D103 Learning Update

1. ISBE and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Guidance for the opening of schools mirrors CDC guidance. These include the following:

• Supports the return to school with wearing proper masks

• Observe social distancing from 3-6 feet approved by ISBE and IDPH

• Classroom instruction is 3-6 feet

• Vaccinated staff should remain 3-6 feet apart

• Unvaccinated staff should maintain 6 foot distance

• Cafeteria distance should be 3-6 feet

• When students are eating they should keep a distance of 6 feet

• Ongoing schoolwide cleaning and disinfection

• In-school screenings are now optional if districts choose to no longer implement them

• The District will use this new guidance in its plans for the return of students this fall

2. Metrics: Lake County metrics continue to improve weekly. To date, there has been no outbreak in Lake County schools.

• Travel guidelines are requesting families to follow the 3 Ws (wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands). If families are unable to follow the 3 Ws during travel, District 103 requests students take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test and quarantine for 10 days before returning to school.

3. Fall Planning: There were 1,204 parents who responded to the fall planning survey. The survey indicated that 88 percent to 90 percent of families would send their students to school in the fall if there is a low COVID transmission rate and schools socially distance students to between 3 to 6 feet. The state guidance is to provide remote learning to students with medical needs. As a result, the district will plan for all of its students returning to school in the fall including the full day kindergarten program.

Exceptional Learners Collaborative Review
District 103 has been meeting with the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC) Collaborate, which supports the district’s special education program, to evaluate the district’s services and expenses.

COVID Cost Budget Review

Despite many alterations required due to the effect the COVID pandemic has had on schools, District 103 has done an exceptional job balancing its revenue loss and unexpected expenses. Although the overall expenses still track to be in line with the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, an amended budget due to COVID costs will be completed in the coming months to accurately reflect this.

Student Academic Growth and Proficiency Report

After a review of standardized tests students take in D103, Katie Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, noted that District 103 students continue to outperform students on a national level. A comparison of testing results from fall to winter shows an increase in the number of students who have met the minimum requirements for the expectations of college-and-career-ready standards in their grade level.

“We use these standardized tests to determine how our students are performing, target gaps in learning, and where to modify curriculum for the fall to ensure our students continue to grow,” Mrs. Reynolds said.

The next regular Board meeting will occur on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. The notice and agenda can be found on the District 103 Board meeting webpage.

Women United (United Way) is offering a virtual event, "Community Dialogue on Race: Moving from Ideas to Action" from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7. Please register for this event.

D103 PTO's virtual 5K run/walk event is now open for registration.

In order to keep our community safe and continue to raise funds for our school district, the D103 PTO will host its first ever (hopefully only) ​Run for D103 VIRTUAL 5K Run/Walk. Please visit the Run for D103 website to learn more about the event and register.

The D103 Learning Fund Foundation invites your family to leave a legacy at D103 with the launch of the Legacy Brick Fundraiser. With the completion of the Daniel Wright construction project, the Foundation invites families to donate $100 to inscript their name on a brick pathway outside the remodeled school.

This LFF Legacy Brick Fundraiser video, narrated by Daniel Wright Principal Michelle Blackley and featuring the new school mascot, outlines the project. This is a great opportunity to bring our community together, so please consider a donation. The Learning Fund and all of our schools appreciate your generous support.

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