FAMILY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2023
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear CCSD21 Families and Community Members,
School is officially back in session, and we’re thrilled to see so many familiar and new faces back in our halls. As we settle into this new school year, I wanted to take some time to let you know about a few initiatives we have planned for the coming months.
This includes four ribbon-cutting ceremonies for our new library and media centers at London Middle School and Field, Frost and Kilmer Elementary Schools; a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Field’s new playground; a minor update on our district-wide transportation committee; and a preview of Safety Week, which we’ll implement this month!
I also wanted to take this moment to welcome our three new school resource officers: Michael Essig of the Buffalo Grove Police Department, who will be working our Cooper attendance area; and Devin Ladesic and Lukasz Czapla of the Wheeling Police Department, who will be working our Holmes and London attendance areas, respectively. If you see them around, take a moment to get to know them and welcome them to the community!
I hope you have a wonderful September, and we’ll see you next month!
Respectfully,
Dr. Michael Connolly Superintendent of Schools
Watch the full video message here:
SEPTEMBER 2023 Message
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER…
● Thursday, Sept. 14 – Field Playground Ribbon-Cutting, 5:30 p.m.
● Thursday, Sept. 14 – Field LMC Ribbon-Cutting, 6 p.m.
● Thursday, Sept. 21 – London LMC Ribbon-Cutting, 6 p.m.
● Thursday, Sept. 21 – Board of Education Meeting @ CSCAO, 7 p.m.
● Friday, Sept. 22 – School Improvement Day, AM Classes Only (No Pre-K)
● Monday, Sept. 25 – No School, Yom Kippur (Non-Attendance Day)
BUSINESS OFFICE UPDATES
Please join us to celebrate the completion of several new library and media centers (LMCs). Each ribbon-cutting will begin at 6 p.m. Please watch your email for further details:
● Thursday, Sept 14 – Field Elementary School
● Thursday, Sept 21 – London Middle School
● Wednesday, Oct. 4 – Kilmer Elementary School
Micheal DeBartolo Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations/CSBO micheal debartolo@ccsd21 org Tel. 847-520-2707
● Thursday, Oct. 12 – Frost Elementary School
The new school year brought several reconfigurations to the parking lots at Field, Frost, Tarkington and Whitman Elementary Schools in an effort to improve student arrivals and dismissals Please adhere to the following links for each school’s new traffic configuration:
● Field Elementary School
● Frost Elementary School
● Tarkington Elementary School
● Whitman Elementary School
The tentative budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 is now available. CCSD21 will hold a public hearing on the budget during the board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Community Service Center and Administrative Office, 959 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATES
● We need your opinion! As we continue to enhance the CCSD21 communications – specifically the family newsletters - we would like your feedback to help us provide the type of information you want to read as well as its frequency. Please take the following survey by Sept. 30. Thank you!
C ng Director of Communications cassandra.young@ccsd21.org
Tel 847-520-2728
Our newsletters are full of timely information for you and your family Reading it keeps you up-to-date and also deepens your connection to the district Do you know someone who would like to receive our communication? Send them here
Sparking interests
Contributed by Sofia Horwitz, communications intern and BGHS senior
Throughout elementary and middle school, teachers and parents start to plant the seeds for students to start looking into career paths. It can seem overwhelming at first, especially at such a young age choosing a job that you want to pursue for the rest of your life. College or even considering a long term job feels far away but the time can creep up on you if you don't give it some thought.
Pay attention to your favorite hobbies, pastimes, subjects, or topics that draw you in. Even the smallest activity can blossom into a career
When I was in fourth grade, I had a passion for writing. We would get prompts and write short stories all the time. I was in love with learning new descriptive words that I could infuse into my next story. I held onto that passion throughout middle school as I took graphic design and art classes. Then when freshman year came around and I was deciding my schedule, I saw Intro to Multimedia. It was a mix of all of my interests: writing, design, videography, photography, etc. Once I started it I fell in love and knew I was going to continue in this realm for my career
I'm very fortunate to have found something I love so young. I continued advancing through the multimedia courses until I was given the opportunity of this apprenticeship. Now I'm currently a communications intern at CCSD21 and I couldn't be happier I get to have hands-on job experience in many different forms of communications while also being surrounded by amazing people. I followed that one small spark of interest that has now led me to exactly where I want to be. So to any students reading this, follow that inkling of passion no matter how big or small because you never know what you can find or what opportunities you could discover
EQUITY & LEARNING UPDATES
Beatrice Reyes Childress Assistant Superintendent for Equity & Learning
beatrice childress@ccsd21 org Tel 847-520-2743
Based on feedback from both parents and students, we are introducing new clubs that bring the science and engineering lens to forefront. CCSD21 will be introducing a slate of additional clubs for both elementary and middle schools. Training is beginning now for staff to support each of the new clubs. More information will be shared in the coming months from principals about when each of these new clubs will be starting.
Elementary Clubs
● STEM
● Engineering
● Robotics Middle School Clubs
● Engineering
● Robotics
● MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency assessments have begun – more information here
Panorama SEL Surveys
Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program and overall experience for everyone.
In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for feedback from students in grades 3- 8 via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes to complete.
We are asking that all students in grades 3 - 8 participate in the surveys, as their feedback will provide invaluable insights into their experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to their needs The survey content will ask students to self-reflect on:
Emotion Regulation - How well students regulate their emotions
Self Management - How well students manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations
Social Awareness - How well students consider the perspectives of others and empathize with them
Supportive Relationships - How supported students feel through their relationships with friends, family, and adults at school
If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s principal
EQUITY & LEARNING UPDATES (CONT.)
Raising readers at home, what can parents do? Join Us at the Indian Trails Library! Just by reading 20 minutes at home every day, students develop reading habits, increase their vocabulary, and can raise reading achievement Learning to read takes practice Loving to read takes enthusiasm. Read with your child often and create a space and time to read at home.
1 Read together every day You can read the morning news at breakfast, share a story after supper, or cuddle up for a book at bedtime A daily reading routine is something everyone can look forward to
2 Talk and build vocabulary Interesting conversations build vocabulary, language skills, and knowledge about the world. Talk is a child’s best source of exposure to new words and ideas.
3. Model reading. Kids want to do what the grownups do. Make sure your kids get to see you reading and hear you talk about it
4 Point out print Read and talk about the words you see in the world around you There’s lots to read signs, recipes, cereal boxes, instruction manuals, bus schedules, news, maps, and menus
5. Visit the library. Take advantage of all the books, materials, story times, programs, and resources your local library has to offer
6 Create a reading-rich home Find books at the bookstore or yard sales Provide a special shelf or basket for kids to keep their own books and one for library books. Make sure there are quiet, comfortable places to read
7 Encourage your child’s reading Praise the efforts of a soon-to-be or beginning reader Make sure schedules of older readers include time for reading for pleasure
8 Start reading traditions Beyond bedtime stories, consider a special birthday book, holiday favorites, or a regular family read aloud night.
9. Let kids choose books. Offer titles that explore your child’s interests, expand horizons, and offer exposure to different kinds of writing Show them there are books where they can see themselves and books where they can see the worlds of others.
10 Make everyone comfortable Find a spot to read together where you are both comfortable Sometimes kids have to move around to be comfortable
11. Be an active reader. Use expressive voices for characters, make sound effects, and point things out in the text and illustrations when you read aloud
12 Discuss what you read Give your child enough time to absorb the story and look at the pictures as you read. Think aloud about what you are reading and looking at and encourage your child to do the same
13 Ask questions when you read Ask your child to guess what comes next Ask open-ended questions that help them relate to characters or events in the book Let your child get involved and ask questions too–interruptions are okay!
14. Encourage re-reading. Repetition helps kids learn. Re-reading favorite books and poems helps kids make meaningful connections between themselves and books
EQUITY & LEARNING UPDATES (CONT.)
Language Services
Did You Know As a district, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! During this month many countries around the world celebrate their day of independence. Many people in our community acknowledge their native country’s independence by displaying a flag, participating in festivals or parades. Some of the celebrations taking place during the month of September include Labor Day, Patriot Day, Constitution Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Mawlid - If you’d like to learn more, click on the links! If there is a celebration that we missed, don’t hesitate to reach out and share it with our Language Services Department.
HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATES
Becoming a Substitute in District 21: We had some wonderful new sub candidates that applied to work with us this past spring and throughout the summer Many of these subs are from our community! We’re excited for these additions to our sub group but we’re not done yet. We are continuing to hire subs each month. Please let your neighbors and friends know that we are still hiring throughout the school year
Robert Gurney Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
robert gurney@ccsd21 org
Tel 847-520-2724
Whether you want to help us out one day a week or every single day, the choice is yours.
Below is the link for people to apply:
● Sub Application
We still have openings in our sub pool for the following positions:
● Secretary - $100/day
● Health Assistant - $100/day
● Teaching Assistant - $125/day
● Teacher - $137/day
● Long term teacher (more than 10 days in the same classroom) - $220/day
In addition, any subs who work 100 days this year will receive a $1,000 bonus at the end of the year.
Here is information from the Illinois State Board of Education about becoming a teaching assistant or teacher sub:
● How to Apply for a Short-term Substitute LicenseVideo
● How to Apply for a Short-term Substitute
LicensePresentation
INFORMATION SERVICES UPDATES
Student Chromebook Reminders and Updates
Mike Frantini Chief Technology Officer mike frantini@ccsd21 org Tel 847-520-2732
As a reminder to parents, all new students and students entering grades K, 3, and 6 will receive a new Chromebook device within the coming weeks by Sept 7, if they have not already Students returning in grades 3 and 6 will return their existing Chromebook that they have had over the summer, and receive a new device in a swap process led by each school The new Chromebook selected by CCSD21 this year is the Dell 3110 2-in-1 Chromebook This device will provide a rugged and durable design, while providing increased performance from the device being returned.
Parents of students receiving a new device, will receive a copy of the Student Device Procedure Form and Receipt from your child’s school upon issuance, and we ask that you please review, sign, and return at your earliest convenience. Copies of these forms can be found in the links below.
Finally, all students with a Chromebook device will be presented the CCSD21 Student Care Presentation by their teacher. This presentation will provide an overview of their device and applications, and teach them how to care for and be safe on their device
As your child gets settled into the new school year with their device, please be reminded that Chromebooks need to be charged each and every night, and the devices should always stay in their protective cases It is critical that devices come to school each day fully charged, so that students are ready for a full day of learning ahead
For more information about the CCSD21 1:1 Chromebook program, and to view documents and information such as our 1:1 Parent/Student Handbook, Student Care Presentation, and much more please visit this website
SUPPORT SERVICES & SCHOOL SAFETY UPDATES
Kim Cline Assistant Superintendent for Support Svcs & School Safety kim clilne@ccsd21 org
Tel 847-520-2717
Information for families regarding COVID-19
The Illinois Department of Public Health has provided guidance for schools regarding positive tests for COVID-19 for the 2023-24 school year. It is recommending that people stay home from school for at least five days if they test positive for COVID. The first day will be when symptoms initially appear. The department further recommends that people wear a mask for days 6-10 when they return to school. We are encouraging everyone to follow the IDPH guidance.
At this time, you do not need to report that your student has tested positive for COVID to the school health office Any days a student is out for COVID will be considered sick days Your student’s teacher will provide work to your student upon request as they would for any day your student is out sick Remote instruction is not available
SUPPORT SERVICES & SCHOOL SAFETY UPDATES (CONT.)
Meet our new School Resource Officers!
● Michael Essig of the Buffalo Grove Police Department (Cooper Attendance Area)
● Devin Ladesic of the Wheeling Police Department (Holmes Attendance Area)
● Lukasz Czapla of the Wheeling Police Department (London Attendance Area)
A message on school safety from our school resource officers
Every student and staff member deserves to feel safe inside a school building. While our job as school resource officers is to ensure the safety of everyone in a school building, it truly takes a village to complete this mission. CCSD21 will have a fall and spring safety week this year, coordinating drills across the district. The new standard response protocol language is used to indicate which drills happen on which days
September 18 Fire Evacuation
September 19 Secure or Hold
September 20 Lockdown
September 21 Bus Evacuation
During CCSD21 Safety Week, your students will participate in a wide variety of drills, including a Lockdown drill. A lockdown drill will not include simulated violence, actors or audio. These drills will give the students and staff an opportunity to practice their role during a lockdown and have an open discussion within the classroom for behavior expectations. Our role as school resource officers during the drill is to walk through the building with staff members, ensure all classrooms are secured and to see where we can make improvements through debriefs.
Where can families help us?
● Talk to your student about the drill and discuss how they felt
● Discuss the importance of these drills
● How could these skills be applied to outside of school (village festivals, malls or other mass gatherings)
Watch this helpful video with your family for another way to help your kids understand
1 ) Go to YouTube or an internet browser
2 ) Search for “Educational videos for students: “Lockdown at School! Why do bad things happen?””
3 ) There will be a video or link with the image of a pink robot This is a good video to watch with your kids abo
SUPPORT SERVICES & SCHOOL SAFETY UPDATES (CONT.)
OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES IN CCSD21
Occupational and physical therapists are licensed by the State of Illinois. The Physical Therapy Licensure Act (225ILCS 90) requires that therapists work under a physician’s prescription. Per the Occupational Therapy Licensure Act (225 ILCS 75), a prescription is preferred for a student to receive occupational therapy However, at the federal level, a physician’s order is required for both occupational and physical therapy services, for School Medicaid billing purposes.
Based on these laws and recommended practices from the Illinois State Board of Education, the district’s current procedure is to secure a prescription in order to provide occupational and physical therapy for those who qualify If your student has occupational or physical therapy services as part of their IEP, you will receive a letter from the district every year asking for the current prescription.
To resume any services for occupational and/or physical therapy that have been stopped because a child is under the care of a physician due to an injury and/or another physically restrictive reason or is recovering from surgery, a medical release is required. Prescriptions and medical releases can be received at your student’s school or at the district office, via fax to 847-520-2710, from the doctor’s office.
Thank you for your assistance in helping get the prescriptions filled out and for understanding this is an Illinois requirement.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support
World Suicide Prevention Day will be observed on Sept 10 this year, and CCSD21 echoes the World Health Organization’s goal of “creating hope through action ” There are more than 700,000 suicides per year across the globe, according to current estimates, and “creating hope through action” will show people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is always hope and that we care and are ready to support them This year’s observance aims to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and boost awareness among organizations, ore information on the WHO’s campaign here
udent can access this resource by clicking on the ich is located on the taskbar of each student’s they are logged in Once your student clicks on the their Chromebook, they will be redirected to the landing page for students to access the resources and submit a report
Mission: In the absence of a trusted adult, Safe2Help Illinois will offer students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. This program is not intended to suspend, expel or punish students. Rather, the goal is to get students to "Seek Help Before Harm."
Safe2Help Illinois will also develop an educational curriculum aimed at changing the culture in Illinois schools while also providing the resources to help parents and educators reinforce the components of this program
BOARD OF EDUCATION
August 17, 2023 Board Meeting
The livestream video of the April 27 Board of Education meeting can be viewed here
Board Bits from the Aug. 17 meeting
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting of Community Consolidated School District 21, Wheeling, Cook County, IL, will be held on September 21, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the CCSD21 Community Service Center and Administrative Office, 959 W Dundee Rd , Wheeling IL, 60090
COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 21 959 W Dundee Road Wheeling, IL 60090 Tel. (847) 537-8270 www.ccsd21.org
Empowering Every Student, Every Day
FOLLOW
US