Monday Morning Memo: July 13--Summer Monday Update

OMG! Huge shout outs to Lynn, Matt, Natalie, Sue, Michele, Andrea and the Summer School staff for doing a TON of heavy lifting ot make sure we open smoothly on Monday. We have 60 kids coming for in-person learning and 20 who have opted for remote only. This will be a great "test drive" of all our safety protocols, and it wouldn't be happening without the work of this amazing team!! #sograteful

UPDATES ON REOPENING PLANS

THANK YOU to the Lotus and Stanton Fall planning teams!!! Your work and input are so valued and YOU helped us start to make plans that make sense!!!!

I'll be presenting the "big picture" of our Fall plan options to the Board on Tuesday night. The slides are linked here...but I warn you, they will be changed likely until right before I present them, as I want to add more AND due to the ongoing changes that happen day to day (minute to minute).

Here's the info I'm sharing with families in the Monday Update--making sure you see it prior to its release:

Thank you to the 314 families who responded to the family survey! Here is a quick glance at the data:

Based on this data, here are our next steps:

*At the 7/14/20 Board of Education meeting, I will present a fall opening plan that is designed to offer families two options: Full Remote Learning OR Blended Learning. Pending Board approval, both options will be offered to families so you have choice for the Fall.

*On Wednesday, 7/15, I will send out a communication asking you to commit to your choice for the Fall. This means you will make a decision for the first trimester (August-November) at Lotus and the first quarter (August-October) at Stanton. Due to the complexities of planning, families will have to make a choice for the first chunk of time in the year. I will also share some details about each model to help you make an informed choice. Please note that both options will have a 5 clock hour requirement, will encompass ALL content areas, and wil require both daily documented attendance and will issue grades.

*Only families who are REGISTERED for the 2020-21 school year will be able to log their choice. Knowing that we will limit the number of in-person slots to make sure we can meet safety guidelines, it will be VERY IMPORTANT that you log your choice...and therefore you MUST be registered. If you are not registered, we will not be able to document your choice. See below for registration information.

As you know, all our plans are contingent upon us being able to safely open schools and meet the guidelines established by the CDC and ISBE. All this--at any moment--can change, so your flexibility, partnership, and collaboration are appreciated more than you know.

STAFF SURVEY
If you haven't already done so, please fill out the STAFF RETURN TO WORK SURVEY. Please know that we will keep any details shared confidential. Also, if you choose NOT to reply, I will assume that you plan to return to your assigned position in person. THANKS!

LAPTOPS! :)

If you need your laptop for summer professional development/curriculum work, you can feel free to keep it.

ALSO---all certified staff will be getting new laptops for school use on or after August 10! We have leased new devices that are updated, easier to carry, and allow for needed software updates! YAY!

FLASH BACK...FLASH FORWARD TO SUMMER CURRICULUM WORK!
THANKS to everyone for your work to complete the FLASH BACK reflection to help us know where our students' gaps exist!!!!
The FIRST priority for any summer curriculum work is to use the FLASH BACK information to better understand what kids need. This then should be used to help plan starting the year. The tools you need are linked below:

LINKS:
PreK-8 Flash Back Standards
Exploratories Flash Back Standards
Case Manager Flash Back Reflections

COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES-

If you are concerned that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 and have been or are scheduled to be onsite, please let your principal, Maddie Espinoza, and/or me know immediately so we can partner with you for your safety and for the safety of others. You can trust that we will keep all this information confidential, balancing staff privacy and system safety needs.

All staff MUST wear masks--how is that working so far?

What has been in practice is that, when staff can maintain a 6ft distance from others, they are not required to wear a mask. For example, anyone working in their office, in a classroom, or at a desk/station where 6ft distance can be maintained. When out in the hallways or interacting with others in situations where 6 ft cannot be maintained or when collecting/handing out materials, masks must be worn for the safety of everyone.

When I have been around others and we are sharing a space, I have stated, "I'm comfortable with you not wearing a mask if you are comfortable as well." We have then maintained a 6ft distance. I ask this to make sure others feel safe. If they are not, then we keep masks on.

In addition, the steps below (from the CDC website) MUST be taken if you have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19:

COMING ONSITE:

If you are sick, STAY HOME.
No one can come to work who is sick and/or has a temperature at or above 100.4.
Staff must take their temperatures at home.
If you don't have a thermometer at home, let the administrator on site know and we'll take your temperature for you.
Wash your hands regularly!
All staff should wear masks when onsite.
All staff should wear gloves when handling materials that others will also use.

The IEA offers a ton of free, online professional development courses. Some of the topics include racial and social justice, parental and community engagement, and classroom management. If you are looking to earn some CPDUs this summer, check out what they have to offer: https://ieanea.org/learningportal/