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March 15, 2020
Dear CCSD21 families,
Thank you very much for your patience, understanding, and support during this unprecedented time.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Friday, March 13, that all schools in Illinois will be closed through Monday, March 30. Please note that this closure now includes the Monday after our planned spring break. Our updated March 2020 schedule is now as follows:
- Monday, March 16 – Distance Learning for students and staff
- Tuesday, March 17 – Institute Day for staff, no Distance Learning for students
- Wednesday, March 18 to Friday, March 20 – Distance Learning for students and staff
- Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27 – Spring Break
- Monday, March 30 – Distance Learning for students and staff
While our current plan is to resume school on Tuesday, March 31, guidance from federal, state, and local health officials may change and we will respond accordingly.
Distance Learning
Please see this Parent Guide (Spanish) for guidance and answers to frequently asked questions about Distance Learning. The Parent Guide will be updated periodically. Please continue to check back for updated guidance.
Within the guide, parents can access an attendance form. Please complete the appropriate attendance form for each child for each Distance Learning Day. Submitting this form acknowledges your child has participated in the required Distance Learning activities for the day. Families unable to submit an electronic attendance form will be asked to complete a paper CCSD21 Distance Learning Day Attendance Form when school resumes.
Teachers will communicate with their students/parents via Google Classroom, Seesaw, Class Dojo, e-mail, or some other appropriate vehicle of electronic communication outlining the expectations for the day no later than 9:00 AM on the Distance Learning Day. Teachers will also make an electronic ‘roll call’ at various times throughout the day, though the first ‘roll call’ each day will consistently be made at 9:00 AM. Teachers will be available during normal school hours for support. Families working on Distance Learning activities outside of school hours are encouraged to message their teacher for support; teachers will respond during the next Distance Learning day.
The CCSD21 Online Learning Tools for Students and Families document offers tips for accessing students’ Google account, video guidance on navigating tools such as Google Classroom and Seesaw, and care for Chromebooks. This document will also be updated periodically.
Paper options for completing distance learning are also available for pick up from the student’s school. Parents can request the materials by completing this form or calling their child’s school and leaving a message.
Internet Access
CCSD21’s WiFi network coverage has been expanded and will extend into CCSD21 properties’ parking lots and immediate areas close by. While schools will be closed, students’ devices will connect to the Internet from the parking lot where a student can access the day’s learning activities and then return home to complete the activities offline.
Comcast and AT&T offer low-cost high speed Internet access to families who receive free or reduced-price lunch. Effective March 12, Comcast is offering two months free with their program linked above. Contact Comcast at 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to troubleshoot issues with the online application.
If you still have difficulty submitting the application for Comcast Internet Essentials after calling Comcast, please contact your principal by email or phone, and they will assist.
Comcast has also opened free access to its public and business WiFi hotspots nationwide. If home internet or connecting to WiFi at a CCSD21 property are not an option, find a hotspot near you on this map. When in range of the hotspot, select “xfinitywifi” in your list of available networks.
Food Service
As a reminder, daily breakfast and lunch will be available to all children age 18 and younger throughout the school closure. Cold breakfast and sack lunch “Grab and Go” meals will be served simultaneously; students will leave their distribution site with two meals. Plans are being developed now to provide meals during Spring Break, too. More details will follow as soon as plans are finalized.
Pick-up times at all locations:
- Monday, March 16: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Tuesday, March 17 – Friday, March 20: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Locations:
- Frost Elementary School – 1805 Aspen Drive, Mt Prospect
- Kilmer Elementary School – 655 Golfview Terrace, Buffalo Grove
- Poe Elementary School – 2800 N. Highland Avenue, Arlington Heights
- Riley Elementary School – 1209 Burr Oak Drive, Arlington Heights
- Twain Elementary School – 515 E. Merle Ln., Wheeling
- Whitman Elementary School – 133 Wille Ave., Wheeling
- Alcott Center – 530 Bernard Dr., Buffalo Grove
- Chamber Park – 127 N. Wolf Rd., Wheeling
- Childerley Park – 506 McHenry Rd., Wheeling
- Indian Trails Library – 355 Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling
- Meadowbrook Park – 427 Nancy Ln., Wheeling
- Windsor Ridge Park – 780 Vernon Ln., Buffalo Grove
- Willow Trails Park – Apple Dr. and Burning Bush Ln., Prospect Heights
Mental Health Support
An important partnership that families and schools have is ensuring the mental health needs of all of our students. During this time out of school, if your child is engaging in risky mental health behavior, which would include thoughts of harm to themselves or others or threatening behavior, here are two resources to support your children and family. Additional resources are listed online. Please remember that if the situation is very serious to call the police at 911 for immediate support.
Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS)
The phone line is open 24 hours a day
1-800-345-9049
SASS is a crisis mental health service program for children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis. This support starts with a phone call and can be accessed regardless of insurance coverage.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Provides 24/7 crisis services.
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text HOME to 741741
https://www.crisistextline.org/
facebook.com/crisistextline
We will continue to share information and updates in the days ahead.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging times together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Connolly
Superintendent
EMPOWERING EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY
