As we wade through these uncharted waters together, I wanted to begin my message this week by thanking all of you for your patience with us and for your concern for your own children, for all of our students, and for our staff. I am so proud to work in a district like ours. Our administrative team has done an excellent job keeping us informed and in communicating with all of you. None of these decisions are ever easy, as there are many factors to consider whenever we cancel events and close our schools. Student and staff well-being is always our number one priority, and that has been at the heart of all the decisions that have been made to date.
Today your children will bring home a device (laptop or iPad), a charger, and a grade-level packet of work. You should have received district communications about this. Please understand that next week we are utilizing our emergency days. The week after that is spring break. As Dr. Sangroula's email mentioned, the work packets would be used only in the event that our schools are closed beyond March 27. They will also have a device at home should they wish to log in to other practice sites through their Clever accounts or by signing in with their Google accounts. In either case, your children are prepared if need-be.
If your child is absent today or was absent yesterday and today, we are collecting their devices and a packet for them that will be kept in the main office. Although we will not have students in session next week, the office staff will be available if you'd like to call and pick up your child's device. Please call Mrs. Bojarski first to ensure someone will greet you when you arrive.
I wanted to take this moment to ask you to join me in thanking our amazing custodial crew, who have been working endlessly to ensure we've had a clean and safe teaching and learning environment for all of us. Additionally, the entire Terrace staff has been absolutely amazing these last couple of weeks, especially these last few days. They have put their own uncertainties aside so that your children would not worry too much and feel safe at school. I couldn't be more proud of my staff and our students. They have demonstrated tremendous resolve through this unique time.
Please take this time to enjoy your families, stay healthy, and try to find some relaxation. Like you, I am a parent, and I have two children who are also at home for an extended period of time. I intend to make the best of that time with them. I hope you do the same.
Take good care, and thank you again for your trust in us.
Dr. Stein
Please read the following updates and information:
Online Registration:
- Online registration is now officially open! Please register using our Parent Portal: rebrand.ly/62parentportal.
For more information, please visit: rebrand.ly/62onlineregistration
Kinder Registration:
- If you have an incoming kindergarten student for the 2020-2021 school year and have not come in yet to register, please stop by our main office to pick up the registration packet.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness:
- All 3rd - 5th grade students will take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). This assessment is five sessions (two ELA and three MATH), and there is also a sixth session, which is a field test that does not count towards our overall achievement and growth scores.
- Due to the district closing, a revised schedule will come out once we come back in session.
Crossing Guards Needed:
- Officer Michael Heidkamp from the Des Plaines Police Department has asked me to share this job opportunity with you: Des Plaines Police Department is looking for crossing guards. The position pays $15.00 per hour. If you or any of your friends are interested, please share this information. You can contact Officer Heidkamp at (847) 391-5498, or please click here.
*To view the March Terrace Times as well as the March Breakfast and Lunch Menus, please click the links at the top of this page.
Please read the following reminders:
School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at [email protected], and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.
Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.
WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:
- Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
- Select “Sign in”
- At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
- Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
- Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
- You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.
Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.
Additional Notes:
- If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
- It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.