Spartan Weekly
Shepard Middle School 1/14/2022
3 Day Weekend...
Good Evening Spartan Families,
We have flown through another great week with fond memories of Shepard Talks, Lunar Orbit Models, Cardboard Challenges, Rollerblading and so much more. With a shortened week next week, we wanted to take a moment to remind you that our Winter MAP Testing will take place on Tuesday (Math) and Thursday (Reading): Click Here for our Schedule.
Another important reminder for next week has to do with our extracurricular activities. At Shepard we strive to find a place for all students to get involved, and we want every Spartan to connect with a club or sport before the end of the school year. With our updated COVID protocols, we are requiring that all students in our before/after school clubs and sports submit to our weekly SHIELD testing. If your child is involved in activities or plans to be, please make sure you complete this important consent form before next week.
As we head into the long weekend, we are reminded of the life and monumental contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I'll leave you with one of the many favorite quotes I have from his teachings and speeches, and one I have shared before with our students:
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr.C, Mrs. Zlotnikov and Mrs. Logemann
Shepard StuCo Winter Weather Coat Drive
New Year...New Coats! SMS StuCo needs your help this winter season! We are collecting new and gently used coats to donate to West Deerfield Township. Adult and children coats are welcome! Please drop off all coats in the bins directly inside Shepard’s lobby. Coats will be collected until Friday, January 21st. Thank you!
Upcoming Dates
January 14 - End of Quarter 2
January 17 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
January 18 - Quarter 3 begins/MAP Testing (Math)
January 19 - Crosstown Rivalry Basketball games against Caruso
January 20 - MAP Testing (Reading)
SHIELD Testing (Weekly Opt Out Form)
- If your student has consent to test, we will assume they will come down during their scheduled time (a reminder announcement will be made for each time slot.
- SHIELD Testing remains optional. If for any reason you do not want your child to submit a test sample on Tuesday, January 18, please click here.
If you have questions, please call our office at 847-948-0620
From Deerfield High School
Deerfield High School (DHS) Athletic Booster Club Seeks Volunteers for 2022/2023 School Year
The DHS Athletic Booster Club is looking to fill the position of our Membership Chair for the 2022/2023 School Year. In addition, we are looking for a Co-Chair for Warrior Wear (Spirit Wear) and a Co-Chair for Advertising for the 2022/2023 School Year. In addition, we are always looking for Sports Representatives for Fall, Winter, and Spring Seasons. This is a fantastic way to support your student-athlete as they begin their High School experience.
For more information contact Larry Letwat at larryletwat@gmail.com or at 312-320-6029. Feel Free to visit the website to learn more about this organization at https://www.d113boosters.org/
Important D109 Information
5ESSENTIALS SURVEY NOW OPEN - LEND YOUR VOICE TO HELP OUR SCHOOL!
Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal.
GET YOUR CONSENT ON FILE FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
A reminder, to participate in any before/after school clubs, sports, and activities, all students must have a signed consent form and be signed up for SHIELD testing in order to take part. Please click below to find the consent form.
REVISED QUARANTINE GUIDANCE
The CDC has put out clarifying guidance specifically for K-12 schools reducing the recommended time for isolation and quarantine periods to five days. IDPH & ISBE have since endorsed this new guidance.We are working to adjust our quarantine and isolation periods based on these new regulations and will contact affected individuals directly. The question of who is supposed to quarantine comes up often. Please check out this helpful explainer from the CDC.
OPTIONAL VACCINE DISCLOSURE FOR STUDENTS AGES 5+
Many families have recently chosen to have their 5-11 year old student vaccinated.
As a reminder, your child is not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after receiving their second dose.
You can complete an optional form in Family Access to let DPS 109 know that your child is vaccinated. This is the same form that was made available to students ages 12 and older earlier this year. Please click below to log into Family Access.
Why are we asking for this information?
A major benefit of completing the form is that if your child is deemed to be a close contact to a positive case, either in school or outside of it, our contact tracing team will quickly be able to potentially rule out quarantine for those that have voluntarily disclosed their child’s vaccination status or minimize the number of additional tests required to participate in the test to stay program.
Again, filing out this form is entirely optional. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to communications@dps109.org and we will put you in touch with the appropriate department.
2022-2023 D109 Calendar
The official 2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar was approved by the Board of Education on November 19th, 2021. Please see the calendar on the DPS109 website.