The Crosby Chronicle
Weekly Newsletter ~ March 15-19, 2021
GREETINGS FROM PRINCIPAL FERGUSON!
It has been a great week back in school for many of our Crosby Kids!
Just a few reminders regarding the car rider line:
- During Arrival and Dismissal, we want to be sure that our pedestrians (children and adults) are safe.
- Adults, please remain in your car while in the car rider line.
- If you are going to get out of the car, please pull into a parking space in the parking lot and cross at the crosswalk.
- For the safety of our children, please be sure that the children are getting in and out of the car on the sidewalk side of the car.
- Be sure to have your car rider placard displayed on the mirror so it is visible.
- ALL third grade car rider students will be picked up at Door 7. Parents should proceed to Door 7 (Events Entrance) to pick up third grade students and their younger siblings.
Thank you for your support, and I am so excited to see our students again!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson
Principal
March 15 – March 26: School schedule will remain the same.
● All kindergarteners will be in person Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday.
● 1st–3rd grade students will follow their current A/B cohort schedule.
Beginning April 6: Students who wish to return may attend in-person classes, five days a week.
- Classes will meet from 8:00 am - 12:30 pm.
- All students will continue remote classes from 2:00-3:00 pm on Mondays/Tuesdays and Thursdays/Fridays.
- Students will meet in person Wednesday mornings, but there will be no remote afternoon session on Wednesdays.
Families who previously selected remote learning will still have the option to switch to in-person school. If you would like to switch your child to in-person learning, please contact your child's teacher. It may take a week or longer to rearrange classroom setups, transportation, food service, etc. Please be patient with staff as these adjustments are made.
As always, masks, hand-washing routines, cleaning protocols, and social distancing will
continue to be mandatory throughout all of the buildings. Families will still need to complete
their Daily Self-Guided Symptom Screening Checklist at home each day before school.
International Day of Happiness 2021
To celebrate International Day of Happiness during the week of March 15-19, 2021, Crosby Elementary School has decided to have Spirit Days on Monday through Friday with “Happiness Read-Alouds” each day.
When is International Day of Happiness? Saturday, March 20
The theme for this year's International Day of Happiness is 'Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind' and is, of course, in response to the COVID pandemic.
As we face an ongoing global crisis together, this year's International Day of Happiness is a chance to find uplifting and positive ways to look after ourselves – and one another.
Exploring the theme further, Action for Happiness suggests:
Keep calm- There are lots of things outside our control. Let’s remember to breathe and focus on what really matters so we can respond constructively.
Stay wise- Making wise choices helps everyone. Let’s choose positive actions that support our well-being and help others to do the same.
Be kind- We’re all in this together, even when we’re forced apart. Let’s stay connected and reach out to help others who may be in need.
WELCOME BACK CROSBY KIDS!
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY ~ MARCH 17TH
PARENT COMMUNITY LIASION ~ MRS. VANIA DEALMEIDA
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Expectations for all students and staff:
Masks are to be worn at all times in the building.
Breakfast will be provided when students arrive.
Lunch will be provided for students to bring home.
Attendance will be taken for in-person and remote.
Parents MUST call the office to report a student’s absence.
SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL ON MARCH 29-APRIL 5
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, March 15 - START OF FOURTH QUARTER
Wednesday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm
Friday, March 19 - Third Quarter Grades Available in PowerSchool
Friday, March 26 - Early Release @ 12:30 / No Remote Classes in the afternoon
Monday, March 29 - Monday, April 5 - NO SCHOOL - SPRING BREAK
THE "COUNSELING CORNER" ~ MRS. SPAULDING & MRS. ALTMANN
Hello, Crosby Families!
As you know, last week Crosby welcomed a presenter from Childhood Victories, Inc. to teach our students about safe and unsafe interactions in accordance with Erin’s Law. As counselors, keeping children safe is a top priority; we would like to use the next couple of weeks to highlight some current safety practices that could be life-changing or even life-saving for your child.
According to RAINN, 93% of victims know their abuser. This makes the idea of “stranger danger” a little outdated. Instead, it is beneficial to use the term “tricky people”. Tricky people do not look a certain way- they act a certain way. We can teach children that tricky people might say or do things that make you feel uncomfortable. It’s critical for children to know that it is never wrong or disrespectful to say “NO” when an adult makes a request that makes them feel uncomfortable.. This request could be as simple as a hug, or as tricky as asking a child to help locate a lost pet. We need children to be able to identify trusted adults and to feel safe involving them at any time. The concept of “tricky people” and “trusted adults” applies to real-life environments and online or gaming environments, as well. Here are a few ideas to empower your child and ensure their safety:
Teach your children to look an adult in the eye and to speak clearly and loudly. There is evidence that children who appear confident are less likely to be victimized. Encourage your children to order at a restaurant, speak to cashiers, or talk with the doctor or dentist in order to start practicing eye contact and assertiveness.
Your children should know their name, parent’s names and phone numbers, and their address. Your children may need to share contact information with someone in case of an emergency. Also, knowing where home is and any nearby landmark is important. Help your children memorize these with regular practice at home. Also, help your children memorize a backup number to call, such as a grandparent, uncle, or aunt.
Teach your children that they should not share their address, phone numbers, or other personal information with “tricky people” or with people online. Discuss with your children when it is okay to share personal information--such as in an emergency (see below). When your children know when and how to use their personal information, you’ll both feel safer!
Teach your children how to handle an emergency situation (such as if / when they may get lost or need help). The most common place for children to get lost is in a grocery store. Teach your children to look for someone that appears safe, such as a mother with children, or a store clerk. Assure your children that it is okay to ask one of these people for help if they are lost in the store. Make a plan that if they are separated from you, they can walk up to the counter of the store and tell the person that they are lost. This is a perfect example of a time when your child will need to know your full name (if they only know you as “Mommy” and “Daddy,” store personnel can’t page you over the intercom).
We look forward to sharing some more tips for keeping kids safe in next week’s Crosby Chronicle. If you have any questions or you’d like suggestions for initiating safety discussions with your child, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Have a wonderful week!
Your Crosby Counselors
Alli and Kortni
THE "SOCIAL BUZZ" ~ MS. LORENA VILLAGOMEZ & MR. BRANDON BARRY
Hi Crosby Families!
We are so happy to have students back at Crosby! Though it’s behind the mask, we can still see their beautiful smiles as they greet us in the morning. The transition from home to school has gone smoothly for our students, and many have shared their excitement when they recognize us from seeing us in their Chromebook!
As many of you know last Friday, March 5th, Crosby participated in the state mandated Erin’s Law presentation. For two years our school has hosted the program Be Seen and Heard 2.0 by Victor Pacini. This is a program aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.
The program was designed to create an age-appropriate, safe and engaging environment where students learn about the difference between safe and unsafe touch, safe and unsafe secrets, and the importance of having trusted heroes. Students learned about these through song and dance, and though it was through Zoom the energy of the students and our presenter was felt all around the building.
Students K-3rd grade listened to the book Be Seen and Heard, which tells the story of Littleboy and his unsafe secret. If you would like to read the story with your student here is the link for the e-book: http://www.victorpacini.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160608-213845-BSH-E-BOOK.pdf
If you are interested in learning more about Victor Pacini and the Be Seen and Heard program you can visit the website: https://programs.victorpacini.com/bsh-conversation
If you have any questions regarding the presentation or questions about how to have a conversation with your child about this topic, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
We hope you are all doing well and as always please reach out with any questions or concerns!
RESOURCES:
McHenry County Crisis Line number 800.892.8900.
You can also visit https://www.mc708.org/resources/ for more mental health resources.
Mobile food pantries: https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/distributions/
Harvard Community Food Pantry: Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am and from 1:30-5:00 pm. Located on 6817 Harvard Hills Rd, Harvard IL 60033. You will need an ID to receive assistance.
Please call or email us if you have any questions or if you need assistance finding these resources.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lorena Villagomez
Mr. Brandon Barry
School Social Workers
ATTENTION ALL CAR RIDERS!!
For the safety of our students, parents or authorized adults picking up a student must have the car rider tag hanging from their rearview mirror. Additional car rider tags are available in the office. Families may request 2 car rider tags to be assigned to them for multiple vehicles.
If a parent does not have a tag they will be asked to park and go to the office to show identification, and sign the student out.
Only individuals listed as emergency contacts or custodial parents may pick up students from the car rider line, unless there has been an arrangement made with permission for another adult, who is not listed, to pick up the student. Please contact the main office to make arrangements if you have a change in your authorized pick up person.
For the safety of all of our students, please be sure to come to the main office during school hours to pick up a car rider tag if your child will be a car rider.
CROSBY ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
ARRIVAL
- Adult supervision begins at 7:50 am.
- Students should not arrive before 7:50 am.
- There is no supervision available before 7:50 am.
- The first bell will be at 8:05 am.
- The second bell will be at 8:10 am.
- After the second bell, students will be marked tardy and will need to come to the office for a pass to class.
- If there is a late bus, the students will not be marked tardy.
- Upon arrival CAR RIDERS and BUS students will enter the building through the following doors:
First Grade - DOOR 2
Second & Third Grade - DOOR 1 (main doors)
School staff will be assigned to arrival duties in order to receive students off the bus or from their car, and safely assist them to the correct door and their classroom.
School staff will assist students and manage traffic.
Please be patient and kind with arrival and dismissal employees. They are doing their best to maintain safety.
WALKERS
- Walkers may enter through Door 12 which will be open until 8:05 am.
- After 8:05 am, walkers must enter Door 1, and check in at the office.
CAR RIDERS - DROP OFF IN THE MORNING
Cars will drive through the parking lot and pull around to the front of the school to enter the car rider line.
Cars will be directed to pull as close as possible to DOOR 2 where students will be dropped off.
For everyone's safety, students will not be allowed to get out of the car until the car has moved past the crosswalk.
Cars will not be allowed to stop in front of DOOR 13 OR DOOR 1 to drop off students.
Staff will be present on the sidewalk to receive students and escort them to DOOR 13, DOOR 2 AND DOOR 1.
For the safety of everyone and flow of traffic, drivers must remain in their cars at all times.
If your student needs assistance getting out of the car, please park in the parking lot and walk with your student across the crosswalk, following the crossing guard to the sidewalk.
BUS RIDERS - DROP OFF IN THE MORNING
Staff will greet students as they arrive off of the bus and escort students to DOOR 13, DOOR 1, OR DOOR 2. (following grade level assigned doors)
Students will be greeted by additional staff when entering their assigned doors.
Students will receive a breakfast bag as they enter the building, and they will walk to their classroom. Students will have breakfast in their classroom.
DISMISSAL
For the safety of all students, we will dismiss students in an organized manner. Please be patient as you wait for your child in the car rider line. They may still be walking from their classroom to the dismissal location.
- Please call the office with any dismissal changes prior to 11:30 am so we can be sure to notify the classroom teacher of the transportation change for that day. We understand that emergencies happen, and this may not always be possible, but it is best if we know in advance so we are able to have your child in the right place for pick up.
- It is best to notify your child's classroom teacher as well if there is a change for that day.
- Office Pick Up: Parents picking up students prior to 12:00 pm will park in the parking lot and enter the main office to sign students out. This is used for early pick up when appointments occur. There will be no office pickups unless it is before 12:00pm and the office has been notified by the parent/guardian beforehand. In case of an emergency, please be sure to contact the office.
- The 3 ways for your child to be dismissed from school: Walker/Car Rider/Bus Rider
WALKERS
- Staff will escort walkers from the building at Door 12 to the north end of the bus loading zone, and students will be supervised until the end of the Crosby sidewalk.
- Students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm.
CAR RIDERS
Car riders in grades K-2 will be released from DOOR 2 when staff calls students by radio.
Car riders in grade 3, with their younger aged siblings, will be released from DOOR 7 when staff calls students by radio.
There will be no office pickups unless it is before 12:00pm and the office has been notified by the parent/guardian beforehand.
Please park in the parking lot if you are picking your child up before the 12:30pm dismissal time.
Cars must pull all the way up to the end of the sidewalk in front of the school, or as far as they can if other cars are in front of them. There will be staff present to direct the flow of traffic.
As cars pull up, they must have the numbered placard visible (ex. hanging from the rearview mirror).
Students will be released according to the car placard and their matching car tag attached to their backpack.
Students will be released as cars move past the crosswalk and not before.
Staff will escort students to their car after all cars have come to a stop.
Students should not cross the yellow line on the sidewalk at any time while cars are still moving.
All car riders will be held indoors until their driver approaches the front of the car line and the student is called by radio.
Parents must remain in cars when picking up students.
Parents will not be permitted to walk up to the door to pick up their student. They will be directed to the office to sign students out as an office pick up if they come to the door.
BUS RIDERS
Staff will walk students to their bus and help supervise until all students are loaded safely onto the bus.
HARVARD BOYS LEAGUE
- Signup is still open online
- If interested, please go to www.Harvardboysleague.com for more information
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION INFORMATION 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2021 BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Do you have a child who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2021?
Do you know a neighbor with a child coming to kindergarten in the fall?
If so, please share this information!
Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 school year will be done online this year through PowerSchool.
For more information, visit www.cusd50.org/kindergarten.
RICHARD D. CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal - Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson kferguson@cusd50.org
Asst. Principal - Mr. Paul Brass pbrass@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Mr. Brandon Barry bbarry@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Ms. Lorena Villagomez lvillagomez@cusd50.org
Parent Community Liaison - Mrs. Vania DeAlmeida vdealmeida@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Kortni Spaulding kspaulding@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Allison Altmann aaltmann@cusd50.org
Email: kferguson@cusd50.org
Website: https://www.cusd50.org/crosby/
Phone: 815-943-6125