WHAT'S UP AT LINCOLN
Weekly Newsletter and Announcements
A Message from Ms. Gordon
Dear Lincoln Families,
Each week I am more excited to see your children in our virtual classrooms. As you are winding down on your last days of summer, I hope you are finding time to enjoy those little moments and make memories. Feel free to share your pictures and memories with us!
In this week's newsletter you will receive information regarding our Device and Supply Distribution, a link to our kindergarten video and much more! Links for the Teacher Meet and Greet will be sent by your child's teacher by 5pm today.
Take care and be well,
Ms. Gordon
Important Dates:
August 25 - Virtual Teacher Meet and Greet, 6:00pm-7:00pm
***Mrs. Childress will host her session on Thursday, August 27th at 6pm***
August 27 - Device and Supply Distribution
September 1 - Official First Day of School
September 4 - Lincoln's Virtual Dance Party (K-2 at 6-6:30pm, 3-5 at 6:30-7pm)
September 10 - Virtual Curriculum Night
TBD - Virtual New Family Welcome
Device and Supply Distribution
- Kindergarten 8-9am
- First Grade 9-10 am
- Second Grade 10-11 am
- Third Grade 12-1 pm
- Fourth Grade 1-2 pm
- Fifth Grade 2-3 pm
- Families may pick up supplies for multiple students at a time slot that works best for them.
Please line up in your car along Grove Street (our main entrance). In your window place a piece of paper with your child's first and last name, grade and teacher's name.
Example:
Student: Ryan Gordon
Grade: Kindergarten
Teacher: Mrs. Clark
If you are unable to make it, please ask a neighbor or family member. If you still cannot make it, we will be in the building so please arrange a pick up day and time with Mrs. Lowry or Mrs. Roskopf by email at lincolnoffice@op97.org.
Little Lions Read!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jSdlYVOHb4xTuRCpea-aeqSfQWQkkSvbo4eg5kHSUZI/edit?usp=sharing
District 97 Information
District 97 is continuing to plan for the 2020-21 school year and is prioritizing the social-emotional and mental health needs of students, staff, and families to ensure the availability and quality of appropriate resources and supports. We have partnered with Hanover Research to design and analyze a survey to understand your needs and priorities related to social-emotional and mental health for this school year, and we would like to hear from you.
You can access the survey here or by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39RQ56KYF6mBgwZ. The survey will close on Monday, Aug. 24.
Please note that your responses to this survey will be completely anonymous and will only be shared with District 97 in aggregate form, so please be candid in your responses. We appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey!
Meal Distributions to Continue through Aug. 24
District 97 has been working with our food service provider, Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, to ensure that all District 97 students have access to meals this summer. D97 will continue to hold weekly meal distributions through Monday, August 24.
Details about meal distribution during Trimester 1 are still being finalized. We hope to share information with families soon.
Summer meal pick-ups will be held every Monday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Longfellow Elementary School (for Julian and feeder schools), 715 S. Highland Ave., and Brooks Middle School (for Brooks and feeder schools), 325 S. Kenilworth Ave. Meals are available to any District 97 family in need.
If you have any questions, please contact our food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.
Pandemic EBT Benefit Deadline Extended to August 31
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched the Pandemic EBT to provide nutritional resources to families who have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures. Families will receive money on a new or existing EBT card to help fill the school meals gap. If your child receives free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or your child attends a school that offers free school meals to all students, then you are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits. Families who have lost their job or wages may now be eligible.
The deadline to apply for this benefit has been extended to Aug. 31, 2020. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/2DJDEAd.
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
We know that a common experience for many families during this health crisis is the loss of jobs and income. This change in income may qualify your children for free or reduced-price meals. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the National School Lunch application as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.
Previously Shared Information
School Physicals and Immunizations
Although District 97 is starting the 2020-2021 school year with remote learning, the State of Illinois is still requiring all students entering kindergarten, 6th grade, and any students new to District 97 to turn in a current school physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination and Immunization record) with up-to-date immunizations (requirements for the State of Illinois can be found here). If you have not already provided this information when you registered your child, please email your child's' records directly to your school nurse.
Information from Community Child Care Providers for 2020-21 School Year
In preparation for the 2020-21 school year, District 97 is working with community partners to support the child care needs of our families and staff.
Hephzibah
Registration for Hephzibah fall programming will open on Friday, July 31, for current Hephzibah families, and on Monday, Aug. 3, for the larger Oak Park community for youth entering kindergarten through sixth grade.
Hephzibah will be providing full day care/e-learning support at Holmes, Irving and Longfellow Schools. At this time, two options for care will be available:
- Academic support and supervision during the school day (7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Academic support during the school day and social/recreational enrichment after school (7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
At this time, Hephzibah will prioritize families who need care Monday through Friday, but may offer options for two or three days per week if space allows.
Children will be assigned to a cohort of 15 children and two staff, with a limit of 75 to 90 children per school building. Hephzibah will make all efforts to create cohorts of children from the same schools and grade levels, subject to registration.
Hephzibah will continue to follow all guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Centers for Disease Control. These safety measures include temperature screening twice daily, a COVID-symptoms questionnaire, social distancing, mask-wearing and enhanced disinfection procedures, as well as restrictions on co-mingling of the cohorts and outside visitors entering the building.
Hephzibah is finalizing a daily structure which supports all the children’s remote learning needs and also provides breaks for physical activity, socialization and play in a safe, nurturing environment. Program information—including a fee scale, FAQ and application—can be accessed directly at https://www.hephzibahhome.org/2020-day-care-program. Please email Day Care Program Director Amy O’Rourke if you have any questions.
Park District of Oak Park
The Park District is committed to working with School District 97 to provide quality all-day childcare for parents for the first session of the school year while remote learning is in place.
There will be two school sites where the Park District will provide childcare, one at a school located in north Oak Park and another at a south Oak Park school. These locations are still to be determined. Participants at each childcare location will engage in D97 online learning while in the program. Each student must bring their D97 device and headphones each day along with their lunch. Outdoor activities, games and crafts will be part of the childcare experience also. Scholarships and childcare discounts are available to families that qualify.
Here is what we know currently:
- Those currently registered in the Clubhouse program will have priority registration for the Clubhouse 2.0 program. Priority registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1.
- There will be limited capacity and therefore, registration will open to all Oak Park residents, only if there are spaces available, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8:30 a.m.
- The Park District will try to group children by age and school.
- There will be two options, either 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Once priority registration has been completed and Clubhouse 2.0 is opened to all children through 5th grade, if there are still spaces available, the District may open registration to middle school-age children.
- The cost per day for the 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. program is $30, or $600 per month. The cost per day for the 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. program is $45, or $900 per month. Registrants will pay monthly for this program similar to the original Clubhouse program.
- IMPORTANT: D97 will cover the daily clubhouse program fee, from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm, for any D97 student who receives a free or reduced lunch for at least Trimester 1. D97 will not cover the program cost from 3 pm to 6 pm. The district will determine additional fee coverage once plans are determined for the remainder of the school year. More details are provided at point of online registration.
- The Park District is following federal, state and local recommendations regarding COVID-19. The guidelines for employees and children include:
- Staying home if you feel or are sick.
- Wearing a face covering.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Washing hands upon entry and frequently throughout the day.
- Maintaining 6ft distancing whenever possible.
Contact Joe Lilly at joe.lilly@pdop.org or 708-725-2102 for more information, or visit https://www.pdop.org/programs/clubhouse-afterschool-program/.
Please click here for Park District scholarship information.
By Discovery
By Discovery is very pleased to partner with D97 to help students successfully navigate their online school day in person, at Beye and Lincoln elementary schools, throughout Trimester 1 (and beyond, if needed). Students must be enrolled at a D97 school to participate.
To create the safest possible environment for your child and family, your child will be grouped with the same cohort of up to 15 children for the trimester. The exception is if a space becomes available, we will provide a new child the opportunity to join the cohort.
Program Options
- Those who wish to attend part time (3x per week) may attend on M/W/F (Beye and Lincoln).
- Those who wish to attend part time (2x per week) may attend on T/TH. (Beye and Lincoln).
- Full-time students (M/T/W/Th/F) will share one classroom (available at Beye only).
Program Cost
- In-person remote learning at Beye and Lincoln is $50 per day, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- In-person art enrichment at Beye and Lincoln from dismissal to 6pm is $25 per day.
- A 10% discount is awarded to families who have more than one child enrolled in the program
We calculate the monthly fee based on the days of the week your child attends and the total of those days per the first trimester, divided by three (September through November).
Scholarships
Limited scholarships of 50% off the tuition fee (for both full-time and part-time enrollments) are available each school year. A child qualifies for the scholarship if she/he receives free or reduced lunches. Scholarships are awarded in the order in which they are received (first come, first served).
Payment
Payment is due on the 1st of the month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due on the next business day. Families will receive payment information via email as part of the welcome email the week of August 10.
Accepted Forms of Payment
- Check (bank issued or personal), made out to By Discovery LLC
- PayPal (via https://www.bydiscovery.org/registration-1)
- Zelle (to By Discovery LLC / jocelyne.adkins@bydiscovery.org)
Invoicing
Families are invoiced on the 24th of each month with payment due on the 1st of the month or the next business day, if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday. Your first invoice will arrive August 24 and your first payment is due on September 1. A $25 late fee will be invoiced for each month a payment is submitted past the due date.
Enrollment
Enrollment is open throughout the trimester, based upon availability. Families may be placed on a wait list. Fees are pro-rated for those who enroll during the trimester, based on participation days and availability.
Registration/Fee
To register your child, please complete the form below. A $50 non-refundable registration fee is required to secure your child's space. Your registration fee will be applied to your first monthly payment. Please visit https://www.bydiscovery.org/registration-1 within 24 hours of your registration. Registration fees not received within this time frame will render your registration void, re-opening the space for other registrants. Registrations are first come, first served, and space is limited to 15 students per classroom.
Facilitators
By Discovery is facilitated by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director/Founder, and Stacey Grieff, MSEd, Early Childhood Education, Erikson Institute, Chicago. Each class of 8+ students is also supported by a dedicated teaching assistant. Extended Day Art Curriculum is developed Jocelyne Adkins, MAAE, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Stacey Grieff, MSEd Erikson Institute and Kim Becker, MFA, Yale University.
Safety
Your child's safety is our top priority. By Discovery will follow all guidelines established by D97, ISBE, IDPH and the CDC. Children and staff will maintain a distance of 6 feet, wear face coverings, wash hands frequently and stay home if unwell to protect the health of others. Students who are unable to meet these guidelines, despite support from our staff to do so, will be removed from the program without refund.
Thank you for your interest in By Discovery! We are passionate about supporting families and helping children to achieve and succeed! To learn more, please visit: bydiscovery.org.
For questions about By Discovery, please contact Program Director: jocelyne@bydiscovery.org
About Us
Email: lincolnoffice@op97.org
Website: op97.org/lincoln
Location: 1111 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-524-3110