September 11, 2020
The newest guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the DuPage County Health Department shows that there may be opportunities to bring back whole grades of students as soon as October 1.

CCSD 89 plans to begin the return to in-person learning by inviting preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students back to classrooms for half days of in-person learning with strict safety protocols. Students will still have the option to continue learning remotely. The goal would be to phase in other grades as conditions allow.

I am sharing this information so that we can be transparent about our planning work. However, I want to emphasize that these dates could change based on local health conditions. Opening up schools for in-person learning is a complicated process that involves protecting community health, providing consistent education, and ensuring resources are available to all learners.

In order to prepare for the best possible learning environment when students return to buildings, the district needs to know how many families are likely to continue remote learning and how many would send their students to school buildings. We ask you to fill out this short survey to indicate your plans: https://forms.gle/7LPpf3ypjUh7CicB9

Please respond to this survey by 5 p.m. Monday, September 14. One adult should fill out this survey for each child they have enrolled in CCSD 89. Please re-open the survey and complete it for each student. 

Surveys help district adapt, plan for changing situation
As you remember, the district shared a similar survey this summer, which helped drive that phase of planning. The health metrics and guidance have changed since that time so it is necessary to again gather feedback. You can expect that when we have a date for students to return, we will be asking families to make a final commitment through a survey. We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate this evolving situation. 

More details about in-person and remote learning will be shared prior to resumption of in-person learning. The district's goal remains to provide consistent, safe, in-person learning as soon as possible.

I would like to thank the CCSD 89 parents who have volunteered to be part of the Parent Advisory Committee, which met for the first time Wednesday. You can see the slides that were shared with that committee here: https://bit.ly/3hk6cyo

Thank you for all you do to support learning for life. 

Dr. Emily K. Tammaru
Superintendent
MAP testing will not take place next week

After speaking with multiple districts that began MAP Growth testing this week, CCSD 89 has decided not to begin these assessments next week as previously scheduled. Several districts that tried to administer the test to remote learners this week faced overwhelming technical issues that made it impossible to provide a reliable testing environment. CCSD 89 will delay MAP Growth assessments and work to find a different solution. The district will send an update when more information is available.
Latest county health metrics available on district website

The district will continue to post the latest health metrics at www.ccsd89.org/COVID. DuPage County is expected to release updated metrics on Monday, September 14.

These metrics will be updated weekly and are one of the factors that school districts consider when bringing students back for in-person learning. You can view the health department's guidance here: www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool
Free breakfasts, lunches available to all families starting Monday

All CCSD 89 families will now be able to pick up a week's worth of free breakfasts and lunches at all five schools. Meals will be available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, or 8 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Families can go to whichever school is most convenient for them. The first Monday that meals will be available is Monday, September 14. More info: https://bit.ly/3ihsW3m 
Other CCSD 89 online resources
Map of free local WiFi hotspots: https://bit.ly/2xpjYz7
Help for common tech problems: www.ccsd89.org/howto

More information
If you have further questions or need support, please reach out to our staff. We are available to help you and your students.

Latest remote learning and COVID-19 news: www.ccsd89.org/COVID
General questions: info@ccsd89.org  (630) 545-3581
Technology: www.ccsd89.org/howto or support@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3594
Food: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Mon, 8-10:30 a.m. Wed: https://bit.ly/3ihsW3m
Counseling: kmalmstedt@ccsd89.org  (630) 545-3517
Special education: kkreller@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3515
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