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Dear Highlands Famileis and Staff,
I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well. Today, the Illinois State Board of Education released guidance for schools on the 2020-21 school year.
This 60-page document has been much anticipated and will go a long way toward answering critical questions all of us share about what the 2020-21 school year will look like in terms of in-person learning, scheduling, wearing masks, social distancing and other measures intended to keep everyone safe and healthy, while also re-engaging students in the learning process.
Right now, we don’t have all the answers to those questions as this document was released to school districts at the same time it was released to the public. Therefore, we kindly ask for your patience as our staff thoroughly reviews this detailed guidance and implements the suggestions into our transition plan.
We are aware of the urgent need to communicate to families about what to expect next school year and anticipate releasing our own transition plan around July 22.
As you may know, our district formed transition teams earlier this month and has already been discussing options. This guidance will accelerate those conversations, and I’m confident we can put forth a plan that prioritizes the health and safety of our students while maintaining a dynamic learning environment.
Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we navigated a situation together that none of us could have imagined.
I will be in touch soon. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy your summer.
Warm regards,
Dr. Warke
The live link for tonight's board of education meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiY4Q7r2MJ0
public comments can be emailed to kschmitt@district106.net
Dear Highlands Families and Staff,
Have you ever wondered what happens in a school district during the summer months? Well, if you have answered planning, you are correct! This summer is no different. We are planning, just in a different manner than we have ever done before. We are preparing for three options to reopen in the fall, an opening with all students present, an opening we are calling a hybrid opening, and for remote learning.
Did you know that how we return to school depends on what phase of reopening Illinois is in? When Illinois was in Phase 2-Flattening, and Phase 3 Recovery schools are closed, and remote learning is required.
In phase 4 Revitalization, schools can open, with the Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance and the Illinois State Board of Education guidance. In phase 5 Restored, everything is back to operational.
We received summer guidance on June 4 from the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health, and the fall guidance is anticipated as early as Monday.
With our planning this summer, we have 31 staff members assisting the administrative team on our re-entry task force. We have five sub-committees that are planning for
- the health and safety components of our students, staff, and community;
- the social-emotional needs of our students, staff, and community
- the instructional delivery which addresses the use of Schoology, See-Saw, Zoom and other platforms;
- the instructional day- the what and when during the day ECE-8th grade and
- parent resources
Please know our teams are working diligently to provide the best plan for the students and staff to return to school in the fall. Information is still changing and evolving, and we are eager to learn from the guidance we receive to make plans for the fall.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy this fantastic weather we are experiencing!
Dr. Warke
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, a virtual meeting will take place. A link will be posted on our website on the evening of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting is available by going to Administration --> Board of Education -->Agenda
A special scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, a virtual meeting will take place. A link will be posted on our website the evening of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting is available by going to Administration --> Board of Education -->Agenda
Dear Highlands Families and Staff,
Monday officially marked the end of the 2019-2020 school year! We were happy to learn that children have the opportunity to participate in some summer sports. Now we need the weather to cooperate!
We are still waiting for guidance from the state agencies, but our planning for fall continues.
Have a wonderful week!
Dr. Warke
Dear Highlands and Families and Staff,
Instead of a written message, I created a video message for the end of the school year. You can find it by clicking here.
Also please take a moment to have your child complete this survey for us.
Parents, here is the link for your survey to provide us feedback and help us to inform our plan for next year.
Enjoy your summer!
Dr. Warke
Dear Highlands Families and Staff,
Happy Friday of Memorial Day Weekend!
Thank you, families, for all you have done in helping us complete the 2019-2020 school year! We could not have done it without your help, assistance, and feedback! Speaking of feedback, please be on the lookout for our parent and student surveys that will be arriving next week.
Our team continues to plan for three different scenarios for a return to school next fall.
- Regular Opening-school opening on August 19, 2020, for students and staff, to return to the building.
- Hybrid Opening-school opening on August 19, 2020, students are split into two groups of 10-12 students. Students rotate attending school in full-day shifts. Group 1 (M, T) W- Remote Learning- for a building deep clean; Group 2 ( Th, F).
- Remote Learning-school opening on August 19, 2020, to a remote learning environment.
At this time, we are waiting for guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. We have heard this guidance will be coming around June 1, 2020. We will continue to refine our plans once we receive guidance from these organizations. When finalized, we intend to hold virtual town hall meetings so that you have opportunities to learn more about the return to learning for the 2020-2021 school year.
From our Technology Department
This is a reminder that if you want to purchase your laptop, you must do so by midnight on May 26th. If you have purchased your child’s laptop by then, log-in to the district website, and on the “My Account” page, you will find a link to download a program to remove all district applications and settings from the laptop along with directions on how to use it. If you have chosen not to purchase the laptop, please return it on June 1st.
Please be on the lookout. The Principals will be sending you more information about what is happening at our buildings on June 1st.
Have a great Memorial Day!
Dr. Warke
The May 12, 2020 Board Briefs are now available.
Download 5-12-20 Board Brief, reviewed
Highlands kindergarteners care about their community workers. They made special videos for essential workers to spread kindness in the community. Here is the link to watch.
