Jaguar Messenger
Week of 9-28-20
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Virtual Town Hall Presentation on September 28
Join District 45 for a Virtual Town Hall on September 28. The presentation will be given in English from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Spanish from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
District Administration will provide an update to the community and gather feedback about your current preferences regarding full-remote vs. in-person (hybrid) learning. To submit questions or comments prior to the meeting, please click here.
To view the Virtual Town Hall Presentation, please visit livestream.d45.org.
Middle School Schedule Update
As District shared last week, the middle school schedule is being revised to further increase synchronous learning time in middle school academic classes during remote instruction. This schedule change will include synchronous instruction on alternating days consisting of odd-numbered periods and even-numbered periods. The new schedule will take effect on Monday, October 5. Teachers will review the new schedule with students beginning this Monday.
Click here for the new middle school remote schedule
(Click here for a student-friendly version)
The revised schedule brings forth the following benefits:
- Keeps classes and teachers the same as our current remote platform
- Aligns to the tentative schedule of instruction, should in-person learning resume
- Maintains daily ELA (all grades) and Math (grades 6 & 7) time
- Increases synchronous time for Fine/Practical Arts and Physical Education
- Better utilizes office hours for their intended purpose as a student support period for specific content areas or programmatic (IEP/504/EL) supports
- Moves the student support period earlier in the day, potentially allowing for better planning and use of asynchronous learning time
- Maintains the district priority area of social emotional wellness
We again thank our families for your continued partnership with us during remote instruction.
Curbside Book Pickup
October Spirit Days
Curriculum Night
Health & Immunization Forms
Thank you to those families who were able to drop off health and immunization forms. As a reminder, health and immunization forms for all 6th grade students, as well as 7th/8th grade students enrolling from out of state, must be received by October 15, 2020 in order to avoid State school exclusion requirements. Dental forms must be received by May 15, 2021. Health Examinations and Immunizations information can be accessed on the District website or by clicking here. If you have not had a chance to drop off your child’s health and immunization forms, you can share forms with our Health office using one of the options listed below:
Email: alanda@d45.org
Drop forms off, at any time, using the secure school drop box located outside the main office entrance Door #1.
Messages from our Jackson PTA
The PTA spirit wear store is open! Check out and order the newest Jackson spirit wear. You can access the Jackson PTA online store by visiting this link. Special thanks to the Jackson PTA for helping families and staff build their spirit wear collection. The order deadline is October 14.
PTA Membership
Click here to sign up and join the Jackson Middle School PTA. Stay involved and receive information about upcoming PTA events.
Next PTA Meeting
Our next PTA meeting will be held virtually on October 15 at 6:15 p.m. Contact Laurie LoCoco at laurie4lou@yahoo.com with any questions or ideas. A link for the meeting will be shared in the week of 10-13-20 Jaguar Messenger.
District 45 5K Fun Run Update
It is with great disappointment that we announce the cancellation of the District 45 5K Fun Run in honor of Bonnie Scahill. We hope to resume next fall, however we would like to encourage everyone to honor her memory by running on their own. Please send a selfie of you and your family from your run to d45.pta@gmail.com or tweet us at @d45villaparkpta. Pictures emailed will be posted on our D45 5K Facebook Page and on Twitter. If you would like to make a donation to assist in District 45 PTA Events, go to https://d45villapark.memberhub.store/shopping/items/42699. Thanks for your understanding and support. We will be back stronger in 2021!
Middle School Advisory
Middle school advisory supports the District 45 priority area of social emotional wellness and mental health, especially as we navigate this challenging time. Goals of middle school advisory include supporting our students in the following ways:
Connecting students with peers to build relationships
Connecting students with teachers and mentors
Preparing students to navigate the online world with digital citizenship instruction
Supporting students with social emotional skill-building and mindfulness strategies
Responding to real-time needs that emerge in academic settings, such as synchronous class meeting expectations, effective use of asynchronous work time, and use of tools to self-monitor academic progress
Remote Learning Guidance Reminders
Thank you for the tremendous support you have shown already this year. District 45 recognizes the challenges our families are facing as your child is learning from home remotely. While your child’s education has always been a shared responsibility, you are now being asked to play an even greater role in their learning than ever before. District 45 again thanks you for your dedication to learning.
We would like to provide a few suggestions for families to consider as remote learning continues:
- When possible, we ask parents/guardians to assist their child in creating an environment at home that is quiet, has appropriate lighting, and is free from distractions.
- District staff recognizes how committed our parents and families are to their children. However, in specific instances, parents/guardians have actively participated in classroom discussions and activities intended for their child, his or her peers, and the classroom teacher. While we understand there may be a need to assist with technology-related issues during remote learning, we ask that parents/guardians refrain from joining calls and participating in class activities. Please note that if specific programs have lessons or activities that do involve parents, that will be explicitly stated.
- Allowing your child to participate independently in remote learning will accomplish the following:
- Your child will be able to build upon their growth independently;
- Teachers will be able to more accurately assess skills and knowledge;
- The connections between students and teachers will continue to increase, thus creating a better remote learning environment.
- Allowing your child to participate independently in remote learning will accomplish the following:
- We ask for parents/guardians to assist teachers by encouraging students to appear on video in class sessions. Please connect with your child's teacher if your child does not have access to a camera or if they have an additional reason for not wanting to appear on camera.
- District 45 understands and appreciates that parents/guardians want to celebrate and highlight their child’s accomplishments and those of their teacher(s). However, we request that parents/guardians refrain from recording or taking pictures that show their child with other students working or our teachers delivering lessons.
Please continue to reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns. Thank you again for your partnership!
Virtual Teacher Office Hours for Students
Grade Level Specific Weekly Schedules
Below are links to this week's grade level specific weekly schedules.
6th Grade Weekly Schedule Link
7th Grade Weekly Schedule Link
8th Grade Weekly Schedule Link
When you open your child’s grade level specific schedule link, you will see that Advisory time runs daily from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. Students are meeting synchronously with Advisory teachers for the full 30 minutes every morning (exception: students do not have Advisory on Early Dismissal days).
Technology Support
If your child experiences any technology-related issues, please contact his/her Advisory teacher first. If your child’s Advisory teacher is unable to resolve the technology issue, he/she will direct you to our District Technology Department for further assistance. You can use one of the support options listed below to communicate with the District Technology Department.
- Email: support@d45.org
- Call: 630-516-7575
- Text: 630-454-7745
When you have a chance, check out the Technology Supports page on the District 45 Return to School website. This page contains helpful information for families. Some topics include: Troubleshooting Tips, Chromebook Menu Buttons, How Students Use Google Chat to Communicate with Teachers, and much more.
Attendance
PowerSchool Parent Portal
PowerSchool is a proactive communication tool parents/guardians can use to stay informed about their child’s academic and work habits progress in school. Please click on this PowerSchool Parent/Guardian Quick Guide link for more information about how to navigate the PowerSchool portal. There is a mobile app version of the PowerSchool Portal for families. The interface of the mobile app is slightly different from the web version. If you experience any difficulties accessing PowerSchool, please email Mrs. Aparicio, the secretary who oversees PowerSchool for our Jackson families. Her email address is vaparicio@d45.org.
District Meal Pickup
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will be extending its summer meal program. As a result, District 45 meals will be provided free of charge to all children, 18 and under, until December 31, 2020. Grab-n-go lunch and breakfast is available for families to pick up at all District 45 schools every Wednesday between 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You may pick up meals at any District 45 school. Signs are posted at all schools to identify the location for parking and pickup. Face coverings must be worn and social distancing must be practiced for everyone’s health and safety.