Lyon & Pleasant Ridge Monthly News
December 4, 2020
Glenview District 34
Our Mission
Aspire. Explore. Discover. Connect.
Lyon School
1335 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025
(847)998-5045 Phone/(847)998-9701 Fax
(847)657-2894 Absence Calls/Health Office
Website: https://ly.glenview34.org
Pleasant Ridge
1730 Sunset Ridge Road
Gelview, IL 60025
(847)998-5050 Phone/)(847)998-5532
(847)998-2794 Absence Calls/Health Calls
Website: https://pr.glenview34.org/
Calendar of Events at Lyon and District 34
Monday, December 14
Virtual School Board Meeting - 7:30pm
Winter Break Begins
Monday, December 21- 1/04/2021
Monday, January 4
School Resumes - Adaptive Pause
Monday, January 18
No School - Martin Luther King Birthday Observed
View the full calendar at the District website (www.glenview34.org -- Parents -- Calendar).
A Message from Mr. Dorken
We hope this newsletter finds you healthy and well overall!
Our Adaptive Pause at Lyon and in District 34 is off to a strong start, and we thank you for the many things that you do as families that help make that the case. As I have shared previously, the different instructional models and student schedules that we have experienced thus far in the school year have positioned our learning community well for the transitions that the pandemic, and responsible community-wide responses, has made necessary. Just as the short, small group visits to school in September prepared children for a successful transition to our Hybrid schedule, our beginning the year in a remote learning model prepared everyone for our present circumstances. Our teams at Lyon and across District 34 have invested countless hours toward developing and continuously improving the systems and resources currently in place to support student learning and wellness. This work has been driven by a commitment to keep the quality high while also keeping in mind the importance of flexibility, given the wide variety of variables our students, families and staff are currently facing. It has been a challenging school year to date, to say the least, but the disruptions that we have experienced have certainly fueled a significant amount of creative problem solving and innovation. Much of what we are learning (e.g., new applications of instructional technology, different means of student outreach and support) will stay with us into our return to “normal” school life (some day!). In no way would we minimize some of the very sobering and unfortunate outcomes of these times. However, we recognize how important it is to find the positives and amplify them.
Our young students intuitively understand the value of highlighting the positives in their day-to-day lives as well. Their innocent and creative minds find joy in the moment. You have surely observed this during their unstructured times while playing. We have frequently observed these qualities in their submissions on SeeSaw. And our students have already been observing and sharing with us the upsides of our return to remote learning. Regarding learning from home, we have heard students express happiness over “no masks!” during class work on Zoom, relief from the switch to “no social distancing”, and joy over “learning in my pajamas”. Their brightness and resilience are an inspiration to us all!
While we would much prefer to be currently working with our students each day in person, we look forward with anticipation and optimism to returning to that work on January 19th when our Hybrid schedule is intended to resume. Of course, that will be confirmed based upon health trends and guidelines in the coming weeks. In the meantime, enjoy the month or so ahead to the greatest extent possible, hopefully including increased time with loved ones. We wish you peace, health, prosperity and a Happy New Year. Take good care.
A Message from Mr. Friedman
Pleasant Ridge Families,
I hope this letter finds you and your family healthy and well. It’s certainly different being back at school without the students. I, for one, certainly miss the activity and energy that our students bring to the building. I hope they can return soon and we can continue our in person Hybrid model with the students. While the preference for all is to be in person, I find comfort in our experience with remote instruction. I know that our students, teachers, and parents have all done this before and know the ins and outs of learning from home. Thank you for your support during our Adaptive Pause, and helping your child to access all their Zoom classes to stay connected and engaged with us. I sincerely appreciate the additional energy it takes from all of you to manage at home learning. Thank you.
Recently, we administered a new assessment to gauge the social and emotional well being of our students. The Panorama assessment provides our staff useful insight into our students' perceptions and needs. Since this is the first time we administered this assessment, we have lots to learn in terms of understanding the data and how to best use it. One thing that was very clear to our staff was that students are feeling the weight of this pandemic. In open ended comment opportunities, there was a common theme of missing school and the other social elements of their lives that are now very different. The comments extended beyond school and spoke to limitations in their extracurricular opportunities, not being able to see extended family, and the inability to socialize with their friends in a ‘normal’ way.
So as we continue moving through this school year, I hope we can all continue to keep in mind the level of emotional support our students need. Kids are certainly carrying additional stress in their lives these days. The academics will sort itself out, it’s the social and emotional needs that we must be attentive to even more than ever. Many kids just wanted adults to ‘be there for them’ and ‘listen to them’ when asked how things can be better. This was a heartwarming reminder of the power of relationships, and how our calm and supportive presence as adults can make a difference.
In the coming weeks we will all begin to prepare for the Holidays and winter break. Although this will look very different than past year’s holidays...I hope you can enjoy it all. These are times to reflect and while the pandemic has been challenging on many different levels, I hope we can find reason for thanks in our lives. I’m thankful for the health and well being of my family, the daily pride in supporting Pleasant Ridge, and for our learning community and everyone (especially our collaborative parents) that supports our 0students at Pleasant Ridge.
Happy Holidays! Be well and enjoy the upcoming break.
Teacher Coverage During Adaptive Pause
We have limited substitute coverage during our current Adaptive Pause therefore we wanted to highlight scenarios that might make teachers unavailable and our solutions for that.
Meetings and Other Professional Obligations for Teachers during Adaptive Pause
Just as during a typical school year, teachers sometimes need to attend meetings (e.g., IEP, 504) and other professional obligations (e.g., training from an outside organization) for which they do not have control of the scheduling. If a professional obligation of this nature comes up, teachers will communicate with their students and families about any change in plans for the given time period. This could include asynchronous work for students, another Lyon or Pleasant Ridge staff member checking in with students and/or being available for “office hours” to answer questions and provide guidance.
Teacher Absences during Adaptive Pause
Illness or personal obligations out of school (e.g., funeral) may lead to full-day absences for teachers. We will try to secure substitutes for full-day absences when possible. When a substitute cannot be secured, teachers will communicate with their students and families about any change in plans for that day. This could include asynchronous work for students, other Lyon or Pleasant Ridge staff members checking in with students and/or being available for “office hours” to answer questions and provide guidance. Student schedules with teachers not absent that day (e.g., Fine Arts, PE, small group English language instruction, etc.) would continue as usual.
Technology Support during Adaptive Pause
If a student or family needs assistance with an iPad or other technology related resource during the school day, please refer to the Tech Support contact info on the Adaptive Pause section of the D34 website.
Pleasant Ridge Calendar -Calendario de Pleasant Ridge
Picture Retake Day
Picture retake day is Friday, February 19th for Lyon and Pleasant Ridge students.
Pleasant Ridge Fine Arts Newsletter
Greetings Parents and Guardians:
The Fine Arts Team thanks you for your patience and flexibility through the adaptive pause. Here is our monthly communication.
Pleasant Ridge Picture Pick Up & Late Orders
If you placed a Student Picture order before November 6th...
Your Order is available for pick up in the vestibule at Pleasant Ridge School through Door A in the South Circle Driveway.
Pick up dates are December 7th-18th between 8am-2:45pm Monday through Friday.
Picture Orders will be in alphabetical order by last name.
If you need to order Student Pictures...
Call the Pleasant Ridge office at 847-998-5050 or use this link https://pr.glenview34.org/about-us/contact to request your child’s TICKET CODE.
We will need their first and last name.
Go online to colorportraits.com
Hover over the ORDERS tab and then scroll down and click on AFTER PICTURE DAY
You will then be prompted to enter the TICKET CODE
This will allow you to see your child's picture proof and place an order. Your pictures will be delivered directly to you.
If you have any problems with your order please contact Color Portraits directly through the Parent Help Center on their website or by calling 847-382-7505 ext 7.
Lyon/Pleasant Ridge Spiritwear
Check out the new PTA spirit wear site. You can order anytime and it ships directly to you.
There are lots of cool new logos and items to choose from.
https://humankind.shop/collections/spiritwear-lyon-pleasant-ridge-elementary-school
Holiday Helper Thank You
Holiday Helper would like to THANK our community for their generosity in sponsoring families and providing gift cards. THANK YOU also to everyone who made cash donations.
PLEASANT RIDGE PICK UP
Items scheduled for pick up will be placed on a cart just outside Door A in the South Circle drive (near the PR Office).
Pick Up Days: M-F (except school holidays)
Pick Up Times: 8am-3pm.
Authorization to Administer Medication at School
If your child needs to take any medication during the school day -- either prescription or over-the-counter (including ibuprofen or other pain reliever) -- you must submit this form with a doctor's signature to the health office at school (Aquí está la forma en español.). There are no exceptions to this policy. Students should not have medication in their backpack or pocket; parents must provide the medication indicated on the form, in original packaging, to the school nurse.
All health forms are posted on the District 34 website on our frequently used forms page. If you have questions, please contact the Lyon health office at (847) 657-2894 or the Pleasant Ridge health office at (847) 657-2794.
Find Us on Facebook
Lyon School is now on Facebook. Follow @ LyonD34 to get news and views into what's happening in classrooms and around the school!
Important Forms
2020-2021 District 34 Calendar
Click this link for the following frequently used forms:
https://www.glenview34.org/for-parents/forms
Authorization And Permission For Administration Of Medication
Cell Phone Use Agreement and Permission Form
Classroom Party Menu Options
Dental Exam Form (completed for Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grades)
Dental Exam Waiver
District Policies/Handbook Info
Eye Exam Form
Eye Exam Waiver
Food Guidelines
Health Examination Form