Dear Families,
We are approaching the end of the first trimester. As a matter of fact, the first trimester will officially end next Friday, November 12, 2021. Report cards are scheduled to be issued online on November 19, 2021. Please make sure that you have your login information for TeacherEase so that you can access your student(s) report card(s).
I also want to remind all families that it is much colder outside now. Please make sure that students are coming to school dressed appropriately for the weather. Many winter weather items, such as hats, gloves, coats, and boots can go missing from time to time. Please label your student(s) items so that we can return lost items to their owners. We recently returned several labeled items to students and they were quite happy. Have a wonderful weekend!
Kindly,
Christine Pfaff - Principal
NEW *Road Work - Potential Impact*
Please be aware that Lake County has notified us that Old McHenry Rd. will be closed (from Hawthorn Woods to Rt. 22) to through traffic beginning Monday, November 8th and is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, November 21st. This will likely impact traffic patterns for the duration of the closure.
NEW * Indoor Music Concerts*
We are excited to have our students perform in concerts to showcase their talents. Students will follow school health guidance protocols as they do in their music classes.
In order for District 96 to maintain safety and health guidelines, each child will be strictly limited to 1 guest only. Guests will be provided seating that has been spaced for social distancing. Masks will be required.
The event will allow for live virtual access and will be recorded to later share with other family members or relatives unable to attend due to attendee restrictions. More information on how to access the live link will be coming soon.
NEW *Picture Retakes-On Tuesday, Nov. 9th from 8:30am - 9:30am*
If you would like your child to have a picture retake, please do the following:
- Return all the contents of the portrait envelope
- If you ordered a download, please do not download it.
- Complete the Retake Day instructions on the back of the portrait envelope
- If your child was absent on picture day:
- Please complete a picture day order form. Your child can pick one up in the office.
Any questions should be directed to E. D. Clark Photography at 847.231.4444.
NEW *Culture Crew Accepting New Members*
Is your student is interested in exploring the many cultures at Prairie and the world? Culture Crew is open to new students in all grades. We meet every Wednesday after school from 3:00-3:45 in room 15 in the Yellow Pod. Please email Mrs. Himes or Dr. Yutakis to sign up.
REPEAT *Family Reading Night*
Our annual Family Reading Night takes place on Th, 11/18 from 6:30-7:30pm. The theme this year is "Reading Colors Your World". Our goal is to encourage families to spend quality time reading together. There will be two rounds of literacy-related activities. Please use this Google Form to RSVP and indicate your ideal preferences for the evening activities. It will help us plan for the event and do our best to make a match for your choices. We look forward to seeing you at the event!
REPEAT *IDPH Guidance Update*
Our top priority is to keep kids in school with as little disruption as possible and we need your help and support to do so.
As we head into colder fall and winter weather and we begin to spend more time indoors, we encourage you to stay vigilant when it comes to health and safety measures. The recent interest survey indicated that the parents of over 1,600 District 96 students are interested in scheduling vaccination appointments for their 5-11 year olds as they become available in the coming weeks. However, we are mindful of the continued risks that COVID presents to the school community and families of KCSD 96. The Illinois Department of Public Health has released guidance on how to celebrate more safely during the 2021 Fall season.
REPEAT *IDPH Guidance Update*
Our top priority is to keep kids in school with as little disruption as possible and we need your help and support to do so.
As we head into colder fall and winter weather and we begin to spend more time indoors, we encourage you to stay vigilant when it comes to health and safety measures. The recent interest survey indicated that the parents of over 1,600 District 96 students are interested in scheduling vaccination appointments for their 5-11 year olds as they become available in the coming weeks. However, we are mindful of the continued risks that COVID presents to the school community and families of KCSD 96. The Illinois Department of Public Health has released guidance on how to celebrate more safely during the 2021 Fall season.
Guidance on Celebrations from the IDPH
As we continue through Fall and head into the holiday season, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is issuing updated guidance to help people celebrate more safely as we continue to battle COVID-19.
Masks
Masks are currently required, per Executive Order, in all indoor public locations in Illinois. A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a well-fitting mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a costume mask over a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is not recommended because it could make breathing more difficult. Safer options include choosing a costume that does not come with a costume mask, or find a costume that incorporates a face covering. See mask guidance HERE.
REPEAT *New Attendance Information*
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and having your student in their seat, ready to learn for the entire school day will benefit them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Let’s work together to make sure your child has great attendance and can get the most out of their learning opportunities this school year.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. Our parent handbook reflects legislative updates from the state and is ready for you to review.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
We miss your student when they are not at school as we value their contributions to our school community. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school please contact the school office as soon as possible.
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
Send your child to school unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, contagious rash or showing any other COVID like symptoms.
Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
Keep track of your child’s attendance.
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child may use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before.
Have a back-up plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance.
OUR DUTIES UPON A STUDENT’S ABSENCES
If your child has five unexcused absences we will reach out via phone and follow up with an email.
If your child has seven unexcused absences we will schedule a conference with you and your child to create a student success plan for support.
After 10 days of unexcused absences, and our supports and interventions haven’t helped get your student to school consistently, we are required to file a petition and you will be notified by formal letter that the case will be forwarded to the truancy department and the Lake County ROE, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, Illinois' mandatory attendance law.
WHAT IS EXCUSED AND WHAT IS UNEXCUSED
Excused: Medical appointment, illness, quarantine, death in the family, mental health day, religious holiday
Unexcused: Most other reasons for absence include; vacation, sporting events, missing the bus, sleeping in, day before a special individual occasion.
REPEAT *O’Hare PCR Results*
If you do not receive your child’s PCR results over the weekend, we apologize for the inconvenience.
Please feel free to contact O’Hare Labs by sending an email to [email protected]. This email is monitored frequently each day and is the preferred method of contact. Please be sure to include your child’s First Name, Last Name, DOB, and test date in the email.
If preferred, you can also call the Call Center at (800) 604-0197 Monday-Saturday between the hours of 10am-5pm.
REPEAT *Covid Metrics*
To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process.
https://ecriss.ecragroup.com/strategy/Home/Indicators?Dashboard=KIL096