Update Center

Dear District 99 Students and Families:

We are looking forward to starting the Modified Hybrid Schedule - Week One - tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20 and welcoming students who elected to start in-person learning. Please refer to our 2020-21 Updates Page for more information about the schedule. 

Please also refer to your principal’s update from Friday for details: Click here for the DGN message and click here to read the DGS message. (You can look up which schedule your student will follow on Home Access Center; see instructions here.)

Please also note that today the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) released current metrics on community transmission of COVID-19 and the County has moved into the Substantial Level based on the number of cases per 100,000. We will continue to closely monitor the metrics and consult with the DuPage County Health Department to determine how long we can safely continue in-person learning. In keeping with current guidance, if we see trending data that is not improving in the “Substantial Community Transmission” (red) levels, we may move back to a fully remote learning environment. Also factored into the decision are our district metrics. We update these each week and they can be found under “Resources” on our 20-21 Update Page. We have also added three weeks of historical data to this page and will continue to update this throughout the year. 

For this week we will continue forward with the Modified Hybrid Plan, as our discussions with the DuPage County Health Department have indicated it is safe to do so under our current schedule and safety precautions.

NOTE: the District will continue to review a number of criteria before a decision is made to switch models, including: the current metrics from the DCHD on a county and local level by zip code, actual cases in the district, staffing and the impact on the educational process.

Based on our conversations with the DCHD, we feel our current Modified Hybrid Plan remains safe for students and staff to return to in-person learning and we will move forward with in-person learning this week.  The DCHD made it clear to all districts on Friday that the mitigation efforts currently being implemented in schools have been effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the school setting. However, a continued downward trend of the community metrics or an increase in school related cases could lead us to change course after next week.

District 99 believes it is safe to be in school because of the health and safety measures that must be followed. All students and staff must wear masks, maintain social distancing, and frequently wash and/or sanitize their hands. These preventive measures are effective and are closely adhered to in District 99. In many ways, schools are more stringent than most other places (public and private).

The DuPage County Health Department has also reminded the community in this press release that we are reliant on everyone to slow the spread of COVID-19 to allow our students to fully return to school. Please continue to wear a mask, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and frequently wash/and or sanitize your hands to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Thank you,

District 99

District 99 students, families and staff,

We encourage you to review the information provided below regarding three important district notices:

Notice of Nondiscrimination and Expectation of a Safe Environment

The Office of Civil Rights requires we provide you our Notice of Nondiscrimination. In addition, District 99 is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and visitors. 

Read the full statement including board policies here.

If you have questions, please contact Associate Superintendent for Student Learning and Nondiscrimination/Title IX Coordinator Gina Ziccardi at 630-795-7112 or gziccardi@csd99.org.

2020-21 Budget Approval

On September 21, the District 99 Board of Education approved the district's 2020-21 budget, which includes the issuance of $10.3 million in working cash bonds. The five year projection was also presented. Even with the economic downturn due to the pandemic the projection shows the district is fiscally secure in the long term due to the working cash bonds and expiring TIFs.  

McKinney-Vento Act

The Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education have asked us to share information about the McKinney-Vento Act. The fact sheets provide information on eligibility and the rights of families and students that are homeless.  

 McKinney-Vento Act Fact Sheet - English
McKinney-Vento Act Fact Sheet - Spanish

District 99 has various supports available for those families that qualify for McKinney-Vento. If you have questions or need support, please contact Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Scott Wuggazer at 630-795-7113 or swuggazer@csd99.org.

Thank you!

District 99 

Greetings,

I am looking forward to next week with a level of excitement that I haven’t felt in months.  After meeting some of the freshmen in person last week, and then seeing the seniors on the SAT testing day this week, the level of anticipation of seeing our in-person learners continues to grow.  Please read the information in this email (and the corresponding links) carefully. 

We have established strict guidelines for participating in in-person learning.  We have done so to do our part in keeping all members of our community healthy and safe.  It is imperative that everyone reviews, understands, and follows these guidelines at all times.  The opportunity to continue to attend school in person is also dependent on the health metrics of our larger community.  Students are encouraged to take the recommended precautions even when they are not in school...so that we can continue to return to school.

Next week, the week of October 19th, we will follow week one of the Modified Hybrid Schedule (group A and group B schedules).  During the week of October 26th, we will follow week two of the Modified Hybrid Schedule (group A and group B schedules).  All schedules and information can be found on the “Guide for 2020-21” page. 

Arrival to and leaving from school

• Whether taking the bus to school or arriving on your own, please be wearing the appropriate PPE and have your self-certification slip ready.
• The new Dunham street drop off is now open. Cars using that drop off location should enter the drive on the north end to drop students off. Exiting cars must turn right onto Dunham and proceed Southbound. Students can also be dropped off near the West Events Entrance.
• Students need to have a parking pass to park on campus or in the Z-lot along Springside. 
• Students should not arrive prior to 7:30 a.m. during Modified Hybrid Week One and 11:55 during Modified Hybrid Week Two.
• Only doors 1, 2, 27 (Dunham drop off) and the West Events Entrance are open for students to enter the building.
• Students are not using lockers at this time.

Lunches and Study Hall

• Students who have study halls or certain resource center assignments that replaced, or were typically paired with lunches, may opt out of those study halls and resource assignments if their parents/guardians fill out the appropriate form(s) linked below. 
  • Mustang Corral, Academic Resource Center, Study Hall, Freshman Study Hall, Virtual Learning Resource should complete this form.
  • Marching Band Lunch, 4a Math S/4b Study Hall, 2a Study Hall/2b Math S or 6a Study Hall/6b Math-S classes should complete this form.  Please note, a student may arrive late or leave early for the study hall portion of the Math-S class split only.  Students must attend the ½ period portion of the math class
• Students who have late arrival may only enter via the main entrance.
• Students who do not have their own transportation and/or their parents have not completed the release form should report to the resource room on their schedule during that class period.  Students will be expected to work on school work.
• Students should double check their schedules for the locations of their study halls and resource classes as some of those have recently changed.

Finally, we want to remind everyone that peer tutoring is available for students in a wide variety of content areas.  Students may request an appointment or ask for immediate help.  A calendar of availability and the sign-up form can be found on the peer tutoring website.  Students can also access that site from the student tab on the DGS homepage, the CSSS web page and the Library page.  

Have a great weekend and we look forward to welcoming our in-person learners next week. Thank you!

Mr. Schwartz

North High students and families, 

It was great seeing our seniors in the building for the SAT this week.  Even though it was a testing day, the energy was positive, and our students really enjoyed seeing some of the new spaces in the building.

We are excited to welcome all of our students who selected in-person learning to school next week on the Modified Hybrid Schedule Week One (Group A schedule; Group B schedule).  Students should be sure to check Home Access Center for updates to room numbers for their classes; we had to change some rooms this week to ensure proper social distancing. Our Fully Remote students will follow this schedule.

We know you have received a great deal of information regarding the return to in person learning, but please be sure to review this webpage prior to next week so that we have a safe and effective learning environment. It is important that each person follows all of the rules so that we can maintain the safety of all who are at school.

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the main office at 630-795-8400 or email me at jschwarze@csd99.org.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs. Schwarze

Greetings North High students and families,

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend and that the 9th graders enjoyed being in the building last week.  I was proud to see how respectful they were of each other and their safety.  Every student adhered to the required safety guidelines of wearing PPE and trying to maintain the appropriate social distance. They also did a great job of finding their way around the building.

The Homecoming activities last week also were a big success.  It was great to see students involved in spirit days, the food drive, the scavenger hunt, and our first ever drive-in movie. The Virtual Homecoming Assembly was an excellent celebration of our students; click here to view the assembly. It is definitely worth your time.

Our school was filled with positive energy last week, and I look forward to the weeks of October 19 and October 26 when we bring all of the students who selected the Hybrid Schedule back into the building. This week, however, we continue to be fully remote in order to accommodate SAT testing and Parent-Teacher Conferences.  

Below is a reminder of the schedule for this week:

• Monday, October 12: No Student Attendance (Remote Learning Planning for teachers)
• Tuesday, October 13: Remote Learning for All Students (periods 0-1-3-5-7)
• Wednesday, October 14: SAT test (seniors) & independent class work (underclassmen) 
  • Seniors should refer to this email for details and watch for an email with room assignments today.
  • Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors should use this day to complete independent class work. While most teachers will be busy proctoring the SAT exam, the Virtual Academic Resource Room will be available 8:30 am - 1:00 pm for students who need assistance with classwork. All students have received an email invitation to a Google Classroom that includes links to all Virtual Academic Resource Rooms.
• Thursday, October 15: Remote Learning for All Students (periods 0-2-4-6-8); Parent Teacher Conferences in the evening
• Friday, October 16: No Student Attendance except for TCD students (Parent Teacher Conferences)Friday
  • TCD Students should look for a separate email regarding attendance for this day.

As a reminder, Parents’ Club meets this Wednesday virtually at 7:00 p.m.  Here is the link to the meeting.  Mark Mirandola will share how Student Activities have been reimagined this year, and Allison Bava will explain how the library continues to serve students.  Finally, I will provide some reminders about return to school plans.  I hope to see you there.
 
Later this week be on the lookout for an additional email with important in-person learning reminders, including bus information.

Best wishes for a great week. Stay well!

Janice Schwarze
North High Principal

Greetings South High students and families,

Having the freshmen students in the building this week brought a smile to my face.  The students did a great job of finding their way around and getting acclimated to the physical building.  I was proud to see how respectful they were of each other and their safety.  Every student adhered to the required safety guidelines of wearing PPE and trying to maintain the appropriate social distance.  What a great start to making the Mustang Way part of their daily lives.  While clearly different...there was a hint of normalcy this week. 

I want this email to serve as a reminder of the schedule for next week.  The week is set up as follows:

• Monday, October 12: No Student Attendance (Remote Learning Planning for teachers)
• Tuesday, October 13: Remote Learning for All Students (periods 0-1-3-5-7)
• Wednesday, October 14: SAT test (seniors) & independent class work (underclassmen) -details below
• Thursday, October 15: Remote Learning for All Students (periods 0-2-4-6-8)
• Friday, October 16: No Student Attendance (parent teacher conferences)

Seniors: you will receive an email on Monday with your room assignment for testing.  Details on process, procedures, and timing will be included in the email.

Underclassmen: on Wednesday you will have an opportunity to work on your regular class assignments.  To support you, we have created help sessions in most subject areas.  These virtual resource rooms will be open on Wednesday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and will be staffed with teachers from those curricular areas.  Follow the links at the end of the email to use these resource rooms.

Parent Teacher Conferences: you should have received an email earlier today reminding you that the sign up period for parent teacher conferences was closing. Virtual Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 15 from 5-8:30 pm and on Friday, October 16 from 8-11 am.  If you were unable to schedule a conference, please reach out to the specific teacher if you would like to dialogue about your student.

Have a great weekend, and stay well,

Ed Schwartz
Principal

English:
Meeting ID: 846 7753 8602
Passcode: 398114

PE/Health/DRED
Meeting ID: 852 3836 1317
Passcode: 635461

World Languages
Meeting ID: 837 2151 9910
Passcode: 966021

Music
Meeting ID: 841 5759 2640
Passcode: 758707

Math
Meeting ID: 837 5032 9567
Passcode: 093316

Social Studies
Meeting ID: 836 5271 4899
Passcode: 999433

Career & Technical Education
Meeting ID: 853 4278 4271
Passcode: 539181

Science
Meeting ID: 823 5653 8172
Passcode: 362569

Special Services
Passcode: 053690

We are really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at North High. Here is a map of the school if you’d like to locate your classrooms before arriving at school. We will have some students and staff members in the hallways ready to help you find your way.  All of our returning students and staff also will need help finding their way with all of the changes we made this summer, so you won’t be alone! I think you’ll be very impressed with our building.

For those of you who are eligible for bussing, here are some reminders:

• You must wear a face mask, a face shield, and your student ID on the bus.
• You need to show the bus supervisor your signed self certification slip to get on the bus. If you don’t have it, the bus supervisor will take your forehead temperature using a no-touch thermometer.  If your temperature is above 100.4, they will not let you board the bus and will send you back home. 
• Here are the bus routes - please arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time. The FirstView bus app is currently not operational.  If/When it becomes operational we will notify you with directions to set up your account.
• Please remember your bus number - you’ll need this to find your bus after school in the West parking lot. 

Finally, as a reminder, Mrs. Schwarze will host a webinar for freshmen and parents at 7:15 p.m. tonight. Click here for the link to the webinar; the passcode is 276427. She will review the schedule and general expectations for the week and answer any questions you might have. If you would like to submit a question ahead of time, please use this form. 

Have a great week!

Greetings South High Freshmen and Families,

I hope you had a nice weekend.

We are looking forward to welcoming students back in person this week! Freshmen who chose to attend school in person using the hybrid schedule should plan to follow Week One of the Modified Hybrid schedule next week:  

• Group A will attend in person on Tuesday and Wednesday morning 
• Group B will attend on Thursday and Friday morning  
• Students who selected Fully Remote should join class remotely as they usually do.

Students must wear their student ID at all times using the lanyard provided. Students without an ID can get one printed in the Bookstore, located within the cafeteria, during non-class time. 

Students need to bring the needed materials, including a mask, face shield, self-certification slip, fully charged Chromebook, earbuds, books, notebooks, calculator, writing utensils, etc. It is also recommended that students bring a personal water bottle; our bottle fillers are working and can be used. Additionally, because we are circulating in extra outside air into the classrooms, students may want to bring a light jacket or sweater.

*** As a reminder, I will be hosting a webinar for freshmen and their parents to ask questions. I will be available at 7:15 p.m. tonight.*** 

So that I can use the time most efficiently, I encourage you to submit your questions in advance by filling out this form.  

To join the webinar, click this link.  If you are asked for a passcode, use 709529. You will be muted during the webinar, but you will be able to submit additional questions in writing during the session.

We are looking forward to welcoming the newest members of the Mustang family!

Stay well,

Ed Schwartz

DGS Principal

Good afternoon DGN families, 

While we are currently fully remote, we want to continue planning for when students return to school on the hybrid model now that we have finalized the schedule.  In order to reduce the number of people in our building at that time, students presently scheduled in a Hybrid Lunch or in a study hall throughout the day are eligible for late arrival and/or early dismissal.

If a student would like to arrive late or leave early, the parent or guardian should please fill out this form, and we will adjust the student’s schedule to reflect the change.  It is important to note that we will not be able to provide bus transportation at that time, so students must be able to secure a way to school.  

For safety and supervision purposes, students may not choose late arrival and spend that time on school grounds.  If a student must arrive before 8:55 a.m., they need to remain enrolled in their study hall.  Having early dismissal or late arrival to school does not automatically guarantee that students will have parking in the student lot.

Dear parent or guardian, 

If you have opted for fully remote learning, please pardon the interruption and disregard this email.  If your student will be attending hybrid learning, please continue reading.  

When looking at your student’s schedule, you currently see the periods of the day when he/she does not attend an academic class.  You will primarily see those noted at Virtual Learning Resource, Study Hall, Mustang Corral, Academic Resource Center and Freshman Study Hall.  Due to the current health concerns around COVID 19, we are providing an option for students to either arrive late to school or leave school early when they have one of these sections that falls at the start or end of a hybrid school day.  Your student may have more than one class period option for leaving early or arriving late.  An example might be a student with a 3rd period freshman study hall and 6th period lunch(virtual learning resource). 

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please return the Google form linked here and we will adjust your student’s schedule to reflect the change.  We have sent this communication to all listed guardians but would ask that you only fill out one form.  You should elect all periods that apply relative to your student’s schedule for the first semester. We are not able to make changes to a student’s schedule specifically for the purpose of placing him/her in a specific study hall or lunch, as there is not room in the schedule to make such changes.  

Students with a late arrival should not arrive at the building more than 10 minutes before the start of their first class.  For example, a student with a 2nd period study hall should not arrive at school before 9:25.  Likewise, students with an early dismissal must depart promptly after their last class ends.  It is important to note that we will not be able to provide bus transportation at those times so students must be able to secure a way to or from school.  For safety and supervision purposes, students may not choose late arrival or early dismissal and spend that time on school grounds.  If they need to be on school grounds, they must remain enrolled in their study hall or virtual learning resource.    

Please note, having early dismissal or late arrival to school does not guarantee that students will have parking in the student lot.  Parking tags have already been issued to students who are able to park on campus or in the Z lot.   

Good morning,

As Dr. Thiele mentioned in his email on Wednesday, we are excited to welcome our 9th graders who have selected “In-person” learning to school the week of October 5 on our Modified Hybrid Schedule Week One. Group A students will report on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and Group B students will report on Thursday and Friday morning. Students who selected Fully Remote should join class remotely as they usually do.

I know that our 9th grade students might be apprehensive about finding their way around the school. Please know that we will have students and staff posted in hallways to help students find their classrooms. Our 15-minute passing period will allow students time to find their route and ask for help if needed! 

Students and families should review this important information before coming to school next week. Students should pay close attention to the self-certification slips, the PPE that is required, and what materials to bring to school. Students who have their IDs should wear them on a lanyard. There will be an ID picture station at both the Main Street Entrance and in the cafeteria  for those students who do not have an ID. Students may stop there on the way into or out of the building or during a lunch or study hall.

Students should arrive at school after 7:30 a.m. Here is a link to the bus routes. Students who are walking or are being dropped off should enter at the Main Street entrance or at the Forest Street entrance only.

Since there are likely many questions as we start with in-person learning, I will host a webinar for 9th grade families on Monday, October 5 at 7:15 p.m. Click here for the link to the webinar; the passcode is 276427. I will review the schedule and general expectations for the week and answer any questions you might have. If you would like to submit a question ahead of time, please use this form. 

If you have any questions, please call the main office at 630-8795-8400 or email me at jschwarze@csd99.org.

We look forward to welcoming our 9th graders to the building next week, and I hope you will consider joining the webinar Monday night!

Janice Schwarze

DGN Principal

Greetings South High Freshmen and families,

Following up on the district email sent to you on Wednesday, I wanted to provide details about next week:

• Freshmen who chose to attend school in person using the hybrid schedule should plan to follow Week One of the Modified Hybrid schedule next week.  Group A will attend in person on Tuesday and Wednesday morning and Group B will attend on Thursday and Friday morning.  Students who selected Fully Remote should join class remotely as they usually do.
• Please click here to see a map of the school showing the classrooms so that the students can think about their paths. Please know that we will have people in hallways to help students find their classrooms. Our 15 minute passing period will allow students time to find their route, consider where their other classes are located, and ask for help if needed! 
• Students must wear their student ID at all times using the lanyard provided. Students without an ID can get one printed in the Bookstore, located within the cafeteria, during non-class time. Students need to bring the needed materials, including a mask, face shield, self-certification slip, fully charged Chromebook, earbuds, books, notebooks, calculator, writing utensils, etc. It is also recommended that students bring a personal water bottle; our bottle fillers are working and can be used. Additionally, because we are circulating in extra outside air into the classrooms, students may want to bring a light jacket or sweater.
• Bus Riders should be at their pickup stop 5 minutes prior to the time listed on the bus route guide with their mask and face shield, which is to be worn at all times while on the bus. The bus supervisor will collect the self-certification slips and help to seat the students in a socially distanced manner. Students arriving to school on the bus will enter door 1.
• Students walking to school or being dropped off should arrive after 7:30 am and will enter either door 1, door 2 (main entrance), or door 27. Door 27 is the door closest to the new drop-off circle off of Dunham Road. Cars using that drop off location should enter the drive on the north end to drop students off. Exiting cars must turn right onto Dunham and proceed Southbound.  Students must be wearing masks and have their face shields, which they will wear while in the hallways. Students will present their self-certification slip to security before entering the building and then will proceed directly to their first class of the day; students will not be able to stop at their lockers, congregate in the halls, or use the restroom (teachers will send students from class to the restroom as needed). All of these expectations are put in place to limit contact between students in the building for everyone's health and safety. NOTE: The bus lot cannot be used for after school pick-up. Parents may want to consider the large lot on the west end of the building and the students can walk to you.
• Students with their own transportation are allowed to arrive late/leave early when they have a lunch and/or study hall period at the start or end of in-person learning. Families must complete the form that was included in the previous email. Otherwise, students are scheduled into a supervised space at school where they can work quietly on their school work.

Any student displaying COVID-like symptoms at school will be sent to the nurse’s office for evaluation. Any student with confirmed COVID symptoms will be sent home and cannot return until approved by the school nurse.

The week of October 12 has an adjusted schedule to accommodate state testing for seniors and parent teacher conferences.  The day by day schedule is as follows:

• Monday - Remote Learning Planning Day - NO Student Attendance
• Tuesday - periods 0-1-3-5-7 all students remotely
• Wednesday - SAT test for seniors (Other students work on assignments)
• Thursday - periods 0-2-4-6-8 all students remotely

Parent Teacher Conferences - NO Student Attendance

During the week of October 19, all students will begin following the Modified Hybrid Schedule, beginning with Week One. As a reminder, the “Guide for 2020-21” webpage contains all of the communication that has been sent home, including the schedule for the remainder of the semester.  I recommend that you bookmark that site for ease of returning as a point of reference.

I know that this has been a challenging start to the freshman year. To help to make sure that everyone is as comfortable as possible, I will be hosting a webinar for freshmen and their parents to ask questions. I will be available from 7:15-8:15 pm on Monday, October 5, 2020. So that I can use the time most efficiently, I encourage you to submit your questions in advance by filling out this form.  To join the webinar, click this link.  If you are asked for a passcode, use 709529. You will be muted during the webinar, but you will be able to submit additional questions in writing during the session.

We are looking forward to welcoming the newest members of the Mustang family!

Stay well,

Ed Schwartz