Field Flash
September 3, 2021
Dear Field Parents and Guardians,
First, I want to thank the many, many parents who joined us Wednesday evening for the virtual Parent Night. While we would, of course, prefer to connect in-person, we are glad to be able to partner virtually for a successful start to the school year. If you were not able to attend, you are welcome to click here to view the presentation slides or a recording of the presentation. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher.
Next, I know there has been a significant amount of communication coming from Field related to COVID-19. I wanted to share that we have over 700 individuals (students and staff) in our school building. When any one individual tests positive, we send communication to the classroom of the individual, as well as communication to the entire community. This transparency is important to Field and to District 64. In each Field community email, I share the following statement:
- As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop any symptoms. In addition, all unvaccinated family members must remain home if a household member exhibits symptoms and/or is awaiting test results.
Please know that COVID-19 symptoms vary widely, especially it seems in children. You received a detailed email from our District nurse Andrea Zito yesterday. I encourage to you to read it closely. Our primary focus is to keep students safe and in-person, learning together.
Thank you for your partnership! A few important reminders:
- Arrival: Thank you so much for your help in a smooth and successful arrival! Please remember our kiss and go areas on Elmore and Wisner do not allow for unattended cars. Please do remain in your car as your child(ren) exit the car.
- Bus: we take attendance at dismissal as we load the bus. It is so important that we know in advance if your child is not riding the bus. Please do call the main office as early in the day as possible and speak with Ruth or Jillian. This helps us ensure a smooth bus dismissal. Our buses will leave a bit later for the next few days as we ensure all students are accounted for when we load the buses.
- Lunch/recess: Please take some time to review the lunch/recess information later in this newsletter. This is an area where we've received a great deal of questions, so as a District, we are hopeful the bullet points shared below will help to clarify.
- SHIELD testing: Thank you for opting in/out for the upcoming SHIELD testing. Many parents have asked what day of the week Field students will participate in testing. When I have that information, I will share it with you all. We anticipate testing beginning the week of September 13th.
As we move into this three-day weekend, please continue to work together to keep our children healthy and safe. Enjoy the time with your family.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Courtney Goodman
Principal
(847) 318-4383
Please click on the image below to learn more about our teachers!
Dates to Remember
- Monday, September 6th: No School for Labor Day
- Week of September 7th: Safety Week
- Thursday, September 9th: PTO Back-to-School event from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 15th: PTO meeting (virtual) at 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, September 23rd: Board of Education meeting at 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 24th: Picture Day! More details to come about picture ordering!
Field's Green Team Shares Tips for Lunch
Health & Safety Protocols: Quarantine
The new school year is underway! District 64 has implemented health and safety protocols to reduce the transmission of COVID 19. Below is important information to keep in mind should your child be directed to quarantine:
If you have information about a potential COVID exposure, please contact your building nurse.
District 64 is providing access to remote learning in the event that a student is directed to quarantine by the school nurse.
Students who are sick who have not been directed to quarantine by the school nurse will take a typical “sick day” and are not eligible for the remote learning class. Students who are awaiting a COVID test result are not eligible for remote learning.
Remote learning classes are taught via Zoom by District 64 substitute teachers and are made up of students at the same grade level from schools across the district.
It may take 24-48 hours for a student to be placed in a remote learning class.
Your child’s classroom teacher will share information with the substitute about the instruction that will take place during your child’s quarantine. Because students from across the district will participate in the same quarantine class, activities will support grade-level learning standards but will not be the exact activities that your child would be completing in person.
Students should access the Zoom link to their Quarantine Class through Seesaw or Schoology.
If you experience a tech challenge, please contact your school office and ask to speak with the Building Technologist.
Parent Device Orientation - Recordings
Thank you!
Upcoming Safety Week
Lunch & Recess - Weather Information
We wanted to share additional information about our lunch & recess plans, as well as how and when we make our decisions about lunch and recess.
Our primary plan is to eat lunch outside and have recess outside. On our warmer days (like we've been having), the District uses the National Weather Service Heat Index Chart. When we consider the air temperature and humidity, we will plan to be outside for the full lunch and recess time when those measures place us in the yellow zone (caution). When we are in the light orange (extreme caution), we will eat inside and have recess outside.
Because weather changes so quickly in our area, we make our final lunch and recess decisions by 11:00 a.m. If you would like to know our decision, please call the main office after 11:00 a.m.
As the weather cools off, we'll share additional information about air temperature and wind chill.
As a reminder, when we eat outside, students are seated on towels. When we eat inside, they are seated at a table in an assigned seat in either the north gym, south gym, or MPR.
Children are also permitted to leave school for the lunch recess hour. Parents need to come to the main office and sign out their child(ren). Students would remain home for the full hour of lunch/recess, which runs from 11:40 until 12:35 (Wednesdays from 11:15-12:10).
REGISTER NOW for the Fall 2021 Session of Chess-Ed's Virtual Enrichment Program!
Chess-Ed is pleased to offer VIRTUAL chess lessons to your chess students this Fall! The 12-week Fall session is offered Monday through Friday after school and Saturday mornings with Beginner, Novice, Continuing, and Advanced program levels.
The chess program runs from Monday, 9/20/21 to Saturday, 12/18/21 and is taught by Chess-Ed instructors using Zoom, lichess.org, and other chess software. Each week, the lessons will take students to a new level of expertise, with time to play against other students and test oneself on an understanding of this fun and challenging game. Beginners will develop basic skills to enjoy the game, while continuing and advanced students will grow in the knowledge of opening theory, middle game tactics, and endgame combinations. To register and for more information about our program, go here: www.fall2021virtualchess-ed.eventbee.com
Playing chess enhances concentration and focus, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, and promotes problem solving, creativity, social skills, and sportsmanship. Through this wonderful “Sport of the Mind”, CHESS, an intellectual foundation for all learning will occur. Join TODAY!
Join the Field PTO!
Field PTO membership is now open!
Join the Field PTO! Membership helps fund a variety of PTO activities from electronic books to staff appreciation events to the operational costs of the PTO. Joining PTO is an excellent way to connect with others in our school community!
See what’s going on in our community!
From the library to the park district, our communities of Park Ridge-Niles have lots to offer, even virtually. For information on all the latest happenings, be sure to check the Community Info & Events webpage.
Eugene Field Elementary School
Website: www.d64.org/fie
Location: 707 N Wisner St, Park Ridge, IL, United States
Phone: 847-318-4385
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fieldparkridgeniles/?fref=ts
Twitter: @fieldd64