9/11/20
In This Issue
CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.
Dear Friend of CCSD93,
A Message From Superintendent Hill
Last night I shared CCSD93's updated plan for returning to in-person learning for preschool through 5th grade students. In short, it is a hybrid format with half of a class's students participating in synchronous instruction (whether in-person or remote) in the morning and the other half participating in synchronous instruction in the afternoon. The primary reason for this is to avoid the lunch hour, a time when wearing masks is not realistic and when potentially harmful droplets have a much greater chance of spreading. Students will not have the opportunity to  interact with other classes throughout the in-person day in order to minimize exposure. 
CCSD93 is still working on a plan for offering in-person learning for middle school students. The primary obstacle we are working around is the opportunity for exposure that a middle school schedule inherently creates. The DuPage County Health Department has consistentl stressed the importance of minimizing the mixing of student groups. 

Please review the preschool through 5th grade plan in its entirety at www.ccsd93.com/9-10-20 to fully understand it, the health and safety factors impacting our return, requirements of families of students who will participate in in-person learning, and what to expect next.

As a reminder, these are the factors that must remain at acceptable levels for students to return to in-person learning.
If the factors all remain at acceptable levels, this is CCSD93's tentative timeline for bringing students back into the classroom.
Again, this timeline is dependent upon the factors in the first graphic above remaining at acceptable levels. The single greatest concern is the Health Data portion becoming unacceptable based on DuPage County's Community Transmission Risk Level, explained in the document linked at the top of this message, being heightened.

I have been pleased to hear from many families whose students have thrived under Remote Learning. It's a testament to our amazing staff members, who have done a tremendous job of replicating the in-person learning experience in a digital format. For these families, if their preference is to remain remote moving forward, I have no doubt they will continue to find success in this format.

I have also heard from parents of students who are struggling; students for whom Remote Learning is simply not a viable replacement for in-person learning. It is for these students especially, many of whom are our youngest and least independent learners, that we have an imperative to return to the classroom as soon as we can do so safely.

The circumstances that exist make a perfect educational plan an impossibility. I recognize that for some, CCSD93's plan may feel too risky, its timeline too immediate. For others, it is too cautious and too drawn out. Please know that we are continuously seeking to strike a balance that best serves all of our students academically, socially and emotionally while strictly adhering to the health and safety guidance we continue to receive. 

I thank you for your continued support. Please review the following articles for more on the latest from CCSD93.
 
Sincerely,

David H. Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
CCSD93
Remembering September 11, 2001
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Typically CCSD93 schools address the history and impact of September 11, 2001 with an announcement and moment of silence when we are learning in person. In lieu of this, it is critical to acknowledge that today is the 19th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States. September 11 is now known as Patriot Day and is a time when we pause to remember the 2,996 victims who tragically lost their lives in the attacks as well as the heroic actions of the first responders who risked their own lives to save countless others. Please observe a moment of silence for the victims and their loved ones, the first responders, and all those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001 that we will never forget.
Have a Young Child? Connect With the Birth to 5 Community Coalition!
CCSD93's Birth to 5 Community Coalition is a partnership between a number of local organizations that specialize in providing care and services for our community's children ages birth to 5. The Coalition partners work together to identify the needs of our community's youngest children and provide support in the areas of communication, cognition, social-emotional development, nutritional needs, and physical growth as well as coaching for parents. If you have a young child, you are encouraged to visit www.ccsd93.com/Birthto5 to find out what the Birth to 5 Community Coalition can do for you! 
Miss Curriculum Night? Check Your School's Website!
If you did not have the opportunity to join your child's school for Curriculum Night this week, you can visit the Curriculum Night link you were sent to find videos from your child's administrator(s) and teachers with more information about this school year. You can also find the link posted as a School News Story to your child's school website.  
Get to Know Roy DeShane Principal Amy Gray with Latest CCSD93 in 93 Seconds
Spend a minute and a half getting to know new Roy DeShane Principal Amy Gray in the latest installment of CCSD93 in 93 Seconds! You'll find out what she thinks about a certain Jack Black comedy, her favorite books and more! Watch it here.
Attend Free Parent Presentation Re: Managing Stress, Anxiety & Parenting Under COVID-19 on 9/16
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. to join Dr. Lisa Damour, author of "Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood" and "Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls," for a FREE parent presentation about managing stress and anxiety. Participants will learn how to keep pressure and tension from reaching toxic levels, how to parent adolescents effectively today and the strategies for managing ongoing stress. You are welcome to join the presentation via Zoom here.
9/17 Board of Education Meeting Preview
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CCSD93's next Board of Education meeting will be held Thursday, September 17 at CCSD93's District Office, 230 Covington Drive in Bloomingdale. All community members are invited to attend. The following are among the agenda items.
  • There will be a Finance Committee meeting report from the September 1 meeting.
  • There will be a public hearing and a vote on the adoption of CCSD93's 2020-21 Budget.  
  • There will be four revised Board Policies for approval for first reading:
    • 255 - Board Committees
    • 700.01 - Equal Educational Opportunities
    • 710.28 - Reciprocal Reporting of Criminal Offenses Committed by Students
    • 715.02 - Bullying
  • There will be two revised Board Policies for approval for second reading:
    • 297 - Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure
    • 500.20 - Workplace Harassment Prohibited
    • 701 - Harassment of Students Prohibited
    • 701.05 - Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
  • Dr. Hill will review the District's progress on the Board's Goals.
  • Board President Keith Briggs will discuss the April school board election process and timelines.
  • Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Julie Tobin will review school safety drills for the Board.
  • Administrative, Non-Administrative, and IMRF compensation reports will be presented to the Board.
  • There will be a public hearing on reduction in hours and force resolutions.
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