Weekly Update - April 2, 2021
Welcome Back and Thank You - Letter from Dr. Hector Garcia
Dear D181 families and staff,

It is exciting to know that on April 5 we’re taking another step toward normalcy by welcoming our students back to full in-person learning. None of this would have been possible without the hundreds of individuals who have worked tirelessly to make our return a reality. I want to sincerely thank our teachers, staff members, buildings and grounds and custodial staff, principals, Board Members, and district administrators for their efforts. 

Over the past year, it feels like we have faced one obstacle after another. As health authorities learned more about the virus, we adapted to the changes in guidance with one goal in mind: to continue to offer all of our students the learning environment best suited to their needs. 

From the beginning, we implemented highly successful safety measures in our schools and developed an impressive hybrid and remote learning model. In the end, our students posted outstanding academic achievements, not just for a pandemic year, but for any given year.  

It has been said that the best organizations are the ones who show their true colors not during banner years, but during challenging times. If this is true, our collective efforts have never shined brighter and our ‘true colors’ are laudable!

We know that the next few weeks will likely present additional challenges but I believe we are ready, and prepared, for the task ahead. I hope that you’ll join me in refueling the tanks of so many individuals in our school community that have been instrumental in keeping our students safe and helping them to learn at high levels. A note of appreciation, the benefit of the doubt, or a simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way during these uncertain times. If you have the opportunity, please take a moment to show your appreciation and build up our culture of community and kindness. 

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend and THANK YOU so much for your support and commitment to our D181 community of learners. I am so proud to be a part of this district and serve as your superintendent!

Sincerely,
Dr. Hector Garcia, Superintendent
FAQ Update
We've updated our FAQ to reflect the most recent guidance (information that has been recently shared via these Weekly Update emails.)

You can access the updated FAQ by clicking on the image or any time at d181.org/reopening.
Sad News - Passing of Elm 4th Grader
It is with great sadness that we share that Elm fourth-grader, Amar Patel, passed away on March 30 due to a form of pediatric brain cancer called diffuse midline glioma. 

Amar was a sweet, gentle boy who loved Legos, Star Wars, and everything Harry Potter. He especially loved school - learning new math equations, writing stories, and being with his classmates. Even after his diagnosis, Amar continued to show his unfailing positivity and bravery.

The District extends its heartfelt condolences to Amar's family, friends, and our school community in the wake of this tremendous loss. Red ribbons (in honor of Amar's favorite color) will be placed on trees throughout the community in remembrance of Amar.
Surveillance Testing - Reminders
Help keep our schools safe by signing up for surveillance testing today! Testing is a quick and easy process. Your kit will be delivered to your school with 6 weeks worth of kits on the Wednesday following your signup date. Then, once a week, just bring a completed saliva sample to school for dropoff. Signups are open through the end of the school year:

  • Families sign up by logging in to Skyward and clicking on "Forms" to access the sign-up form. Please fill out the form on a desktop/laptop instead of a mobile phone/tablet to ensure your form is received and the final checkbox is checked.
  • Staff sign up through the staff signup form.

There is no cost to participants for this extra layer of safety for our students and staff.
If you have any questions, please email communicationsdepartment@d181.org. More info can be found in our Surveillance Testing Information Booklet.
CHMS World War II Projects
Clarendon Hills Middle School eighth-graders had a special World War II learning experience this year to reimagine what WWII Day might look like since the school was unable to host veteran speakers as in years past.

One of the unique projects was created by CHMS 8th grader Juliana Waters, who studied the Engima Machine. The Enigma Machine helped break Hitler's complex war codes, and Juliana taught her fellow classmates about the process by making her own enigma machine and asking students to decode a message.

8th grader Evan Mehta also gave his project a special twist as he researched the question, "How did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor undetected in World War II?" His presentation was a re-creation of the battle of Pearl Harbor using a 3D model.
Save the Date - Oct. 3, 2021 Rotary Run
Mark your calendars for the 2021 Rotary Run Charity Classic! The annual Rotary Run, which benefits local nonprofits and organizations including District 181, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. For more information or to register, visit www.rotaryruncharityclassic.com.
Community Speaker Series Event - April 20
Presented by The Community Speaker Series, D181 and D86:
"Nicholas Epley: Mindwise - A Guide to Understanding the Minds of Others"
You are a mind reader, born with an extraordinary ability to understand what others think, feel, believe, want, and know. It's a sixth sense you use each day in every professional and personal relationship but how well do you really know what your coworkers, employees, competitors, or customers want or are thinking? How good are you at knowing the minds of others? How well can you guess what others think of you, your business, or your product?
In this illuminating exploration of one of the great mysteries of the human mind, University of Chicago award-winning psychologist Nicholas Epley introduces audiences to what scientists have learned about our ability to understand the most complicated puzzle on the planet - other people - and the surprising mistakes we often make. Why are we sometimes blind to the minds of others? Why do we so routinely believe that others think, feel, and want what we do, when in fact they do not? In his presentation modeled after his book, Mindwise, Epley will not turn other people into open books but will give you the wisdom to revolutionize how you think about them - and yourself.

  • Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
  • Time: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
  • Format: Zoom Webinar
  • Register: Click here or visit www.d181foundation.org

The presentation is free and open to all. Registration is required as each viewer receives a unique link. This event will be recorded and will be available ONLY to those who register for the event. If you are unable to attend the live-stream, but will want to view the recording, please register.
Teacher of the Year & Those Who Excel Nominations
The success of our students is a byproduct of the outstanding teachers and staff who influence them every day. In an ongoing effort to promote their outstanding work, we are asking all individuals from our school community to please consider submitting a nomination for a D181 teacher, staff member, administrator or community volunteer for: ISBE’s 2022 Teacher of the Year award (teachers only) and/or the Those Who Excel awards (staff/administrators/volunteers, etc.).

Nominations are due to the District by April 15. See more details below and submit your nomination today!
Meal Pickup Schedule - Now on Wednesdays at HMS Only
D181 meal pickup for all families in the community (with children ages 0-18) will continue throughout the rest of the school year on Wednesdays only at Hinsdale Middle School, Door 902B on Washington St., from 4-6 p.m. The free meal packages include 7 days' worth of breakfast, lunch, and a snack.
COVID-19 Report
During the week of 3/21-3/26 numbers were as follows:
  • 3 staff in quarantine, 0 staff absent due to COVID-19 related symptoms, and 1 staff member out due to a positive test for a total of 9 days (.7% of onsite staff)
  • 45 students in quarantine, 33 students absent due to COVID-19 related symptoms, and 4 student positive tests for a total of 248 days (3.2% of in-person students, including siblings)

The D181 Positive Case Report Spreadsheet is updated daily on student attendance days at 4 p.m.

To view the 03-26-21 Dashboard, click here.
2021-22 Registration Information
In keeping with our COVID-19 protocols, all 2021-22 registration processes will be completed online this year, with the following dates for the following groups.

  • Kindergarten and New Student Registration: Opened Feb. 8 at www.d181.org/registration
  • Current Student Registration: Save the Date for April 12
COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 181
115 West 55th St. Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
© District 181. All rights reserved.
PH:630.861.4900
FAX:630.887.1079