CCSD15 Staff Newsletter
March 13, 2020
A LETTER FROM DR. HEINZ
Dear Staff,
As you know from my message to the community earlier today, all District 15 schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through at least the end of Spring Break. Due to heightened restrictions and recommendations related to group gatherings and social distancing as it relates to COVID-19, we felt this decision was in the best interest of our students and staff.
As you know, actions in response to the pandemic are moving swiftly -- even hourly. This is uncharted territory not only for District 15, but for our nation and the world. We understand that this situation invites many questions and concerns from staff, students and parents, and for us as administrators, too.
I ask for your flexibility and patience over the coming weeks, as we navigate this situation together. Above all, I ask for your trust that we will always act with the well-being of staff and students at the forefront.
There are still many unknowns at this time, and many things that continue to change and evolve. Our promise is that we will keep you informed with any new information as soon as it becomes available to us.
Your principal or department head should be your first point of contact with questions. We also have an FAQ for staff available to view online, as well as the D15 COVID-19 website, which is updated frequently. The staff FAQ is under construction as we work to answer the questions that arise.
IMMEDIATE PLANS
Below you will find more information about our immediate plans.
We will be utilizing all five emergency closure days for the week of March 16. This is the same practice we utilize in the event of a snow or inclement weather day. These days will be made up at the end of the year, pushing our last day of school to Tuesday, June 2.
Before students leave school today, they should be reminded by teachers what they should bring home. This includes all leftover food items, technology, clothing, etc. We are treating this “clean-out” as we would before winter break.
Spring Break will continue as usual from Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27. Teaching staff will report for a scheduled work day on Monday, March 30 and students will be scheduled to return on Tuesday, March 31.
In the event that a closure is needed beyond Spring Break, we will communicate Distance Learning plans with you in order to continue educating students through an extended absence from school. Unfortunately, we do not have a set date in mind when that decision will be made, due to the fluid nature of this rapidly evolving situation.
STAFF QUESTIONS
We have received many questions from teachers and staff regarding Distance Learning and what it means for students and staff. We are creating a separate FAQ document about Distance Learning that will be shared with you as soon as it is complete.
For now, I’d like to address a commonly asked question we have received.
Teacher question: We are now being told students are not required to complete the work? Why? Why were we asked to create work that will not be used?
Answer: Yesterday morning, we began to quickly mobilize Instructional Technology Coaches and administrators to begin to start creating the Distance Learning Resources for Students and create some packets for students to take/use at home in the event of a prolonged closure beyond Spring Break.
The next two weeks, the emergency closing days (Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20) and Spring Break (Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27) are non-work days for both students and staff.
In the event that school buildings remain closed after spring break, distance learning plans will be implemented. In order to be ready to do so, we began working Thursday to pull resources together for students. Teachers are expected to be in attendance on Monday, March 30, 2020. This is when teachers will be able to complete any distance learning plans.
DISTANCE LEARNING
As we announced previously, our team has been working to create both a virtual learning platform, at-home learning activities and some that are more paper-pencil based to keep students engaged academically only if schools must close beyond Spring Break.
This tentative plan is available to view online. It is set up through grade bands, with information for students in grades pre-K-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8. In the event of a prolonged closure, we will be communicating with staff and parents regarding next steps as it relates to Distance Learning. Additionally, we will be adding a Parent Q&A.
We understand that not all of our students have access to Internet or technology, which poses a significant challenge when implementing a plan like this. Please understand we are working hard to meet the needs of our students while facing this extraordinary circumstance, and our plan is not perfect. We ask for your patience and collaboration as we roll it out, should an extended absence be needed.
If District learning is implemented students will be encouraged to turn in work for your review (NOT GRADING) when they return. We cannot require the work sent home to be completed as there will be no instruction. Simply take what students give you and praise them for completing it. The work done while school is closed is NOT to be included in the student’s grade-it is merely a means of keeping students involved academically while not in school.
NEXT STEPS
Facing this pandemic is an immense challenge that we have been navigating this week. The uncertainty and disruptions in the weeks ahead will be difficult for all of us -- both at work and at home.
Each of you has my profound thanks in advance for maintaining a positive spirit in all that will be asked of you in coming days. Your patience will be imperative. I know we care deeply about the children in our schools. I have an unwavering belief that if we remain unified and focused on the children and our shared values, we will be proud of how we responded to this crisis.
Stay healthy, stay calm, stay resilient -- we will get through this together.
Warmly,
Laurie Heinz
Morgan Delack
Email: delackm@ccsd15.net
Website: www.ccsd15.net
Location: 580 North 1st Bank Drive, Palatine, IL, USA
Phone: 847-963-3204
Facebook: facebook.com/CCSD15
Twitter: @D15Schools