Prospect Heights School District 23
January 15, 2021
Return to Hybrid In-Person Instruction

Dear Parents and Staff,

One of my favorite Christmas gifts that I received was a new 2021 Bears Calendar. Commentary on whether or not the images of the Bears will bring joy or sorrow aside, the clean, fresh pages and the promise of a more positive year brought a big smile to my face.

And while there is no magic change that happens overnight just because the start the New Year, there are many more opportunities for hope and optimism.

This week, we welcomed Targeted students back to campus for in person learning and we are so excited to take the next step by implementing our hybrid model starting Tuesday, January 19.

As in late October, this phase requires some patience and grace. For most of our students, this will feel very much like the first days of school all over again. We are prepared to provide orientation and support our students as they adjust to the new schedule, routines, and expectations for in person learning.

For all of us, the following reminders are essential for a safe and successful return to in person learning:

Schedule and Attendance Models:
  1. Families who selected the Distance Learning model will continue to have that model and option available throughout this school year.
  2. All students will transition to the hybrid daily schedule starting on 1/19.
  3. Most students will attend for 2 days each week: Students last name A-L on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; Students with last names M-Z on Thursdays and Fridays.
  4. Targeted students and programs as well as those for whom a special accommodation was made will continue to follow the attendance communicated to them.

COVID-19 Symptom Screening:
We ask that you please pay careful attention to any symptoms you or your children may exhibit and do not assume that any symptom is unrelated to COVID. As we continue our contact tracing efforts, it is evident that many people who are diagnosed with COVID have at least one symptom of the virus and come to school/work while symptomatic, assuming it is unrelated to COVID. This puts others at risk and makes keeping classrooms and/or schools open more difficult. We ask for your help and that you please pay attention for symptoms, and stay home/keep your child home when experiencing one or more of the following:
  • Fever (100.4°F or higher)
  • New onset of moderate to severe headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • New cough
  • Sore throat
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain from unknown cause
  • New congestion/runny nose
  • New loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue from unknown cause
  • Muscle or body aches

District 23 will continue to respond to any COVID-19 cases by isolating close contacts and closing classrooms/schools for in-person instruction when appropriate.

Communication regarding positive cases will be shared directly with close contacts and impacted classrooms/bus routes. 

Travel outside of the State of Illinois will also require a 10-14 day quarantine upon return. Please contact you child's school to communicate travel plans and make arrangements for temporary Distance Leaning attendance.

Monitoring Metrics:
We continue to monitor a number of data points to ensure our capacity and capability to ensure student and staff safety in campus. Local, regional, and county positivity and case rates provide insight into the spread of the virus. Operational metrics such as mitigation efforts and staffing capacity provide insight into our level of readiness to implement an in person model.

In-Person Learning Reminders:
It is critically important for parents to monitor symptoms and KEEP STUDENTS and SIBLINGS HOME when they display any of the symptoms listed above.

As a reminder, if anyone if your household is experiencing a COVID-19 symptom, all household members must quarantine until:

A negative RT-PCR test is obtained by the person exhibiting symptoms OR;
10 days have passed since symptom onset OR;
A physician’s note with an alternative diagnosis is provided (must indicate illness is NOT COVID-19).

Thank you for following these state-required health guidelines. More information on COVID-related exclusion is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

Community Awareness:
With our return to in person instruction please increase awareness in the community:
  1. Watch for students walking to school or waiting for buses.
  2. Please comply with school bus Stop signs whenever they are activated.
  3. Be patient as we return to running bus routes and adjust to new riders.
  4. Be cautious and take your time while driving to and around the schools. Be courteous and follow the directions of our transportation supervisors and crossing guards as we manage traffic on campus.

Vaccine Availability:
District health services staff are beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, with the rest of the staff eligible for the vaccination in phase 1B of the state’s plan. The District is working with area healthcare providers on how to efficiently distribute vaccines to staff when they become available. We hope the plan from the State and County Health departments will become more clear in the next few weeks.

Our pledge to the District 23 Community continues to be giving our very best each day to make the best decisions possible and to communicate as effectively as we can. We appreciate your understanding and partnership during this most challenging school year.

While I'm not circling any dates on the calendar and am still writing in pencil, I am beginning to see a more clear path forward and a brighter future.

Best wishes,
Dr. Angelaccio
Upcoming Events
NO SCHOOL
MLK Day
January 18








January 25
Flex Day - Students in Attendance

February 1
Planning Day - Students NOT in Attendance

February 8
Flex Day - Students in Attendance

February 12 & 15
NO SCHOOL
Presidents' Day
January 28
Nathalia Bilingual Concert - 6:30pm
Board of Education Meeting

February 10, 2021
7:00 pm
At Grodsky Building or
Attend Virtually
Quick Links
PHSD23
Click the button Below to view the Back to School Blueprint Update presented to the Board of Education on January 13, 2021
Back to School Blueprint - Update: Return to In Person
Dr. Angelaccio presented the updated plan for our return to In-person hybrid model beginning on January 19, 2021. The presentation slides can be found at this link.
Student Fees Held with NO INCREASE
The Board of Education agreed to hold fees with no increase for the 2021-22 School Year. Registration will again require families to complete their enrollment and updates to online registration first, with fee invoices generated and communicated to families in July.

The 1:1 Device Protection Plan will be required of all parents for students in grades K-8. This $35 fee provides coverage for repair and replacement in certain circumstances for iPads and other technology devices that students use as part of their day.
Assessment Updates
Dr. Amy Zaher, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, provided the annual update on student assessments. At this time, State required assessments have been postponed, but not cancelled. We anticipate updates will be forthcoming and will share that information as it becomes available.
Financial Projections
Mrs. Amy McPartlin, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, presented an overview of strategies to fund three significant needs this Spring and shared an overview of the financial projections for the District. Funds are being allocated to fund enhanced and upgraded Network Management and Cybersecurity; a Summer Bridge Program for targeted students this summer; and capital projects planned for this summer.

Click here to view the presentation.
Shout out to our Nurses!!!
Mrs. Carlson - Eisenhower
Mrs. Quatman - Ross/Sull.
Mrs. Kramer - MacArthur
We are so grateful for our school medical professionals and fortunate to have these three knowledgable and highly skilled individuals serving our schools. Throughout this pandemic, our nurses have been amazing and essential in our efforts to communicate with and support families. As students present with symptoms, our nurses and administration collaborate to determine the appropriate quarantine and close contact requirements. They share three key pieces of advice:
  1. Wash hands regularly: It seems like such a little thing, but it is probably the more important and effective thing you can do to stay healthy.
  2. Masks and Distance: Just like medical professionals in hospitals and other settings, masks have been worn for centuries to help protect both the patient and the provider. Whenever possible, keeping distance from others is very important (especially when it may not be possible to know if they carry the virus).
  3. Stay home with symptoms: When in doubt, stay home. We know how difficult and disruptive it can be to quickly change plans and keep students home, but it is easier than being called to come pick them up. Also, siblings should stay home even if they do not have any symptoms due to the possibility that they may carry the virus.
Tell Us What You Think...
As you know, District 23 is striving toward our goal of full, in-person learning as soon as we are able. With that being said, we recognize that there may be some elements of the remote or hybrid experiences that we should continue when full, in-person learning resumes.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, we are asking you to complete this short survey to help identify those things as well as building-wide work like communications and welcoming environments.

The feedback will be analyzed to determine which aspects of this past year should be incorporated when we can resume school fully in-person.

The survey link is the same for each school in our district. If you would like to fill it out from your perspective of each school, please do so by completing the survey multiple times.
Meal Distribution Update
During the month of January, we will continue to partner with our food service vendor, Organic Life, to provide weekly meals for any child over the age of 18, at no cost.  Meal distributions will take place on Wednesdays throughout the month of January as follows:
  • VIP Apartments (850 Corey Lane, Wheeling) - Between 12:00-2:00 PM
  • MacArthur Middle School Cafeteria - Between 3:00 - 6:00 PM
As always, should you have any questions, please contact the Business Office directly.


INFORMACIÓN DE DISTRIBUCIÓN DE COMIDAS DE ENERO
Durante el mes de enero, continuaremos asociándonos con nuestro proveedor de servicios de alimentos, Organic Life, para proporcionar comidas semanales a cualquier niño mayor de 18 años, sin costo alguno. Las distribuciones de comidas se llevarán a cabo los miércoles durante todo el mes de enero de la siguiente manera:
Apartamentos VIP (850 Corey Lane, Wheeling): entre las 12:00 y las 2:00 p.m.
Cafetería de la escuela secundaria MacArthur: entre las 3:00 y las 6:00 p.m.
Como siempre, si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese directamente con la Oficina Comercial.
Kindergarten Registration
Dear D23 Families,

We are trying to identify children who may be attending kindergarten in the fall of 2021. It is important that we have an accurate estimate of the number of children who will attend so that we may provide appropriate space and staff. Children are eligible for kindergarten if they will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2021. Parents of students who will be enrolling in District 23 will be required to provide a certified copy of the student’s birth certificate and proof of residency. In addition, a current physical with immunizations, and a vision and dental exam are also required. Kindergarten dates for registration are as follows:

February 8th-11th
February 16th-19th
February 22nd-26th

Please call the Eisenhower Office at (847) 870-3875 to schedule a registration appointment.

We will be offering one hour time slots from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM each day.

We will have extended hours on February 10th, February 17th, and February 24th until 8:00 PM.
Nathalia Concert
¡A cantar en Español! 

Los invitamos a un concierto interactivo bilingüe con la muy popular Nathalia. Su experiencia como musicoterapeuta y educadora de música la inspiró a utilizar la música como una herramienta educativa. Su gran talento la ha llevado a los escenarios internacionales y a programas como CBS 's “The Talk”. De la misma forma usa la música para enseñar a todos sus escuchadores el gran folklor de su cultura Latina y su idioma natal, el Español. Reúnase con su familia para ser parte de este evento virtual,el jueves 28 de Enero a las 6:30 pm y estén listos para cantar y divertirse en familia! Todas las familias son bienvenidas y es una gran experiencia de inmersión para los estudiantes interesados ​​en aprender un segundo idioma o simplemente practicar su lenguaje natal!

Let’s sing in Spanish!

We invite you to an interactive bilingual concert with the very popular Nathalia. Her experience as a music therapist and music educator inspired her to use music as an educational tool. Her talent has taken her to international stages and shows like CBS's "The Talk." Nathalia uses her music to teach the great folklore of Latin culture and her native language, Spanish. Gather around with your family on Thursday, January 28th, at 6:30 p.m. and be a part of this special event! All families are welcome, and it is a great, immersive experience for students interested in learning a foreigh language or just practicing their current Spanish language skills!
Essential Items Drive
The 4th and 5th grade Sullivan Ambassadors will be sponsoring an Essential Items Drive to benefit the Wheeling Food Pantry from February 1 - February 5. Items can be dropped off in the foyer of each building. We will be soliciting donations of food items as well as toiletries. Stay tuned for more information about the Essential Items Drive in the coming weeks.
Connect With Us
Administration: (847) 870-3850
Superintendent

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Director of Special Education

Director of Technology

Director of Buildings & Grounds