Pierce Downer This Week
Week of February 7-February 11
Pierce Downer Families-
This was certainly an eventful week in Downers Grove District 58. Every day on our morning announcements and often at the end of emails you will read "WE are PD!" and this is something we emphasize daily. As we enter into a mask optional learning environment, it is important that we do not lose sight of the WE each day. Below you will find some of the FAQ that were sent out by the district last week.
Calendar: There is school on Feb. 25, 2022!
District 58 updated its 2021-22 calendar last August. The updated calendar changed the date of the winter Teacher Institute Day. Last August, we emailed the updated calendar to families and posted it on our website. We realize some families might still have the old calendar, so we wanted to remind you of the following:
- Friday, Feb. 25 is a school day.
- Friday, March 4 is not a school day. (It's the County's Teacher Institute Day).
- Please access the official 2021-22 District 58 school year calendar here.
Please remember the doors open each morning at 8:10 and class begins at 8:15.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns via email LWagner@DG58.org or call 630-719-5860.
We are PD!
L. Wagner, Principal
A MESSAGE FROM DG58
Dear District 58 Community,
Thank you for your partnership with District 58. As we shared on Thursday evening, the Board voted to adopt a resolution that will change some of District 58’s COVID-19 mitigations beginning Monday, Feb. 14. Please read the following FAQ document for more information.
1. What changes did District 58 make to its COVID-19 mitigation plan?
Beginning Monday, Feb. 14:
District 58 will recommend, but will not require, students and staff to wear a mask at school. Masks are still required on District transportation, per federal mandate.
District 58 will not require “close contacts” to stay home from school.
District 58 will not require unvaccinated District staff to submit to weekly testing.
2. How is District 58 supporting students and staff during this transition?
Please know that our priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We understand that while some students may be excited about this change, the transition may also elicit anxiety and other emotions for many students. District 58 is committed to social and emotional learning (SEL) for students, and our teachers have access to our SEL curriculum, which contains resources they may use to support this transition. In addition, students will participate in a teacher-facilitated conversation with an emphasis on respecting the choices of others while reiterating that we want all students to feel safe.
3. How can families help support their child(ren) through this transition?
In addition to the conversations that students will have at school, we ask that you have conversations with your child or children as well and that you make a decision regarding masking that is best for your family. Just as we are facilitating conversations in school about respecting (and not questioning) others’ choices, we ask you to emphasize this message at home. Staff members will model the behavior of not questioning the masking choice of students; similarly, we want to encourage students not to question their peers’ choices.
The District will no longer monitor and/or enforce masking, so if you would like your child or children to wear a mask during the school day, please ensure they understand your expectation. While we always strive to partner with families as best we can, it is not feasible for staff to keep track daily of which students are wearing masks, and which are not.
4. My child is immunocompromised or has an underlying condition that makes him/her more susceptible to COVID-19 complications. What accommodations exist?
We encourage families of students who are immunocompromised or who have another medical condition(s) that could negatively impact their student to work with their building principal and student support team to consider reasonable accommodations.
5. My child does not have a medical condition that requires accommodations. Can I still request those accommodations? For example, can I request that my masked child be seated only by other masked students?
Please understand that our schools are not able to accommodate special requests for seating in the classroom. Instructional spacing will remain at three feet for all students, with the exception of current lunch and snack protocols that are in place. Students will not be segregated within instructional spaces based upon masking choices.
6. Is District 58 changing any of its other COVID-19 mitigations beyond the three listed in #1 above?
No. Public health agencies recommend a layered approach to removing mitigations, which is what District 58 will do. District 58’s instructional spacing will remain at 3 feet, and lunch and recess will be handled in the same way as they are today. In addition, staff will maintain 6 feet of distancing in instructional spaces to the greatest extent possible. District 58 will also continue to strongly recommend the use of hand sanitizer, hand washing, weekly testing for unvaccinated staff, etc.
7. Are students required to wear masks on the bus?
Yes, students are required to wear masks on any District-provided transportation, as required by federal mandate. This includes before- and after-school bus transportation, intra-school bus transportation, and special transportation.
8. Can individuals who test positive for COVID-19 still return to school after five days? Are students or staff members who tested positive for COVID-19 required to wear masks after returning to school?
District 58 will continue to follow Illinois Department of Public Health guidance regarding positive COVID-19 cases. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must be excluded from school and may return to school after five days if they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and if their symptoms are improving. However, they will be required to wear a mask at school until after 10 days have passed since either their positive test or their first day of symptoms.
9. Are masks required at my child’s before- and after-school care program?
District 58’s mask-recommended policy only applies to District 58. Please consult with your childcare provider regarding their mask requirements.
10. Will District 58 continue to offer its onsite COVID-19 testing program?
Yes, District 58 will continue to offer onsite COVID-19 testing. There are no changes to our testing program.
11. Will District 58 continue to update its COVID-19 dashboard?
Yes, District 58 will continue to update its dashboard on weekdays around 4 p.m.
12. Does District 58’s mask-recommended policy apply to school extracurriculars?
Yes, extracurriculars are the same as in-person instruction. However, when visiting other schools in different districts, students are expected to follow the rules set by the school district being visited.
13. What will District 58 do if the Temporary Restraining Order gets overturned?
The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Governor Pritzker’s mask mandate has already been appealed, and motions to stay the TRO have been filed. It is possible that the TRO will be overturned. If the TRO is overturned, District 58 will immediately review and follow the court decision, and this might mean that District 58 will require masks in schools again. School districts that ignore or refuse to comply with state mandates risk losing accreditation, state funding and insurance coverage. This is not a risk District 58 is willing to take.
14. If my child has COVID-19 symptoms, what should he or she do?
Students, staff and visitors who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not report to school. If at any time your child is not feeling well, please have him/her stay home, or, if your child is in school, have him/her visit the nurse's office. Students who experience COVID-19 symptoms must stay home, and we highly recommend them to get tested for COVID-19.
If a student has at least one COVID-19 symptom and does not get tested for COVID, they must stay home for five days and may return if they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and if their symptoms are improving. However, they will be required to wear a mask for an additional five days.
15. Will teachers and staff be wearing masks?
District 58 strongly recommends -- but does not require -- all students and staff to wear a mask. As such, it is likely that your child’s teacher(s) may wear a mask. District 58 cannot accommodate any family requests for a teacher or staff member to not wear a mask.
For additional information, families are encouraged to review the Return to Learn update presented to the Board of Education during the Feb. 10 Special Meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Wagner on Monday, thank you!
Furry Visitors!
District 58 Solo Festival
Congratulations to:
Adde Amidei
Maddy Henrickson
Owen Henrikson
Emelia Jaikovski
David McElligott
Megan Meyer
Annie Scholz
PD Cup Recipient
Thank you Mrs. O"Brien for all that you do!
Calling all PD Girls!
Process to share vaccination status
District 58 invites families to voluntarily share an electronic image of their child’s vaccination card with their building’s health office. Providing proof of vaccination is not required. However, current CDC guidance excuses fully vaccinated individuals from having to quarantine unless symptomatic.
By sharing a copy of your child’s card, if your child is a close contact, having the vaccination card on hand will expedite the school’s investigation process. Copies of proof of vaccination will be kept in each student’s individual health file and treated in the same way as all health records. Please feel free to send a picture of your child's COVID vaccination card to your school nurse!
Passing the Torch at Pierce Downer
District 58 Inclement Weather Procedures
How does District 58 communicate emergency closure information?
When a decision is made to close school due to inclement weather, the District will send an automated voice and email message to all parents and staff via the SchoolMessenger notification system. The system will also send a text message to parents and staff who have registered to receive texts. Sign up to receive District 58 text messages by texting YES to 68453 using a phone number that is on file with District 58. Opt out at any time by texting STOP to the same number.
District 58 also posts school closure information on its website, Facebook page, Twitter page and on the District’s answering machine at 630-719-5800. The District notifies major news radio and network television stations about closures and posts closure information at www.emergencyclosings.com.
How does District 58 decide whether to cancel school?
District 58’s superintendent consults with a variety of resources — weather forecasts, neighboring superintendents, the bus company and the District’s buildings and grounds teams — to make an informed decision. The decision is based on many factors.
Building conditions: Do the buildings have power, light and heat?
Site conditions: Is the parking lot plowed? Can buses get in and turn around? Can parents drop off students? Are the exit doors free of snow?
Bus operations: Can the bus drivers get to the bus company? Do the buses start? Do the drivers feel comfortable driving?
Road conditions: Are the roads continually plowed and is traffic moving?
Air temperature: How cold is it? What is the wind chill? Can children safely walk to school? District 58 will likely close school during conditions when frostbite may occur after approximately 20 minutes of exposure. Please refer to the District’s Wind Chill Chart and the NOAA Wind Chill Chart.
If the answer is yes to the first four questions, and if the forecast temperature/wind speed is above the threshold in the wind chill chart, District 58 will most likely keep schools open.
Student safety is District 58’s top priority, but the District also understands that canceling school is inconvenient for students, teachers and parents. The superintendent will make the decision as soon as safely possible. Learn more about inclement weather closings here.
February 14
Valentine's Day Parties
February 21
No School: Presidents' Day
February 25
Fun Lunch
March 4
No School
March 10
PTA Sweetheart Dance
Leland Wagner, Principal
Email: LWagner@dg58.org
Website: www.DG58.org
Location: 1436 Grant Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630-719-5860
Twitter: @LWagnerDG58