Harper Happenings
September 25, 2020
Coming up
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - Yom Kippur
*NEW DETAILS* for In-Person Learning Next Week
All in-person students in Kindergarten and 1st grade will now attend class at Harper every day next week starting Tuesday, September 29 through Friday, October 2.
- AM Kindergarten students will be at Harper from 8:35am-11:10am. KEEP39 students will attend full days.
- For 2nd-4th grades, each in-person student will be at Harper two full days next week from 8:35am-2:15pm on their scheduled days. The rest of the week will be remote instruction for grades 2-4.
- HERE is the UPDATED Harper Welcome Back Weeks Schedule for more details.
UPDATED self-certification form HERE. This form is required to enter school EACH DAY. NEW next week: During morning arrival, the extra certification forms will be located behind the school at the morning nursing tent. So, if you forget to fill out the form at home and need to certify while at school, you walk to the back of the school to the morning nursing tent area.
- Picture day: October 14 (rain date = October 15). In-person students will take pictures during the school day. Remote students will take their pictures between 2:30-4:00pm.
ENHANCED REMOTE LEARNING PARENT EVENT
Join our D39 team on October 1st at 7:00 pm for a Q&A webinar specially designed for the parents of students in our enhanced fully remote program (click here to register). Parents are invited to submit questions for this parent webinar here.
Principal's Update
Hello Harper Families,
This week District 39 hosted a parent educational event, in partnership with the Family Service Center, titled Parenting During COVID-19: Supporting Adjustment at Home and at School. I found it extremely insightful. Here is the recorded webinar if you are interested in watching, but I also want to provide you with some of the key takeaways:
The “New Normal” involves navigating life while under chronic stress so keep an eye on chronic stress symptoms;
Validate your child’s emotional experiences;
Positive coping is a great strategy;
There is power in the “Pause”;
Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors are related to each other; if you change one, you likely change the others;
Focus on Controllable's;
Work to Parent Mindfully;
Stimulate Curiosity and Strengthen Executive Functioning through Fun;
Practice Gratitude;
Maintain Mindful Schedules and Self-Care
On the District 39 parent resource website you can find more information on future dates for parent educational events.
This school year, I have had many conversations with parents and staff alike about the simple idea of just supporting one another more through the simple act of being an engaged listener. This beginning of the school year is unlike any other, with so many new aspects and challenges, but I encourage all of us to support one another even more and be engaged listeners!
Have an excellent weekend. All the best to you and your families.
Aaron
District 39 Updates
Travel Ban Restrictions
Travel Ban Restrictions
A quick reminder as we head into the three-day weekend that the Cook County Department of Public Health updates its Travel Ban Restrictions weekly. Several states were added to the Travel Quarantine List this week, including Wisconsin. Individuals who travel to any of the listed states will need to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Cook County. Additionally, as part of the daily Self Certification Form, parents must confirm that their child has not traveled to a state or country that requires quarantine. We appreciate your support in helping to keep our community safe and healthy.
Remote Learning Tips
Remote Learning Tips
While learning remotely, please continue to support your child’s success. Help your child select a quiet, comfortable and uninterrupted place to work. Ensure that your child is logging in and participating fully within each class session. Participation and engagement are key to our students’ success. Below are some tips to support your child’s success on remote learning days:
Parent Help Needed as a Substitute Teacher
Parent Help Needed as Substitute Teachers
Are you looking for ways to support your child’s school in a meaningful way? Are you hoping to become more involved? Are you eager to provide assistance to help our schools stay open for in-person learning? We need your help! In an effort to keep our schools and community healthy, we are seeking D39 parents to consider becoming a substitute teacher. Our goal is to secure at least one parent, per grade, per school to serve as a substitute teacher. It’s a fun and important way to support our success. If you are interested in learning more or would like assistance with the application process, please contact Ann Grochocinski or call 847-512-6042.
Safety Tips from Officer Pavely
Safety Tips on Walking to School
** Please also see the Harper specific drop-off and pick-up information below to help all students stay safe and have efficient drop-off and pick-up lines.
Drop-off and Pick-Up
It is important that everyone is following the proper drop-off and pick-up guidelines for the safety of all students. HERE is a comprehensive set of guidelines. A few points to emphasize:
Must enter from Kenilworth Ave, one block north of Thornwood Ave.
Do NOT be on your cell phones while driving around the school.
Stay in your car at all times when you are in the carpool line.
Drop-off and pick-up should occur as close to the main entrance of the school as possible (near the Greenwood intersection) in order to help the flow of the car line. Students should then walk on the sidewalk to get to their appropriate entrance doors.
Kindergarten families: You may drop-off and pick-up your child near the Kindergarten classrooms (next to the garden).
Entrance doors not in front: Still drop off in front of the school. Then students walk to the back where their entrance door is located. Parents should NOT be picking up in the back of the school.
Bikes: Do not ride your bike on school property. We need all students (and adults) to walk their bikes.
Use the crosswalks: We have crossing guards at Thornwood, Greenwood, and Elmwood.
** If you are walking home with your child, please make sure to practice social distancing as you wait and wear a mask at all times.
In-Person Lunch Guide
Please watch the video below to learn more about the lunch procedures while students are in school. Here is a recap of the most important information to review with your child(ren):
Students eat in their classrooms at their own individual desks/learning spots.
Students wash their hands before and after eating.
While eating, blue desk shields must be up before masks are taken off.
Students should not talk while eating; instead, a book on tape or music will be playing in the classroom.
After eating lunch, students will have a structured recess outside. Structured recess will provide an opportunity to be outdoors, move, and get fresh air. During this time, masks can be taken off if students are maintaining the proper six feet of social distance. The recess area will be split into zones in order to maintain spacing and classroom bubbles. (Inside recess, when necessary, will be in the classrooms.)
A supervisor will be with each class the whole time.
Students may buy lunch to be delivered to their classrooms (menu and more info below).
*PACKING LUNCH* Students are expected to eat lunch on their own without the help of the supervisor, including opening up packages on their own. Please send items students are comfortable with and have used before. HERE is information on packing items.
New lunch menu!
Pre-packaged lunches are now available for students to purchase on their in-person school days. You can view the new menu for the next two weeks in the link below. For more information on Harper's food services, click HERE.
Arrival and Dismissal Review
Spanish Update
¡Hola, Familias! We are excited to offer a modified Spanish Enrichment Program to students, grades 1-4, for the 2020-21 School Year! Through asynchronous Seesaw Lessons and Activities, we will “travel” and explore the Spanish-Speaking world, while reviewing and practicing with the Spanish language!
This program will be shared through your child’s class Seesaw on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30pm. Students can choose to watch lessons and work on activities when they have time to do so, as participation is completely OPTIONAL and Spanish will NOT be a graded component of our report card this school year. We hope only to engage student imagination and broaden cultural competency through this language-learning supplement.
¡Gracias! We look forward to “seeing” your student en español!
Sra. Bennett (bennettt@wilmette39.org) & Sra. Berndt (berndtr@wilmette39.org)
The PTO Scoop
Yearbook
Purchase your 2021 Harper Yearbook now at the lowest price of the year! Don’t delay - we sold out last year. Go to jostens.com/yearbook to order. More information HERE. Please note you must check out for each student separately. Questions? Please email yearbook@harperpto.com.
Volunteer Opportunities
The PTO is looking to fill a few more spots this year:
- Book Fair Committee Member - Become part of the team planning the upcoming virtual book fair. Email Stephanie Linn at steph.linn@gmail.com for more information.
Garden Co-Chair - Seeking a partner to help our Garden Chair facilitate volunteer opportunities and help keep our "outdoor classroom" beautiful, functional and safe. Email Emily at ptopresident@harperpto.com if interested.
Environmental Awareness Chair – Initiate projects that promote environmental awareness at Harper (recycling, Earth Day/Week, composting, etc). The chair also acts as a liaison between Harper and the Wilmette Village-Wide Parent Teacher Organization Environmental committee. Email Emily at ptopresident@harperpto.com if interested.
Garden
If you're looking for a fun family activity this fall, come lend a hand in the Harper Garden! We are having volunteers come one family at a time, on any given day, to adhere to social distancing guidelines. If you are interested, please email Dona at dona.m.christensen@gmail.com and include approximate dates you are available. We will arrange a day for your family to help and send instructions ahead of time.
Follow @harperdolphins on Instagram and Twitter, and join "Harper Parents Page" on Facebook.
Support the PTO
Shopping with Amazon Smile is an easy way to support the Harper PTO - just click on the link below to learn more!
Conrad the Crossing Guard
Stock the teachers lounge
The Stock the Teachers Lounge program is in full swing! If you would like to show your gratitude for our teachers, who are working from their classrooms at Harper both remotely and in person, visit the Sign Up Genius link HERE. You may drop off donations or ship directly to Harper Elementary School, 1101 Dartmouth St., ATTN: TEACHER’S LOUNGE. Contact Kari Darmstadter kari.darmstadter@gmail.com or Laura Geiger ljbgeiger@gmail.com with questions.
Gripp Grants
The D39 Educational Foundation grants funds through the Gripp Grant program that are innovative educational programs, experiences, and technologies that expand, enrich, and complement District 39 schools’ curricula. To date, the Foundation has funded over $1 million in grants since the inception in 1993, including over $17,000 in Gripp Grants in the 2019-20 school year. In addition, in April 2020, the Foundation gifted $5,000 to the District 39 Angel Fund to help families deal with additional needs caused by the Covid-19 crisis. The D39 Educational Foundation has decided to move forward with the planned Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Gripp Grant Cycles - and applications are welcome from teachers and administrators, as well as parents (who partner with a faculty member). Please reach out to grippgrant@d39foundation.org as early in the process as possible, if you are interested in submitting an application. We would be happy to discuss ideas, explain the process and support you as you go through this process. Fall grant applications can be found at www.d39foundation.org and are due October 30, 2020.
Cub Scouts
PASS39 support
PASS39 (the Parent Association for Student Services in District 39) helps provide education and support for families who have children with learning, behavioral, emotional and developmental challenges. Carey Personette is the Harper representative this year. If you would like to learn more about PASS39, please see the document below - and feel free to email any questions to pass39@harperpto.com or call Carey at 847.322.5331.
Health Reminders
Health Forms
- Make sure you fill out your self-certification form EVERY day you come to school.
- Make sure all of your health forms are ready to turn into our nurse, Val Morse. Please contact her at morsev@wilmette39.org with any questions or call her at 847-512-6202.
- Kindergarten: Vision, dental, & medical forms
- All: Medication & health updates
- HERE is an updated health letter from Mrs. Morse
Attendance Line
Please call the attendance line before 8:30am in the event your child is absent from school. The number is 847-512-6250. This applies for in-person and remote instructional days.
Tech Tips
Need help from the tech desk? Email a support ticket here.
Please make sure your iPad or Chromebook is plugged in and charging each night. iPads must be locked in their cases to charge. Find a spot around your house where your device will charge (we do not recommend it being in your child's bedroom). Students are responsible for charging their devices so they are ready for school the next day.
We continue to all work together on proper Zoom expectations. Here are the school-wide expectations to keep reviewing. In addition, we continue to emphasize having a proper work area that is away from others in order to keep their school day as focused and organized as possible.
District 39 notes
Check out our updated Reopening Guide and updated FAQ. Links to these documents and other useful information can be found on the D39 Fall 2020 Reopening pages.
Community News
Torino Ramen is offering a 15% lunch discount promotion to benefit D39. TORINO TUESDAYS lunch special is held from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. Use Promo Code “backtoschool”. Next Tuesday, the 29th is the last Tuesday to participate!
Covid Catch Up Tutors offers free virtual tutoring by qualified high school students for Pre-K through High School grade levels.
Wilmette Historical Museum presents a free family fun activity, "Wilmette History Mystery". Track down Wilmette historical clues to solve the mystery!
Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
The Center for the Gifted offers "New Fall Wonders Programs" for K-12th grades. They are also offering “Remote Learning Enrichment” where students can work remotely with supervision & have a safe place to do homework. Masks & social distancing enforced. Class sizes are a maximum of 10 children.
All announcements to be included in the Harper Happenings should be sent to Daniela Burnham via the Communication Request Form by Mondays at 9am.
For more school information, visit the Harper PTO website.
For additional D39 community events, visit wilmette39.org