August 18, 2020

School District #109 Parents/Guardians & Staff:

Re: Important Return-to-School Plan Revision

I am saddened to inform you that due to the recently-revised guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - as of last Thursday, 8/13/2020 @ 4:30 pm., these guidelines have made it impossible for our School District, as well as many others, to host on-site, in-person schooling to start the 2020-2021 school year. Therefore, I will be recommending to the Board that we change course from our hybrid model to full remote to start the school year. It is terribly unfortunate that this news comes within 24 hours of our proposed first day of student attendance; but, you should know that all the way up to these recent changes from IDPH, we have been working diligently to prepare our schools for Day One, and they look great! Having schools filled with students (even with social distancing in place) at this point in time given the revised guidance from the State is a health risk that is not worth taking.

We will begin with students being full-remote as of the morning of Monday, 8/24/2020, and we will keep you up-to-date as to when we will begin in-person attendance. The School District will utilize the remainder of this week, August 19-21, 2020, as Remote Learning Planning Days to prepare for this full-remote endeavor. In-person schooling will be dependent upon when we are able to secure the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) now required by IDPH. I am being told that a shipment is not expected until another three (3) weeks from now. It is likely that we will start our in-person attendance with the hybrid plan we already have in place when that time comes. You will be given more information on this in due time.

At tonight’s regularly-scheduled Meeting of the Board of Education, I will be explaining this change of plans in detail, then I’ll recommend to start the new 2020-2021 school year full-remote for students (on 8/24/2020). Tonight’s meeting starts at 6:00 pm., and will be hosted at Brodnicki Elementary School (8641 West 75th Street in Justice - across the parking lot from the SD #109 District Office). This change of location is being planned to accommodate for larger groups, incorporating social distancing guidelines. If you plan to attend, please know in advance that face coverings are required.

Teaching staff will be required to work from their assigned schools to start the school year. Thank you for your attention and continued cooperation during these different, and ever-changing times.

Respectfully,

Blair S. Nuccio, Ed.D.

Superintendent

ISSD #109

Hello Bridgeview Families!

I hope that this "Welcome Back to School" message finds you well, and that you and your family have remained healthy and safe during this pandemic. It is certain that life during the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for parents and children alike. The return to school is an important and hopefully welcome step, but you and your children likely have many questions and there are many uncertainties that we will have to work through together as time passes.

Coming back to school will look a bit different from what you and your child were used to before. It’s possible that schools in our area may reopen for a period of time and then a decision may be made to close them again temporarily, depending on the local context. Because of the evolving situation, our district administration, as well as teaching staff, will need to be flexible and ready to adapt to ensure the safety of every child.

Our district school reopenings are consistent with the state's requirements and recommendations, and the overall COVID-19 health response to protect students, staff, teachers and their families.

Some of the precautions our district is taking to prevent COVID-19 virus from spreading include:

- Improved hygiene measures, including handwashing

- Teaching respiratory etiquette (i.e. coughing and sneezing into the elbow)

- Physical distancing measures, keeping staff and students 6 feet apart whenever possible

- Cleaning procedures for facilities

- Safe food practices

Students around the world have shown just how much they want to keep learning. They have persisted with their lessons under difficult circumstances, with the support of their dedicated teachers and parents. But many children will need extra support to catch up on their learning when schools reopen. Our district is making plans for catch-up lessons to help bring students back up to speed. This includes starting the year addressing some of the standards that were missed due to remote learning in the spring.

Our district schools have chosen to implement a ‘blended learning’ model, a mix of classroom instruction and remote education. Try to give extra support to your child at home by creating a routine around school and schoolwork. This can help if they are feeling restless and are having trouble focusing.

Please be sure to contact your child’s teacher to ask questions and stay informed. Be sure to let them know if your child is facing specific challenges, like grief over a family loss, or heightened anxiety due to the pandemic.

Remember that your child will be dealing with the stress of the ongoing crisis differently from you. Create a supportive and nurturing environment and respond positively to questions and expressions of their feelings. Show support and let your child know that it’s not only okay, but normal, to feel frustrated or anxious at times like this. Help your children to stick to their routines and make learning playful by incorporating it into everyday activities like cooking, family reading time or games.

It is true that the road ahead is definitely uncertain. I am positive that together, though, we will get through it.

Stay well,
Candice

In order to assure the safety of your child each day, it is imperative to notify the school office and your child's teacher if your child will not be riding the bus home on any particular day. Please send a note stating that your child will not be riding the bus that day. If a note is not sent to school, your child will be sent home on the bus - we will not take your child's "word for it" if he/she says they are not supposed to ride the bus. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We are pleased to inform you that Indian Springs School District 109 will be implementing a new option available to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the current school year.

What does this mean for you and your children attending school in District 109?

Great news for you and your students! All enrolled students of Indian Springs School District 109 are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the this school year. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact your child’s building principal.

Sincerely,

Indian Springs School District 109

Parents/Guardians should be aware that School District #109 applies lawn care products in order to maintain a beautiful campus of which all of us can be proud. With that being said, by law, our school must maintain a registry of all parents/guardians of students that wish to be notified prior to the application of pesticides to school grounds. Should you wish such notification, please contact our school office at your convenience.

8:10AM 1st Bell

8:15AM Tardy Bell

1:45PM School Dismissed

All students arriving late to school (after 8:15AM) must report to the office for a tardy slip. Every 5th tardy a note will be sent home. Continuous tardiness may constitute other disciplinary consequences. Our goal is for all students to arrive at school on time each day. When students are late, they miss instructional opportunities. Please keep in mind that students arriving after 9:15AM are no longer considered tardy, but will instead receive a half day absence.

Being late is detrimental to all students' learning, especially if it occurs on a consistent basis. Be sure to do all you can to prevent tardiness. Your child will thank you for it!

Indian Springs SD #109 is looking to add to its list of available substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. If you are interested in being a substitute in our school district, please contact Mary Ann Hotzfield, School District Receptionist, at (708) 796-8700. The eligibility requirement to be a substitute teacher is to possess a teaching license or substitute teacher license (the substitute teacher licencse requires a Bachelor's Degree). The eligibility requirement to be a substitute paraprofessional is to possess a paraprofessional license. Feel free to contact Mary Ann Hotzfield for further details.

Candice Del Prete, Principal

Email: cdelprete@isd109.org
Website: www.isd109.org
Location: 7800 S Thomas Ave Bridgeview, IL 60455
Phone: 708-496-8713
Twitter: @BVGoBobcats