Pirate's Cove
Weekly Newsletter - September 21 - September 28
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Principal's Message
Pirate parents,
Starting this week, the window for taking the STAR assessment will be opened for students. Different teachers are giving the STAR assessment throughout the next few weeks. Below, you will find some resources to help with the STAR assessment, why it is important, what it is, and how we use the results.
This upcoming Friday is a 1/2 SIP day for students. Below, you will find the SIP day schedule for your child's "Go Live!" times.
Our student support time is from 2:10-3:00 every day but Wednesday. Teachers are available at this time to help answer any questions that students have regarding their work, or can practice skills that they learned in Go Live sessions. Some teachers are forming small groups for assistance as well. If you feel that your student needs assistance, please reach out to your child's teachers. I also highly encourage our students to practice self-advocacy and ask for help by emailing their teachers any questions. Teachers will respond to questions within 24 hours time.
We are getting our students to practice organization systems independently. This can be through the Google Classroom functions of "To Do's," using the student planner that was provided from the school at material pick up, or even using Google Calendar to set up tasks and times to organize when class work is due. There is no "one size fits all" organization method for our students, and not all organization methods work for every child. Sometimes we need to try a few things in order to best organize work and time. Even as the Principal, I am constantly trying to rework how I organize my time and my work so that it can be done in a timely manner. If you feel that your child needs a supported organization method, please reach out to our student services teams or the student's teachers. They will work to help find what system works for your child.
We are also approaching the first point in our school year where teachers meet and discuss student progress in a process called MTSS. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, or MTSS, is the process of utilizing student progress and data to determine additional supports necessary for struggling students. Student academics, behavior, and social emotional well-being are considered through the process. I share this because adjustments in programs and student schedules are recommended at various points throughout the year in order to provide these additional supports. This can mean student's schedules may need to change in order to provide academic supports, counselors may call to set up small groups, and letters regarding academic warning and attendance may be sent home.
I want to keep Plank parents informed of our progress with our remote learning plans. For full reopening plans and information, please follow the link to access the SD 308 reopening plan documents. You can also click on the button below this Principal's Message in order to access the PDF of the plan. If you are looking for the Junior High Remote Learning Schedule, you can find it by following this link.
If you have questions, please reach out to the Plank Main office at 630-551-9400. Please know that we are still working on the specifics for our return plans, and these plans are subject to change. The most up to date information can be found at the SD 308 website.
The staff at Plank Junior High is committed to serving the students and parents of the surrounding community. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, and we can work together to find solutions. I can be reached at 630-551-9400 and thaymond@sd308.org. We look forward to partnering with you and your student throughout the year.
Pirates Persevere!
Always in partnership,
Tyler Haymond
Principal
Plank Junior High School
National Hispanic Heritage Month - Starting September 15th
National Hispanic Heritage Month started on September 15. We celebrate the important contributions, heritage, and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.
We will be celebrating the different family cultures all year at Plank. Watch our Website and Facebook and twitter for remote celebrations of the different cultures represented by Plank families.
For additional information on National Hispanic Heritage Month, as well as resources for families, additional Websites are provided below.
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2020/hispanic-heritage-month.html
Friday, September 25th - 1/2 SIP Day
Teachers are hosting shortened "Go Live!" times on Friday.
September 25 - SIP Day:
1st Period 8:00-8:20
2nd Period 8:24 - 8:43
3rd Period 8:47 - 9:07
4th Period 9:11 - 9:30
5th Period 9:34 - 9:54
6th Period 9:58 - 10:18
7th Period 10:22 - 10:42
8th Period 10:46 - 11:06
9th Period 11:10 - 11:30
STAR Assessment Window - 9/21 - 10/16
Each school year, our students take the STAR assessment in their Reading and Math class. This year our students will be taking their first STAR assessment remotely during their regularly scheduled "Go Live!" times.
The STAR assessment helps teachers better understand what students know and can do in these subject areas. As your student takes the test, the software selects items based on their responses. If the student answers correctly, the next item will be more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the next item will be less difficult. By adjusting the difficulty of the items to what students show they can or cannot do, the assessment is an accurate way to help teachers identify what skills students are ready to learn. The STAR test is not a test for a grade. More information regarding the STAR test can be found in our Family Guide resource linked here as well as technical recommendations, which can be found here.
Plank Testing Window:
STAR Spanish: September 21-25
STAR Reading: September 28-October 2
STAR Math: October 5-9
STAR Make-ups: October 5-16
Parent Tip of the Week
Parent Resources
Follow the links to access the parent resources that we have available.
- A Parent's Guide to Google Classroom - A step-by-step guide to help parents that are unfamiliar with accessing Google Classroom.
- Google Classroom Cheat Sheet for students - Shake Up Learning
- Google Meets Expectations - Many teachers use these expectations within their Google Hangout Live Meets.
- Google Suite Tutorials - A collection of Google tutorials that students will be using with their teachers during remote learning. There are dozens of resources here that cover almost anything you need to know about using Google Suite.
- Parent's Guide to Student Portal - Tyler 360 document that outlines Student Portal access and features.
Junior High Schedule
REMEMBER: Attendance for students is taken in each Google Classroom and needs to be completed by 12:00 Noon on Wednesday.
Supporting Students and Families
The Student Services team at Plank has compiled a list of valuable resources for families to use. These resources are available to all of our families. There are two forms that can be completed to provide assistance if needed during the summer. We miss you, Pirates!.
This form is a short survey for families. Fill out the family form here.
To visit our Student Services resources Page, please click here.
Set up a time to meet with the Plank Counselors!
Our Plank counseling team is using a new scheduling tool this year. It allows students and parents to directly book a meeting with us. Follow the links below to access the editable schedule to meet with one of our counselors. If you have questions, reach out to our counseling team below!
Mrs. Gannon (students with last names A-L) cgannon-sd308.youcanbook.me/
Mrs. Hlavacs (students with last names M-Z) khlavacs-sd308.youcanbook.me/
Mrs. Modaff (students with last names M-Z) jmodaff-sd308.youcanbook.me/
Important - Absence Reporting
Parents- please remember to check your child’s attendance in Tyler Portal. If you notice one or two absences, call the Attendance Office to report the reason. This includes appointments and technology issues. Any student that misses up to two classes without a parent call will be marked “U” Unexcused for those classes. Any student that is marked absent for three or more classes, a call will go home to the parents. Also, please remember that students are expected to be present in class for the entire class period.
Have questions or need help? The Attendance Line number is 630-551-9401. You can also email Mrs. Montes-Mijarez at amontesmijarez@sd308.org.
Attendance Guidelines
Plank Attendance Guidelines
630-551-9401
Please leave a message on the Attendance Line noting the reason for the absence. Include all symptoms or the reason for the absence if it is not illness related. Students need to be called in if they will miss a partial day. Please note the class/classes that will be missed in addition to the reason for the absences.
Teachers are keeping attendance through their hangout meet times, as well as their Wednesday attendance forms. If you have questions, please reach out to the individual teachers about these procedures. If your child was experiencing technical issues with devices, please reach out to the main office to talk with our attendance secretary.
Study Hall and Study Dynamics are classes that do not meet, and there is no need for attendance to be taken. If students have questions during this time, they can reach out to that Study Hall teacher to have questions answered through email.
There is the 2:15 to 3:00 Student Support time at the end of the day. Teachers may be reaching out to students and families to encourage additional support as we get into the school year. This is a time when students will be able to access their classroom teachers for help.
Buried in emails?
Plank Spirit Wear through the Plank HSA
Pirate families!
No contact Fall spiritwear sale! All items will be shipped directly to your house. Be the first to get a Plank Face mask! When we finally return to in-person learning, all students will be required to wear a face mask at school. Sport your Pirate Pride with a Plank Mask! Available in 3 colors to show your school spirit and support your class color: Gray (6th), purple (7th) and black (8th). Any question let Jacquie Bucher, president HSA, know by emailing kplankhsa@gmail.com.
For a 10% discount, use the coupon code: PLANK10 at checkout. The coupon is case sensitive. Copy and paste it into the coupon code field at checkout.
Click here to place your order =>
https://plankschool.itemorder.com/sale This is an open order, and will close on 12/31. Allow for 3 weeks for delivery.
Click here to see this spirit wear flyer => Spirit Wear Flyer
Super All Stars - Onyx Team
Free or Reduced Cost Internet Access
Check out the services here.
Parent Portal in Tyler SIS
Our student information system is Tyler SIS. Log into the link below if you are looking for updated grades, information, attendance, and the features of the former e School Home Access. Watch for updates on how parents can use the Portal on our website and in upcoming newsletters.
Health Paperwork
6th graders:
A complete physical, immunization record ( including the required Meningococcal and Tdap vaccines on or after the 11th birthday) are being collected at this time. Please make sure to fill out and sign the health history on page 2 of the physical form.
A dental exam is also a requirement. The dental exam can be dated from November 15, 2019 to May 15, 2021.
**We are following the current exclusion date given to us by the state of IL of October 15, 2020. Failure to provide these required documents will result in exclusion from school.**
7th graders:
If you did not get in your dental exam required for last school year due to COVID, please do so at this time.
ALL Students:
- Action plans for Asthma, Severe Allergy, Seizure and Diabetes are being collected for the new school year along with medication authorization forms for emergency and daily medications that will be given during school hours. All forms are located under the Health Services tab on the district website.
- Please fill out an Annual health history for your child if you have not done so already. Log into the parent portal of Tyler to complete this portion.
- If your child sustains an injury during remote learning and requires modifications and accommodations for class, please provide a detailed doctor's note to the health office.
- If we are missing any documents required for your child's health file, an email or phone call will be given or sent to you.
All documents can be emailed to kjenkins@sd308.org or faxed to 630-551-9697.
Important People to Know
Administration:
Principal
Tyler Haymond 630-551-9410 thaymond@sd308.org
Assistant Principal
Dr. Marcus Lewis 630-551-9411 mlewis@sd308.org
Assistant Principal
Bailey Campbell 630-551-9412 bcampbell@sd308.org
Student Support Lead Teachers
Lead Special Education Teacher
Carrie Quinn 630-551-9497 cquinn@sd308.org
EL Coordinator
Guadalupe Gallardo Escobedo 630-551-9466 ggallardoescobedo@sd308.org
Secretaries:
Principal Secretary
Laurie Williams 630-551-9409 lwilliams@sd308.org
Registrar/Discipline Secretary
Camille Simmons 630-551-9418 csimmons@sd308.org
Attendance Secretary
Asusana (Susie) Montes-Mijarez 630-551-9408 amontesmijarez@sd308.org
Student Services:
Counselors:
Caitlin Gannon 630-551-9414 cgannon@sd308.org
Students with last names A-L
Kelly Hlavacs and Jen Modaff 630-551-9415 khlavacs@sd308.org, jmodaff@sd308.org
Students with last names L-Z
Dr. Tawanda Kitchen 630-551-9483 tkitchen@sd308.org
Restorative Practice Counselor
Social Workers:
Regena Alonzo 630-551-9405 ralonzo@sd308.org
Marguerite Slinger 630-551-9416 mslinger@sd308.org
Building Nurse:
Kristin Jenkins 630-551-9402 kjenkins@sd308.org
Important Resources
Transportation: 630-636-2999
Tyler Parent Portal login/access questions: tylerhelp@sd308.org
Waiver of Fee questions: Kaitlyn Dolenak 630-636-3662
Free/Reduced Lunch Application Status: Paola Lares Luna: 630-636-3663
Plank Junior High School
Email: thaymond@sd308.org
Website: https://www.sd308.org/plank
Location: Plank Jr. High, Secretariat Lane, Oswego, IL, USA
Phone: 6305519400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plank308/?scrlybrkr=2abf877d
Twitter: @Plank308