December 4, 2020
CCSD 89 is asking families to continue to contact your student's school when your child is COVID-19 positive, has COVID-19 symptoms, or is in quarantine because they were a close contact. The ability to understand transmission levels and potential absences in schools (for both students and staff) will be part of the data considered in determining when to re-open buildings for in-person learning.
 
If your student is COVID-19 positive, has COVID-19 symptoms, or is in quarantine because they were a close contact, please email or call the nurse at your student’s school. The nursing staff can also answer questions about next steps or contact tracing.

School nurses
Arbor View: Marcia Johnson, 469-5505 ext. 3105 mjohnson@ccsd89.org
Briar Glen: Donna Vitalo, 545-3300 ext. 3305 dvitalo@ccsd89.org
Glen Crest: Kelly Edman, 469-5220 ext. 5585 kedman@ccsd89.org
Park View: Amy Mescher, 858-1600 ext. 3185 amescher@ccsd89.org
Westfield: Colleen Smith, 858-2770 ext. 3355 csmith@ccsd89.org

If your student has COVID-19 symptoms or is COVID-19 positive but they are healthy enough to participate in remote learning, they will not be marked absent. If your student is not able to participate in remote learning, families should continue to report absences in the traditional manner.
More information
District examining COVID-19 screening possibilities
District administrators have been meeting with companies that could provide COVID-19 testing or screening for staff and/or students in CCSD 89. When determining whether testing should be in place, the district has to consider multiple factors including (but not limited to): effectiveness, cost, turnaround time, logistics, equity, and health-official requirements. Each of these factors has an impact on whether the district can provide testing that is effective, reliable, and consistent.

If testing is approved, it would be done alongside current mitigation measures. Students and staff would still be required to wear masks, wash hands, and socially distance. A remote option would also still be available. No families would be charged for tests.

The district will continue to keep families updated with any additional information about testing.
Donate a gift card to help a family in need
The families of more than 400 students in CCSD 89 are getting by with very limited resources. Winter and holidays can be particularly difficult for these children and the pandemic has made the situation even more stressful.
 
Social workers are collecting gift cards from Aldi, Jewel, Target, and Walmart. You can donate as many cards as you'd like, but we request the increment for each card be from $10 to $25. Gift cards will be collected through Friday, December 11. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ncN5K8
Meals available 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday
All CCSD 89 families can pick up free breakfasts and lunches at all five schools.

Meals are available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, or 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at all schools. Info: https://bit.ly/30JeH0s
Testing and pandemic support for bilingual families
The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee will meet via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8. The topic will be ACCESS testing. You can join the meeting at https://ccsd89-org.zoom.us/j/89357942102

Additionally, the Regional Office of Education has created a free, Spanish-language video to help parents battle apathy and manage pandemic challenges. View the video at: https://youtu.be/tPtXBnz-3jQ
Other CCSD 89 online resources
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
Counseling: kmalmstedt@ccsd89.org  (630) 545-3517
Food: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Mon, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wed: https://bit.ly/30JeH0s
Special education: kkreller@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3515
Technology: www.ccsd89.org/howto or support@ccsd89.org (630) 545-3594