Email sent to all DGN students and families on August 5, 2021
Important Back-to-School Info!
Greetings, Downers Grove North Families!
I hope your summer has been relaxing, and I hope you have enjoyed time with family, friends, loved ones, pets, and all of those in your circle! My boys and I have enjoyed the summer with swimming, reading, and baseball, and I am also very much looking forward to them going back to school in a few weeks!
I am also incredibly excited to welcome all of our students and families back to North High for the 2021-2022 school year! We have been working all summer to put the final touches on the master facility project and cannot wait to see your reactions when you get to walk into the new spaces. Students will love having some flexibility in their day and love finding their niche in our new learning environment. We have some fun activities planned for students upon their arrival on the first day and hope to bring the joy back in coming to school.
Return to School Plan
On Monday evening at the Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Thiele outlined our plans for returning to in-person learning. Our goal remains to return to as close to pre-pandemic school as possible. As we begin the school year, everyone (staff included) will be asked to wear masks at all times inside of the building. Masks will only be removed indoors when eating or drinking. Masks do not need to be worn during outdoor classes, provided social distancing can be maintained. Masks must always be worn while on the bus or inside any district vehicles, including Driver Education cars. We also ask that students try to maintain social distance as much as possible, and we will re-establish contact tracing/quarantine as necessary. Click here to read the communications issued so far, including health and safety protocols.
First Day of School - August 13, 2021
Our first day of school schedule has been amended from traditional past first day schedules. This year, because we are working to re-establish personal connections with our students, juniors and seniors will be in attendance from 8 AM to 11:25 AM, and freshmen and sophomores will be in attendance from 11 AM to 3:20 PM. Juniors and seniors will kick off the day with a welcome back assembly (held outside - weather permitting), and spend fifteen minutes in each class. Freshmen and sophomores will also kick off their day with a welcome back assembly, and will also meet in small groups to meet their counselors and deans, and spend some time talking about how to get involved at North High. We have some fun activities planned for all students to help bring back that North High spirit!
Student IDs
Temporary IDs will be given to students and coming up in the next few weeks, we will have an opportunity for all students to take pictures for their permanent ID, which will be distributed later in September. All students will be expected to wear their permanent IDs on a school provided lanyard.
Transportation/Food Service
Please see our website for updated bus schedules, and please check the routes ahead of time. On August 13, there will be no lunch service, but we will have an opportunity for a small snack during students’ lunch periods. Also, be on the lookout for some new and exciting menu changes for our students this year!
Regular Bell Schedule
Beginning Monday, August 16, we will resume our regular eight period day schedule, including Late Start Mondays. Mondays begin at 9:20 AM, and all other days begin at 8 AM. Students’ class schedules will be available in the Home Access Center beginning on Monday, August 9. We encourage your students to look at their schedules prior to entering the building to familiarize themselves with their day.
Lastly, we are so much looking forward to a return to some normalcy! Next week, I’ll begin to share with you some upcoming events that both you and your students should attend. As I begin my second month as Principal at North High School, I am so incredibly humbled and proud to be a part of this community. The Trojan Spirit is so alive in the students and faculty I have met, and I cannot wait to see all of that energy back on August 13!
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
With Trojan Pride,
Courtney DeMent
Principal, North High School
#WeAreDGN