September 2022:

Monday, Sep. 5th

• No School - Labor Day

Thursday, Sep. 15th

• First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month
• Curriculum Night (New Date)
• Whittier, Where I Belong: Leadership Presentation (Auditorurim): 5:30 -6:15 pm
• K-2 Curriculum Night - 6:30 - 7:00 pm
• Special Area Curriculum Night (Library Learning Center) - 7:00 - 7:30 pm
• 3-5 Curriculum Night - 7:30 - 8:00 pm

- Dogs are not allowed on the playground/blacktop during morning drop-off, school hours, and dismissal for safety reasons. We ask all families to adhere to this request.

- Motorized scooters or bikes are not allowed on the playground during morning drop-off, school hours, or dismissal for safety reasons. All bikes should be parked at the bike rack before entering the playground.

At Whittier, we want to support each student as best we can during these challenging times. Our PTO received financial funds from an anonymous donor that we can use to support our students and families in need.

If your scholar(s) is in need of school supplies or Whittier Wear, please take a few minutes to help us better understand how we can support your family's current needs by filling out the google form below. Someone from our school will be in touch with you within the week. Please fill this out for EACH child in your family. Thank you in advance.

https://forms.gle/zZx4YwLk3ejxQ31W9

Please note - ALL these responses will be kept confidential and can only be accessed by school social workers, the assistant principal, and the principal.

To support community safety, District 97 currently has differentiated masking requirements based on the type of gathering. This information is outlined in the table below. Please note that we will be following the highlighted requirements for Whittier Elementary School.

District 97 Masking Protocols for Gatherings

• Only District 97 students and staff are present

• Guideline: Masks are strongly recommended

• Examples: During the school day, after-school programs
  
  

• Gatherings that include individuals who are not students and staff

• Guideline: Masks are required

• Examples:

• Concerts, performances and ceremonies;

• Large school events (e.g., back-to-school, open house, curriculum night);

• Any portion of field trips spent indoors, including on buses, if students are transported to field trips via bus.

Thank you for supporting us by taking this precautionary measure to ensure and maintain the safety and health of our school communities.

Absence Notification

The tardy bell for students rings at 8:00 am each day of school. The teachers report attendance to the office by 8:10 each morning. If a student is absent and we are unaware of the reason for the absence, we phone the home/office numbers of the parents. In an absence from school, PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY 8:15 am or by 12:15 pm. To ensure your child’s safety, we will follow up on unreported absences with a telephone call. Please help us by calling in your child’s absence (708-665-3070). We can receive your message 24 hours a day.

Attending school has a huge impact on student success. This year we want to make sure every student has PERFECT ATTENDANCE or attendance of 97%. We need your help.

Some Attendance Tips to Promote Student Learning:

• Make sure your students keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine to be rested and alert when they get to school.

• Turn off all electronics, including TVs, phones, and tablets, at bedtime.

• Make sure clothes and backpacks are ready the night before.

• Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are unsure when to keep your child home due to illness.

• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.

• Talk to teachers, student support for advice if your student feels anxious about going to school.

• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your student to school.

Would you please let us know how we can best support you and your student so that they can show up for school on time every day?

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must complete the following steps:

2) Families must continue to report student absences via the school attendance line, and staff must enter their absences in Frontline.

To see the rules for isolation and quarantine, click here. Additional resources are linked below.

• Summary of District 97's COVID-19 Mitigations
• 2022-23 COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

This year, the district worked to merge the Effective Student Behavior Handbook and Family Handbook into one comprehensive resource, the Student-Family Handbook, in order to streamline information for families and staff. The new handbook contains important information regarding school policies, procedures, student rights and responsibilities, and important notifications required by state and federal law.

The purpose of this handbook is to outline the expectations for building an educational community where everyone feels safe, included and able to learn. Having shared expectations, procedures and policies helps us respect all members of the school community in which we learn and work every day. Please take the time to read through the handbook and review it with your child.