Click HERE for optional remote learning information.

This week’s SEL lesson focuses on relationship skills and their development through communicating effectively. Make sure to check out the information and resources highlighted for parents. This weeks competency is:

Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.

The challenges and uncertainty facing families and children are impactful on overall mental health and well being. We are hopeful the resources shared will be a support to parents/guardians and children. If you have any questions on the information provided or are seeking additional support for yourself or child, please contact Patti Palagi, Director Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org or 331-228-6457).

Returning Student Registration for 2020-2021 has moved to an online format that opened on April 27. In years past, parents completed the necessary paperwork in paper format. This year, all acknowledgments and authorizations are contained in a single electronic, online registration form that will be easily accessible from most electronic devices (computer, Chromebook, and Smartphones).

Beginning April 27, parents can sign into the Returning Student Online Registration form using their Home Access Center (HAC) credentials, select individual students, and complete their registration. The form will be located in the Parents/Community menu of the District website.

Registration fees for elementary and middle school will be available in PushCoin beginning April 27, and billed to reflect the early bird discount of $10.00 if paid by May 22. High School fees will be available in June. For families who may qualify for a fee waiver, and are not directly certified by the state, a 2020-2021 district fee waiver application will be available on the District 303 website in July, accessible from the Parent/Community menu.

For assistance with PushCoin questions, please email deborah.pauling@d303.org

For assistance with Home Access Center (HAC), please email madonna.strom@d303.org

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched the Pandemic EBT application for families on May 1 at https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/. P-EBT is a new special benefit that can help families buy food for their school age children who would normally receive National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced-priced meals when schools are in session. All families with school age children who attend schools approved for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) are eligible for the benefits as they receive NSLP meals at no charge.

Families that currently receive SNAP benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. These additional P-EBT benefits will be loaded into Illinois LINK EBT accounts along with regular SNAP benefits. Families who do not currently receive SNAP benefits but do have children who receive NSLP free or reduced-priced meals will need to apply directly with IDHS. The fastest way for families to receive benefits is to complete the application for P-EBT available online (Click “Apply for Benefits” at the link.) A paper application in English and Spanish is also available and can be submitted by email to DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov. IDHS created a flyer to help families with the application process. We are asking NSLP sponsors to share this flyer with their families.

ISBE is working in partnership with IDHS to ensure that this validation is available for all NSLP sponsors, both public and non-public. Thank you to all the schools that participate in the NSLP for submitting data by the April 17 deadline. We are asking that you please continue to verify that count, so that all families who are eligible can access the additional financial support provided by P-EBT. Instructions for this crucial verification can be found online.

If NSLP sponsors need assistance with the data submission/update, please email the ISBE Nutrition Department at cnp@isbe.net. If families need technical assistance with the application, please direct them to email IDHS at DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov.

Nutrition Department, Illinois State Board of Education
100 N. First St., Springfield, IL 62777
cnp@isbe.net, www.isbe.net/nutrition

If your child has medication in the health office that you need to retrieve at this time, please email one of the Norton Creek Nurses for assistance. The Norton Creek Nurses' contact information is listed below.

Brittany Jensen, Certified School Nurse: Brittany.Jensen@d303.org

Cathy Leone, RISE Nurse: Cathy.Leone@d303.org

Sumana Parveen, Health Office Nurse: Sumana.Parveen@d303.org

Virginia Wicinski, Health Office Nurse: Virginia.Wicinski@d303.org

As District 303 has already explained, when guidance for public access to school settings is received from the Illinois Department of Public Health/CDC, details on a general medication pick up process/timeframe will be shared. Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.

In our effort to ensure our Eagles get the best care during remote learning, we have created a survey for you to complete. In this survey, you will find ways to let us know how much support your Eagle requires for remote learning and if you would like Norton Creek to provide your child with any additional social-emotional support. During this global pandemic, many people - adults and children - can feel isolated and afraid. We want to help any of our Eagles who have feelings that are difficult for them to manage.