News from CCSD15
January 18 2022
Dear D15 Community,
Happy New Year! As we enter a new year, full of excitement and endless potential, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support and flexibility as we returned to school last week. Between transportation complications due to the ongoing bus driver shortage and the ever-changing COVID-19 guidance, I appreciate your adaptability and understanding.
Reminder: Updated School Start/End Times
Beginning Wednesday, February 23, 2022, District 15 will move to a 3-tiered bus system in order to continue to be able to transport all 10,000 students during a nationwide bus driver shortage.
As you know, the change to a 3-tiered system will allow us to run our buses with current drivers, stop doubled routes, and go back to all students arriving and departing school on time. Please see the adjusted start/end times here.
I know this shift has created hardships for many families. I hope you know that we would not even dream of doing this if there was any other option available to us to rectify this serious problem.
Board of Education Meeting
There is a Board of Education meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, January 19 at 7:00 pm at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School. Click here to view the January Board Agenda
Please remember that there is an indoor mask mandate, so if you are planning to attend, please ensure you are wearing a well-fitted mask.
In the News
We want to make sure you are aware that Jane Addams was in the news last week and not for anything D15 or JA did, but as a result of misinformation shared on social media. When things like this happen, we take action and reach out both to Twitter and groups that posted erroneous content asking for material to be removed.
Wishing you all a healthy start to your year!
Your partner in education,
Laurie Heinz, Superintendent of Schools
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Updated Practice - Contact Tracing
Moving forward, if your child is identified as a close contact, you will receive an email (previously a phone call) with directions regarding exclusion and/or monitoring symptoms.
Remote Learning
If your child is excluded or required to isolate due to COVID-19 by a medical professional, your child will be allowed to participate in remote learning for the duration of exclusion or isolation.
Early Education & Students Unable to Wear a Mask
Vaccination Clinics
The District will continue to share upcoming vaccination clinics on our website for those interested.
Submitting Your Child’s Completed Vaccination Card
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
Illinois Rental Payment Program
So many families have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who have fallen behind on rent payments, the Illinois Rental Assistance Program may be able to help keep them in their homes.
The Illinois Rental Payment Program provides financial assistance for rent to income-eligible Illinois renters and their landlords who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois renters may be eligible for up to $25,000 and 18 months of emergency rental payments under the program. This is a grant that does NOT have to be repaid.
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Communication Survey
The Communications Department is gathering data on the effectiveness of its communication to various stakeholders. All feedback is anonymous unless you decide to leave your contact information at the end of the survey.
We appreciate your generous feedback and look forward to using it to improve communication within District 15. All responses will be reviewed and incorporated into a larger communications plan for the district. Thank you!
TEACHING & LEARNING
5Essentials Survey
Students and teachers in District 15 and across Illinois are asked to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
You may take the survey by visiting https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/ and selecting the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, please visit https://www.isbe.net/Pages/5Essentials-Survey.aspx.
Digital Citizenship in District 15
PBIS in District 15: Expectations Review
Students have been reviewing school and classroom expectations as a part of PBIS in District 15 following winter break. PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) is a district-wide prevention framework for creating school environments that are predictable, consistent, safe, and positive. PBIS focuses on defining and teaching behavior expectations, positively acknowledging students, and providing a continuum of support when misbehaviors occur.
Students have participated in whole school station rotations to review behavior expectations in different locations throughout the school building, such as the hallway, bathroom, lunchroom, and recess. They have also reviewed classroom behavior expectations as a part of a January Classroom Refresh.
Instrumental Music Enrollment for 22-23 School Year
We are pleased to announce that we will begin enrolling current 4th and 5th grade students into the instrumental music program for the 22-23 school year. Enrollment will be open from January 19-February 18, 2022.
The instrumental music program in District 15 includes band and orchestra and is an optional elective program in elementary school. It is a fee-free program. You are invited to attend a virtual parent information meeting on Tuesday, January 25, at 6:00 pm (Spanish), or Wednesday, January 26, at 6:00 pm (English), to learn more about the program, or you can access the department enrollment handbook for detailed information about expectations, lessons, and supplies.
Be on the lookout for a January 19 communication that includes a link to the enrollment form and links to attend the virtual parent night.
Please contact Katie Dengler (denglerk@ccsd15.net - 847-963-3133) with any questions.
Parent University
Check out December’s Parent University focused on Computer Science Education Week!
MULTILINGUAL
Dual Language Informational Night for Incoming Kindergarten Parents
We are pleased to host two informational meetings to share information about our Dual Language Program in D15. If you would like to learn more about applying for our Dual Language Program that starts in Kindergarten, please join us on February 3rd at Winston Campus Elementary or on February 17th at Jane Adams. Please click here for more information. More than ever, we are proud of our Dual Language program that is growing our bilingual, biliterate, and globally competent community!
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
CALENDAR
- January 19 - Board of Education Meeting
- January 19-February 18 - Enrollment for the Instrumental Music Program (more information above)
- January 24 - D15 Job Fair
- January 24 - SPARK Meeting
- February 1 - District Spelling Bee!
- February 3 - Dual Language Program Information Night at Winston Campus Elementary (more information above)
- February 17 - Dual Language Program Information Night at Jane Addams (more information above)
Community Consolidated School District 15
Email: d15communications@ccsd15.net
Website: www.ccsd15.net
Location: 580 North 1st Bank Drive, Palatine, IL, USA
Phone: 847-963-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCSD15
Twitter: @D15Schools