November 2020 Family Newsletter

November 23, 2020

Topic: Updates

The following message was sent to all CCSD21 families through ParentSquare, the district’s notification tool. Parents that did not receive this message should contact their school’s main office to ensure their contact information is up to date.

November 23, 2020

Dear CCSD21 families,

As we move into the next phase of this school year, we appreciate your continued understanding and support as we protect our students and their families, and our staff members and their families. Our districtwide Adaptive Pause is in effect through Monday, January 18, at the earliest. It is our hope that in-person students can return to school in person on Tuesday, January 19. In the meantime, all CCSD21 students will engage in learning virtually – at a distance – on school days during the Pause.

During the Adaptive Pause, students will not need to certify their health and families will not receive the daily 4 AM certification email from CrisisGo. Though students will not be reporting to school in person nor certifying their health, please continue to report your family’s COVID-positive cases and/or if your child is a close contact to a COVID-positive individual to your child’s school. Maintaining this information during the Pause is critical so CCSD21 has a clear picture of local metrics, alongside state and regional data, as we determine the end date of our Adaptive Pause.

We wish you and your family a relaxing and rejuvenating Thanksgiving break.

 

Food service during Adaptive Pause

Breakfast and lunch meals will continue to be served daily on weekdays when school is in session during CCSD21’s Adaptive Pause. Meals are free for all children age 18 and younger, regardless of the school the child attends or the family’s ability to pay. The student does not need to be present to pick up a meal/meals, and an ID number does not need to be provided.

Beginning Monday, November 30, meals will be served from 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM at 23 community locations, including all CCSD21 schools. Click here to view the complete list of locations.

Please note: Meals will NOT be served November 23-27, December 11, or December 21-January 4.

 

Resources to support CCSD21 families

The pandemic has posed – and continues to pose – many strains on families in our community. Various resources are available to support families during this time:

District 214 meals
The District 214 Food and Nutrition Services Department offers meal bags, free of charge, to all children age 18 and under. Meal bags consist of seven complete breakfasts and seven complete lunches containing proteins, whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and milk. Drive thru pick up takes place at each District 214 high school on Wednesdays, from 3:30 – 5:30 PM. Click here for more information.

*Note: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, pick up this week is on Tuesday, November 24, NOT Wednesday, November 25.

Food pantry
Families can access the Wheeling Township Food Pantry once a month. Contact 847-259-7730 or [email protected] for pre-registration information and to make an appointment.

Internet access
Comcast and AT&T offer low-cost high speed Internet access to families who are eligible for free- or reduced-price breakfast/lunch meals.

Though all students may receive free meals this school year, the application for free- or reduced-price meals is still available and can be completed here.

In addition, families that do not have home Internet access, may be eligible for a free mobile hotspot. Please contact Ami Kawanaga in the CCSD21 Information Services Department at 847-520-2740 or [email protected] for more information.

ComEd assistance
ComEd is offering payment assistance, grants, fee waivers, and payment plans to eligible customers. For more information, visit comed.com/support or call 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661), Monday through Friday, from 7 AM – 7 PM.

Utility assistance (electric, gas bill)
LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a statewide program that provides a one-time benefit to support families with the cost of utilities. More information is available here.

This is a brief listing of resources available to families in our community. Please contact your school’s social worker for additional avenues for support.

 

Adaptive Pause calendar: November – January

With the districtwide Adaptive Pause in effect, all CCSD21 students will engage in virtual learning on school days during the Pause.

Monday, Nov. 23 to Friday, Nov. 27

  • No school: Parent-teacher conferences and Thanksgiving break.

Monday, Nov. 30 to Thursday, Dec. 10

  • Adaptive Pause: All students engage in virtual learning.

Friday, Dec. 11

  • School Improvement Day: All K-8 students engage in virtual learning in the AM only. No school for pre-K.

Monday, Dec. 14 to Friday, Dec. 18

  • Adaptive Pause: All students engage in virtual learning.

Monday, Dec. 21 to Friday, Jan. 1, 2021

  • No school: Winter Break

Monday, Jan. 4

  • No school: Institute Day

Tuesday, Jan. 5 to Friday, Jan. 15

  • Adaptive Pause: All students engage in virtual learning.

Monday, Jan. 18

  • No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The first possible day for in-person students to return to in-person learning is Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

 

“Building Resilience During a Pandemic” recording available

Last week, Dr. Doug Bolton met virtually with CCSD21 families to to share his presentation, “Building Resilience During a Pandemic.” If you missed the presentation, or would like to refer back to it, you can view the recording on CCSD21’s YouTube channel.

Be sure to also visit the CCSD21 Parent/Family Support site for resources to support your learning from home and the social and emotional growth of children.

 

ParentSquare sign-up and app reminder

Teachers, principals, and District 21 communicate with families through ParentSquare, a mass notification tool. Parents do NOT need to create an account in order to continue receiving class, school, and district communication.

However, parents who do activate their account have access to more tools and functionality. To activate your account, go to parentsquare.com/signin. Enter your email address or cell phone number that’s on file with CCSD21 on the right side, under “Sign Up.”

For more information: