During this month, students and staff have been engaging in our annual LGBTQ+ unit of study. In District 65, we believe strongly in creating inclusive, welcoming environments where every child can feel safe, valued, and has the support and encouragement to reach their full potential. Along with Black Lives Matter at School and Latinx Heritage units of study, this is a concrete way of turning our equity commitments into action and is the third year for LGBTQ+ learning.

Throughout the month, educators and prek-8th grade students will broaden their understanding of identity of self and others, allyship, family structures, vocabulary, gender expression, stereotypes, colors on the intersectional pride flag, and the historical contributions of LGBTQ+ people. Each grade level engages in a selection of these topics. All content has been developed by a team of educators and reviewed to ensure that it is developmentally and age appropriate. Each unit of study consists of 5 to 7 lessons. In order to provide flexibility across classrooms, the timing of lessons may vary slightly yet all students will engage in the learning by the end of April.

We believe these lessons center both the academic and social-emotional needs of children, help build community, and are vital to supporting our district mission of preparing students to contribute positively to a global and diverse society. Special thanks to the team of educators who continue to devote their time and expertise into refining these relevant and important learning experiences for all students.

We care deeply about you and your child's experience at Rice and are always working hard to make it the best school it can be. We guarantee that survey response will never be connected to the identity of you or your child. School reports will only present aggregated information of how parents and students responded as a whole.

A parent survey report will be generated if at least 20 percent of parents respond to the survey (Rice is currently at 6%.) Your participation in the parent survey will help us understand the conditions at our school and guide improvement. Again, your identity and individual survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you.

Teachers and 4th through 12th graders throughout Illinois are taking the teacher and student 5Essentials Survey. School-level 5Essentials Reports will be generated if teachers and/or students meet their 50 percent response-rate thresholds. These research-based reports will be sent to schools and districts in March and will also be included in the State School Report Card, released statewide in the fall.

Please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ to take the parent survey.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact 5Essentials Customer Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

THANK YOU!

Student Assignment Project (SAP) Virtual Interactive Presentation Sessions

Last spring, District 65 launched a multi-year Student Assignment Project (SAP) to modernize our district structure and address historic inequities that continue to most significantly impact students of color. Student assignment is a part of our multi-faceted approach to long-term planning for the future of our public schools. D65 organized a SAP Committee charged with making recommendations on student assignments to the School Board this spring. The Committee collectively established some guiding principles for sub-committee exploration:

• Walkable schools/ Revised boundaries
• Decreased transportation
• A school in the 5th Ward
• Broadening magnet programs

Click here for dates and times to join a meeting.

**Please submit your child’s vaccination record to their school health office.**

Below is a community communication emailed from Dr. Horton:

Dear District 65 Community -

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone is continuing to enjoy their break. Our team remains hard at work planning a safe return for students and staff next week. The health of our community remains at the forefront of our decision-making and we are continuing to work to maximize safety within our schools. Below are several important updates:

COVID-19 Testing Schedule

View Testing Schedule (en español)

D65 is partnering with SHIELD to provide additional testing opportunities prior to the return of students and staff on Tuesday, January 11, for in-person learning. While testing remains optional, we strongly encourage testing for anyone experiencing any symptoms of illness, who traveled after December 31, or feel that they could have been exposed to COVID-19. Staff and students who may not be able to attend during the scheduled testing times are encouraged to consider attempting to secure an at-home test or scheduling at a testing location at a time that is convenient for them. Please see the below details:

• Additional opportunities for D65 students and staff to be tested for COVID-19 are available from 8am-4pm on Friday, January 7, and Monday, January 10, at the JEH Education Center and Chute Middle School.

• Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and the District is unable to provide transportation.

• Testing will be available for Park students at Park School. Transportation will be provided to in-district students as needed. Further communication from Jill Anderson will be provided.

• A testing schedule (linked above) has been developed in an effort to reduce crowds and minimize wait times. While we strongly encourage individuals to attend during the designated window, please attend on the date and time that is convenient, especially families who are bringing children who attend multiple schools.

• In order to participate, students must already be registered for SHIELD Testing. If the student previously participated in SHIELD testing and was not opt-ed out by their parent/guardian, it is likely that they are registered. Students and staff will need to provide the month and date of their birthday.

• Unfortunately, students who are on the opt-out list cannot participate on Monday or Friday. If the parent/guardian would like to change their child’s status to begin testing during the school week, please contact their school health office.

• Students and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days should not test per CDC guidelines and IDPH guidance.

• SHIELD Testing will resume in all D65 schools following the regular schedule as of Tuesday, January 11. (Rice testing on Thursdays)

E-Learning on Monday, January 10

As a reminder, all D65 students and staff will participate in E-Learning on Monday, January 10. In-Person Learning is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, January 11. Please review this communication for additional details. Another communication will be forthcoming this week with resources to support technology use, accessing learning platforms, and more.

Update on Quarantine Guidance

We have received several questions as to why the District is not adopting the updated quarantine guidance from the CDC. On December 30, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that schools should continue to follow the current IDPH COVID-19 School Guidance, including exclusion time frames for COVID cases or persons exposed to cases. Our District will continue to follow guidance from our local health departments, public health officials, and the Illinois State Board of Education. In the event of any changes, an update will be shared with our community.

Thank you for your continued patience and support. We look forward to the return of our students and staff next week!

With health in mind,

Dr. Devon Horton

Superintendent

Between 8:50am-9:15am, students will enter the building through DOOR 3.

If you are dropping your child off or they arrive after 9:15am, they must enter the building through DOOR 1 (front entrance) and inform the front office secretary to contact the school's administrative assistant.

If you are picking your child up before the end of the school day, please use DOOR 1 and inform the front office secretary who will communicate with the school. Wait in the front lobby of the building for your student to meet you.

Please help us keep our school safe & secure :)

Coming soon... a direct school intercom at the front entrance!

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