Weekly Communique
December 10, 2021
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
As you will see by the data included in today’s communique, the number of positive COVID cases is on the rise in our schools. While this is not unique to Gurnee District 56, it is certainly concerning. The positive cases we are aware of for this week are related to external exposures. Unfortunately, these cases are resulting in close contacts. Each positive case and any close contacts associated must quarantine/isolate. We are doing our very best to respond to these situations while maintaining all of our programming. This is very challenging for our staff. Please know we are doing the very best we can to keep up. I have encouraged our staff to send students home with their devices as we never know when we will get a call and need to have a student be picked up or stay at home. (Also, we are approaching the season of snow…)
Despite the rising cases throughout the county, we continue to move forward with sports, regularly scheduled events, clubs, and the return of parent volunteers. Our students presented the annual musical, Emma. The 8th grade basketball team hosted our conference tournament. The bands and choirs are still planning to hold their winter concerts in the next two weeks and holiday parties are on the schedule, as well. As a district, we continue to stream as many events as we possibly can. It truly is great to see these things taking place.
You can help us to keep moving forward by monitoring your family’s activities. Minimize large group activities. If your children participate in outside sports teams, please monitor their adherence to social distancing and masking. If your child is sick, please do not send them to school. Our students and staff are working really hard and the tough adjustment to the return to live instruction has started to settle. The very last thing I want to do is cancel events that our students have looked forward to for so long.
Testing for the virus remains available if you want to sign up your students. This can be done through your parent portal on Skyward. Information will be coming out regarding a vaccination event for children aged 5-11 that we will host after winter break. I know everyone is tired of hearing about this, but as the Superintendent, it is my responsibility to make sure everyone is aware of where we are and the potential adjustments that could directly impact all students and their families.
Covid 19 Update
Tweet of the Week
D56 Girls Basketball Team 2021
Congratulations to the D56 Viking Girls Basketball Team for going undefeated this season!!!
They ended their undefeated season by winning the conference championship this week by 10 points! Way to go Vikings!
Science Lab at River Trail
Mr. Ramirez’s class has been learning about physical and chemical changes in recent Science labs. Today, pennies actually softened and came apart! Wow! The students were fascinated!
Band Booster Fundraiser
Message from the Lake County Health Department
With everyone ages five and older eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to get the facts. Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine for children can be harmful. View the graphic for a few of the common myths. More vaccine facts can be found on the CDC page Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children (cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/children-facts.html).
Additionally, visit the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens (http://cdc.gov/.../recommendations/children-teens.html) for more information about the vaccine available for these age groups.
If you have any concerns, we encourage you to speak with your child's healthcare provider.
If you or your child needs to get vaccinated, visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you.
Gurnee School District 56
Email: returningstudent@d56.org
Website: www.d56.org
Location: 3706 West Florida Avenue, Gurnee, IL, USA
Phone: 847-336-0800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GurneeD56
Twitter: @GurneeD56