Pleasant Hill Weekly Newsletter
December 3, 2021
Have a Great Weekend!
Happy Friday Everyone!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break last week. It was really wonderful to see parents in the building for in person conferences as well as seeing parents virtually! Please keep the communication with your child's teacher strong.
As we look to December and the holiday break coming up in a few weeks, this is a time where as educators we are at the half way point of the school year. When we get back from the break, we will be doing more assessments in the classroom to begin to look at student progress and growth. This is also the time of the year that content moves past review and introduction and into new and exploratory. This means that students will be spending the time learning new material and building the foundational skills associated with what they are learning. It becomes very important that we watch how students are responding both at school and home. Keeping up with homework and reading during the week is essential.
A big thank you to the parents that were at the annual cyber safety night. There was a lot of information shared on how we can monitor and keep our children safe. I will be sending out the presentation to everyone next week. Please remember that students should not have electronic devices with them when they go to bed at night. Almost all negative interactions occur when parents are sleeping and students are awake in bed with their electronic device at night.
Thank you again for all your support this school year!
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe weekend!
Warm Regards,
Dr. Morris
GO COUGARS!
Vaccination Clinic
Optional Vaccination Clinic #2 (Illinois Department of Public Health)
The District has also partnered with the Illinois Department of Public Health to host a second optional vaccination clinic for children as well as adults in need of vaccinations (or booster shots) at John G. Conyers Learning Academy (2800 Central Road, Rolling Meadows IL 60008). The District will share a link to sign up at a later date.
Dose 1: Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021
Dose 2: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022
From The PTA!
Thank you Dr. Morris for the Cyber Safety Presentation this week. It was important information to hear since the digital world is ever changing and our kids try to be one step ahead of us! Thank you also to the officer from the Palatine Police for adding to the presentation.
Last week the Staff Appreciation committee provided dinner to the staff during the parent teacher conferences. Thank you to Jamie Segovich for organizing and to all the families that donated food for it. The staff enjoyed Lou Malnati's pizza and a table full of salad, fresh fruit, and desserts. We stocked the refrigerator full of beverages for them as well.
Gift Card Fundraiser
Please consider ordering you gift cards for the holiday season through our PTA Gift Card Program. Every gift card purchased through this program earns a rebate that goes back to the Pleasant Hill PTA. This is a very easy way to help fundraise for the PTA without having to spend extra money.
How does it work? Find the order form on the email that was sent out or on our website. Print it and submit your order form in an envelope to the front office clearly labeled "Gift Cards". Orders forms and payment are due by Friday December 10th. Gift cards will be sent home with your child or you can pick them up from the front office on Friday, December 17th.
Gingerbread House Contest
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest entries are due Monday, December 13th. This is a fun opportunity to have the students show off their creativity and see their craftsmanship come to life.
Spotlight on Pleasant Hill Cultures
Happy Hanukkah to you and your family from the PH PTA!
During this eight-day Jewish holiday, also called Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights, families light a new candle each night on a special lampstand called a menorah and celebrate with food such as potato pancakes and jelly-filled donuts, games like dreidel, and other fun.
We are proud to be a part of a school community that is filled with various cultures. If there is a Holiday or festival you celebrate and would like to share please email us at phpta15@gmail.com and we can spotlight it.
Kind regards,
Ashley Gebhardt and Julie Boldt
PTA Presidents
Buy GIFT CARDS from the PTA
Every gift card purchased will earn a rebate that goes back to the Pleasant Hill PTA.
After the break, order forms will be sent out along with a list of available gift cards. Your gift card order will be due back to school by December 10th. You can choose to have your gift cards sent home with your child or pick them up from the office on Friday, December 17th.
***Do you own a company and would like to order gift cards for your employees? Please email phgiftcard@gmail.com
PH PTA on Amazon Smile
Pleasant Hill PTA is on Amazon Smile. Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to our PTA.
Sign up in four easy steps:
- Go to smile.amazon.com
- Find “Account & Lists” settings, under “Your Account” click on “AmazonSmile”
- Search for “Pleasant Hill PTA Inc”
- Select our school and start shopping
ECDEC Early Childhood Program
**FREE PRESCHOOL**
ECDEC/FIND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
We serve children between the ages of 0-5 years
For more information or to schedule a screening, please call:
Noemi at (847) 963-3450
Close Contacts
According to the CDC definition of close contacts in the K-12 indoor classroom setting, students who were 3 feet or more from an infected student are not treated as close contacts if both students were engaged in consistent and correct use of well-fitting masks.
Phone calls to parents of students who are identified as close contacts are called prior to the classroom letter being sent home. If you receive the classroom notice letter and you have not been called by a contact tracer, you can be assured your child was following the CDC guidelines for K-12 indoor classroom settings.
Students who ride a bus will be identified as a close contact if they sit next to, behind or in front of the student who was positive for more than 15 minutes.
Upcoming Parent Night: Supporting our Children Through Stressful Times
Please join District 15 for this free, virtual workshop that will share information for how we can support our children through life’s stressful and adverse experiences to help them cope and build their resilience.
Supporting Youth Through Stress & Trauma
December 6, 2021
7-8 pm
Join the google meet using the link above
Presented by: Dr. Meghan Meyer, Trauma Informed Intervention Coordinator
Spanish translation services will be offered.
Pre-Registration would be greatly appreciated
so please fill out this form.
We are also taking questions from our audience that will be answered during the workshops so please pre-register. Thank you!
If you have any questions, please email Keli Swierczek at swierczk@ccsd15.net.
Mask Reminder
Test To Stay Now Available!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
District 15 began the Test To Stay (T2S) program on Monday, October 25. This is an additional, optional testing regimen that will allow us to keep qualifying identified close contacts learning in person. Thank you for your patience as we worked to follow the guidance/requirements needed to safely implement T2S. Here are the nuts and bolts of T2S:
- Students must be registered and participating in weekly SHIELD testing (more information below).
- Students test on school days 1, 3, 5, and 7. If a testing day falls on a non-school day, we will work with you to accommodate testing at the earliest possible opportunity.
Participation Qualifications (Per ISBE & IDPH Guidance):
- The positive COVID-19 case and the close contact must have been engaged in consistent and correct use of well-fitting masks, regardless of vaccination status.
- Parents/guardians will need to transport their child to the District office for testing on test days and from school during the entire testing time frame.
- Students must be opted into weekly SHIELD screening to participate in T2S. We realize this is new information and have worked with IDPH and CCDPH, hopeful for some flexibility. Guidance is firm about this requirement.
Here’s How to Opt In:
- If you are currently opted IN for SHIELD and your child qualifies to participate in Test To Stay (T2S): There will be an additional consent form for Test To Stay. T2S will use a BinaxNOW test, different from the weekly SHIELD test. Results of the test take only 15-20 minutes. If your child qualifies for the T2S process, you will be sent the consent form to complete.
- If you opted out of SHIELD and your child qualifies to participate in T2S OR If you have not filled out anything regarding SHIELD and your child qualifies to participate in T2S: Please fill out this SHIELD consent form and email it to SHIELD@ccsd15.net to be opted in to SHIELD weekly testing OR you can fill out the SHIELD consent on-site on their first day of T2S. There will be an additional consent form for Test To Stay. T2S will use a BinaxNOW test, different from the weekly SHIELD test. Results of the test take only 15-20 minutes. If your child qualifies for the T2S process, you will be sent the consent form to complete.
How T2S Works:
Test To Stay testing will take place on school days from 7:00 am - 9:00 am at the District Office located at 580 North 1st Bank Drive, Palatine. Everyone entering the District Office for T2S must be fully masked at all times.
If your child is identified as a close contact and qualifies for T2S, parents/guardians will receive a close contact email from a District nurse or contact tracer with an invitation and instructions about how to participate in T2S. Following receipt of the email, parents/guardians must:
- Complete the Google form in the invitation email;
- Complete the Binax consent form in the invitation email;
- Complete the SHIELD consent form, if they have not already Opted-In to weekly SHIELD testing;
- Download the Navica Mobile App to their smartphone (directions will be in the invitation email) before coming to the District office to test - parents/guardians will receive the T2S results through this app;
- Transport their child to testing and home from school, as students cannot ride the bus at any time until the T2S regimen is complete.
Additional Information:
- Students participating in T2S may participate in extracurricular activities (as long as they remain consistently masked and physically distanced). Students on sports teams may participate in practice, but not games or competitions until the 15th day.
- Students may resume using District transportation and participating in sports/extracurricular competitions after they have completed the testing regimen.
- If at any point during the testing regimen, the student begins having symptoms, they must isolate right away.
- T2S participants should avoid social gatherings and remain home when not at school functions for the full testing regimen.
- OUTSIDE tests cannot be accepted for Test To Stay - it must be a District administered test.
We look forward to adding this screening measure to our mitigation efforts. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your school nurse.
Mobile App
The District 15 mobile app is available on the App Store and Google Play! To download the free app, search for "CCSD15."
This communication tool allows parents and students to quick access to important school and district information, including Campus Parent, the D15 Bullying Tip Line, a quick link to MyStop (bus stop location and pick-up times), lunch menus, schedules, parent/student handbook, directory information, school news, and more.
To see integrated student information on the app, click the "student information" button and log-in using your email address and your Campus Parent password. If you are unsure of your password, please visit Infinite Campus and click "forgot password." If you are still having trouble, please contact your school's main office for assistance.
To make sure you aren’t missing any notices, make sure you turn notifications ON for the mobile app.
We Need Your Help During Pick-up and Drop-off
-During the posted time on the sign by the back lot entrance. No left turn is allowed during drop-off between 8am and 9am heading north on Ceder.
-During the posted time on the sign located on the corner of Ceder and Michigan, no left turn is allowed heading south onto Cedar from Michigan.
-Drop off allows for one SINGLE file line in the circle drive in the morning. Please be patient as cars are stopping frequently to drop off students.
-Pick up allows for cars to park (not left unattended and running) along the curb. Double parking is not allowed.
-Students should not be crossing Cedar or Illinois to get to a vehicle without using he designated crosswalks. (A crossing guard is at Illinois and Birchwood, A crosswalk is at the corner of Michigan and Cedar)
-Students should ALWAYS exit a car on the passenger side while in the circle drive.
-If you are dropping off or picking up and decide to park in the parking lot, students must be escorted by an adult to the schools entrance. Students should not be going through the parking lot without an adult. This is extremely important.
Please think of the safety of all of our students and families during these times of the day.
Privacy And Student Data Protection
Privacy and student data protection is a key priority for the District. Our three main technology departments (instructional technology, technology, and data services) work to make sure our systems and vendors comply with the requirements of the Student Online Personal Protection Act or SOPPA, which regulates how student information is protected by school districts and education technology vendors they use. Our student privacy web page outlines our privacy related actions and protective measures.
We also employ a number of measures like on-site filtering, student device monitoring, and security tools which protect our network from outside threats. Students participate in digital citizenship curriculum, and staff can employ tools to support students in making good digital choices. Lastly, our district participates in several state and national consortiums, collaborating with other districts to keep informed on best practices and new resources that may support our data privacy policies.
Parent Nights 2021-2022
District 15 is excited to be partnering with local agencies to present information on the following topics for parents, guardians, families and community members. Mark your calendars and join us for these free, virtual workshops!
Trauma Awareness
December 6, 2021
7-8 pm
Self-Care
February 16, 2022
7-8 pm
Motivation to Finish Strong
April 12, 2022
7-8 pm
Pre-Registration would be greatly appreciated
so please fill out this form!
We are also taking questions from our audience that will be answered during the workshops so please pre-register.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Keli Swierczek at swierczk@ccsd15.net.
Spanish translation services will be offered during workshops.
Student Entrances and Exits
Doors Will Open at 8:38 each morning.
Thank you for your support!
Grades 1&2 - Door #3
Grade 3- Door #7
Grades 4&5 - Door #10
Grade 6- Door #11
Kindergarten - Door #4 (Mrs. Hickey) Door #5 (Mrs. Kehm)
Students Riding The Bus Will Enter and Exit The Front Doors
Reminder To Self Certify Students Before School
Please help us in keeping our students safe by using the symptoms below to screen your student before they enter school each day.
Thank you!
Symptoms:
Fever (100.4°F or higher),
New onset of moderate to severe headache,
Shortness of breath,
New cough,
Sore throat,
Vomiting or diarrhea,
New loss of sense of taste or smell,
Fatigue from unknown cause,
Muscle or body aches from unknown cause
Dr. David Morris Ed.D
Email: morrisd@ccsd15.net
Website: ccsd15.net/PH
Phone: 847-963-5900