Weekly Communique
August 27, 2021
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! The new school year has felt very familiar in so many ways. As the superintendent, I had the opportunity to visit our schools on the first day. Watching the children get off the buses at River Trail was such a relief. It was great to see the younger children run up to teachers and give them hugs. It felt normal to see middle schoolers roll their eyes when the adults were running around with welcome signs! At Spaulding, we saw our usual first day jitters, children with backpacks, bigger than they are, struggling to find their center of gravity and the wide eyes of uncertainty. Every student was greeted and helped to find their way and all ended up where they were supposed to be. The thumbs up from teachers at Prairie Trail were reassuring that we were all good to go.
As I walked up to a young student at Spaulding to help them find their way, he could only provide me with his first name, “Michael”. Michael wasn’t sure where to go but shared he was going into first grade. We went through the first grade list and tested each last name to see if it worked for Michael. (I then asked Michael if he remembered his teacher from last year, thinking we could walk down to that teacher and she could help us! ) Michael responded, “Mommy”. I realized then that was a bad question to ask this year and Michael was right. Mommy was his teacher last year and this isn’t a normal new year. There are many new challenges we are facing, but we will persevere and problem solve. It may get messy and bumpy but we won’t give up.
Thank you for helping us through these trying times and getting your kids to school, wearing their masks, and ready to learn. Your partnership is appreciated.
Things You Should Know
- COVID testing is scheduled to start next week for those students that are signed up.
- We will be following the new mandate and testing non-vaccinated staff weekly.
- Bus riders need to wear masks for the full ride in order to participate in Test to Stay.
- Students should not expect to be given a mask every day. They should be bringing masks from home.
- Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by an adult. The buses will no longer be waiting for parents to come to the bus stop as that has caused unusually long delays for the remaining students on the buses to get home. Your child will be brought back to their school for parent pick up.
- The new breakfast and lunch program has started. There are some unexpected changes from the State as to how we provide breakfast. Please watch for more information related to the breakfast program as we continue to work with the State. Lunch will continue as planned.
HELP WANTED
Bus Drivers - We are currently offering a signing bonus for Drivers. We provide Training!!
Lunch Room Supervisors
Substitute Teachers
Please call (847) 336-0800 and ask for Lori for more information.
Tweet of the Week
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Welcome Back D56 Staff!
Gurnee School District 56 staff had the first day back to school on August 19th and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and a beautiful morning at Viking Park.
Back to School Supply Drive and Food Truck Event at Viking Park
A very special "Thank You" to the Gurnee Queen Jansen and Little Miss Gurnee Anabelle and the Gurnee Youth Leadership for dropping off school supplies for D56 students.
The Gurnee Community came together and sponsored a Back to School Supply Drive and Food Truck Event at Viking Park.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
After School Soccer Program
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