Happy Friday of Spring Break! Regardless of your plans for this upcoming week, I hope that everyone enjoys this week and is able to get outside for some family fun. I have heard more people talking about a car trip this year more than I can ever remember. There is a lot of information in the blog today. The return to school information is very important.
Spring Break has started. Classes resume Monday, March 29th.
Revised March–June 2021 Calendar
Please refer to this REVISED March–June 2021 Calendar (1-page), reflecting in-person learning schedule changes announced in Superintendent Julie Schmidt's Mar. 17 message.
Upcoming Dates:
April 1st will be a PM asynchronous day for the students. More information will be sent to the students in their Schoology lunch course when we return. HERE is the schedule for April 1st.
There will be no school on April 2nd, April 5th, or April 6th.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, April 7th.
2021–22 REGISTRATION EMAILS WERE SENT THURSDAY, MARCH 4
Please check for registration email(s) for the 2021–22 school year, sent Thursday, March 4th.
Each registration email includes a link and a unique “snapcode” needed for access to register your returning student for 2021–22.
EVERY student returning to District 96 for the school year ahead must be registered.
Information you provided previously will appear in your student’s online registration record. Please check that info carefully and update if it is not accurate.
Completing and submitting online registration and making payment no later than April 15, 2021, will save families $20 in registration cost per student. Fees increase after April 15. Registration questions? Please send email to [email protected] or call 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.
6th Grade Dental Forms
Attention parents of 6th Graders. Proof of dental exams for all 6th graders are due by May 15th. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kaufmann at 847-353-8500.
Keep Going
You are doing great. This is an easy read. You are having fun. 5Essentials is next and I hope everyone fills it out, not just the people who cannot stand me.
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Share your thoughts about how your child’s school is doing on the 5Essentials for school success. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. District 96 will participate in the statewide 2020–21 5Essentials Survey to meet state legislation and the Board’s mandate. District 96 parents may voluntarily participate to complete the survey. (https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/) Please select the Parent Survey and begin.
Beginning in February and through April 2, students and teachers will complete their surveys to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. In District 96, students in grades 4–8 will complete their surveys on March 19.
This survey is designed to help school and district leaders better understand the parent/school relationship. All responses are anonymous. Parents are asked to complete a survey for each student attending a Kildeer Countryside District 96 school. The survey will be open through April 2, 2021. Questions? See Frequently Asked Questions (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/) and/or contact 5Essentials Client Services 866.440.1874.
Click here for the PTO Monthly Blog - BEST PTO EVER!!!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
We have noticed that many students are currently employing a variety of websites and apps while in math. It is important to know that none of the sites or apps listed below are provided or sanctioned by the district. These sites/apps simply do the math for the students and are not instructive or tutorial in any sense. Using these sites/apps to complete classwork, homework, or assessments potentially creates skill or knowledge gaps that can hinder mathematical achievement and progress when they are no longer available. If you or your child are looking for resources or tools to help them solidify math concepts or skills, please reach out to the math teacher for guidance.
STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL PANEL DISCUSSION
Panel focusing on mental health and transition into high school planned for students and families of 8th graders this April
Making a Healthy Transition to Stevenson High School Panel
When: April 1, 2021
Time: 7 p.m.
What: Virtual Event - Zoom Webinar
Join us for an exciting night featuring expert panelists and Stevenson High School students as they prepare both students and parents for a healthy transition to Stevenson High School.
Panelists:
Mr. Troy Gobble, Principal, Ms. Zara Dittman, Freshman Mentor Coordinator and Spanish Teacher, Cristina Cortesi, Ph.D., Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Rebekah Jin, SHS student and Vice President of Catalyst Club
Parents, come learn:
- About your student's social transition
- How you can support the academic change
- How to support your child's mental health during this season
- How to recognize signs of drug/alcohol abuse, including vaping
At the same time, students are invited to a separate panel just for them with our Catalyst high school students. These panels will be happening simultaneously.
Students will learn how to:
- Adjust to the academics and manage your time
- Get help when you need it - academic and emotionally
- Grow your social circle
- Respond in social situations if alcohol/drugs are offered
- Care for your mental and emotional health
- Make the most out of SHS
All incoming 2021-2022 Stevenson freshmen, their parents, and family are encouraged to participate in this free community program sponsored by Stand Strong Coalition and Catalyst. Register here.
Parents of Returning Students
Please make sure that you get any student medication and the appropriate paperwork turned in to Nurse Kaufmann before your student returns to Woodlawn. Thank you.
Doing alright? Still more items to read. Pace yourself.
Student Resource Officer Mike Essig and School Counselor Jacqui Jessogne will have a casual and interactive discussion with parents about vaping! Sit wherever you are, drink your coffee (which I know you love) and gain valuable insight from these amazing professionals.
When: Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Where: Via Zoom (Invite information below)
Time: 9:00AM - 9:45AM
What: Vaping
Any questions please reach out to Jacqui Jessogne@ [email protected]
Join Zoom Meeting
https://kcsd96.zoom.us/j/82610081564?pwd=dU52bzZib3JQeTR4d2dyazBiZmtpZz09
Meeting ID: 826 1008 1564
Passcode: 175291
Transportation Information
Information on transportation will be coming to your email from the district office during the week of Spring Break.
Parents of In Person Students
Make sure you read the questions on the self survey. They are changing!
Congratulations to the students whose names were chosen from the PTO Spring Fling Raffle! They will/have received the following amazing baskets!
Amazon - Marielle Angles grade 8
Lululemon- Ethan Maktaz grade 6
Movie Night- Lillah Hill grade 7
PlayStation- Adriel Carrasco grade 7
Starbucks- Bella Hill grade 8
Stevenson #1- Natalie Owens grade 6
Stevenson #2- Brady Fawcett grade 6
Ulta- Sofia Srejovic grade 7
Woodlawn #1- Brooke Bush grade 6
Woodlawn #2- Bradyn Caldwell grade 8
XBox- Rowan Yarberry grade 6
In-Person Lunch Preordering Info
Parents of in-person learners only, please check for an email sent this afternoon with Subject Line: Fr Sch Dist 96: Preordering In-Person Lunches.
The email includes the required student ID # and directions to create an account and preorder in-person lunches for the week following Spring Break by the deadline of 6 PM on Mar. 28. Questions? Contact the public info coordinator [email protected]
THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL RETURNING TO SCHOOL FAMILIES!
Return to School Information 3/19 Communication
Remote Students:
The students who are in the remote learning model will remain learning remotely Mondays-Fridays using the same Zoom links. The students who are remote will continue with their same classes.
ALL students will follow THIS SCHEDULE.
Daily Self-Certification Screenings:
Daily Self-Certification is a requirement for in-person attendance.
Parents/guardians will be required to self-certify annually that the daily wellness check will be completed prior to sending their child to in-person learning. Students will have a badge that is scanned upon entering daily.
In addition, parents/guardians will be required to self-certify each morning that their child is fever-free and symptom-free, has not been recently diagnosed with COVID-19, has not been in contact with someone recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Staff also follow the same self-certification process. Parent/Guardian to complete the COVID-19 questionnaire by logging into the student's TeacherEase account either through the app (iOS or Android or online).
If any student or staff member has a temperature greater than 100.4° F or displays one or more of the currently known symptoms of COVID-19, that individual will not be able to enter a District 96 school building.
To access the required Daily Self-Certification Form, you need to log into TeacherEase each day your student will attend in person to submit self-certification. https://www.teacherease.com/common/login.aspx
This VIDEO gives instructions, including how to access the daily self-certification form using your cell phone (iOS or android).
https://vimeo.com/465127686
Daily Self Certification Questions
Please note the Daily Self Certification questions have changed. Please read them carefully!
Orienting Students to the Building:
To help orient students to the building, there will be many staff members in the hallways directing students to class. We also will have signs in each hallway to help direct the students. Students will also have access to building maps in Schoology for their reference.
Return to In Person: What will lunch look like?
All students will have a regular 25 minute lunch.
Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria and other large spaces near the cafeteria as needed.
Students will eat with their grade level.
Students will be choosing their seat on the first day of their in person lunch. This seat will be their seat until the end of the year. The assigned seats are very important for contact tracing purposes.
Students must remain seated and socially distanced.
Each table has a socially distanced spot marked for the students so they know where they can sit.
The cafeteria and eating spaces are cleaned in between all lunch periods.
Snack
Students will be allowed to eat a snack off the safe snack list during a designated snack time for each grade.
How to eat snacks safely in the classroom?
Students will lift a small portion of their mask, put the food in their mouth and lower their mask while they chew. Their mask will remain on their face.
Students will wipe their table after eating. Students will sanitize their hands after eating.
Materials
Backpacks or bags can be brought to school and carried from class to class.
Shared objects will generally not be permitted, and when necessary, disinfected between uses. We are purchasing additional supplies & creating individualized supply kits in many instances to avoid sharing.
Supplies
PLEASE have your child bring a fully charged iPad and Logitech Crayon to school with them everyday.
PLEASE have your child bring headphones to school everyday.
Students should bring a folder, a spiral notebook, writing utensils, a fully charged iPad, Logitech Crayon, and headphones with them each day.
If other supplies are needed, the classroom teachers will communicate this.
A Message from the Nurse
Any parent who has a child returning to in person learning who requires an Epi-pen, inhaler or any other medication should have the paperwork and medications to the nurse by their students' return date. Please see THIS link with the necessary medical forms.
Bathrooms
The following protocols will be in place to avoid overcrowding in the bathrooms:
Students will seek permission to go to the bathroom from their teacher.
One student at a time will be allowed out of a classroom.
Bathroom use during passing periods will be prohibited to prevent overcrowding.
Students who need to use the restroom between classes should seek permission from the teacher they are seeing next before entering the bathroom.
Social Distancing spots will be in the hallways by the bathrooms. If the bathrooms are occupied, students will stand on the spots until there is an available bathroom stall.
Hallways and Passing Periods
Students will move directly from class to class with no loitering or socializing between.
Students are not to use the bathroom or drinking fountain.
Students will carry their items with them throughout the day without access to their lockers.
Students will follow directional arrows and signage in the hallways.
Staff will continue to supervise this transition.
Lockers
No lockers will be used at this time.
Students will be carrying their belongings from class to class.
Bus Transportation
Bus routes and bus stop times for students attending in person learning will be sent out mid week during the week of March 22nd.
Bus ridership will be in compliance with current IDPH and CDC requirements. Students must wear masks and sit in their assigned seats to ensure appropriate social distancing. Siblings will be seated together. Please note that schedule changes and riding an unassigned route will not be permitted.
Drivers will wear PPE and perform regular hand hygiene. Students will be encouraged to perform hand hygiene when boarding the bus. Hand sanitizer will be available for all riders. Also, First Student and Septran will disinfect all buses per IDPH and CDC recommendations and frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected after each route.
PE
The PE team is working to maximize the in-person and remote experiences. In-person students may go outside, weather permitting.
Students will not change into PE uniforms.
No uniforms or PE locks are currently needed.
Clubs
Clubs will continue to be remote.
Clubs can be found on the school’s website.
Clubs will be held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Students can access the zoom links for clubs on their Team Zoom Doc.
Teacher Support
Teachers will be available via zoom from 2:30-3:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
On days that students are in-person, they will be required to leave at 2:30 and will travel home at this time. Students will have Academic Support from 3:00-3:45 and 4:00-4:45 if needed.
Academic Support Times
3:00-3:45 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
4:00-4:45 Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Students can access the zoom links for academic support on their Team Zoom Doc.
Band and Orchestra Rehearsals
In-person students will attend after school rehearsals on the days they are remote.
Band and orchestra students will leave at 2:30.
Hand Washing and Sanitizing
Each room and hallways have hand sanitizing wipes that can also be used on surfaces.
Students will be provided with multiple opportunities to wash and sanitize their hands and use hand sanitizing wipes while at school for in-person learning.
-District 96 will prioritize hand washing (both with soap/water), as time and space constraints allow, particularly focusing on the following times:
-Arrival at school
-Following restroom use
-Before and after eating (if and when this applies)
-After blowing one's nose, coughing or sneezing
-Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout all buildings and in the classroom and the proper use of hand sanitizing wipes will also be directly taught to all students upon first returning to our buildings for in-person instruction.
Masks and Face Coverings
As required by IDPH, face coverings must be worn at all times in school buildings and on the bus–even when social distance is maintained.
Face coverings can be temporarily removed at school:
-When eating (if and when this applies)
-When taking brief structured water breaks
-When outdoors and physical distancing of at least 6 feet can be maintained
-For staff, when alone in classrooms or offices with the door closed
Mask Requirements
The District will provide all students with face coverings as needed. Students and staff are encouraged to bring their own face coverings as long as they comply with the CDC/ISBE guidelines, ensuring that the face-covering fully covers the mouth and nose and that the covering fits snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps. Please CLICK HERE to review current CDC guidance on how to select, wear, remove, and clean an appropriate face covering. Please note the CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters as a fask mask and they will not be accepted as one.
If students are using a washable face covering rather than a disposable mask, we ask that parents/guardians please wash the face covering regularly.
Arrival Procedures for Bus Riders and Parent Drop off
Students will socially distance in the cafeteria before being scanned to ensure the self-certification was complete before going to class.
Once the students are scanned, they will go directly to their first period class.
DROP OFF IN FRONT OF WOODLAWN LIKE WE ALWAYS DO!!
Dismissal From School
The 8th period teacher will walk their students to the parent pick-up exit and bus lot/door. The teachers will have a staggered dismissal time to reduce the amount of students in a particular hallway or stairwell.
Students must maintain social distancing until they are in the car, or once they arrive home from the bus.
Next Friday
There will not be a Woodlawn Principal’s Blog sent out. I feel your disappointment. After reading this blog, you may want to cancel any further blogs.
Finally, I think that I struck a nerve with the older sister blog last week. Older sisters, thank you for your email comments about younger brothers and I appreciate you reading the blog. This week, I am going to reminisce about the family vacation in the good old station wagon. As the youngest of four children, I was given the opportunity to sit in one of three premium locations for the 20+ hour ride to Florida. Spot number one was in the front seat, on the split* of the seat between my parents. Spot number 2 was in the middle of the back seat on the hump** or option number three, the way back seat that faced the opposite direction you were heading. Most often, I was sent to the back of the wagon to improve the comfort level of someone else. I will expand on the back of the wagon in a bit. Whichever location I was in, seat belts were frowned upon because dad was always trying to beat his record time from the previous year and if you couldn’t get out of your seat fast enough, go to the luxurious bathroom and get back into your seat, he was leaving you in Ardmore, Tennessee at the truck stop. The ride seemed to move along fairly well until you hit the Georgia state line. Georgia took forever to get through and then came Florida. Once you entered Florida, you and every other station wagon in the world were heading to the same location. In the 16 hours prior to entering Florida, there was laughter, frustration, singing, my smelly older brother and overall uncomfortable people who never had the option of staying overnight at a hotel. My back of the station wagon experience gave me a different perspective of the vacation from everyone else.
I thought things like:
- I wonder how many miles to the next rest area
- I wonder what that sign says
- Does anyone else smell carbon monoxide?
- I think that i’ve been watching these white lines for a hundred miles straight! New record!
- Is that semi truck going 95 miles per hour going to stop or does he want me to high five his truck?
I will never forget the words my dad said to me after I lost my lunch in the back of the station wagon and I explained what had happened. In only the voice a father could use, he said, “YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! WHAT IN THE (HECK) WERE YOU DOING LOOKING AT THE WHITE LINES FOR THE LAST 100 MILES?!?
For those of you who are traveling via car this Spring Break, I wish you well and hope that your memories are as vivid as mine.
* The split was where my parents had their optimal seat distance to the windshield. Dad was way further back than mom. I split the difference.
** The hump was the seat that didn’t have leg room. Instead, you put your feet on the hump and your knees were chin high for the entire ride.