Christian's Weekly Communication
Week of September 13, 2021
THANK YOU, JAYHAWKS! (CURRICULUM NIGHT)
Jayhawk Families,
Thank you for attending our 2nd Virtual Curriculum Night. Your partnership and collaboration are important to us as we #growtogether. Please click here for the slide deck and Administration presentation. Let's go, Jayhawks! PJEC
A message from Principal Christian
Parents and Guardians,
As we begin the school year I'd like to ask for your partnership. Due to the pandemic, our students missed over a year of in-person instruction. As we navigate our new normal I ask that you please remind your student of appropriate behavior that should be prevalent throughout the school day. We are asking that students: keep their hands to themselves, use appropriate language (absent of profanity), keep their masks on at all times, and refrain from negative chatter. As we grow together, I seek your partnership in the academic and social-emotional development of your children and our studnet's. Lets, grow together, Jayhawks! PJEC
Shield Testing
Dear District 97 Families,
Following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as our state and local health departments, District 97 is planning to implement several layers of COVID-19 mitigation strategies to protect our students and staff during the 2021-22 school year.
Beginning this August, District 97 will partner with SHIELD Illinois (University of Illinois) to provide weekly PCR screening testing to all students in District 97 schools (Pre-K through eighth grade). This is a non-invasive saliva test that will be conducted on-site during the school day. Results will be available to parents/guardians and District 97 within 24 hours.
Given the current concerns about the Delta variant and the fact that the majority of our students are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the SHIELD program will provide an additional layer of protection for our schools by helping us promptly identify and isolate positive cases. The program will also provide reassurance to families at no cost—testing will be covered by the State of Illinois and will be completed during school hours (no appointments required).
Each school’s testing schedule will be communicated by principals in the coming weeks. Additional information about SHIELD testing is included below.
This notice provides information about the SHIELD testing program to allow informed consent for your child to participate in weekly testing. By sending your child to school without opting out of the testing program as described below, you consent for your child to be tested for COVID-19 infection and to have the results and related information shared with District 97 and public health authorities consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code.
To opt-out of weekly PCR testing, please complete this form no later than Friday, Aug. 6.
The SHIELD program will not take the place of our schools’ health and safety measures, which include wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, cleaning protocols and regular washing of hands—mitigations that already make the risk of in-school transmission low. PCR testing is an additional tool that can help ensure that asymptomatic individuals do not come to our buildings and potentially transmit COVID-19 to others.
We anticipate sharing further details about our safety plans next week. Thank you for your continued support as we plan for a safe return to school on Aug. 25.
Sincerely,
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
Remote Learning Plan for Quarantined Students
Since the start of the 2021-22 school year, District 97 has been providing remote instruction for quarantined students through the use of dedicated remote substitutes. However, this plan is simply not working for our students, who are losing much-needed access to their teachers and classroom instruction when they are required to quarantine at home. Additionally, our district, like so many others, is facing a shortage of substitute teachers, making it more difficult to implement the original plan for remote learning.
Although there are no perfect solutions to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is our responsibility to meet the needs of our students and provide as much continuity of learning as possible. For the past week, we have been engaged in discussions with leadership from the Oak Park Teachers’ Association (OPTA) to identify a solution that would provide greater access for students while they are quarantined or excluded from school. Together, we are moving forward with a letter of agreement to provide a “window into the classroom,” or passive learning, to students who are quarantined or excluded from school.
Based on the agreement, District 97 will utilize the following procedures for students participating in remote learning beginning Sept. 13:
- Once teachers are notified that a student in their class has been quarantined, they must set up a Zoom meeting each day for the duration of the quarantine. The Zoom link must be shared with parents via email or the designated learning management system.
- Teachers will be responsible for turning on only the audio during the Zoom session. If a teacher is using the white board or presenting, the camera will be turned on only for that portion of the lesson.
- Students who join the class remotely will not be able to raise their hand, participate in any class discussion, or use the chat feature.
- Teachers will provide all material needed for the class through the designated learning management system, or teachers may place a packet of materials that parents or siblings may pick up from the main office of the school. The decision is at the teacher’s discretion.
- Teachers may choose to be available to quarantined students during their personal planning period or after school and be paid at the contracted hourly rate of $35 per hour for that time. Teachers will submit a timesheet to their building principals after the quarantine period is over.
Qualifying for Remote Learning: As a reminder, remote learning will only be provided to any student who is under quarantine or excluded from school consistent with guidance or requirements from the local public health department or the Illinois Department of Public Health. This includes:
- Students who test positive for COVID-19;
- Students who are identified as close contacts;
- Students who are symptomatic and awaiting a COVID-19 test;
- Siblings of symptomatic students who are excluded from school, pending a negative COVID-19 test.
Students who are sick or absent for reasons unrelated to confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases will not be provided access to the Zoom link.
Further details will be communicated at the school level when students are placed in remote learning. Additionally, District 97 and OPTA leadership will meet after two weeks of implementation and as needed to discuss any modifications to this plan.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Dr. Griff Powell and Dr. Patricia Wernet
Interim Superintendents
Picture Day (Cancelation)
FRIDAY NIGHT PLACE
District 97 Health Curriculum
Face Mask Reminders
Wearing face masks consistently and correctly is a key strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. Below are a few important reminders for students, staff and families:
- The face covering should cover the mouth and nose at all times. The CDC Use of Face Coverings provides helpful explanations about the use and care of face coverings.
- Bandanas, masks with valves and gaiters are not allowed in District 97 schools, as they allow for leakage of aerosolized droplets.
- District 97 expects all students and staff to bring and wear their own cloth or disposable masks whenever possible and appropriate. Anyone who forgets their reusable mask will be provided a disposable mask. If possible, students should
keep a second cloth mask with their belongings.
Share Your Thoughts on the Next D97 Superintendent!
District 97 Now Hiring!
District 97 is currently hiring for key positions to support in-person learning during the 2021-22 school year!
Permanent Substitutes
District 97 has immediate openings for permanent substitute teachers. If you know anyone who is looking to work with children, earn competitive pay and give back to the community, please encourage them to apply today at: https://www.op97.org/hr/employment.
Lunch/Recess Supervisors
To support our students and staff during the school day, we are still seeking more parents and community members to serve as lunchroom/recess supervisors during the 2021-22 school year. It's easy to apply, and your time would have a direct impact on our schools. CLICK HERE to apply!
Reminder: Stay Home When Sick!
Staying home when sick is essential to keep COVID-19 infections out of schools and prevent spread to others. Symptoms that should be monitored daily by District 97 staff, families and students are:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
DePaul "Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Program
- School-based group mindfulness-based services for students
- Individual and family therapy at school and home
- Care Coordination services to help families navigate and connect to community resources
- Community Talks (virtual) on a variety of topics such as: technology, anxiety, depression, executive functioning, mindfulness and the social and emotional needs of youth, culture and mental health, coping with the pandemic, transition back to in-person. More info to come in future newsletters!
If you would like your child to be considered for participation in a mindfulness-based small group, individual or family therapy, or would like to request support from the Care Coordinator, please complete this Request for Assistance Form.