The Dot
QUICK AND TO THE POINT... UPDATES FROM DPS #61
December Heart of the District Winners!
Christian & David
Lynna Pack
What nominators said about our Heart Award Winners:
The Davis family have been an amazing family that has adapted well to virtual instruction this semester with gusto! They created a classroom in their home and each of the students has a space to work. Christian and David are students at Parsons, have had perfect attendance throughout the semester and has completed all of their work. They participate in class and they are always positive! We really enjoyed Christian's video at the beginning of the semester when he shared a tour of their classroom at home! Christian and David are great students and an amazing DPS family!
Here is the link to the Video Tour! https://fb.watch/2rNuigNWmH/
Lynna Pack retired from DPS in 2017 after teaching for the district for 34 years. Mrs. Pack attended Muffley, TJ and is a proud EHS graduate and her children are MacArthur graduates. Mrs. Pack is still working though, she has been a long-term sub since her retirement. Mrs. Pack is just not a substitute, she goes above and beyond. She mentors others and is supportive to ALL. The last two years after her 120 days of teaching ran out, she continued to do all the lesson planning for the classroom and special education paperwork (with no compensation) because she wanted the best for OUR students. When her salary was cut drastically (many subs quit) she continued to work-because it was best for our students. Currently Mrs. Pack is a Dennis Lab School sub and continues to give her very best. She is an advocate for all students and our district. This year Mrs. Pack has made so many home visits to ensure our students have what they need. She continues to help with the SED program at Muffley too. She does all this very quietly and seeks no recognition, because she is doing it for what is best for our students. Mrs. Pack is truly the Heart of OUR District!
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Anyone may submit nomination, as long as the nominee is NOT a family member. These awards are not intended to be a popularity contest. Those submitting nominations are encouraged to consider the impact the nominee has on students, staff, and our district community. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee monthly, and winners will be featured in a future DOT newsletter!
To nominate someone for a future Heart of the District Award, visit www.dps61.org/heartnomination
As previously announced on Friday, December 4:
At this time, DPS plans to welcome students back in person starting Tuesday, January 19, following the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on January 18. We do continue to monitor the health and safety of our community; therefore, this plan is tentative and will be reevaluated following the holiday break.
Students who have declared they want in-person learning will be assigned one day per week to attend in person for January 19 – February 5. In-person students will be divided into two groups, A and B; in-person students will be notified by their school which group they are divided into.
- Group A students will attend in-person on Tuesdays; Group B students will attend in-person on Thursdays.
- All students will continue to attend school virtually on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Those who selected to continue with virtual learning only will still receive assignments on Tuesday and Thursdays; those who selected in-person learning will receive assignments on the day of school they are not in-person.
Only those students who previously declared through Skyward that they would attend in person will attend for January 19 – February 5.
Skyward Form Now Open for Parents to Select their Choice for February 8 Return: DEADLINE January 8
Parents Must Make A Selection for In-Person or Virtual Learning for a February 8 return. Parents much designate: in-person or virtual learning for each child using Skyward Family Access. Students for whom a selection is not made will automatically be placed in virtual learning only. If you need assistance, contact your school's office.
To help you make your selection, you can view the District's COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols plan by clicking here.
- December 21- January 1 | NO SCHOOL Winter Break
- December 24 & 25 | District Offices CLOSED
- January 1 | District Offices CLOSED
- January 4 | NO SCHOOL for Students; Teacher Work Day
- January 8 | Skyward Selection Deadline for Feb 8 Return
- January 18 | NO SCHOOL; District Offices CLOSED (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)
The Decatur Park District activity guide is now virtual! Click on the image above to see all the upcoming classes, programs and events happening in October, November and December.
Contact Us
Email: WeListen@dps61.org
Website: https://www.dps61.org
Location: 101 West Cerro Gordo Street, Decatur, IL 62523, USA
Phone: 217.362.3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decaturpublicschools/
Twitter: @DPS61Decatur