News from Paddock School
August 31, 2020
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Note from Mrs. Bland
We made it past our first two weeks of school! Thank you to everyone who sent encouraging notes and emails our way this week. The adjustment has been a challenge but I was so happy to hear from students and parents who experienced a great first two weeks of school. I know that one of the main issues that keeps popping up is technology. This is an issue that we are working on at the school level. We are anticipating things getting smoother as we identify the areas that we can control from school and address them. It is a learning process for us all.
Routines are a characteristic of school that releases anxiety with children. I know that this new routine of virtual learning is hard for some of our student to adjust to. As time goes by the routine of virtual learning will become more normal for the students and should reduce stress and anxiety. If you continue to notice that your child is not responding and might be withdrawing, lack of appetite or unable to sleep, please call me so we can work together to support you.
I was very pleased to hear from parents who were experiencing positive results with the increase in live contact time with their child's teacher. The teachers are working very hard to make this experience productive and instructional for the students. I can not say enough about the Paddock staff and the dedication and commitment they have shown.
If you have any questions or need anything please do not hesitate to call or email.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Bland
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND VIRTUAL LEARNING
This year’s distance learning is more structured and interactive than what students experienced in the spring. Improved structure, minimum direct instruction time requirements, academic schedules, assignments, and grading all make distance learning more similar to the regular school routines.
Attendance requirements during distance learning are also similar to the requirements of regular school. Students must log in and be present at the scheduled start of each school day and attend each subject’s or class’ live teaching that day. Teachers take attendance and record students that are not present during the live teaching portions of the student’s schedule. Although students are required to attend the live teaching portions of the day, students may elect to complete independent school work or assignments during any part of the day.
If your child will be absent, the child’s parents are required to call the school’s absence line and notify the school that their child will be absent. If your student is marked absent and a parent has not reported the absence to the school, an automated attendance call and text will be generated.
Regular attendance is essential and District 15 schools are required to follow their attendance and truancy procedures. If your child is unable to participate in live teaching due to technology problems, parents should contact the school’s attendance line so that your child’s absence can be marked as an excused absence.
UPCOMING MAP ASSESSMENTS
Each year District 15 students in grades 2 through 8 take an achievement test called the MAP test. The MAP test measures a student’s reading and math levels, is taken by the student with a Chromebook, and takes between 20 to 40 minutes to complete.
This year, all students in grades 2 to 8 will take the MAP test during the distance learning portion of the school year. Teachers will be in contact with students to explain and walk them through the virtual MAP test taking process. Schools will scheudle a MAP test “dry run” in early September. Students will take the actual MAP test between September 14 and October 1. Your school will provide specific test dates and times to you prior to testing.
Linked below is our parent and student “cheat sheets. You will be provided with another copy closer to MAP testing. Parent/Caregiver Cheat Sheet, Student Cheat Sheet.
Technology Issues
As we embark on the virtual side of technology, we are all troubleshooting through issues as they arise. Here are some helpful tips that might be able to solve your issue. Please also know that if your childs screen is slow, frozen or tools are not working while they are in their meetings with the teacher, the home network speed and connection could be the issue. Try Reducing the computing requirements on the Chromebooks themselves. Capturing and displaying video is actually rather processor-intensive, disabling the camera will help free the resources on the Chromebook and smooth the connection so that the students can see and hear the teachers.
Improve the wifi connection. The camera will actually degrade the wireless signal on some devices (especially older ones). By disabling the camera when not needed, it will allow a stronger Wifi signal to be received.
Going to the districts troubleshooting website is a great place to start. https://www.ccsd15.net/Page/9811
Join the Paddock PTA!
While this school year will look different, the mission of our PTA remains the same. We are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-being and educational success through strong parent, family and community involvement. We invite you to join us as we work together to reach these goals. We are planning creative ways to alter our events to fit within the current safety guidelines.
Regardless of whether your child attends school in-person or virtually, you are welcomed and encouraged to join the Paddock PTA! Now more than ever, it is important that we stand together. We will do great things this school year, and the more members that we have, the more good we can accomplish.
Join the Paddock PTA by following this link to register: https://ilpta-paddockpalatine.memberhub.store
For just $11, your ENTIRE family becomes a member of the Paddock PTA for the entire school year. Becoming a member of the Paddock PTA provides you exclusive access to weekly Virtual Backpack e-mails that are filled with “things to know” about Paddock events, access to the electronic MemberHub PTA directory, allows you to attend and be heard at PTA meetings and to be more involved in your child’s school.
Please join the Paddock PTA today!
Meal Delivery Schedule
District 15 will continue to deliver meals through the distance learning period. Meals will be free today, Aug. 18, and will be available to only verified District 15 students beginning Aug. 19.
Meals will be charged to each student’s account upon pick-up. The delivery/bus stop routes are available online. Deliveries will be made Monday-Friday through Sept. 4. A new schedule will be available beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Lunches will be charged at $2.60 ($0.40 for those qualifying for reduced price meals).
Breakfasts will be charged at $1.30 ($0.30 for those qualifying for reduced priced meals).
Nutrition services staff will scan student barcodes on-site upon pick-up to take payment from MealTime accounts. Barcode cards were given to most students during material pick-up. If you have a card, please bring it with you. If you do not have a card, a barcode will be scanned from a master list at the pick-up location.
If you need a replacement barcode card for your student, please call (847) 963-3930 or ask for the sign up sheet on any of the meal distribution buses. Cards can also be picked up at your school office.
Menus will be updated monthly and posted online along with any cooking instructions (if needed).
For questions on the menu, please call 847-963-3928. For questions on transportation, please call 847-963-3909 or 3912.
Health Office
If your child has a Health Care plan for asthma or an allergy OR has medication they need to take at school, please make sure you read the linked documents and get in contact with Mrs. Pool, our Paddock nurse. You can reach her at 847-963-5802 or poolk@ccsd15.net.
District 15 Helpline Now Available
Do you need help and are not sure who to contact? Do you have concerns or worries about yourself or others? The District 15 helpline is only a call or text away Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Our student services staff are available during these stressful times. Call or text:
English: 847-460-2099
Spanish: 847-460-2129
Calls or texts received outside of these hours will be answered the following workday. You can reach out about multiple topics, including but not limited to:
Social or emotional concerns;
Resources such as food, housing and transportation; or
Ideas on how to support your child during the stay-at-home order.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
September
17th-Paddock Parade 4:00-5:30 (Tentative time)
Families can decorate their cars and everyone can wear spirit wear while driving through Paddock's parking lot to see the Paddock staff! (More information coming soon!)
Paddock Staff Showcase
Ms. Little
3rd Grade Teacher
Years at Paddock:
4 years
Why did you become a teacher or why did you want to work in a school?
I wanted to be the reason students LOVE coming to school each day!
What inspires you?
Seeing a lesson or topic "click" for students and seeing them enjoy what they are learning :)
What is your favorite quote?
"Let your smile change the world, don't let the world change your smile"
Mrs. Schofield
School Social Worker
Years at Paddock:
1st year at Paddock!
Why did you become a teacher or why did you want to work in a school?
I enjoy working with children, parents and teachers. Everyone working together to make school a positive learning environment helps the child feel supported, but also gives them the resilience to feel more confident in themselves. The social-emotional well being of students, parents and teachers are important and I've always enjoyed listening and providing assistance.
What inspires you?
When a child feels listened to and when they share their feelings. Validating, listening, collaborating and helping others is a way of connecting and building relationships.
What is your favorite quote?
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Make sure to check out Paddock on Twitter or Facebook!!
Rachel Bland
Email: blandr@ccsd15.net
Website: www.ccsd15.net/SRP
Location: 225 West Washington Street, Palatine, IL, USA
Phone: 847-963-5800