Prospect Heights School District 23
February 12, 2021
February brings cold and warmth

Dear Parents and Staff,

Since the outcome of the Super Bowl was not what I had hoped for and having lost a friendly gentleman's wager with a certain Middle School Assistant Principal, I am now required to publicly make the following statement: Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time.
In a completely unrelated and unbiased topic, I'd also like to congratulate my pick for the Super Bowl MVP, the refs. They sure made the game interesting to watch and were the most valuable contributors to the end result!

Whether you were happy or disappointed with the end of the football season, I KNOW we are all excited as we prepare for Spring baseball and another run to a World Series victory for the Chicago Cubs!!
We have successfully completed a full month of our hybrid attendance and want to thank everyone for their collaboration to meet this goal.

This week, we gathered our Committee to review metrics and our plans for our Distance Learning 2.0 and Full In-Person Models. While there is still more work to be done and there are more variables that need to fall into place, we need to be prepared to shift models when it is safe to do so. 

At our Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, I presented an update of our planning. You can view the slide deck here:  Back to School Blueprint - Board of Education Update 2/10/21

We are pursuing two parallel paths:
1) Maximize Targeted and Invited student attendance: You may not be aware that we have provided in-person instruction to targeted programs and students since September. Throughout the year, many of our SAIL, EC, Kinder, and SpEd/At-Risk students have attended 4-5 days per week! We're going to make one more push for the next phase of students to be invited as space allows and needs dictate. We will send out invitations to these students' families with a target start date of 2/23.

2) Optimize our readiness for our original full in-person model: We continue to monitor our case and positivity rate metrics, review updated guidance from IDPH and CDC, and examine our capacity indicators. At this time, all signs are pointing and moving in the right direction. We are preparing our systems, staff, students, and families for this transition when the conditions allow. 

While we do not have a specific date in mind, we want our community to know that we are preparing and ready to move forward when the time is right. This is also an important mindset shift that we all need to reflect on and make for ourselves. We have agreed that we will plan for ONE more transition, rather than a few smaller steps. We hope to announce our plan, give parents time to decide and plan, then carry that option through to the end of the year. 

We continue to advocate for local vaccine distribution and access both through the Cook County Department of Public Health and independently through providers. We also hope to receive updated guidance from IDPH and the CDC tomorrow that will provide revised direction to our planning, including travel guidance, close contact and quarantining updates, social distancing, and space occupancy. 
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.

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.

Last month, I wrote: "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."

This month I would say, I have a few dates tentatively circled in pencil and have the Sharpie at the ready.

I hope you enjoy a Happy Valentine's Day!

Best wishes,
Dr. Angelaccio
Upcoming Events
February 12 & 15
NO SCHOOL
Presidents' Day
February 22-26
Parent Teacher Conference Window Continues

February 22nd - March 12th
Kindergarten Registration

February 22
Flex Day - Students in Attendance

March 1
Flex Day - Students in Attendance

March 8
Flex Day - Students in Attendance
Check your school newsletters for specific dates for our Picture Days.
Board of Education Meeting

March 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 February 10, 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 February 10, 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.
Professional Development Updates
Dr. Amy Zaher, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, provided a summary of our Professional Development goals and activities. In addition to our Institute and School Improvement days, our focus on collaborative instructional planning has helped our staff work together to effectively plan for our hybrid model. Time used during FLEX and Planning Days has been extremely valuable to our staff as we shift to this new way of teaching and facilitating learning.
Summer Construction Plans
Mrs. Amy McPartlin, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, presented contracts for some of the summer construction projects in the District. HVAC work will be done at Ross and Sullivan and sealcoating will be completed at Eisenhower. Our Capital Improvements plan is a comprehensive document that maps out need and priorities for all of our buildings and allows for long range financial and strategic planning.
Shout out to our Custodians!!!
While most of us stayed warm at home, our custodial and maintenance crews were here on Sundays and in the VERY early hours of the morning to plow, shovel and salt our lots and sidewalks so that it is safe for staff and students to arrive. These past few weeks have been particularly challenging, so we send a special shout out of appreciation to these often, unsung heroes of our school community!
Tell Us What You Think...
Our technology department is seeking your perspective so that we can gauge the scope of our response. Please complete this one question survey by clicking the button below.
Meal Distribution Update
During the month of February, we will continue to partner with our food service vendor, Organic Life, to provide weekly meals for any child under the age of 18, at no cost.  Meal distributions will take place on Wednesdays throughout the month of February 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.

Durante el mes de febrero, continuaremos asociándonos con nuestro proveedor de servicios de alimentos, Organic Life, para proporcionar comidas semanales a cualquier niño menor de 18 años, sin costo alguno. Las distribuciones de comidas se llevarán a cabo los miércoles durante todo el mes de febrero 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 22nd - March 12th
*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 24th, March 3rd, and March 10th until 8:00 PM.

Please call the Eisenhower Office at (847) 870-3875 to schedule a registration appointment.
Watch your Mailbox...
By the end of next week all residents within District 23 boundaries should receive the Proud2BD23 Community Connection Newsletter.

This is mailed home in an effort to engage the members of the D23 community who do not have students currently in our school system; this is approximately 80% of our neighbors.

It is important that everyone stay informed about the successes, struggles, and strategic plan for our District to serve the needs of our students, families, and as stewards of tax payer funds.
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