News from the June 22, 2021 meeting |
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District Evaluates Saliva Test
to Reduce Quarantine Requirements
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Reported cases of COVID-19 in Northfield Township have dipped to the lowest levels since tracking began last year. Health metrics across the state and country continue to improve, but without a vaccine, children under 12 are still vulnerable.
Districts are in a holding pattern until the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education release updated guidance for the next school year.
ISBE has already announced that its goal is for all students, with limited exceptions, to return to the classroom next year. To meet that goal, the state reduced physical distancing requirements in schools from six feet to three feet. However, close contact exposure is still considered to begin at six feet. Public health guidelines require any individual who is not fully vaccinated to quarantine for 10 days if they are a close contact to a COVID-19 case.
The district is considering logistics and costs of implementing a voluntary weekly saliva test program for unvaccinated students that would eliminate quarantine requirements for participants. With a weekly testing program in place, only close contacts who are experiencing symptoms or test positive would be required to quarantine, according to state guidelines. An update will be provided in July.
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Greenbriar Therapy Dog Blazes New Trail |
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Krieger the golden doodle is now officially placed as a therapy dog for the students at Greenbriar School after an 18-month training process.
When Greenbriar Principal Dr. Ginny Hiltz discovered the Canines 4 Comfort organization through Board Member Michelle Kohler, she decided to pursue her dream of adopting a therapy dog for the school. Dr. Hiltz initially learned the potential benefits of therapy dogs for schools when she came across some research that highlighted the benefits of pet therapy for children. She is now Krieger’s full-time handler, taking care of the dog and providing his home. When Krieger is at school, he spends a lot of his time with social worker Megan Dames and the students with whom she works. Krieger also visits classrooms, snuggles with students while they read to him, and greets students at arrival and on the playground during recess.
“Krieger has been such a joy to have, especially during this challenging year. Greenbriar students and staff love to see Krieger around the building. He brings out smiles wherever he goes. We love that our golden doodle has officially become a Greyhound!” Dr. Hiltz said.
Krieger’s placement at the school is the first of its kind for Canines 4 Comfort, which raised Krieger as a puppy and oversaw his training.
“Our mission is to promote hope and comfort to veterans, children and the community through emotional support dogs and psychiatric service dogs,” said Lisa Wernli, Canines 4 Comfort co-founder. The organization has placed many dogs with veterans and children on a one-to-one basis, but this is the first school placement. “What we realized is that it is super important to have a one-to-many placement and touch the lives of many children through Krieger,” Wernli said.
The organization has received numerous requests from other schools and a police department for therapy dogs after learning of Greenbriar’s program.
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Megan Dames, Greenbriar social worker, Lisa Wernli, Canines 4 Comfort co-founder, Chris Olson, co-founder and head trainer, Dr. Ginny Hiltz, principal, and Lisa Crowley, Krieger’s puppy raiser, visited the Board of Education meeting after a formal placement agreement was approved last month. |
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Strategic Plan Charts District Progress on Five Goals
The past school year was not one foreseen when the board adopted a long-term strategic plan, Navigate 28, in April 2018. But the focus of dozens and dozens of new procedures, protocols and practices implemented last year were grounded in the five goals of the plan.
Superintendent Dr. Larry Hewitt summarized this past year’s work in the 2020-21 Strategic Plan Yeara-End Report, which documents strategic actions around student growth and achievement; learning environment; work environment; family and community connections; and resources.
“Thank you for keeping the plan in sight even during this unusual year,” said Board President Tracy Katz Muhl.
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Board to Review Executive Search Firms
The Board of Education is working on setting a special meeting in July to interview executive search firms to begin the process of hiring a superintendent. Dr. Larry Hewitt announced in May that he will retire in June 2022.
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2020-21 Budget Update
Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato reported that after 11 months of operation in this fiscal year, 81% of the 2020-21 budget is expended while 100% of revenues have been collected. Food service operated at a deficit of $122,119 for the school year. It is hoped that food service will return to normal operations next year as COVID mitigation measures ease. The district’s fiscal year ends June 30.
Bus Demand Pushes Up Route Costs
The district is facing a 19% increase in transportation costs next year. The increase is stemming from an increase in bus routes needed next year in order to provide timely service for all schools. This past year, the district was able to double up many routes, using the same bus for a junior high route and then an elementary school route. Many of those shared routes will not be possible next year, Mrs. Donato said. The contract also increases 3%. Mrs. Donato said she will continue to look for route pairings and other savings as routes are planned for the coming year.
District Saves Energy Costs with New Gas Contract
District 28 will join the Illinois Energy Consortium, which is an Illinois not-for-profit joint energy purchasing consortium sponsored by three Illinois education associations. The consortium is Illinois’ largest electric and natural gas pool. The district already purchases electricity from the same consortium. One example of future savings can be measured by natural gas cost spikes that occurred during the February 2021 winter storm. The district was hit with a cost of $5.625 per therm with its previous provider as compared to $2.32 per therm that the new consortium charged for the same time period.
Change Order Reduces Roofing Costs
Carpet replacement in the Greenbriar library is well underway, while roofing projects at Greenbriar and Northbrook Junior High will begin in July. The district received a break in the roofing costs of about 10%, or $52,000 when it was determined that carpentry work could be reduced by modifying insulation. The insulation will still meet all energy efficiency requirements.
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Mikayla Wandersee, Occupational Therapist
Mikayla Wandersee will be joining District 28 as an occupational therapist in August. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Carthage College and a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University. Ms. Wandersee completed her fieldwork experience in pediatrics environments including an intergenerational preschool program and a pediatric outpatient therapy setting.
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$4,000 from NBJH For Food Pantry |
Delaney Meek, a member of the Northbrook Junior High Class of 2021 and chair of the Student Council Charity of Choice for 2020-21, and Principal Dr. Scott Meek present a check of $4,000 to Northfield Township Supervisor Shiva Mohsenzadeh for the Township Food Pantry. The funds were raised by NBJH students during the 2020-21 school year through various activities, including the spring raffle and a Graeter’s Ice Cream night. Each year the students vote on a Charity of Choice and devote all fund-raising efforts to a single cause. Dr. Meek said the students chose the food pantry so they could give to those most in need in their community during this pandemic year. |
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Livestream/Archive Video
Next Meeting is July 27
The Board of Education is holding in-person meetings at Northbrook Junior High. The meeting will be held following health and safety protocols. The meetings will continue to be live-streamed on the District 28 YouTube channel. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 27.
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