The Dolphin Dive
December 17, 2020
A Note From Mrs. Daly
Dear Virginia Lake Families,
It is my hope that everyone is doing well while staying healthy and safe. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in January when we return for in-person learning.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, many of the performances and holiday events traditionally planned for the winter season will not be taking place. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience.
Even though we have been in an adaptive pause or learning virtually, VL continues to work hard and inspire all of our students to do their best. At VL, we inspire all of our students to discover their own personal strengths, embrace learning, and achieve their personal excellence.
Our committed staff continues to dig deep in our Fontus and Pinnel Curriculum for reading to create natural and rich discussions around text as well as supporting students to find those just-right books to enjoy the art of reading.
As a school, we will continue to keep looking at our attendance for our school culture and climate goal. Please help instill good habits with your children. We really would like all students present every day. If they are scheduled to be in person, they need to be coming to the building daily. If they are learning virtually, they need to be present with cameras on and participating in their own learning. Let’s work together to have all of our students present and on time to learn.
On behalf of the administrative team and the entire Virginia Lake staff, we want to wish our parents, students, and community partners a safe and joyous holiday season. Remember to practice universal safety precautions in all that you do, whether traveling or staying home.
“Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Happy Hanukah,” “Happy Kwanza,” “Joyeuz Noel” and “Milad Majid” from Virginia Lake!
Warmly,
Mrs. Daly
Thank You
Thank you to all of the VL staff for your gift card and item donations. Your warm hearts and generosity have blessed so many families.
People Helping People
A Message from our Clinicians
While this is known to be the season of festivities and family gatherings, it has been quite the different year. We understand that it can feel overwhelming to find calmness and peace during this time, and we want to provide some resources that can help you connect with your kiddos and find moments of joy this winter break!
Try completing a gratitude scavenger hunt with your family this winter break
Listen to this calming Spotify playlist and explore similar options while you are there!
Carve some time into this winter break to go on a walk in nature
Deer Grove Forest Preserve
Ned Brown Preserve (Busse Woods)
The Morton Arboretum
Calendar Dates
Monday, December 21 - Friday, January 1: Winter Break - No School
Tuesday, January 5 - In-Person Students Return
Tuesday, January 4 - Access Assessment Window Opens
Monday, January 18 - No School Martin Luther King Day
ACCESS Testing - Second Language Parent Communication 2021
December 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians:
During the months of January and February, your child will be participating in the ACCESS 2.0 or Alternate ACCESS test for the State of Illinois as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These assessments measure the English language proficiency level of your child in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. All students who qualify for English language support are required to be administered this assessment regardless of whether or not they are currently receiving direct programming support or have refused services for the 2020-21 school year.
ACCESS testing this year must be conducted in person, and so all English learners, both virtual and in person learners, will be asked to test in person during the months of January and February. Heightened health and safety measures will be strictly followed to ensure a safe testing experience for both staff and students. These measures include:
Requiring self-certification and temperature checks the day of testing for all staff, students, and each parent/guardian bringing a student in for testing;
Practicing frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer;
Mandating the use of face coverings while in the school building;
Maintaining 6 ft. of social distancing in all testing environments;
Staggering appointment times for 1:1 or small groups of students to allow for time to disinfect testing areas between sessions;
Cleaning/disinfecting any shared assessment materials after use; and
Using plexiglass screen guards and/or face shields as an extra layer of protection for 1:1 Kindergarten ACCESS or Alternate ACCESS testing.
For in person learners, the 30-minute kindergarten test and Alternate ACCESS test are given 1:1 and will be administered during a time that is least disruptive to your child’s schedule. Grades 1-8 will be administered the ACCESS 2.0 listening, reading, and writing assessments in groups (with all students spaced 6 feet apart), and the speaking assessment will be given either 1:1 or in a smaller setting. Again, these assessments will be administered during times that are least disruptive to your child’s school schedule.
For virtual learners, the same test times will be adhered to. Kindergarten and Alternate ACCESS tests will be administered in one session (unless IEP accommodations state otherwise). Students in grades 1-8 will be administered the ACCESS 2.0 listening and reading domains in one test session and the speaking and writing domains in another test session on two different days each lasting approximately 90 minutes. Your child’s school will be reaching out to schedule these test sessions at a time that is most convenient for your family. If transportation is an issue, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate any needs expressed.
If your child is not able to come in person to take the test, we kindly ask that you please email the principal or assistant principal at your child’s school to share your reason for not testing (ISBE requires this documentation), or complete the form below and return it to your child’s school. It is important to note that students who do not participate in this assessment will not have the opportunity to reclassify or exit ESL programming and will for certain continue as English learners in the 2021-22 school year (of course those who refuse services may continue to do so).
Additional information regarding the ACCESS test can be found at https://wida.wisc.edu/teach/learners/engagement. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at urbanskr@ccsd15.net or phone at 847-963-3136. Thank you very much for your support of this assessment which provides us with invaluable data as we design instruction to help our ELs develop grade level proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.
Sincerely,
Renee Urbanski
Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual Programs
Diciembre del 2020
Estimados padres/tutores:
Durante los meses de enero y febrero, su hijo/a participará en la prueba ACCESS 2.0 o Alternate ACCESS para el estado de Illinois según lo exige la Ley Every Student Succeeds (ESSA, siglas en inglés). Estas evaluaciones medirán el nivel de dominio del idioma inglés de su hijo/a al escuchar, hablar, leer, y escribir. Se requiere que todos los estudiantes que califiquen para recibir apoyo en el idioma inglés se les administre esta evaluación independientemente de si actualmente reciben apoyo directo de programación o si han rechazado los servicios para el año escolar 20-21.
Las pruebas ACCESS sólo se pueden realizar en persona, por lo que a todos los estudiantes aprendices de inglés, tanto virtuales como en persona, se les pedirá que realicen la prueba en persona durante los meses de enero y febrero. Se seguirán rigurosamente medidas estrictas de salud y seguridad para garantizar una experiencia de prueba lo más segura posible para todos. Estas medidas incluyen:
Requerir autocertificación y controles de temperatura el día de la prueba para todo el personal, los estudiantes y cada padre/tutor que traiga a un estudiante para la prueba.
Practicar el lavado de manos frecuente y el uso de desinfectante de manos y exigir el uso de cubiertas faciales/mascarillas.
Mantener 6 pies de distancia social en todos los entornos de prueba.
Hacer citas en grupos pequeños de estudiantes o 1:1, permitiendo tiempo para desinfectar las áreas de prueba entre sesiones.
Limpiar/desinfectar cualquier material de evaluación compartido después de su uso.
Usar protectores de pantalla de plexiglás y/o protectores faciales como una capa adicional de protección para las pruebas de ACCESS para Kindergarten o ACCESS alternativo 1: 1.
Para los estudiantes en persona, la prueba de kindergarten de 30 minutos y la prueba de ACCESS alternativa se administran uno a uno y se administrarán durante las horas que menos interrumpan el horario de su hijo/a durante el día escolar. A los grados 1-8 se les administrarán las evaluaciones ACCESS 2.0 de escuchar, leer, y escribir en grupos (con todos los estudiantes separados a una distancia de 6 pies), y la evaluación de hablar se administrará 1:1 o en un grupo más pequeño. Nuevamente, estas evaluaciones se administrarán durante las horas que menos interrumpan el horario de su hijo/a durante el día escolar.
Para los estudiantes virtuales, se respetarán los mismos tiempos de prueba. Los exámenes de Kindergarten y ACCESS Alternativo se administrarán en una sesión (a menos que las acomodaciones del IEP indiquen lo contrario). A los estudiantes de los grados 1-8 se les administrarán los dominios de escuchar y leer ACCESS 2.0 en una sesión de prueba y los dominios de hablar y escribir en otra sesión de prueba en dos días diferentes, cada uno con una duración de aproximadamente 90 minutos. La escuela de su hijo/a se comunicará con usted para programar estas sesiones de prueba en el momento que sea más conveniente para su familia. Si el transporte es un problema, háganoslo saber y haremos todo lo posible para satisfacer cualquier necesidad expresada.
Si su hijo/a no puede venir en persona para tomar el examen, le pedimos amablemente que envíe un correo electrónico al director o al vicedirector de la escuela de su hijo/a para compartir el motivo por el cual no se realizará el examen (ISBE requiere esta documentación), o complete el formulario a continuación y devuélvalo a la escuela de su hijo/a. Es importante tener en cuenta que los estudiantes que no participen en esta evaluación no tendrán la oportunidad de reclasificarse o salir de la programación de ESL y, con certeza, continuarán como aprendices de inglés para el año escolar 2021-22 (por supuesto, aquellos que rechazan los servicios pueden continuar haciéndolo).
Puede encontrar información adicional sobre la prueba ACCESS en https://wida.wisc.edu/teach/learners/engagement. Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, no dude en comunicarse conmigo por correo electrónico a urbanskr@ccsd15.net o por teléfono al 847-963-3136. Muchas gracias por su apoyo a esta evaluación que nos proporciona datos invaluables a medida que diseñamos la instrucción para ayudar a nuestros estudiantes EL a desarrollar la competencia a nivel de grado en escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir en inglés.
Sinceramente,
Renee Urbanski
Asistente Superintendente de Programas Multilingües
Safely Celebrating The Holidays
(CDC; "Celebrating Thanksgiving"; Nov. 10, 2020)
Traditional holiday gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. Follow these tips to make your holiday safer.
The safest way to celebrate the holidays this year is to celebrate with people in your household. If you do plan to spend the holidays with people outside your household, take steps to make your celebration safer.
WEAR A MASK
- Wear a mask with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
- Make sure the mask fits snugly against the sides of your face.
STAY AT LEAST 6FT AWAY from others who do not live with you
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or flu.
- Keeping 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Wash your hands
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are unable to wash your hands.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
CELEBRATING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HOME
- Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
- Wear a mask, and safely store your mask while eating and drinking.
- Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.
- Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils.
HOSTING THE HOLIDAYS IN YOUR OWN HOME?
- Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.
- Limit the number of guests.
- Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
- If celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.
- Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
- Have guests bring their own food and drink.
- If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
- Check travel restrictions before you go.
- Get your flu shot before you travel.
- Always wear a mask in public settings and on public transportation.
- Stay at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not in your household.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.
Contact our Office!
Please call ahead or email with any questions. Thank you for your patience as we navigate our school office during COVID times.
Office Hours 8:00am - 4:15pm
Main Office: 847-963-7100
- Diane Crouch crouchd@ccsd15.net
- Rosie Fink finkr@ccsd15.net
- Bilingual Liasion: Gloria Perez: perezg@ccsd15.net
Administration
- Principal, Stephanie Daly: dalys@ccsd15.net - 847-963-7105
- Assistant Principal, Ali Friedman: friedmaa@ccsd15.net - 847-963-7104
- Assistant Principal, Jason Christ: christj@ccsd15.net 847-963- 7121
Virginia Lake Elementary School
Website: www.ccsd15.net/VL
Location: 925 North Glenn Drive, Palatine, IL, USA
Phone: 847-963-7100