We are proud that we have been able to meet the diverse needs of our community and offer remote and in-person learning opportunities. The absolute truth of the matter is that we will need your help to keep our school buildings open.
Here are important things that you can do to help:
SICK STUDENTS, STAY HOME
School buildings cannot stay open if students come to school sick, this will require a community effort. We must keep our staff, teachers, and other students healthy in order to keep buildings open for in-person learning. Every time a sick student enters a building, it decreases our chances of sustaining or expanding In-Person learning. In the event your child is exhibiting any COVID symptoms, they must remain at home.
DAILY HEALTH CERTIFICATION
Every District 142 In-Person learner must conduct a health certification each day before leaving home, riding a bus, or arriving at school. The process is simple and in place to ensure only healthy children are attending school. In the event a child is not health certified, they will not be allowed at school for the day. If this continues (3 times) a child will be moved to a fully remote classroom. We do not have the staff to house and supervise students who have not certified, it is vitally important that parents certify their children daily. Detailed information regarding certifications will be sent in a separate message this weekend.
MASK WEARING
Practice mask wearing and discuss with your child the importance of keeping their mask on at all times when in school. If a child cannot wear a mask properly, the child will be moved to remote learning per ISBE/IDPH guidelines. It is not punitive, but in the interest of public health. Only masks are acceptable face coverings, gators or shields should not be worn.
PICK UP A SICK CHILD WITHIN 30 MINUTES
You are required to pick up your child or children if you receive a call from the school nurse. We understand it can be frustrating if you do not feel like your child is ill. In an effort to protect our school community we will adhere to the very strict guidelines of the IDPH, CDC, ISBE, and CCDHP. Once your child is safely out of the building, you can call to discuss any concerns or next steps with an administrator or the school nurse. At this time, if children express symptoms such as headaches or stomach pain, they must be sent home for further evaluation by your pediatrician or personal physician, per state guidelines. Siblings must also be sent home.
GET YOUR FLU SHOT EARLY
This year it is more important than ever to get a flu shot. The comorbidity of flu and COVID will have a significant effect on individual immunity and may make kids more susceptible to COVID. With symptoms being virtually the same, school closures are likely if flu outbreaks happen.
SUPPORT YOUR TEACHERS
Before classes start, make sure that your child knows that school will not look the same. Please encourage them to follow the guidance of their teachers. Mask wearing and social distancing is an important part of our protocol designed to keep our buildings open and our students and staff healthy.
NO VISITORS
For the time being, only students and staff will enter the buildings. Tables will be placed in the vestibules for items that are being dropped off. They will be picked up at regular intervals and delivered as appropriate. If you come in to pick up your child, for an early dismissal or in the event that the school nurse reaches out, they will be brought to you after you buzz the office to let them know you have arrived.
Our plan is detailed and based on scientific evidence that supports limited contact and risk and has allowed us to open our buildings for In-Person learning experiences. One of the critical components that ensures the sustainability of our plan is the wellness of our staff. In addition, we will be monitoring the data provided by IDPH and will be communicating frequently to alert you regarding a possible shift to remote, or hopefully – In-Person learning for all.
Additionally, we came across two programs that our families could potentially benefit from and we wanted to share this important information with our community:
FAMILY RESOURCES
The passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act authorized the creation of stimulus checks for individuals and families under certain income thresholds. Most Illinoisans are eligible for these stimulus checks, though many did not receive them, leaving millions of dollars unclaimed. Get My Payment IL Coalition is available to answer any and all stimulus payment questions. It provides a step-by-step process to follow in order to receive a stimulus check. Individuals may qualify regardless if the individual has filed 2018 and 2019 tax returns, has a bank account, or receives Social Security, veterans, Supplemental Security Income, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Eligible individuals have until Oct. 15, to complete any necessary paperwork to process their stimulus payment. If the paperwork is not or cannot be submitted by that date, there is still a process for receiving stimulus checks after filing a 2020 tax return next year.
Here are important things that you can do to help:
SICK STUDENTS, STAY HOME
School buildings cannot stay open if students come to school sick, this will require a community effort. We must keep our staff, teachers, and other students healthy in order to keep buildings open for in-person learning. Every time a sick student enters a building, it decreases our chances of sustaining or expanding In-Person learning. In the event your child is exhibiting any COVID symptoms, they must remain at home.
DAILY HEALTH CERTIFICATION
Every District 142 In-Person learner must conduct a health certification each day before leaving home, riding a bus, or arriving at school. The process is simple and in place to ensure only healthy children are attending school. In the event a child is not health certified, they will not be allowed at school for the day. If this continues (3 times) a child will be moved to a fully remote classroom. We do not have the staff to house and supervise students who have not certified, it is vitally important that parents certify their children daily. Detailed information regarding certifications will be sent in a separate message this weekend.
MASK WEARING
Practice mask wearing and discuss with your child the importance of keeping their mask on at all times when in school. If a child cannot wear a mask properly, the child will be moved to remote learning per ISBE/IDPH guidelines. It is not punitive, but in the interest of public health. Only masks are acceptable face coverings, gators or shields should not be worn.
PICK UP A SICK CHILD WITHIN 30 MINUTES
You are required to pick up your child or children if you receive a call from the school nurse. We understand it can be frustrating if you do not feel like your child is ill. In an effort to protect our school community we will adhere to the very strict guidelines of the IDPH, CDC, ISBE, and CCDHP. Once your child is safely out of the building, you can call to discuss any concerns or next steps with an administrator or the school nurse. At this time, if children express symptoms such as headaches or stomach pain, they must be sent home for further evaluation by your pediatrician or personal physician, per state guidelines. Siblings must also be sent home.
GET YOUR FLU SHOT EARLY
This year it is more important than ever to get a flu shot. The comorbidity of flu and COVID will have a significant effect on individual immunity and may make kids more susceptible to COVID. With symptoms being virtually the same, school closures are likely if flu outbreaks happen.
SUPPORT YOUR TEACHERS
Before classes start, make sure that your child knows that school will not look the same. Please encourage them to follow the guidance of their teachers. Mask wearing and social distancing is an important part of our protocol designed to keep our buildings open and our students and staff healthy.
NO VISITORS
For the time being, only students and staff will enter the buildings. Tables will be placed in the vestibules for items that are being dropped off. They will be picked up at regular intervals and delivered as appropriate. If you come in to pick up your child, for an early dismissal or in the event that the school nurse reaches out, they will be brought to you after you buzz the office to let them know you have arrived.
Our plan is detailed and based on scientific evidence that supports limited contact and risk and has allowed us to open our buildings for In-Person learning experiences. One of the critical components that ensures the sustainability of our plan is the wellness of our staff. In addition, we will be monitoring the data provided by IDPH and will be communicating frequently to alert you regarding a possible shift to remote, or hopefully – In-Person learning for all.
Additionally, we came across two programs that our families could potentially benefit from and we wanted to share this important information with our community:
FAMILY RESOURCES
The passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act authorized the creation of stimulus checks for individuals and families under certain income thresholds. Most Illinoisans are eligible for these stimulus checks, though many did not receive them, leaving millions of dollars unclaimed. Get My Payment IL Coalition is available to answer any and all stimulus payment questions. It provides a step-by-step process to follow in order to receive a stimulus check. Individuals may qualify regardless if the individual has filed 2018 and 2019 tax returns, has a bank account, or receives Social Security, veterans, Supplemental Security Income, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Eligible individuals have until Oct. 15, to complete any necessary paperwork to process their stimulus payment. If the paperwork is not or cannot be submitted by that date, there is still a process for receiving stimulus checks after filing a 2020 tax return next year.
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) recently announced that applications for rental assistance are now available for renters who have lost a job or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IHDA will allocate $150 million via the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help income-eligible residents across the state pay their rent during this national emergency. After the application period for rental assistance ends, IHDA will open applications for Emergency Mortgage Assistance, which will provide $150 million to homeowners impacted by COVID-19. Taken together, these programs are the largest emergency housing assistance programs in the nation and will help approximately 40,000 households before the end of 2020.
Find additional details and the application for emergency rental assistance at era.ihda.org. Find additional details and the application for emergency mortgage assistance at ema.ihda.org