News You Can Use
April 10, 2020
Principal's Note
Dear Ravinia Families,
I have been so impressed with our students' and teachers' resiliency during this shift in educational practices. Thank you to each of you for helping your children navigate new platforms and technology. As we move into next week, your child should need less assistance from you to complete their daily work.
I really enjoyed seeing some classes in their Zoom meetings today! I miss the kids so much. I look forward to touching base with all classes soon!
I'd love to see our Ravinia community in their school spirit. Feel free to post your child's picture on Twitter or our Ravinia School Facebook page with our #RaviniaRocks hashtag on MONDAYS in their favorite Ravinia spiritwear! Don't forget to watch my weekly videos on Facebook or Twitter.
Warmly,
Courtney Nordstrom
Important Dates: Birthdays at Ravinia!
We typically announce our student birthdays during morning announcements at Ravinia. Since we can't be together, I am going to be publishing a recorded announcement on Mondays to our Ravinia School Facebook page and our Ravinia School Twitter account. You don't need a Twitter account to access the videos! Just go to Twitter.com and search #RaviniaRocks or @RaviniaSchool. I'm also posting some other videos for students.
RAVINIA BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
April 12: Leon M. in Ms. Walsh's class
April 13: Simon G. in Ms. Getlin's class
April 15: Nessa S. in Ms. Wolin's class
April 16: Jascha S. in Ms. Quaid's class
April 18: Cilla S. in Ms. Butler's class
A Message from the School Psychologist & Social Worker
9 April 2020
Dear Families,
We hope that you are all doing well. We miss seeing and working with your children. Please, know that we are here to offer support and resources during this unprecedented time. Below, you will find some information that we think may be helpful:
As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
General principles for talking to children:
Remain calm and reassuring.
Make yourself available to listen and to talk.
Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.
Provide information that is honest and accurate.
Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.
Click here for more information
Facts about COVID-19 for discussion with children:
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors and scientists are still learning about it.
Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors think that most people will be ok, especially kids, but some people might get pretty sick.
Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.
What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?
You can practice healthy habits at home to help protect against the spread of COVID-19:
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If you don’t have soap and water, have an adult help you use a special hand cleaner.
Keep things clean. (Click here for CDC information on cleaning supplies)
If you feel sick, stay home. Just like you don’t want to get other people’s germs in your body, other people don’t want to get your germs either.
Social Distancing (Click here for Illinois.gov social distancing information) -- this means no playdates!
PLEASE REMEMBER: Gov. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order. What does that mean?
The directive prohibits any gathering larger than 10 people, in keeping with the latest recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also bars residents from socializing in-person with people outside their household, meaning even small parties and casual get-togethers should not take place.
What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?
Click here for more information
Parent Resources:
Talking to Children about COVID-19
Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
Common Reactions to Distress
For 3 to 6 year olds
Preschool and kindergarten children may return to behaviors they have outgrown. For example, toileting accidents, bed-wetting, or being frightened about being separated from their parents/caregivers. They may also have tantrums or a hard time sleeping.
For 7 to 10 year olds
Older children may feel sad, mad, or afraid that the event will happen again. Peers may share false information; however, parents or caregivers can correct the misinformation. Older children may focus on details of the event and want to talk about it all the time or not want to talk about it at all. They may have trouble concentrating.
If your children would like to talk to us, they or you can email us to set up a time:
Mrs. Paxhia (jpaxhia@nssd112.org)
Dr. Nichols (snichols@nssd112.org)
Thank you for your time and stay healthy!
Jen Paxhia & Sarah Nichols
From the Library
Dear Families,
Please explore the new library website. It has great features for students to discover. Virtual Field trips, authors, audiobooks, and grade level topics. Each week we will be highlighting a Weekly Spotlight with six different challenges for students to explore if they choose. This can be a great resource for extra activities and extension learning.
Stay well and be creative!
Mrs. Lau
District 112 Statement on Zoom
07 April 2020
During this abrupt shift to e-learning, District 112 has chosen Zoom EDU as the main web conference tool for teachers and students. We are aware of the “zoombombing” incidents as well as some school districts choosing to use other web tools (such as Google Hangouts). In District 112 we are monitoring news, safety, and security features of these now widespread web and video conference tools.
All of our District 112 Zoom meetings require a “waiting room” where the host or teacher has to individually admit the participants. We strongly encourage the use of a password for every Zoom meeting. We have shared Zoom etiquette for students as well. During the Remote Learning Training Days, we held Zoom training sessions and we shared security settings with staff members. Teachers should use their D112 Zoom account that we provide for enhanced security settings.
We have been closely monitoring the news regarding Zoom. In District 112, we have Zoom EDU, not “basic” Zoom, and we have defaulted several of the security settings (with no edit control for our users) to make Zoom a more secure platform. We also have a CyberSecurity consultant in NET56 who monitors our network and advises us on matters such as these.
E-Learning
Beginning April 13th, students will complete daily reading, math, science OR social studies, and PE activities. They will have art and music assignments weekly.
Teachers will be available from 9-10am and 1-2pm daily for student support.
We are adhering to the state guidelines regarding work expectations for students during this time. If you child is working longer than the maximum recommendations, or needs support, please reach out to their teacher. The guidelines are below.
If your child received specialized instruction through an IEP, your child's case manager has been in touch regarding their remote learning plan.
Illinois State Remote Learning Guidelines
Food Service/Delivery
All Families
As a priority, the District will be providing meals for all community members age 18 & under. Food will be available for curbside pickup (drive-up or walk-up) at Oak Terrace school (rear of building, entrance #C-3) at 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Parents may pick up meals for children
Those who pick up a meal will receive a cold lunch for that day and a cold breakfast for the next morning, both of which will meet the USDA and National School Lunch Program guidelines.
Stay At Home Order
Community Resources
Moraine Township Food Pantry
The Moraine Township Food Pantry offers weekly food to Moraine Township residents. The pantry is open Tuesday from 10 am to 2 pm. If you know of a resident who needs food, please have them call the pantry office at 847-432-3240. Learn more.
Highland Park Community Foundation - All In This Together sign
Physically, we may have to be apart, but we are all in this together. Show your support for your neighbors, friends, and community and download and print a pdf of an All In This Together sign available here in English and Spanish. Decorate, and hang it on your window or door. Then spread the word so there will be signs everywhere... Learn more.
Audible for Free
For as long as schools are closed, we're open. Kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen?ref=adbl_ent_anon_ds_hm_hb
Ravinia School
Website: nssd112.org/ravinia
Location: 763 Dean Avenue, Highland Park, IL, USA
Phone: 2247653700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raviniaschool/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @RaviniaSchool