8/21/20
In This Issue
CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.
Dear Friend of CCSD93,
A Message From Superintendent Hill
I cannot tell you how happy I am that our staff members have been able to connect with our students and families this week for the start of the school year.

I was pleased that Student Material Pickup went relatively smoothly at all of our schools so that our students were able to get set up with curricular items they will need to start the year, and it has been wonderful to hear from teachers and families that have been excited to meet virtually the past two days to establish expectations and logistics for the year.
Our staff members are committed to meeting our Mission of maximizing the academic, social and emotional potential of each student regardless of the instructional delivery method. The amount of innovation and creativity I have seen from our teaching staff last spring and in preparation of this year has been inspiring. I know they will continue to support our students every step of the way this year. View some highlights of their efforts in the past week in CCSD93's Week in Review here. 
If you find that any portion of your child's Remote Learning experience is not meeting your expectations, please connect with your child's teacher. If for any reason the concern is not able to be addressed, please then connect your child's principal. We will do our very best to support you.

With all of this said, the start to this school year is, of course, bittersweet. From last spring to this point, every CCSD93 administrator, and many, many staff members worked diligently to figure out how we could safely bring students back into our buildings. Unfortunately the new guidance that we received last week indicating the need for much wider-reaching quarantine protocols potentially affecting every student in the building (as opposed to the previously established guidance of only the affected individual and those who had been within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes needing to stay home) made the prospect of keeping our schools consistently open untenable. We feel strongly that constantly closing schools on a moment's notice would have been more damaging to our community than a shift to fully Remote Learning.

I know the transition to fully Remote Learning has not been easy on our families. We made the decision early on in this process to rely heavily on the guidance of our public health organizations because it is their function to understand how our community's physical safety is being impacted by the virus. This guidance led directly to our decision.

At this stage, the best way we can all contribute to getting back to in-person learning is to strictly follow the guidelines of wearing a mask in public, maintaining social distancing, washing hands frequently and not gathering in large groups. In doing so, together we can contribute to an environment that is conducive to in-person learning. We will continue to keep families posted on any significant developments moving forward.

I am excited for the school year to get further underway next week. Please read the following articles for more on the latest from CCSD93.

Sincerely,

David H. Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
CCSD93 
Introducing Jay Stream's STEM Wing!
Jay Stream's all new STEM Wing has been completed and will help the school's students achieve greater heights in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math!
 
The four classrooms along the school's east side were renovated, and a 5,000 square foot addition has been built off of that, which has resulted in:
  • Six STEM labs
  • A domed virtual reality room
  • A dedicated research and design space
  • A collaboration area for staff
Built for flexibility with embedded technology and modern and future STEM concepts in mind, the space will fit the needs of any learning opportunities our students will be challenged to take on. Students will be able to seamlessly work on independent or collaborative projects that require them to design and build, interact with robotics, apply computer coding skills, and more. Here's a look at the new space! We cannot wait for students to be able to use it! Watch for a tour coming soon.
Need Childcare? The Carol Stream Park District & Others Have You Covered
In light of Remote Learning, CCSD93 has collaborated with the Carol Stream Park District, which is offering Remote Learning Childcare. Visit www.csparks.org/ActivKids  for more info and to register. You can also find more options from other community organizations offering childcare by visiting the Childcare Options section of www.ccsd93.com/COVID19
Revised Hours for Student Meal Service
This School Year 
As shared with our community, grab-and-go lunch and breakfast meals will be available at our elementary and middle schools for students throughout the school year. Please note the following updated timing from what was shared in placement letters earlier this week: elementary schools will serve meals each school day between 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and middle schools will serve each school day between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 

Students must provide their student ID number in order to receive a meal. Meals will be paid for through MySchoolBucks and no cash will be accepted. Students who qualify for meal benefits will pay a reduced price or will not be charged. Visit www.ccsd93.com/FoodServices for more information and to create or replenish your MySchoolBucks account.
 
Meals will be provided under the supervision of our staff members, and families should look for signage and direction at each building for the designated meal pickup area. Parents and/or students can walk or drive up for students to receive a meal. Please ensure that as you do, you observe social distancing guidelines of remaining at least six feet from others. Meals will be provided only for students. Meals should be taken home and are not intended to be consumed on site.
More Than 45,000 Meals Distributed by CCSD93 March-July
From the start of our closures in March through the end of July, CCSD93 was able to provide 45,495 meals to children throughout our community at our meal sites! We thank every staff member and community volunteer who helped to make this program successful for our community!
CCSD93 Preschool Achieves Golden Circle Award!
CCSD93's Preschool for All Expansion program, previously held at Heritage Lakes Elementary School and now once again held at CCSD93's Early Childhood Center, has achieved the ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality!

The Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs that demonstrate a consistently high quality early childhood education, as validated by a state approved assessor. CCSD93's Preschool for All Expansion program has proven to meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment, instructional quality, and all program administrative standards; group size and staff/child ratios; staff qualifications; and professional development. We are thrilled to receive this recognition!
Learn More About CCSD93 Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Julie Tobin in the Latest CCSD93 in 93 Seconds!
Mrs. Julie Tobin, who previously has served as principal at Western Trails, Elsie Johnson, and Jay Stream Middle School, became CCSD93's new Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in July 2020. Find out more about her, what she likes about CCSD93, and her thoughts on Post Malone in the latest edition of CCSD93 in 93 Seconds!
8/20 Board of Education Meeting Recap
Gavel
CCSD93's most recent Board of Education meeting was held Thursday, August 20, 2020. The following occurred at the meeting.
  • Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Dr. Crysta Morrissey provided an update on the District's Unified Sports program, including a recap of the basketball tournament from February and future plans for the program. 
  • There were five revised Board Policies approved for first reading:
    • 296 - Uniform Grievance Procedure
    • 297 - Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure
    • 500.20 - Workplace Harassment Prohibited
    • 701 - Harassment of Students Prohibited
    • 701.05 - Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
  • There were three revised Board Policies approved for second reading:
    • 270.08 - School Board Meeting Procedure
    • 715.01 - Student Behavior
    • 830.02 - Public Conduct on School Property 
  • The Board reviewed its Board Goals.
  • Dr. Hill provided an update on the Cloverdale Elementary School Innovation Center renovation planning.
  • The Board received a staffing and enrollment update.
  • Dr. Hill provided an update on the start of the school year and the first day of Remote Learning.
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