Dear District 99 Community:
As we begin our spring break 2020, it is not what any of us anticipated. Everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you all for your support, flexibility and patience as we all navigate this crisis together.
We received guidance from the Governor and the Illinois State Board of Education late in the evening yesterday. At this point, we are still reviewing this guidance, which includes what the requirements (i.e., grading, attendance, schedule, and other expectations) are for remote learning. Although our buildings are closed, our educators will continue to keep learning and student achievement moving forward after spring break. Please watch for additional information next week.
Although we need to review and interpret this new information, we want to provide as much information about what we know at this point:
- Sharing our Schedule: District 99 will observe spring break next week, Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3. We are tentatively planning to return to school on Wednesday, April 8, which is when the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation is set to expire; however, we will be monitoring the situation and this date may change.
- Planning for Standardized Testing: The SAT/PSAT planned for April 14, 2020 has been canceled. For many students, this SAT was the only free opportunity to take a college entrance exam. Plans are underway to reschedule this exam for current juniors to take the SAT in the fall. As soon as we hear what the final plans are, we will share them with you. We have notified students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes what the plans are for testing. We will follow up in the coming weeks with additional information.
- Continuing Meals for those in Need: After spring break, District 99 will continue to provide food for those in need. We will follow up next week with the future schedule and procedures. Please check your email for pick-up and sign-up procedures.
- Staying Healthy: During these stressful times, it’s helpful to separate fact from fiction; see new information from the Federal Emergency Management Association and information from the Centers for Disease Control. In addition to your physical health, please take care of your mental health as well; please see our resources.
- Staying Connected: District 99 continues to come together online. Find links to our social media channels, and see what’s happening on Twitter.
Please know that as we move forward, we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for learning and meeting the nutritional requirements of all of our students wo require meal assistance. We will continue to update our page at www.csd99.org/updates with all messages we issue and other important information. In the meantime, please follow the guidelines to keep you and your family healthy and safe.
We know that you likely have many questions and that many unknowns remain. What we do know, however, is that we will continue to stay positive and support one another through this difficult time in our world’s history.
Thank you,
Dr. Hank Thiele
District 99 Superintedent