Dear Families and Community Members,
Thank you for making this week of Teacher Appreciation so special for our teachers and staff. In these unusual times, celebrations feel different than ever before. Yet, each of you took time out of your busy schedules to ensure that our teachers felt your love and appreciation. Thank you for making these days special and for filling our hearts with joy. Though remote, your gratitude was felt and served as a bright spot in our days. Thank you!
I am writing today with a few updates for our May and June planning.
- School Year Calendar ~ Our school calendar through the end of this school year has been established. Our May/June calendar is posted on our Remote Learning website. The last day of school for students will be Tuesday, June 9.
- End-of-Year Celebrations ~ Our teachers and administrators are planning a variety of special activities to commemorate and celebrate the hard work of our students and staff this year. You will hear more from your school principal over the next several weeks about our special end-of-year celebrations, activities and plans for the final days of school. We look forward to connecting and celebrating with you!
- Student Material Pick-Up and Drop Off ~ Families can expect to hear more from principals directly regarding each school’s plans for picking up student materials and dropping off school books and other resources; however, please note the following.
- Our Highcrest and WJHS students can expect to receive a scheduled date and time for May 13-15.
- Our elementary students can expect a scheduled time for Tuesday, June 9.
- Summer Enrichment Programming ~ You received an email earlier this week regarding our District 39 summer school offerings. We are proud to be able to offer a variety of options for students to remain engaged and learning over the summer. Summer school has been rescheduled for a later date this summer to allow students an opportunity for a break at the end of June. In addition, a new two-week “Jump Start to Fall Learning” option is being offered this summer. Families are encouraged to consider options and information provided on our 2020 Summer Enrichment Program website.
- Remote Learning Information ~ We continue to update and improve programming for our students. For additional information regarding D39’s Remote Learning Program, including parent resources, remote learning expectations, frequently asked questions and our D39 Virtual Library, families are encouraged to access our Remote Learning website. Our D39 Virtual Library provides many resources for additional learning and enrichment, such as eBooks, STEAM activities, Virtual Field Trips, options for Learning Something New, and much more!
- Student Technology Devices ~ Although District 39 typically collects student technology devices from students for the summer, remote learning and ongoing summer learning opportunities have caused us to consider a new approach this summer. Families of current Kindergarten through 7th grade students will have the option to keep the school issued iPad/Chromebook through this summer to facilitate any educational needs such as summer school, extended school year or online enrichment. If you choose to keep your child’s technology, the device expectations for use and general care for the device extend through the summer months. If you prefer not to keep your child’s school iPad/Chromebook over summer, or are not returning to District 39 in the fall, your child’s device will need to be returned to school by June 12. Details regarding device returns these devices will be provided by our D39 Technology Department by the end of May. All 8th grade iPads must be returned on June 8th during specific times that will be shared by Mr. Resis. These devices may not be kept over summer.
- Library Books and Other Loaned Books ~ If you have library books checked out or have borrowed classroom books at home, you may begin to return these to the school next week. Beginning May 12th, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the end of the school year there will be a cart outside the school office between 9am and 3pm for book return. Please place your borrowed books onto the cart. Additionally, library books may also be returned during student material drop-off/pick-up on the last day of school, June 9th. If you have any questions or have a missing book, please feel free to email our school librarian.
- Medication Pick-Up ~ For families who have student medication stored in our school health offices, our school nurses will be scheduling medication pick-ups directly with families for an upcoming Tuesday or Wednesday. If you believe you have medication stored in the school health office and have not yet heard from your school nurse by Friday, May 15, please email your school nurse.
- Giving and Receiving Support ~ If you are a family in need of support during these challenging times or are a family able to give, please visit our Giving and Receiving Support in D39 page for more information.
Finally, as we look forward to the beautiful weekend ahead, I must take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate all of the moms, grandmothers and special women in our students’ lives. At this time of social distancing and remote learning, we are all juggling many new and different responsibilities. Many moms are working, caring for children and loved ones, taking on new responsibilities through remote learning, and helping our worlds remain full of kindness and caring for one another. Thank you, moms, for all that you do! Your hard work and love is noticed and appreciated. Happy Mothers Day!
Your partner in education,
Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Wilmette Public Schools District 39
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