Weekly Communique
January 15, 2021
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
As I shared in last Friday’s Communique, we have targeted 1/25/21 as our next possible date of return. As of this week, our metrics have reversed course and started to go up. This does not bode well for the 25th, though I am not postponing as of yet. Governor Pritzker has moved some regions back into a lower level of operation but it does not include our region. Lake County is in Region 9 along with McHenry County.
Despite this, I am aware that some restaurants and kids’ sports programs in our area have reopened. I am concerned that wide-spread participation in these activities will negatively impact the likelihood of our students’ return to the buildings. I believe our school buildings are ready for people to come back to work and learn. We are prepared to be diligent in our application of the guidelines. We are counting on the families who are sending their children back to the buildings, to do the same. If you feel your child needs to get back to their after school activities, such as dance or basketball, that is your choice and I understand everyone’s priorities are different. If you choose after school activities, please continue with the Remote Learning program to protect our school environment.
The State of Illinois is asking people to limit travel and to quarantine if you are returning from domestic or international travel. I have asked our staff to do the same. It is critical that our staff be available to teach in our schools in order to service the students signed up to participate in the Hybrid Program. It is my hope that families opting to have their children return to the schools are honoring these guidelines in an effort to protect the teachers, staff, and students in the buildings. The quarantine protocols will be adhered to for both students and staff. Without sufficient staff, we cannot open our doors.
This is the reality of the situation we find ourselves in at this time. Please do what you can do to support our efforts and bring the metrics in our area down to an acceptable level.
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Hybrid Program
Families signed up to participate in the Hybrid Program will receive a series of communications with information pertinent to the return of school over the course of the next four to five workdays. These communications will address the rollout, transportation, student self-certification, parent agreement/quarantine protocols, and other items. Each piece of information will remain available via our website once it has been released.
Tweet of the Week
#d56achieves
Gurnee School District 56 Bookmobile are back on the road!
Parents of 8th Graders with Special Needs
Warren Township High School's Special Education Department is hosting their 8th grade parent night on Monday, January 25, from 6:30-8:30. There will be time for any questions at the end of the session. The Warren High School Special Education Department will be sending an invitation to the parents of our students. Please consider attending this information session.
Prairie Trail Yearbook Information
Viking Middle School Yearbook Pictures Are Coming!
Viking Portrait pictures will be taken on February 5th for the yearbook! See link for information regarding ordering portrait packages!
College of Lake County
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
Lake County Health Department
Gurnee School District 56
Email: returningstudent@d56.org
Website: www.d56.org
Location: 3706 West Florida Avenue, Gurnee, IL, USA
Phone: 847-336-0800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GurneeD56
Twitter: @GurneeD56