Caruso Connect - December 17th
#CarusoWay
This was a very exciting week at CMS. We were able to gather as a socially distanced school community to welcome the DHS Choraliers! They were wonderful performers, and are a great reminder to our students of all the amazing things that they can be involved in when they go to high school. It was also such a treat for our staff to see former Blue Jays all grown up!
As we approach this new year, we reflect on the year that 2021 has been. While it has been a year like one we have never seen, we have been able to come together to support each other. As a staff we thank you for our partnership in supporting our students. We hope that the new year brings joy and success for all.
Have a GREAT break and see you all in 2022,
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
1/3 - Welcome back
1/17 - No School MLK Day
1/18 - Q 3 Starts
Blue Jays of the Week
Information for Families
OPTIONAL VACCINE DISCLOSURE FOR STUDENTS AGES 5+
Many families have recently chosen to have their 5-11 year old student vaccinated.
As a reminder, your child is not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after receiving their second dose.
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. Please click below to log into Family Access.
Why are we asking for this information?
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.
Again, filing out this form is entirely optional. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to communications@dps109.org and we will put you in touch with the appropriate department.
CMS Clubs and Activities
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!
1/7 Comfy Day
1/14 - Tie-Dye
1/21 Fun in the Sun
1/28 - Crazy Hats
Heath and Wellness Reminders
SHIELD Results
Reminder for School Volunteers
A quick reminder, that all volunteers or individuals spending prolonged time in one of our buildings are required to be vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID test.
If you are coming to our building to volunteer, please remember these things:
-Wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status
-Bring a photo ID to check in at the front office
-Bring your proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test (not self-administered) from within the last week
-Complete a Covid self-certification prior to coming to school
Thank you for your cooperation and please contact Eric Steckling (esteckling@dps109.org) if you have any questions.
What is Test To Stay?
This year, fewer students are needing to be quarantined if they are a close contact to a COVID-19 case, thanks to the Lake County Health Department's "Test To Stay" protocol. Click here to read more from the district about it.
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
Wednesday, January 5
Wednesday, January 12
Wednesday, January 19
Wednesday, January 26
Wednesday, February 2
Wednesday, February 9
Wednesday, February 16
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
High School Registration Video will be released on January 7, 2022. Families will have the opportunity to learn about course offerings and the online registration process.
High School Preview Night (formerly 8th Grade Curriculum Night) is Wednesday, January 12, starting at 6:30 pm. This in-person event is for both students and parents/guardians.
Online Course Requests Open on Tuesday, January 11. If families have questions or concerns regarding course placement, they can contact the DHS academic department chair.
Course Requests close on Tuesday, January 25. Families must submit their final course requests by 3:30 pm.
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.
Counseling Collaboration Meetings will start in January. During collaboration meetings, members of the DHS Counseling Department meet with middle school principals and staff to exchange information on 8th graders who are not receiving special education services. Students with 504 plans will be discussed at this meeting. In preparation for the meeting, we will share an outline of topics. All collaboration meetings will be held virtually.
Calendar of Events:
January 11, 2022: Course Registration Opens for Course Requests
January 12, 2022: High School Preview Night for Students & Parents/Guardians
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm (In-Person)
January 25, 2022: Course Requests Completed by 3:30 pm
February 10, 2022: Course Verification Opens after 8:00 am
February 14, 2022: Course Verification Closes at 3:30 pm
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