Viking Newsletter
Jim Calabrese, Superintendent, Taft SD 90
August 1, 2021
Message from Mr. Calabrese
For those who do not know Joe, he was born and raised within Taft boundaries. He graduated from Taft and moved on to Lockport Township High School. Joe and Mia made their home within Taft boundaries and ultimately sent their son, Ben, to Taft. Joe worked exceptionally hard to help pass a much needed building bond referendum that provided resources to help update our aging building. He eventually served on our Board of Education for a number of years.
Through his hard work Joe's legacy will have a positive impact on countless Taft Vikings well into the future. Our prayers go out to Mia, Ben, and the rest of Joe's family during this incredibly difficult time.
Vaccination Clinic
Baseball Tryouts
We hope everyone is having an amazing summer. Baseball season is right around the corner. Baseball is offered to all 5th-8th grade students. Mr. Tetlow will be our baseball coach again. He is excited about having another season as a Taft coach. Here is some information about tryouts below:
Baseball tryouts will take place on August 2nd from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at Dellwood Park (parking lot at the end of Parkview Ln.)
Message from Mr. Davini
Hello Taft Vikings!
It is my pleasure to introduce myself prior to the 2021-2022 school year. My name is Bill Davini, and I am the new Principal of Taft School. I had the pleasure of meeting some students and parents during our summer school program, and after working with a small portion of the community I am beyond excited for the start of the school year! I have been in education for over 12 years with the last 5 years coming in administration, most recently serving as a Principal of K-5 school. Prior to my administrative career I was a Social Studies teacher and high school athletics coach.
I have always had a passion for education and believe all students deserve the best school experience we can provide. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for teaching and learning with our staff and community this coming year. If at any point you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at 815-838-0408 ext. 1020 or email me at b.davini@taftsd90.org.
Reopening Plan
As we prepare for the coming school year, we are excited to know that the CDC and our state organizations (IDPH and ISBE) expect and support the return to full day, fully in-person learning for all schools in Illinois. Important information from IDPH can be found here: Illinois Depart of Public Health COVID19 Guidance for Schools. The latest information from ISBE regarding COIVD19 and schools can be found here by downloading the various documents below.
Taft is continuing work through the planning process for a full return to learning when school starts for students on August 16th, but we are still waiting on many details from state and local organizations, insurance companies, and our law firm. The Board of Education will work with the administrators and staff over the weeks ahead to make a final plan for what safety measures and mitigation strategies will be in place moving forward.
The Taft 21-22 Return to In-Person Learning below is a draft document that will give you an idea of what to expect if school were to start under the existing guidelines and recommendations from IPDH/ISBE. Please know, this is not a final document and it is subject to change as guidance changes between now and the start of school.
Masks
I continue to go back and forth on a mask mandate for our students. On one hand I know that our society is growing tired of wearing masks and has enjoyed almost the whole summer without wearing masks in many locations. I see full crowds at Wrigley Field, and open restaurants, and so many other places.
However, I also know that no one has to go to a ball game or eat at a restaurant. All students are required to attend some form of school and for most of our families the local public school is the best option for them. The quarantine rules, when it comes to what is considered a close contact, have changed based on mask usage. If both individuals are properly wearing a mask then close contact is defined as being closer than three feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period. If one of the individuals is not wearing a mask then it is six feet, like it was last year.
Last year we did not have to exclude any students from school because of a close contact while at school, but we were able to maintain the six feet of social distancing in ALL areas. Again, this coming year we will be able to maintain the three feet of social distance. The other main change is that last year we had a full remote learning option for parents and because of that students were able to toggle back and forth to that remote learning option if they needed to be excluded from school due to having symptoms or a close contact outside of school. That will not exist this year.
This year we are planning to build some time into Coach Howard's schedule to touch base with students who are excluded in order to help them complete their work while at home. It will in no way be a replacement for the learning that will happen at Taft. Contact with classroom teachers will be limited which will create a strain on students if they need to be excluded for as many as 10 day for each exposure.
Shield Testing
The other major advantage is that Shield Testing could also help keep students in school. If a student is a close contact but continue to stay symptom free and continue to test negative on their Shield Tests they will be able to stay in school. That is a huge advantage for administering the tests on a regular basis.
The last major advantage is that we will have school-wide data that can be used to make determinations at the school level. Right now we would need to look at County and Zip Code metrics when making decisions, and that is not the best sample size for our small district. Having Taft-only data will help us be more responsive on a district level which would be a great thing.
Meet and Greet Event
Student Class Assignments
Our staff is still working hard to work through all of the late registrations as well as registering all of the new families that will be coming to Taft next year. Parents of students who will be entering kindergarten will receive a call early next week informing them of their student's AM or PM assignment. Parents and students in 1st - 5th grade will be able to access their room assignments via TeacherEase no later than August 9th. Parents and students in 6th - 8th grade will be able to access the students' daily schedules no later that August 9th as well.
Kindergarten Orientation
We are so excited to welcome our newest members of Taft! Kindergarten Orientation will take place on Monday, August 16th at Taft School. We will hold two separate groups for orientation. The time will be used to meet the teacher, get you and your child acquainted with their school, classmates, and classroom. Please see the times below. We ask that you enter through the main door and be patient as we check parents into our system. It is up to you whether you bring your child or not, it is not required.
Session 1 – 8:45am-9:15am
Session 2 – 12:30pm-1pm
The first day of attendance for Kindergarten students is Tuesday, August 17th. AM/PM placements will be coming out shortly. Times of student attendance are below.
AM Kindergarten - 8:30 AM - 11:10 AM
PM Kindergarten - 12:35 PM - 3:15 PM
If you have any questions, please reach out to the following staff members
Bill Davini – Principal – b.davini@taftsd90.org
Melanie Schuldt – Administrative Assistant – m.schuldt@taftsd90.org
School Supply List
Lunch Program Update
School Calendar
8/2/21 - Baseball Tryouts @ Dellwood Park -
8/11/21 - Baseball Game vs. JV Lukansic - 4:15 PM @ Dellwood Park
8/12/21 - Baseball Game vs. Richland - 4:15 PM @ Dellwood Park
8/12/21 - Board of Education Meeting - 6:15 PM - Library
8/13/21 - Teacher Institute Day
8/13/21 - Teacher Meet and Greet on the Playground @ 1:30 PM
8/13/21 - Softball Game @ Rockdale - 4:15 PM
8/13/21 - Baseball Game @ Elwood - 4:30 PM
8/16/21 - First Day of School - 1st - 8th Grade Students
8/16/21 - Kindergarten Orientation - AM @ 8:40 AM & PM 12:30 PM
8/17/21 - Softball Game @ KG - 4:00 PM
8/17/21 - Baseball Game @ KG - 4:00 PM
8/18/21 - Baseball Game vs. AVM - 4:30 PM @ Dellwood Park
8/20/21 - Baseball Game @ Oak Prairie - 4:00 PM
8/23/21 - Baseball Game vs. Rockdale - 4:15 PM @ Dellwood Park
8/23/21 - Softball Game @ Laraway - 4:15 PM
8/24/21 - Baseball Game vs. Monge - 4:15 PM @ Dellwood Park
8/26/21 - Baseball Game @ St. Ray's - 4:30 PM
8/30/21 - Softball Game vs. JV Brooks - 4:30 PM @ Dellwood Park
8/31/21 - Baseball Game @ old Quarry - 4:15 PM
8/31/21 - Softball Game vs. AVM JV - 4:30 PM @ Dellwood Park
2021-2022 Registration
2021-2022 School Calendar
Taft School District 90
Email: j.calabrese@taftsd90.org
Website: www.taft90.org
Location: 1605 South Washington Street, Lockport, IL, USA
Phone: (815)838-0434
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taft.vikings
Twitter: @jjcalabrese