Spartan Weekly
News from Glen Crest Middle School: March 14. 2021
From the Principal
What a year it has been! Is is exactly one year ago this past Friday that we scrambled to send everything we could think of home with students to prepare for what we thought would be a few weeks. Little did we know! It's easy to think about everything that has been bad about the last year and worry about how much the kids will be behind because of it, but I would like to take a moment to reflect on all they have accomplished.
The students are amazing and learning different lessons daily. They have learned how to be resilient, and how to problem solve. They have learned other ways to communicate, organize themselves and self advocate with their teachers. They have learned that sometimes things are beyond our control and you don't always get what you want and you have to be patient. They have learned compassion, the value of family and that sometimes we have to sacrifice for the greater good. They have also learned to be grateful for what they do have.
As evidenced through their MAP scores and classwork, they are also making academic progress as they are living through a period of history they will never forget. None of this has been easy. Some are struggling more than others. However, they are all making progress in their own way. I couldn't be any more proud of, or grateful for our students!
Our in-person learners will be starting their four day per week schedule on March 22nd. Later this week, I will be sending out a separate email with reminders on procedures in place to keep everyone safe. Please watch for it!
Sixth grade World Language/ACE letters are due tomorrow. Please have your child turn it in to their first period teacher. Remote learners should drop it off at school, mail it, or email Mrs. Marshall at cmarshall@ccsd89.org.
Sixth grade families (or families new to the district this year) - If you have a student who has not been in person at all yet, and is starting back on the 22nd, you are welcome to bring your student to school on Thursday or Friday from 2:45-4:00 to walk around the building and find their classes.
Drop off lane reminder! - Please have your kids ready to go as you pull into the drop off lane in the morning. They should already have their masks on, certification slips in hand and back pack in their laps so they can hop out of the car quickly. Drivers should pull as far forward as possible before letting the kids out. These little steps help keep the line moving quickly to avoid traffic back ups. This will be even more important starting the 22nd!
Self-certification slips - are required every day. Please make sure your student has theirs before they leave for school. Extra copies are available throughout the school. The form is also attached to this newsletter if you would like to print more at home.
Earbuds or headphones with microphones - every student should have their own pair. With about 28% of our students staying remote, there will be times when an in-person student may be working collaboratively with a student who is at home. If you are unable to get your student a set of earbuds or headphones with a microphone, we will have some available at school.
Returning to in-person? Make sure to turn in a saliva surveillance release form
All students returning to in-person learning will need to complete a saliva surveillance screening the week after spring break. Parents will need to fill out saliva consent form before returning to in-person. The form is available here: https://bit.ly/3aWFKuZ
Please sign the form and turn it into the school as soon as possible.
Because middle-school students eat lunch and mix student groups throughout the day, they will continue to participate in the saliva screening weekly for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Elementary classrooms selected at random will participate in saliva surveillance screening.
Changes to schedule for weekly free meals
Starting, Wednesday, March 17, families will also be able to pick up meals from one of 11 locations throughout the district. Each day, a bus will be making 11 afternoon stops with meals available to any CCSD 89 families. The stops and times are available here: www.ccsd89.org/buslunch
Through March 24: Families can continue to pick up multiple free meals from all five CCSD 89 schools from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays.
Spring break: Meals will be available 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on March 29 and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on April 1 only at Glen Crest Middle School.
After spring break: Meals will be available at all five elementary schools on Mondays, or at Glen Crest on Mondays and Wednesdays. Meals will available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays. Meals will continue be available at Glen Crest from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through March 24. Families can pick up meals at whatever school is most convenient to them.
We need your help!
The Glen Crest PTC is seeking nominations for two officer positions: PTC President and PTC Treasurer. Each term is two years and will start when the current officers' positions expire on June 30, 2021. If interested, please send your nomination to Carrie Zimmer at carrie.zimmer1@gmail.com
Links for Covid related information
Latest CCSD 89 COVID-19 information: www.ccsd89.org/COVID
When should your child stay home from school? https://youtu.be/PleSU04ltbM
Print a self-certification ticket: www.ccsd89.org/certify
DuPage health metrics: www.ccsd89.org/Page/8934
CCSD 89 COVID-19 notifications: www.ccsd89.org/notify
Surveillance testing results: https://bit.ly/3om17Ks
News from the district
Glenbard Parent Series: Lawyer, author discusses ‘How to be an adult’
The Glenbard Parent Series will host a virtual presentation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, from author and lawyer Julie Lythcott-Haims. Lythcott-Haims will discuss the ways that ‘overparenting’ can harm children and parents, then share tips on how to allow children to build resilience and inner determination. Glenbard Parent Series events are free. More info: www.glenbardgps.org
Donate blood March 17 and get free COVID-19 antibody test
The next blood drive will be 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, at Glen Crest Middle School, 725 Sheehan Avenue, Glen Ellyn. You can sign up to donate at: https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5580899 As part of the standard testing, Versiti Blood Center of Illinois will conduct a SARS COV-2 antibody test – also known as the COVID-19 Antibody Test – on each donation.
Help us maintain healthy schools by reporting COVID-19 symptoms to nurse
It is very important that if your student is COVID-19 positive, has COVID-19 symptoms, or was a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you keep your child home and contact Kelly Edman, kedman@ccsd89.org.
Support CCSD 89 musicians by joining the Music Boosters!
Join the Music Boosters Association and be a vital part of supporting music for all CCSD 89 students. The Music Boosters supports music programs at all five CCSD 89 schools. Learn more about how to become a member It’s not too late to join and show your support! More information: https://bit.ly/33YPj92
March 15: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.
March 16: Glenbard Parent Series: How to Be An Adult
March 17: Blood drive at Glen Crest
March 19: Remote learning day for elementary students
March 22: Expanded in-person hours begin
March 23: Glenbard Parent Series: Blackademically Speaking
March 26: No school (Teacher Institute)
March 29-April 2: No school (spring break)
April 5: School resumes; All in-person students will saliva test
CCSD 89 on-line backpack
Most recent fliers:
March virtual parties for Girl Scouts
Great things to do at the Brookfield Zoo
Glen Ellyn Historical Society family scavenger hunt
Glen Ellyn Library E-Learning Resources
Glenbard Parent Series 2020-21 schedule
Butterfield Park District REC Kids before- and after-school program
STEM Lab and Arts & Maker at DuPage Children’s Museum
Need support during remote learning?
Remote learning: www.ccsd89.org/COVID
General questions: info@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3581
Food: lparker@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3507
Technology: www.ccsd89.org/howto or support@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3594
Counseling: kmalmstedt@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3517
Special-education: kkreller@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3515
www.ccsd89.org Facebook Twitter
Glen Crest Middle School
Attendance phone: (630) 858-1844
Daily announcementsEmail: info@ccsd89.org
Website: www.ccsd89.org/glencrest
Location: Glen Crest Middle School, Sheehan Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 469-5220
Facebook: facebook.com/CCSD89
Twitter: @GlenCrestMS