In this issue…

• Message from Teaching, Learning and Accountability
  
• COVID Interim Exclusion Guidance
  
• SHIELD Testing
• Help Wanted at D41
• Churchill Run-A-Thon
• Glenbard Parent Series

Dear District 41 Community,

It has come to my attention that my academic message at the September 20th Board of Education meeting has created some concern. I want to clarify my comments and put context around my message about learning through the pandemic.

At the meeting, I shared that I do not believe in learning loss from the pandemic, which is true. I do not believe students have lost learning that has occurred. Learning loss would mean that regression in learning has occurred. I do not believe that our students have regressed in their learning due to the pandemic and that is what I was stating that night. While I do not believe learning was lost, I do believe that there is content and standards that our students may not have been exposed to or haven’t mastered YET due to the pandemic. I believe that YET is the key word.

Throughout the pandemic our teachers have focused on the essential learning at every grade. We didn’t cover the same amount of content as a typical year but that does not mean that our students didn’t learn. It means that our students didn’t learn the same volume of content that they had in the past. The entire nation is facing this same obstacle but as a district we have developed next steps along the way.

At the end of last year, our coaches, teachers and leaders came together to evaluate what students mastered, what they were exposed to, and what standards/content students hadn’t learned yet. We identified this by grade level and our teachers and coaches work off of this information as they deliver the content this year. Knowing this information allows us to provide a mini-lesson, reteach or spend more time in an area of need so that our students continue to master the content necessary for high school readiness. While I know these are uncertain times and things feel like they are constantly changing, one constant that I am sure of is that I am committed to your students’ education and proud of the work that we are doing district wide to meet the needs of all students. Our teachers and administrators are equally as committed! There is work to be done but I know, with such a committed group of students, staff and parents, great things will continue to happen.

I hope this provides some context around my comments at the Board meeting and clarifies my thoughts on learning through the pandemic and moving forward.

Truly,

Dr. Katie McCluskey

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Accountability

The COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance for Schools has been updated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This is a decision tree for excluding symptomatic individuals from Pre-K, K-12 schools and day care programs. The guidance is updated as of September 29, 2021. CLICK HERE to view the guidance.

Students from all grades Kindergarten through 5th participated in the 2021 Churchill Run-A-Thon. The fund raiser has collected over $28,000 and is still raising funds until October 1st. Students ran a total of 7,648 laps around the Churchill soccer field equaling 752 miles! Money raised will go to support programs the Churchill PTA provides for students.
Way to go Churchill! Click here to watch a video of the event.

SHIELD Illinois partner Medcall is seeking committed candidates to assist with the collection of COVID- 19 test kits from the faculty and student body. These positions are not demanding, but timely attendance and considerable commuting throughout the day will be involved. Collectors may be expected to drive to 3 to 4 school sites per day to collect completed covid tests. All candidates are required to have their own transportation.

These positions will be part time or full time, with candidates expected to work during school hours, Monday through Friday. Strong computer/data entry experience is required. Although healthcare experience is ideal, it is not a requirement for this position.

Informative Zoom calls will be scheduled in the coming days to share more information on these assignments, the requirements, the locations, and the training. If you would like to join in on these orientation calls, please apply and include your resume. One of our Chicagoland recruiters will then reach out to you and schedule you in for our next call.

Background Check, Car Insurance, and valid Driver's License required!

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract

Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour

If interested, please contact Kathleen Loomis by email, Kloomis@medcallstaffing.com

CLICK HERE for more information about the District 41 SHIELD Illinois program.

Dr. Marc Brackett

Tue, Oct 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dr. Laurie Santos

Wed, Oct 13 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
What Makes Humans Happy: Strategies for Finding Joy Today
...more

Ana Homayoun

Wed, Oct 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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