Letter to Parents - School Closure 04-17-2020

Dear St. George CCSD No. 258 Families, 

As many of you are aware, today Governor Pritzker suspended in-person school instruction and  extended remote learning through the end of the school term for all Illinois schools. I understand  this may be difficult for your student and family because the traditional end-of-year activities at St.  George School will not be occurring as we have come to know them. Students are missing the  daily interactions with their friends, teachers and other school personnel. St. George School Staff  miss the students. Your student may also experience a sense of loss related to sports activities,  clubs and other after school activities. It is difficult for many of us to understand this sudden  change to our daily routines, interactions, and relationships. 

Our school community has proven its resilience, capabilities, and compassion throughout the last  four weeks. My hope for our students, families, and staff is that we will continue - upon the  conclusion of this pandemic - with a renewed appreciation for the everyday routines of our lives,  a desire to renew our relationships when it is possible, and resilience in the face of adversity so  that we emerge as a community even stronger. 

On-going planning for the possibility of not returning to our physical school as well as creative  ways to bring closure to this unusual school year has been underway. Today, I would like to  communicate the following about the close of the school year. 

Remote Learning & Calendar Adjustments 

School is still in session. We will continue with our Remote Learning Plan through the end of  the year. Our school calendar had the last day of student attendance scheduled for May 13, 2020,  because of our construction project. Given the need to review our curriculum, identify gaps, plan  to remediate the gaps, and prepare for when school resumes in August, St. George School staff  needs significant time to accomplish these tasks. Therefore, student engagement will conclude  on May 8, 2020. 

The following updates/changes to our calendar are effective now: 

  • April 22 will remain a Remote Planning Day - No student work will be posted.
  • May 1 will now be a Student Engagement Day. 
  • May 8 is now the last day of student engagement. 
  • May 11, 12, 13 are Remote Planning Days. 
  • May 14 is Teacher Institute. 

A revised calendar is attached reflecting these changes.

Please help us keep your students engaged. Students will continue to need support, even those  students who seem completely independent and tech-savvy. Several ways to help your student  include: 

  • Establishing routines and expectations 
  • Choosing a good place for learning, 
  • Checking in with your student 
  • Asking questions such as, what assignments are they working on or do they need  help. 
  • Reaching out to the classroom teacher when additional assistance is needed. 

I want to assure you, our entire staff remains committed to learning and engaging with all students  through remote learning. 

Food Distribution 

Sack breakfasts and lunches will continue through at least May 6. We are examining the possibility  of continuing distribution for an additional week to two weeks beyond this date. Our food service  staff has provided over 500 delicious, nutritional breakfasts and lunches weekly. Their dedication  to meeting the nutritional needs of students is appreciated. 

Virtual Field Day 

Mr. Grala and Ms. Langenhorst are developing fun activities for students to do while at home to  participate in the St. George School Virtual Field Day. Look for information in your student’s on line platform the week of May 4. 

Band and Athletic Awards 

Virtual ceremonies are being planned for Band and Athletic Awards. The platform for distribution  of this ceremony is being discussed. More information will be communicated soon. 

Graduation 

Graduation information will be communicated to graduates and parents next week. Personalized  graduation yard signs have been ordered for each graduate and will be delivered by St. George  School Staff. 

Student Personal Items/Return of Textbooks/Computers 

Procedures for pick-up and drop-off of materials will be distributed on May 4. A system has been  developed for students to retrieve their belongings curbside and to return District books and  Chromebooks beginning the week of May 11. 

Virtual Send-off 

Please look for a virtual send-off to kick off summer for students by St. George Teachers and  Staff.

This has not been a traditional fourth quarter for students, parents or staff. It has been an  unexpected and unwelcome change for everyone. It has taken patience and understanding to  work through this situation together. We look forward to next year and with it, the opportunity to  see everyone again in some refreshed learning spaces. Thank you for working together with us  to support your student. 

Sincerely, 

Helen Boehrnsen 
Superintendent

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