This week we completed the final phase of the return to in-personal learning by welcoming our 4th and 5th graders. It has been a lot of very careful planing and hard work to make this happen, and we are so happy to have many of our students back in the building. We do miss seeing our remote students from an in-person perspective, but we are thankful that they are with us on Zoom so we can see their faces and know how they are doing.
As a community, you have all been so extremely supportive, patient, and understanding. As a staff, we cannot express our gratitude enough for our partnership with all of you. Whether you have students here in person or at home remotely, you have all been doing a fantastic job keeping up with everything, such as materials pickups, arrival and dismissal protocols, student self-certification, etc. We could not have made all of this happen without you, so again I thank you on behalf of our entire staff.
Don't forget that next Friday, October 30, is a 1/2 day institute day. There will be no kindergarten attendance that day. For grades 1-5, school will end at 12:00. If your child is coming to school for in-person learning, please make sure you are here promptly by 12:00 for pick-up.
Enjoy the weekend!
PLEASE READ THESE OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
For Families of Remote Students Only:
A few months ago, you enrolled your child in the “remote learning” platform to begin the 2020-2021 school year. As promised, now that we are nearing the end of the trimester for our elementary schools, we will be offering you the opportunity to update your selection to “in-person learning” should you wish to do so. Please keep in mind that “in-person learning” requires students and staff to wear masks and maintain social distance throughout the school day. Please look for a communication from District 62 within the next few days should you wish to make a change.
Hace unos meses ustedes inscribieron a su hijo(a) en la plataforma de “aprendizaje remoto” para empezar el año escolar del 2020-2021. Como se prometió, ahora que nos acercamos al trimestre para nuestras escuelas primarias, les ofreceremos la oportunidad de actualizar su selección a “aprendizaje en persona” si así lo desean. Favor de tener en cuenta que el "aprendizaje en persona" requiere que los estudiantes y el personal usen mascarillas y mantengan la distancia social durante el día escolar. Recibirán una comunicación del Distrito 62 en los próximos días si desean hacer un cambio.
Right At School:
Just as a reminder, we have a partnership with Right At School for before and after school childcare. We used to have SPARK for the same purpose, but now we are working with Right At School. If you are interested in a before or after school childcare option for your children, please click here to see their website. There you can find a description of the program as well as pricing.
Healthy Choices Week:
Student Council would like to have a theme day for each day next week. Here are the themes for each day next week for both remote and in-person students:
Monday - Go get your Terrace spirit-wear! Wear Terrace clothing if you have it, or wear red.
Tuesday - Hang out if your pjs. Pajama day!
Wednesday - Ok, time to get crazy! mismatched clothes, face coverings, or crazy hair.
Thursday - Sport up to a new friend. Wear favorite sports team apparel. Try and make a new friend.
Friday - Time for Halloween spirit! Wear a costume to school or at home!!
Materials Pickup:
On Thursday and Friday, November 05-06, we will have another round of materials distribution. Please note that due to staffing availability, we have moved the pickup times to 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 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
- November 05 - Grades K-2 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- November 06 - 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.
Halloween:
- As Halloween is approaching, I wanted to review with you how the school day will proceed on Friday, October 30, 2020:
- Please remember that it is a half-day institute day, and dismissal will be at 12:00. There will be NO SCHOOL for any kindergarten students on Oct. 30.
- This year due to the nature of our enhanced safety procedures, we WILL NOT be having a Halloween parade as we have typically had in the past. However, stay tuned for some communications to come your way from Student Council, who will be planning a virtual Halloween parade.
- Costumes may be worn to school and at home on Oct. 29 for kindergarteners and on October 30 for grades 1-5. We encourage both our in-person and remote students to have some fun and dress up on these dates. Costumes may not contain: weapons of any sort, blood, cigars or cigarettes, and we should not be able to see any student’s bare stomach. In addition, please ensure that costumes are age-appropriate for school and are not overly scary. Masks for costumes may be worn only during classroom activities that allow for it, but they may not be worn during the entire school day. Face coverings still must be worn all day while student are in person at school.
Breakfast and Lunch:
For students who are retuning to school for in-person learning:
- All students will receive meals free of charge through December of 2020. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) changed the guidelines regarding school meals for the reminder of 2020. If you send your child to school and want them to have breakfast or lunch, they may do so free of charge through the end of the calendar year.
- We are awaiting the guidelines on meal service starting in January of 2021. Families whose students are not on the free and reduced lunch program may need to resume paying for their meals starting in January. More information will be communicated to you about this once it becomes available.
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.