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Illinois Online Academy - New Online Book Study
Join our professional learning network participating in a 4-week online book study of “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor. In this 4-week online book study, facilitated by Katie Algrim, participants will discuss, analyze, and apply the theory that happiness fuels success, not the other way around!

This online book study will be from April 20, 2020 until May 19, 2020.

Illinois Online Academy
While most of us are working remote from home, now is the perfect time to capitalize through online learning. Illinois Online Academy covers 250+ courses that award you with PD hours or grad credits. With partnerships through VESI, Concordia University Chicago, Advancement Courses and Edmentum – there isn't a shortage of available courses for you to dive into!

The best part about Illinois Online Academy is 100% of your learning is done online at your convenience!

Letter from Superintendent Patricia Dal Santo
I wanted to thank the Kane County School Districts for their impressive, timely, constructive response to  the current coronavirus crisis . The pragmatic approach this administration has taken is to be commended. Providing meals for food-insecure families,   assisting with equipment or internet access  and offering mental health counseling have all meant success in their goal for robust, continuity of learning. The new remote learning days will allow our children to get back to class and on a productive school schedule.

Our teachers switched up their schedules and immediately got to work to prepare once the decision was made. These K-12 teachers and aides have done an incredible job these last few weeks. On top of participating in remote learning, our teachers are also dealing with some of the same difficulties we are experiencing as parents: running a household, working and helping anxious children navigate a homebound near future. But they’re not just teaching our kids. They’re checking in on them, being patient with them and reassuring them that things are going to be alright.

To the administrators, teachers, staff, school board members and volunteers, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. Keep up the great work! We are proud to have all of you in the Kane County school system!

-Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent
FBI Warns of Teleconferencing, Online Classroom Hijacking During COVID-19
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, many people are turning to video-teleconferencing (VTC) platforms to stay connected. The FBI has received multiple reports of conferences being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images, and threatening language. Reports of VTC hijacking (also called “Zoom-bombing”) are emerging nationwide. 

The following steps can be taken to mitigate teleconference hijacking threats:
  1. Do not make meetings or classrooms public. In Zoom, there are two options to make a meeting private; require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.
  2. Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom on an unrestricted publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people.
  3. Manage screensharing options. In Zoom, change screensharing to “Host Only.”
  4. Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications. In January 2020, Zoom updated their software. In their security update, the teleconference software provider added passwords by default for meetings and disabled the ability to randomly scan for meetings to join.
  5. Ensure that your organization’s telework policy or guide addresses requirements for physical and information security.
Where Can I Find Information Regarding COVID-19 In Illinois?
ISBE is working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure we are providing the most current resources and guidance to support Illinois education communities regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Illinois Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline and email address provides consistent information, answer questions, share facts about symptoms, and provides up-to-date information from the CDC. Call 1-800-889-3931 anytime or email dph.sick@illinois.gov

News and information updates from all around Kane County.

Census 2020
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

Think of our local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education.

The Progress Report: My Bleeding Heart
This week's post in  The Progress Report , Katie writes about trauma and the effects it has on our students. During this pandemic and remote learning period, Katie writes how we can come together and help one another during these times.

The Progress Report is a collaborative discussion space for professional learning. If there are any topics that you would like to see a post on or guest write yourself,  please contact Katie Algrim.

Kane County Coordinates Donations 
Kane County is accepting donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to assist in the COVID-19 response. Businesses, medical and nursing schools, nail salons, tattoo parlors and residents can donate unused and unopened Personal Protective Equipment in the parking lot of the Kane County Judicial Center located at 37W777 IL-38, St. Charles, IL 60175 . The drop off site will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting Monday March 30, 2020 through Friday April 17, 2020 from noon until 7:00pm. The drop off site will be staffed by personnel from the Kane County Office of Emergency Management. 

If you have a large amount of items to donate such as a pickup trucks worth or larger, please e-mail us at kanecountyeoc@countyofkane.org Include the quantities of each item you have on hand to donate and your contact information and we will contact you to arrange a drop off date, time, and location. 
Items needed include: 

 Masks: Surgical, isolation or N-95 
 Gowns: Isolation and non-surgical 
 Gloves: Nitrile, sterile, and surgical 
 Face shields, Goggles, and safety glasses 
 Hand Sanitizer (any size) 
 Disinfectant Wipes (any size) 

All items should be in the manufacturer's original packaging and unopened. Unfortunately, we cannot accept open product or homemade items. 

All donations will be distributed to first responders, health care and medical facilities, and social services within Kane County. 
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Offering K-8 Online Learning Activities
As we all try to find ways to help students continue their learning at home, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) is here to help. We are creating daily videos and lessons that are easy to share with students and incorporate into your new online curriculum. All of our resources can be copied, shared, and adapted to fit your own specific needs. See below for a few of our latest lessons ideas.
Everyday Agriculture
We have daily videos, lessons, and links to other resources. All lessons are standards-based, have connections to agriculture, and can be done with materials families will already have in their homes.

IL Eggs In The Classroom
Schools around the state had to cancel their annual egg hatching and embryology units. One of our staff members and his 6-year-old son are sharing daily videos as they try to incubate eggs at home for the very first time.
Upcoming & Ongoing Workshops
AA#1231 – School Security: A Positive and Holistic Approach
Dates: 100% Online, April 23, 2020
PD Credits: 5.5
Cost: $175
Illinois Online Academy:
Growth Mindset
Dates: 100% Online
PD Credits: 5
Cost: $40
Illinois Online Academy:
Social Emotional Learning
Dates: 100% Online
PD Credits: 2
Cost: $40