Pierce Downer This Week
Week of December 13-December 17
Weekly Update
Pierce Downer Families-
We had a fun, eventful week at Pierce Downer School! The students enjoyed participating in our five spirit days, ending with our pajama day on Friday. Throughout the week we saw classrooms learning about different celebrations that happen this time of year around the world, research being completed, guest readers joining classrooms, and tons of laughs and smiling eyes. It was also exciting to continue creating opportunities for parents and volunteers to be back in the building!
When I reflect back on 2021, through all of the challenges, I remain grateful. I am grateful to be a part of Pierce Downer, its staff, and community. I look forward to 2022 and continuing with the same resilience and dedication that we are ending 2021 with. I hope you all have a wonderful winter break and happy holidays!
District 58 invites families to voluntarily share an electronic image of their child’s vaccination card with their building’s health office. Providing proof of vaccination is not required. However, current CDC guidance excuses fully vaccinated individuals from having to quarantine unless symptomatic.
By sharing a copy of your child’s card, if your child is a close contact, having the vaccination card on hand will expedite the school’s investigation process. Copies of proof of vaccination will be kept in each student’s individual health file and treated in the same way as all health records. Please feel free to send a picture of your child's COVID vaccination card to your school nurse!
Please remember the doors open each morning at 8:10 and class begins at 8:15.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns via email LWagner@DG58.org or call 630-719-5860.
We are PD!
L. Wagner, Principal
Pierce Downer PTA Teacher Grants
Pierce Downer Cup Recipient
We are thankful to have Ms. Blair at Pierce Downer School!
Spirit Week Fun!
District 58 Inclement Weather Procedures
How does District 58 communicate emergency closure information?
When a decision is made to close school due to inclement weather, the District will send an automated voice and email message to all parents and staff via the SchoolMessenger notification system. The system will also send a text message to parents and staff who have registered to receive texts. Sign up to receive District 58 text messages by texting YES to 68453 using a phone number that is on file with District 58. Opt out at any time by texting STOP to the same number.
District 58 also posts school closure information on its website, Facebook page, Twitter page and on the District’s answering machine at 630-719-5800. The District notifies major news radio and network television stations about closures and posts closure information at www.emergencyclosings.com.
How does District 58 decide whether to cancel school?
District 58’s superintendent consults with a variety of resources — weather forecasts, neighboring superintendents, the bus company and the District’s buildings and grounds teams — to make an informed decision. The decision is based on many factors.
Building conditions: Do the buildings have power, light and heat?
Site conditions: Is the parking lot plowed? Can buses get in and turn around? Can parents drop off students? Are the exit doors free of snow?
Bus operations: Can the bus drivers get to the bus company? Do the buses start? Do the drivers feel comfortable driving?
Road conditions: Are the roads continually plowed and is traffic moving?
Air temperature: How cold is it? What is the wind chill? Can children safely walk to school? District 58 will likely close school during conditions when frostbite may occur after approximately 20 minutes of exposure. Please refer to the District’s Wind Chill Chart and the NOAA Wind Chill Chart.
If the answer is yes to the first four questions, and if the forecast temperature/wind speed is above the threshold in the wind chill chart, District 58 will most likely keep schools open.
Student safety is District 58’s top priority, but the District also understands that canceling school is inconvenient for students, teachers and parents. The superintendent will make the decision as soon as safely possible. Learn more about inclement weather closings here.
Mark your calendars
December 20-January 4th
Winter Break
Students resume Tuesday, January 4, 2022
January 17
No School: Martin Luther King Day
Leland Wagner, Principal
Email: LWagner@dg58.org
Website: www.DG58.org
Location: 1436 Grant Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630-719-5860
Twitter: @LWagnerDG58