As we prepare for the start of the 2021-22 school year, we remain committed to resuming full in-person learning for all students as ISBE set as a directive on May 19, 2021. As school leaders, we hope you know that, other than you, nobody wants kids back in school more than we do.

We need your help again this year to safely welcome more students back to school than we did last year. One such way you can help is to partner with us to make the return to full in-person learning is to ascertain how many of our students age 12+ have received their full cycle of the COVID-19 vaccination.

We ask that parents/guardians of junior high students provide a copy of their child’s COVID-19 vaccination card during Walk Your Schedule which will be taking place on Tuesday, August 17. District 15 will treat these documents in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) statutory and regulatory requirements. This can also be done during the first few days of school if you are unable to atend Walk Your Schedule.

Why is knowing a child’s vaccination status important? Knowing which students are vaccinated and which are not will help expedite contact tracing this school year. The district will continue to conduct contact tracing when COVID-19 cases arise in our schools. If your child has been identified as a close contact, parents will be asked for proof of vaccination, if you’ve not already provided it to the school.

At this time, students who are identified as a close contact to a confirmed positive case AND not fully vaccinated, will be quarantined for 14-days unless otherwise specified by the Cook County Department of Health. Fully vaccinated students are not required to quarantine as a close contact and will not experience an in-person learning disruption.

If you choose to verify your child’s vaccination status, you should drop off a copy of the vaccination card on Tuesday, August 17th when you child comes in to “Walk Your Schedule."

You can also email a copy of the vaccination card to our school nurse, Betty Dime, at dimeb@ccsd15.net. The nurse will accept documentation of the COVID-19 vaccine anytime throughout the school year. This copy will be kept in your student’s medical file in the nurse’s office.

If you have lost or misplaced your child’s vaccination card, parents can authorize release of such proof for themselves or their children by completing a request for immunization records from I-CARE (Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange).

If your child is not yet fully vaccinated, but will be fully vaccinated in the future, and you choose to provide proof of vaccination, please turn it in to the nurse’s office.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for Sundling Families:

Will my child have a chance to practice his/her schedule before school starts? Yes! We have arranged for students to walk-through their schedule on Tuesday, August 17th from 12:30-2:30- 7th Grade- 12:30-1:30/ 8th Grade 1:45-2:30. Eighth grade Peer Mentors and Sundling Staff will be available to assist students at this time who are new to Sundling. The purpose of this visit is to familiarize your student with the layout of the building as it relates to their schedule of classes. A few hallway lockers will also be available for students to practice spinning locker combinations.

Make a note that our Parent Orientation night is scheduled for Thursday, September 9, 2021 @ 6:00 PM. This event presents an opportunity for parents to familiarize themselves with their student’s schedule, teachers and academic expectations.

*Please note that although student schedules have been shared, occasionally, we need to make modifications that may result in a change to your child’s schedule. If this occurs, we will contact you when the change is made.

Where should my Sundling student report on the first day of school? Your child should report to his/her first hour class which will also serve as a homeroom throughout the year. Students are assigned to teams, instead of sections. There are 2 seventh grade teams (Paladin State University and Sundling College) and 2 eighth grade teams (Palatine Hills University and WRS Tech).

When is the first day of school? The first day of school is Wednesday, August 18th. The school day begins at 7:50 AM and concludes at 2:30 PM.

What school supplies will be needed for the school year?

Please click on the following link to view the list of school supplies needed for Sundling JH this school year: WRS School Supply List 2021/22. Please note: Face masks are required for the 2021-22 school year, as mandated by the IDPH and ISBE.

How can I find out information about my student’s bus route? The transportation department sends a separate email that will include your bus route and stop information. Bus ridership will be monitored from lists maintained by the bus drivers. If you live in a pay transportation area and have not paid the transportation fee by the first day of school, transportation will not be provided. Students are not permitted to ride any bus other than the one they have been assigned to. If you have any questions regarding transportation, you can call 847-963-3900.

What are the appropriate arrival procedures? Parents who transport their students to school are asked to enter the traffic circle on the south side of the school or use the parking spots located along Smith St. directly in front of the building. Please be sure to drop off your child at curbside, ensuring that they do not have to cross through moving cars. For safety reasons, the north lot in front of the school is reserved for bus loading and unloading, bike riders and parking for staff and visitors!

Students may not enter the building prior to the 7:35 AM bell unless they are attending breakfast, have a prior written pass from a teacher, or are directed to do so by a staff member due to inclement weather. Students may not wander or loiter the hallways prior to the beginning of the school day.

All exterior doors except the main entrance (Door #1) of the building will be locked at all times. Late arrivals must use the front entrance in order to maintain building security. All visitors to the school must first come to the main office to present appropriate identification and sign in. All visitors must wear a provided Visitor’s Badge while inside the building. This procedure is in place for the safety of our students and staff. Students who enter the building after the 7:50 AM bell will be considered tardy!

Can my student stay at home and learn virtually? No, unless...

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to offer concurrent learning to our in-person students if/when they have been directed to quarantine if they are deemed a close contact to a positive individual or to go into isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19. We will ONLY allow students who have medical documentation or have been directed by the school nurse and approved by the building principal to quarantine or isolate. Students that have been directed to quarantine and approved to participate in concurrent learning for a specified period of time will be given a device and a link to the Google Meet to participate in learning. Students on vacation, out of the country, or home ill with any other illness will NOT be allowed to participate in concurrent learning. They will be marked absent per BOE policy 7:070 ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY.

What does my student need for Physical Education class? Gym uniforms will be distributed at school during the first week for seventh and eight graders, and new students. The cost of the gym suit is $9 and is included in the registration fees. A second PE uniform is available to purchase in the main office during the first week of school, if you wish to do so. Checks are payable to Walter Sundling Jr. High. In addition, each student will need gym shoes and athletic socks. Students are asked to have their names printed on each article of gym clothing, including gym shoes. Each student will be issued a school lock for use in the PE locker room.

What is available for my student at lunch?

Where will my child sit during lunch? Due to our enrollment numbers, the size of our cafeteria and IDPH guidelines, the seating arrangement to start the year will be different than in previous years. Students will be sectioned into three areas; the lower cafeteria, the upper cafeteria, and the wrestling room/small gym for lunch. We will separate students alphabetically by the number of seats available in each section. To start the year, students will be seated as close to six feet apart as possible, sit facing the same direction, and sit at their own desk, table, or spread out at a large table. We will continue to monitor guidelines, and rotate students through various areas if possible. Lunchroom supervisors will be available to help and support students each day.

Is breakfast available for my student when they arrive at school? Breakfast is available for ALL students in our cafeteria every morning from 7:35am-7:50am. There are multiple cold/hot options available for students to choose from each morning. If you have questions regarding the Breakfast Program, you can contact D15 School Nutrition Services at 963-3928.

When are District and State Standardized Tests to be given this school year? MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Tests are given in some form in the fall and spring. The dates for the MAP testing windows are estimated to be Aug. 23- Sept. 10 and April 4- April 22. The State testing windows are anticipated from Jan. 12- Feb. 15 for ACCESS (English Language Learners) and Mar. 7-Apr.7 for IAR (Illinois Assessment for Readiness) Testing. The 8th grade ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) is also anticipated to take place between April 7-April 14. 7th Grade Math Benchmark Tests will also be taken throughout the school year, typically around January 31-February 11. Student attendance is very important during testing times. Please let us know if your child will be absent during times when Sundling students will be scheduled to complete these tests.

When is Winter Break and Spring Break? Winter Break: December 23, 2021 - January 9, 2022. **School resumes on Monday, January 10, 2022. Spring Break: March 19, 2022 - March 27, 2022. **School resumes on Monday, March 28, 2022.

What is the procedure for calling in absences? Parents are asked to call the school on the attendance information line (963-3701) before 8:30 AM to report that a student will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early because of an appointment that could not be scheduled at another time. If a student is absent, and we do not receive a call prior to 8:30 AM, the district automated system will contact you to verify the absence.

What if my student is tardy/late to school? If your child arrives at school after the 7:50 AM bell, they will be considered tardy or late to school. A student should come directly to the front office to sign in and receive a pass to class. If a child is consistently tardy/late to school for such reasons as missing the bus, or oversleeping (unexcused) the office will monitor the amount of tardies for each quarter and inform administration and our School Resource Officer.The following steps will be taken each quarter if a child is continually tardy to school.

3 unexcused tardies- Conversation/Warning from Office Staff/Administration

4 unexcused tardies- Lunch detention at School

5 or more unexcused tardies- After School detention and a phone call to parent.

6 or more unexcused tardies- Referral to Sundling Connection, parent meeting

Please be sure to work with your child to ensure that that are on time to school each day. Students should be in class and ready to learn at 7:50 AM.

What are the school procedures regarding homework? Homework is an important component of all academic programs because it gives students an opportunity to practice and apply the skills and concepts taught in the classroom. Homework assignments are due on the date specified by the teacher. Teachers will provide guidelines for their individual classroom expectations at the beginning of the year. Late homework assignments may result in a reduction in credit. Students who have excused absences are responsible for asking teachers for the assignments missed and completing them in the timeframe the teachers specify.

The amount of time students should spend on homework will vary depending on their unique needs and the work requirements of each class. However, as a general guideline, seventh-grade students may be required to spend approximately 70 minutes daily on homework assignments and related reading, while eighth graders should plan on approximately 80 minutes per day of homework assignments and related reading.

If a child’s teacher chooses to use grade book and/or homework modules through the Google Suite available, or through the student information system (Infinite Campus), parents will be able to access this information through the parent portal. This can be a very helpful tool when a student is absent from school.

Will my child use a 1:1 Chromebook?

Students are scheduled to receive, or should bring their designated 1:1 Chromebook, Case, and Power Cord for the first day of classes. Students will be allowed to take the device to and from school each day, and it is their responsibility to keep it charged and ready for school every day. For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on the ccsd15.net web page, under the Chromebook 1:1 Information link.

Meals Will be Offered Free for 21-22 School Year

• Meals will be FREE for all students for the 21-22 school year
• This includes breakfast and lunch at all schools
• Meals will only be served in school to in-person students
• At this time, meals will no longer be offered in the community on buses or curbside at any schools during the 21-22 school year.
• The last day for bus/curbside pickup is Tuesday, August 10th.

Free & Reduced-Price Meals

• Parents are encouraged to fill out a Free & Reduced Meal Application, even though meals are free for the upcoming school year. The application will be processed for eligibility for school fee waivers plus other benefits.

Free & Reduced Application Link - D15 Website

Free/Reduced Application

English Application/Instructions

Spanish Application/Instructions

Household Letter to Parents & Income Chart

English Household Letter/Income Chart

Spanish Household Letter/Income Chart

Application for Educational Benefits

Application for Educational Benefits - English/Spanish

SchoolCafé

SchoolCafe is a new software system that Nutrition Services is using for parents to access their student's meal accounts, make payments online, and apply online for free/reduced. SchoolCafe is taking the place of Mealtime. Here is some information about the program:

SchoolCafé allows parents to pay for school meals and monitor student account balances, transactions, and request low balance notification online.

• Stay informed about your student's lunch account activity.
• Be notified on your phone when your student's account is low.
• Make secure payments with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card.
• Store your credit/debit card for quick and easy repeat use.
• Schedule deposits to occur in any frequency you choose.

SchoolCafé allows for access from the web or any mobile device.

• The SchoolCafé website uses the most up-to-date security available. The online payment plan is an enhancement to the district’s existing pre-pay meal program. Cash or checks will still be accepted.
  
• The SchoolCafé apps for both iOS and Android are now available for download. They're free to install and they make your favorite features even easier to use. Download the SchoolCafé app today on the AppStore or Google Play.

For answers to frequently asked questions, and to get the most up-to-date help with this or any other information not covered here, please visit https://www.schoolcafe.com and select FAQs, or contact D15 School Nutrition Services at 847-963-3928.

Here are some links for resources on our district webpage:

School Cafe Website Information

SchoolCafe Website Link

English

Setting Up an Account on SchoolCafe: INSTRUCTIONS

Filling Out Online Application for Meal Benefits: INSTRUCTIONS

Spanish

Setting Up an Account on SchoolCafe: INSTRUCTIONS

Filling Out Online Application for Meal Benefits: INSTRUCTIONS

Registration is required every year.

If you have already registered your child for the 2021-22 school year, thank you—no further action is required!

With only a few weeks left before the start of the new school year, we want to remind our families of the new registration and residency verification process. If you have not yet registered your child(ren) for the 2021-22 school year, you MUST complete your registration and proof of residency as soon as possible so your child(ren) is able to start school on the first day of school. Children that do not have a completed registration or proof of residency will NOT be assigned a classroom.

Online student registration for the 2021-22 school year is open. If you have not already started this process for your student(s), please visit our registration page to start this process.

Register your child. Registration is the first step in getting ready for the upcoming school year. After registering online, parents will need to go in person to your child's school and provide:

• Health Forms. Required health, immunization, dental, and eye exams for students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth-grade, and those who are new to the district.
  
  
• Prove Residency. If you have a student that is starting Kindergarten, entering 4th grade, or entering 7th grade, you are required to prove residency in District 15. Our residency webpage outlines the documents you will need to provide to prove residency.

Pay student fees. Our student fee webpage outlines the District’s student fee structure and the three ways fees can be paid.

All of the above steps of the enrollment process must be completed prior to the start of the school year. Students of families that, when required, do not prove residency, will not be able to attend class in a District 15 until the family’s residency is verified.

LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

View the recorded CCSD15 Parent University sponsored: 2021-22 Registration Webinar. For written registration instructions, please view our Campus Parent - An Introduction.

In the event that a family is unable to provide any needed documentation because of a temporary living situation, please contact Julie O'Hara, 847-963-3210, oharaj@ccsd15.net; or Min Goodwin, 847-963-3209, goodwinm@ccsd15.net, in the Superintendent's Office.

Think you may be eligible for a student fee waiver? Visit our student fee webpage to learn about the requirements and how to apply.

Think you may be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act? Please contact the Director of Student Services, 847-963-3152.

The PTA is excited at the possibility of providing fun activities for our students this year. We need the support of our Sundling community to make it happen. For $7 for single membership or $12 for family membership you can help create a memorable year for our kids.

Two Ways to Become a Member!

• Sign up online at: https://sundlingpta.new.memberhub.store/store

(There is a MemberHub service change of 75¢ (Individual) and 92¢ (Household) to join online.)

-OR-

• Return this form to the school office in an envelope marked “PTA MEMBERSHIP” along with exact cash or check (payable to: “Sundling PTA”)

Sundling Jr. High will be open during school hours or you can mail to:

Sundling Jr. High  1100 N. Smith Rd.  Palatine, IL 60067

Membership Type: _____ Individual (1 Family or Community Member) $7

_____ Household (2 Family or Community Members) $12

Member Name(s) ________________________________________________________________

Student(s) Name and Grade Level___________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number___________________________________________________________________

Check this box if you do not want your information listed in the PTA Members’ Electronic Directory

*Your support helps fund the Student/Faculty Basketball game, When Pigs Fly event, Reflections State-wide Art program, Teacher Appreciation, Book Fair and the Orange and Black event.

**PTA Member Discounts-AARP, Gaiam Warehouse, Good Housekeeping, Hertz, Met Life, Norton LIfelock, Office Depot and Quicken Loans