11/6/20
In This Issue
CCSD93 Transitions to Fully Remote
Safety Helpline
Free Student Meals
Pumpkin Composting 11/7
BOE Mtg. 11/12
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CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.
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Dear Friend of CCSD93,
A Message From
Superintendent Hill:
CCSD93 Transitions to Fully Remote Learning Beginning 11/9
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As I shared with you earlier today, CCSD93 will transition to a fully remote learning environment for an indeterminate amount of time, and a minimum of several weeks.
The increase of local COVID-19 cases and positivity rates have become problematic with regard to CCSD93’s ability to offer in-person learning for the following reasons:
- With the increase in cases comes a corresponding rise in individuals who must quarantine out of an abundance of caution due potential close contact with a positive case.
- The increase in individuals who have experienced close contact needing to quarantine, as well as positive cases needing to isolate, has caused CCSD93 to reach a point where staffing in-person learning is not sustainable.
- While we have trust in our mitigation strategies, the higher the numbers climb, the greater the possibility that spread may occur due to any lapse in compliance.
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Effectively, three of the four “Returning to In-Person Learning” factors that CCSD93 identified at the start of the school year have reached unacceptable levels, as depicted here.
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To elaborate on points 1 and 2 above: As I shared last week, in some cases, staff members may need to teach in-person students virtually from afar for a number of reasons, including extended quarantine and isolation situations. Not only is this a less than ideal set of learning circumstances for students, but each such situation requires that an additional qualified staff member is available to be in-person with students. Over the course of the last week, we have reached a point that we cannot staff the existing such circumstances. With COVID-19 cases and positivity rates increasing rapidly in our communities and in DuPage County, we simply do not have the ability to operate in-person learning.
Regarding the 3rd point above: Local health metrics are trending aggressively in the wrong direction. One example we track closely is new cases per 100,000. This is a metric shared by the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD), and they identify that anything over 100 per 100,000 puts the county into “Substantial” Community Transmission Level. In their official weekly breakdowns, which are posted on Mondays and are based on data that is 1-2 weeks fully behind, we have seen jumps from 119, to 152, to 222 throughout the past three weeks. From unofficial daily numbers shared by the DCHD, we expect this number to be roughly around 310 when last week’s numbers are finalized this coming Monday, and that number is on track to increase substantially again based on this week’s unofficial daily totals so far. We do believe firmly in the mitigation strategies we have in place, but we also believe that these trends are reaching a point where in-person learning could become hazardous to the health and safety of students, their families, and staff members should any momentary lapse in compliance occur.
Simply put: Existing conditions make operating in-person learning an impossibility from a staffing standpoint and potentially dangerous from a health and safety standpoint. We know this is difficult for many of our families, and our staff members will do everything we can to support students remotely.
For the health and safety of all, and to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to returning in-person learning, I once again appeal to our entire community to please continue to take to heart the generally accepted guidance of washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask, and watching your distance in all interactions in your personal lives. I ask that you please consider this guidance as you plan holiday travel and gatherings.
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Please review the following information for more of the latest from CCSD93.
Sincerely,
David H. Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
CCSD93
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Safety Helpline Available to D93 Community
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Safe School Helpline is a safety tip and line that enables students, parents or staff members to submit safety and bullying concerns anonymously via website, text, app or phone call. In addition, the helpline offers a counseling and crisis call center that features trained counselors available 24/7/365 for individuals seeking assistance in coping with harmful thoughts, depression, or feelings of loneliness and loss.
Students, parents and staff members can access the helpline through the methods described in the image above, and you can always find it linked on CCSD93's district and school websites. For even more information about Safe School Helpline, view this informational pamphlet.
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Free Student Meals 11am-1pm Each School Day
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Got Pumpkins? Compost Them 11/7!
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A great way to sustainably discard pumpkins is through composting. Composting pumpkins not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfills but it also returns valuable nutrients to our soil and helps soil to retain moisture and prevent erosion. On Saturday, November 7, a number of community facilities are partnering with CCSD93’s friends at SCARCE to host community pumpkin composting. Visit this website to find the location nearest you, including in Wheaton and West Chicago.
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11/12 Board of Education Meeting Preview
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The next Board of Education meeting will be held at Carol Stream School (422 Sioux Lane, Carol Stream, IL 60188) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. Before the meeting, at 6:45 p.m., we'll hold a Board Listening Post, which is a time when community members are welcome to stop in and speak directly with a Board member. All community members are invited to attend the meeting and must wear masks if doing so. The following are among the agenda items.
- The Board of Education will be recognized for School Board Members Day.
- Carol Stream School Principal Steven Kyle will present a video created by the Carol Stream School staff highlighting the successes of remote learning from the perspectives of students, teachers and parents.
- Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning & Innovation Jonathan Zimmermann will conclude the two-part presentation of the Annual Assessment Report, which will focus on CCSD93’s School Report Card and student proficiency data.
- The principals of Jay Stream Middle school, Carol Stream School, Heritage Lakes and Western Trails will present their School Improvement Plans to the School Board.
- The Board will review the following four Board Policies for first reading:
- 520.02 - Recruitment & Hiring
- 540.06 - Educational Support Personnel Evaluation
- 625 - Curriculum Content
- New Policy 625.01 - Student Social and Emotional Development
- The Board will review the following nine Board Policies for second reading:
- New Policy 500.95 - Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act
- New Policy 500.96 - Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct
- 520.03 - Employment Year and Day
- 520.15 - Resignations and Retirements
- 605 - School Calendar
- 610 - School Day
- 500.04 - Physical Examinations
- 500.90 - Volunteers
- 500.94 - Reporting Absences
- Dr. Hill will review the District’s progress on the Board Goals.
- Dr. Hill and Director of Buildings & Grounds Sean Gordon will give a bid presentation for summer 2021 renovation projects.
- The Board will award contracts for the Western Trails Innovation Center & Security Enhancement Project and the Middle School Locker Room Renovation Project.
- The Board will review revised job descriptions for many of the District’s positions.
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High-quality communication is one of CCSD93's goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call 630.539.3001 or email us with your comments or suggestions. Tell us what kind of news you'd like to read more about.
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