As spring break is upon us, I just wanted to briefly reflect on how we got here. Last March, in-person learning was halted in schools all across the country, which led us to pivot to remote learning. Fast forward to August of this school year, and D62 designed a more robust and rigorous remote learning plan. However, behind the scenes we were working very hard to develop a plan where we could safely bring students back into the building to learn in person. We began with some of our most at-risk students, and then in September, we started to phase in our youngest students. Every few weeks thereafter, we brought more and more students back. To date, we have almost 80% of our students back in school learning in person!
I am so proud of everything we have accomplished as a building and district to get our students back in school. We social distance, we wear masks, we keep our hands clean, and we have made it work. Our staff members, all of them, have been heroic in their efforts. They are teaching their remote students and their in-person students simultaneously, and that is no easy task. Our Terrace teachers are amazing professionals, and they have found ways to make it work for their students.
I am looking forward to a strong finish to this unprecedented school year, and I want to thank all of you, both remote families and in-person families, for your unending support and patience as we have navigated this pandemic together. You should be so proud of your children for their resiliency and determination to get through these challenging times.
I wanted to also mention that yesterday's picture day was a great success. We had over 30 remote students come for their pictures. I was SO EXCITED to see them face-to-face for the first time in over a year...and some of them for the first time ever! What joy that brought me to see how much they've grown over the last year. They certainly look different in person as opposed to over Zoom. =-)
Remember, if you, your student, or anyone in your family is struggling in any way, please know we are here to help you and support you. You can reach out to me directly or to Mrs. Greenwood, our social worker. We are here to help you if you need it.
Please read the brand new March Terrace Times, which is linked at the top of the page.
I wish you a wonderful and relaxing week, and I will see you the week of March 29th.
PLEASE READ THESE OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Cardinal Call-Outs:
On Fridays we acknowledge our students who consistently demonstrate our expected behaviors (Be Safe, Be Ready, and Be Responsible). Please click here to view our Cardinal Call Outs for the week of March 15. Congrats to the students who have been recognized this week!
Upcoming Assessments:
ACCESS - March 30 - April 11
IAR (3rd - 5th) - April 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
Please remember that these assessments will only be administered to our in-person students. The assessments cannot be administered remotely, so our district will not be mandating that remote students come to school in person to take them. On school days where in-person students will be testing, our remote students will engage in asynchronous learning during the testing period. That information will be communicated to you by the teachers when the testing dates get closer.
Quarantine Expectations:
If your child is required to quarantine for any reason, they are expected to join their classroom remote learning session for the entire day. If the student is sick and unable to attend remote classes, please call the office to report the absence.
New IDPH Guidelines:
The daily D62 Student Self Certification Forms have been updated to reflect the new IDPH guidelines. Runny nose, congestion, and abdominal pain are no longer considered COVID symptoms and have been removed from the form. Students will not be excluded from school for these isolated symptoms.
Online Registration:
Please do not forget that registration for 2021-2022 is also open for all new kindergarteners, new students, and for our returning students. Please take the time to register when you have a few moments. If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact Mrs. Bojarski in the office at 847-824-1501.
5Essentials Survey: Families, please take a few minutes to complete the 5Essentials survey. It only takes a few minutes. You can click here to begin the survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/. You DO NOT need an email address to complete the survey. Please make sure you choose "Cook" for the county. Remember you have to click "Submit Survey" before logging out for it to be counted.
Materials Pickup:
Our next pickup will be Thursday and Friday, April 08 - 09 from 4:00 - 6:00. Your teachers will send you reminders when these dates get closer. If you cannot make one of the timeframes listed below, we will do our best to work with you. Please contact your child's teacher(s) or the main office to arrange an alternative time. Please see the information below for your planning:
- Schedule
- April 08 - Grades K-2 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- April 09 - Grades 3- 5 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- Procedures
- Families will pull up in the front circle in their cars. Please do not walk-up to the building.
- Cars should have signs with student names and teacher names clearly visible for staff to see easily.
- Staff will bring new materials to car and collect prior materials along with the bags you initially received.
- For families with multiple students, you can pick up materials on one day. That day will be the day you pick up for the youngest sibling.
Right At School:
If you have a student attending Terrace in person and are looking for a before and/or after school program, please check out the Right At School website. They are also offering financial assistance if needed. You can find more information about that by clicking this link.
Remote Learning Tips:
- Prepare a quiet learning space to support your child’s focus on school.
- Organize learning materials to ensure they are easily accessible for your child.
- Post your child’s daily schedule in an easily viewable section of their quiet learning space.
- Always encourage your child to do their best in everything in which they are engaged.
- Ask for help from the teacher if your child needs more support to learn.
- Ensure your child maintains a respectful and kind demeanor with their teachers and peers every day.
Food Distribution:
Boxes containing meals for a week will be distributed every Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Algonquin Middle School. Should you not be able to pick up meals at that time, you may call the kitchen office at (847) 789-5630 on Wednesdays between 11:00 a.m. and noon to arrange for the pick up of emergency boxes.
Meals will be provided to any child (age 18 and under), regardless of financial need. Child(ren) does (do) not have to be present when picking up meals. Transportation will not be provided.
We appreciate our partnership with Arbor Management in continuing food service to our students.
D62 Technology:
The District Technology Department is pleased to announce they have expanded their technology support hours into the evenings on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Families are encouraged to email [email protected] during this time or call the tech helpline at 847-824-8115 and leave a message to generate a help desk ticket. A member of the technology team will answer help desk tickets in the order they are received during the evening support hours.