Caruso Connect - February 18th
#CarusoWay
With the district’s announcement this morning about moving to a mask recommended environment starting on Wednesday, February 23rd, we are asking each family to talk to their children about their mask expectations. Some students, families, and staff will choose to transition away from masks, while others will continue to wear the mask. The goal at Caruso and in all schools in District 109, is to maintain the focus on teaching and learning. We respectfully request that you not reach out to your child’s teacher with your masking preferences, as they will not be enforcing any individual expectations. Below is some additional information that may assist you in the conversation.
Addressing the Change:
Explain to children that rules about masks have changed and that whether to wear the mask or not is a family choice.
Respecting Everyone’s Choice:
School is an emotionally safe place for everyone, and it will remain that way.
All children should be encouraged to promote kindness no matter others’ choices. They should be reminded that families have different circumstances that may be impacting their decision to mask or not mask.
Children should not question or try to persuade another to change their decision. Any disrespectful comments/behaviors towards others based on their choice to mask or not mask is unacceptable and will be addressed immediately.
Physical Health & Safety
Schools will continue to have students practice good hygiene, including washing or sanitizing their hands regularly.
Distancing practices will be maintained in classrooms and at lunch.
If students do not feel well, they should stay home.
If a child tests positive for COVID, they still need to isolate.
Shield testing and testing for symptomatic individuals will continue to be offered.
If you have specific health and safety concerns about your child and believe they may meet the criteria for home/hospital instruction, contact Joanna Ford at jford@dps109.org
Social-Emotional Health & Safety Considerations:
If a child is having difficulty understanding, or if they are feeling nervous or anxious in any way, they should be provided space to individually talk about their feelings with a trusted adult. School staff will be ready to offer support. Some examples are as follows:
For children who are shy or have social anxiety, the mask may have offered another level of security.
Masks have been talked about synonymously with safety, so some children will need support to feel comfortable about the abandonment of masks.
Some children, particularly adolescents, have reported feeling less self-conscious about body image while wearing the mask.
As a reminder school will be closed on Monday 2/21 and students will NOT be in attendance on Tuesday 2/22. Students will return Wednesday 2/23. Given the change in the week's schedule, SHIELD testing will take place on Thursday 2/24.
In this week's edition of the Caruso Connect, please read on to see who our Blue Jays of the Week and see our reminders about upcoming events and special opportunities to become involved in our community!
Thank you for your ongoing flexibility and support.
Have a GREAT weekend!
Tim, Caitlin, and Heidy
Tim Brodeur - Principal - tbrodeur@dps109.org
Caitlin Lucci - Associate Principal - clucci@dps109.org
Heidy LaFleur - Interim Coordinator of Student Support - hlafleur@dps109.org
Upcoming Events
3/21 - 3/25 - Spring Break
4/15 - Non Attendance Day
Blue Jays of the Week
Information for Families
5ESSENTIALS SURVEY NOW OPEN - LEND YOUR VOICE TO HELP OUR SCHOOL!
Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal.
While You're In Family Access, Complete The Vaccine Disclosure Form
Remember, you can complete an optional form in Family Access to let DPS 109 know that your child is vaccinated. This is the same form that was made available to students ages 12 and older earlier this year.
A major benefit of completing the form is that if your child is deemed to be a close contact to a positive case, either in school or outside of it, our contact tracing team will quickly be able to potentially rule out quarantine for those that have voluntarily disclosed their child’s vaccination status or minimize the number of additional tests required to participate in the test to stay program.
CMS Clubs and Activities
GET YOUR CONSENT ON FILE FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
A reminder, to participate in any before/after school clubs, sports, and activities, all students must have a signed consent form and be signed up for SHIELD testing in order to take part. Please click below to find the consent form.
Wednesday and Friday Spirit Days
All students and staff are encouraged to join us for Wednesday and Friday Spirit Days!
Every Wednesday is Caruso Day! Wear your Caruso Wear!
2/25 - Jumpsuit / Onesoe
Heath and Wellness Reminders
SHIELD Results
SHIELD Testing
Students will begin SHIELD testing at 8:30 AM. Please ensure that students do not have food, gum, or drinks an hour prior to testing. Students will be called out of class for SHIELD testing according to the schedule below. Please communicate with your student if you would like them to test or not. We make reminder calls for all students for testing, and if students have your consent they can test even if they do not have a QR code/lanyard yet. (We are working with district office to ensure everyone has one soon!)
8th Grade 8:30-8:50 from Encore 1
6th Grade 8:50-9:10 from Core 1
7th Grade 9:20-9:40 from Core 2
CARUSO - 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Thursday, February 24
Wednesday, March 2
Wednesday, March 9
Wednesday, March 16
Wednesday, March 30
Wednesday, April 6
Wednesday, April 13
Wednesday, April 20
Wednesday, April 27
Wednesday, May 4
Wednesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 18
Wednesday, May 25
Wednesday, June 1
Testing is not mandatory. By consenting to the testing, your child’s name is put on a roster and the expectation is that they will be testing weekly unless a parent/guardian notifies us otherwise.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO FILL OUT THE SHIELD CONSENT FORM…
Log in to Skyward/Family Access and it should appear as a green box next to your child’s name. Contact Kristen Neu (kneu@dps109.org) with any Family Access questions.
IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO OPT OUT OF A WEEK OF TESTING…
Fill out this Google Form prior to 7 AM on the day that our school tests: Wednesday
COVID Information
TESTING FOR SYMPTOMATIC STUDENTS
DPS 109 will be offering testing for symptomatic students Monday through Friday afternoons during the school year. The BinaxNOW test will be administered outside of the District Office in the beige testing building (please look for sign on door). Testing is free of charge to families. Click here to read more about testing.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY CHILD WAKES UP SICK? DO OTHER SIBLINGS HAVE TO STAY HOME?
It’s always a tough situation when this happens in the morning! Be sure to read this section in our COVID information hub, especially if you have multiple children enrolled in DPS 109. Our school exclusion guidance comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
8th Grade Transition to DHS
DHS Registration Dates for the Class of 2026
Special Education Articulation Meetings are scheduled Mid-January – Early February. DHS Special Education staff meet with 8th-grade families to review plans for incoming freshmen with Individualized Education Plans.
Calendar of Events:
April 11, 2022: Extra-Curricular Night
May 2, 2022: Health Forms Due to DHS Health Services Office
Mid-August, 2022: Schedules posted on Infinite Campus
August 15, 2022: Warrior Welcome for Students & Parents/Guardians (6:30 pm- 8:00 pm)
August 17, 2022: First day of student attendance
Who to Contact?
Mrs. Lucci, Associate Principal
Mr. Brodeur, Principal
Mrs. LaFleur, Interim Coordinator of Student Support
Caruso Middle School
Email: cmsoffice@dps109.org
Website: https://www.dps109.org/Page/9
Location: 1801 Montgomery Road, Deerfield, IL, USA
Twitter: @109Caruso