to purchase your Country Meadows Spirit Wear! The deadline has been extended to Sunday, 10/18! Both child and adult sizes are available!
Please take a moment to read the updated PTO blog this week!
REPEATING *Conference Feedback Form*
Thank you for attending Family Educator Conferences. Please fill out one survey per family and communicate specific differences between conferences for each child in your comments. We value your feedback and use these results to continuously improve the conference process. We have asked that you include your email address so that we can improve our data collection process and follow-up with you if necessary. Thank you for your response.
Please Complete the Survey by October 23
REPEATING *Approved Snack List*
The District has not revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST from the 19-20 school year. The items the list includes are free of the Top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
This list includes the foods that are approved for students' Daily Snacks eaten in the classroom.
IMPORTANT: All items for Daily Snacks– with the exception of fruits and vegetables– MUST be prepackaged to allow staff to easily check that snacks meet the approved requirements.
REPEATING *Halloween Information*
Given the unique circumstances we are faced with this year, we will not have students wear Halloween costumes or partake in our annual Halloween parade. More information will be forthcoming regarding activities that will be done in classrooms on Wednesday, October 28th.
REPEATING *October Artistic Contest*
Our incredible PTO is sponsoring a fun challenge for students each month! Please see this flyer for information regarding our October Artistic Contest! We can't wait to see how creative our students are!
REPEATING *Commitment to Partnership*
As emphasized in Superintendent Schmidt's message sent on Tues., Sept 29, implementing a hybrid in-person learning model is and must be a partnership.
We know that some surrounding districts or schools who began their in-person learning plan have had to revert to full remote for a period of time. In many situations, this has been due to positive cases about which families were not truthful with the school or with the health department regarding symptoms and the diagnosis or with those conducting the contact tracing process.
We are confident that the District 96 community will rise to the occasion and partner with us to ensure safety and success. Please think carefully about your commitment to our partnership before sending your kids to school.
REPEATING *Updated Student Schedules and In-Person Learning Protocols*
UPDATED SCHEDULES will take effect for ALL of our students on the following schedule:
Kindergarten – schedule effective beginning Oct. 15
Elementary – schedule effective for Grades 1–5 beginning Oct. 19
(NOTE: Hybrid in-person learning begins for Grades 1 and 2 on Oct. 19. Hybrid in-person learning begins for Grades 3–5 on Oct. 29)
Middle – schedule effective beginning Oct. 29
For those returning to schools in the hybrid model, please review the IN-PERSON LEARNING PROTOCOLS thoroughly, so that you are prepared to complete and submit the required one-time annual self-certification and acknowledgment of protocols via a link in an email communication you will be sent after Oct. 5.
REPEATING *Updated COVID-19 Metrics*
This UPDATED COVID-19 METRICS is the information “dashboard” that maintains transparent and open communication around COVID-19 metrics. As a user of the dashboard, the District has access to COVID-19 data as recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium. We review this data daily, update the dashboard weekly, and consider this data in making many decisions.
REPEATING *Family Tradition Survey*
Last year, families filled out a form to share their family traditions with us. We shared those traditions in a daily slideshow for students and the kids absolutely loved reading about themselves and other students in the school. We would love for you to participate again this year!
Read more about how you can share your family traditions this year. It will show you a QR code you can scan to participate.
REPEATING *Yearbook Photo Upload*
Calling all pictures of your child(ren) learning remotely! Please upload your photos of your child(ren) engaging in Zoom sessions while learning remotely or in their remote learning environment. We would love to add them to our yearbook this year!
Option 1: Download the HJ eShare app, enter the school code: CM2021 tag and upload your pictures
Option 2: Go to www.hjeshare.com, enter the school code: CM2021, tag and upload your pictures
Option 3: Go directly to http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=CM2021 tag and upload your pictures