Dolphin Splash
2.18.2022 17th Edition
Tie-dye, Tutu's and Tennis Shoes on 2.22.22 Take 2
Mask Recommended - Starting Tuesday, Feb. 22nd
As a staff we have been proactively preparing for this change. Every student at Nancy Young Elementary will begin February 22nd by participating in a social emotional lesson which highlights kindness and acceptance regardless of one's decision to mask or not mask. We will also kick off a PBIS booster which will identify, highlight, and reward individuals who are going above and beyond and demonstrating kindness and acceptance. Every individual who works or attends school at NYE will be treated the same, regardless of their personal decision. We do ask that you sit down with your child so he or she understands your family's decision.
On Wednesday, February 16th I was able to talk during the general PTA meeting and ensure our community, that NYE will continue to rise to the occasion and ensure our students and staff are safe. As Dr. Talley points out in his communication below, we will continue to adhere to all other mitigation strategies.
I ask that everyone within our community continue to respect our staff as they too, will make their own personal decision on whether or not to wear a mask. Everyone has their own story and for various reasons, I will not be sharing out anyone's decision. Additionally, we will not honor any requests to alter seating arrangements based on masking choices. Lastly, School is open and in person learning is the only option.
Mask Recommended - Starting Tuesday, Feb. 22nd - Shared by Dr. Talley on Sunday, Feb. 13th
Shared on Sunday, Feb. 13th
Dear District 204 Community,
As mentioned in an earlier communication with the community, we know that the decisions about the governor’s mandate are within the court system. We have not heard anything regarding the stay of the temporary restraining order; however, we believe we will hear about the outcome of the appeal within this week. While we wait; however, we wanted to provide you with an update on our mitigation strategies.
On Friday morning, I had another meeting with the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) to discuss mitigation strategies in schools. The DCHD did reiterate that school districts may consider a multitude of indicators when making decisions about masking and other mitigation measures. Some of the indicators that should be considered include the following:
Level of community transmission
Level of COVID-19 cases identified in students or staff within a school
Covid-19 vaccination coverage in the community
Strain on health system
Use of testing program for students
Covid-19 outbreaks or increasing trends in the school or surrounding community
When the district created the metrics by which we would determine community spread, the metrics were focused on positivity level within the seven zip codes of our district and average cases per 100,000 only. At that time, vaccinations for many students were not possible. Now that we have vaccinations available for all students five years old and older, we must include that data point in making decisions about our continuum of mitigation strategies.
Additionally, we must look at some of the other data mentioned above that the DuPage County Health Department feels should be considered in making any decisions.
When we examine our vaccination data via zip code, we find that we range from 72% to 90% vaccinated in the seven zip codes that serve our school district. That percentage is extremely high and reflects that a large majority of our community is fully vaccinated.
Additionally, over the past month, when we look specifically at the percent of students/staff positive while in our schools, that number has been decreasing consistently. We were at 0.49% positive the week we returned from winter break, and we were most recently at 0.28% positive the week of January 31 – February 6.
When we look at the positivity rate for our zip codes, that rate has been consistently in the moderate range (i.e., 5 – 7.9%) for the past week. Though the cases per 100,000 have stayed in the high range, those numbers have been dropping consistently for the past week with a high of 399 on February 2 to a low of 278 as of February 10. These numbers reflect a consistent trend that our numbers are moving in the right direction and that the work of our community is making a difference in addressing the COVID epidemic.
In light of the recent positive data, we will move to masks recommended and not required for all students in grades K-12 and staff. Early childhood students, those in our PreK program at all sites, will need to continue to wear masks because they are not able to be vaccinated. Though the TRO is focused on the families in the lawsuit, our data seems to reflect a positive trend, we can start to de-layer our mitigation strategies for all students and staff. Masks are highly recommended for all; however, they will not be required. Masks are still required of all students on buses as that is a federal requirement.
The mask recommended strategy will begin Tuesday, February 22 for all students K-12 and staff. We are starting on February 22 in order to provide time for all to prepare for the change and adjustments to be made as appropriate.
With this shift, it is important for all students and staff to know we are allowing people to make their choice and there should not be any questioning why such choices were made or bullying or harassing of people for their choices. We are a community of learners who celebrate our differences. We need to rebuild relationships as a school community and treat each other with the civility and kindness that we did prior to the pandemic.
In our July 19 board of education (BOE) meeting, we shared other mitigation strategies that will be in place. Though we will share more at the BOE meeting later this month, many of these strategies will still be in place to include the following:
Physical distancing
Handwashing
Self-Certification
Cleaning and Disinfection
Ventilation
We will continue to monitor the data points mentioned above to determine if they continue on their downward trajectory. If we start to see a steady increase, we will then need to re-layer our strategies and possibly bring masks back as a strategy. We will also continue to examine the best practices from CDC, IDPH and the DuPage County Health Department. More details will be shared at the next BOE meeting with specifics to this plan.
Depending upon the appeal decision of the TRO, we will evaluate our decision; however, at this time, we will be masks recommended and not required.
I always said we would review our plan throughout the year. What was proposed and approved in July needed to be reviewed and examined in light of the reasons I mentioned above as well as the potential for the mask mandate to be removed.
Sincerely,
Adrian B. Talley, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Update from the Nurse
In February we started our annual vision and hearing screenings. Parents/guardians will receive communication if there are concerns.
If your child has received the Covid-19 vaccine please send a copy of the card in your student's backpack or email it to the nurse at kelliejo_alleman@ipsd.org.
Your are Invited to Inspire '22! - Reminder
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation invites you to Inspire ’22 - an evening showcasing the talents of IPSD 204 student musicians, vocalists and artists. The event will take place on March 11th from 7-10pm at Loft28West. Enjoy signature sips and bites, student performances and art gallery, silent auction and paddle raise while supporting the mission of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. Ticket and sponsorship information available here.
LMC Updates - Reminder
Students at Young are getting ready to participate in a schoolwide Reading Olympics over the next three weeks. They will be aiming to hit assorted reading goals throughout the program. Each class is its own team (ex. Team Hood) and will have a chance to unlock fun activities and challenges brought by the LMC. The Reading Olympics will be taking place exclusively during the school day (no outside tasks or papers needed). We hope you can join us in promoting reading broadly during this time.
Nancy Young Birthday Book Club
5 Essentail Survey - Reminder
We are at 21%! We reached the minimum. If you still want your voice heard there is still time!
Please take the time to complete the yearly 5 Essentials Survey. Please follow these steps below. We REALLY appreciate it!
To take this short survey:
1. Visit 5 Essentials Survey Link
2. Type and select “Dupage” as "County." (The county is the location of the school district's main office.)
3. Type your school's name into the "School" field and select your school.
PTA updates
Next PTA Meeting- Wednesday, March 16th at 7:00PM via zoom - Mr. Maldonado will be presenting on behalf of the PBIS PLC!
Erin Rodriguez is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ipsd.zoom.us/j/97088177164?pwd=Z09NemZHb1FMOXdONXY1WVVUZytCZz09
CLUVER'S NIGHT
Culver's of Aurora
509 S. Rt. 59
Wednesday, February 23rd, TIME: 5PM-8PM.
Dine at Culver's and Nancy Young Elementary School will be given15% of your total purchase when you bring the flyer that was distributed electronically and via backpack mail on 2.14.
Next Board of Education Meeting
2/28/2022 at 7:00PM Crouse Education Center 780 Shoreline Dr. Aurora, IL 60504 (map)
Upcoming Events
Monday, February 21st - No School Presidents' Day
Thursday, March 3rd - No School Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Friday, March 4th - No School Institute Day
Friday March, 25th - End of Quarter
Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1st - No School - Spring Break
Nominate a Staff Member for the A+ Award
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation and Wells Fargo Advisors are partnering for the eighth year to recognize our outstanding staff members who go above and beyond. To nominate someone who is making a difference, visit A+ Award.
Covid Dashboard
Positive cases of COVID-19 at each school in Indian Prairie 204 can be found on the District's COVID Dashboard. The information is updated each Monday by 4 pm. If your child is in close contact with someone who tested positive, a member of the COVID-19 Response Team will notify you directly regarding the need to quarantine as a precaution.
Chicago Tribune Article
F.Y.L Presentation on 1.24.2022
Board Meeting
Elementary School Hours
Regular Hours:
Arrival: Doors open at 8:50. Bell rings at 9:05. Students should be in class and ready to learn at 9:05.
Dismissal: 3:35 Every Day
WEDNESDAY Hours
Arrival on Wednesdays ONLY-Doors open at 9:00 and bell rings at 9:15.
Dismissal: 3:35
Navigating Nancy Young Elementary
Nancy Young Elementary
Website: https://young.ipsd.org/
Location: 800 Asbury Drive, Aurora, IL 60502, USA
Phone: 630.375.3800
Twitter: @NancyYoungPride