April 1, 2020
Dear Parents and Community Members:
I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well.
Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that remote learning in Illinois
will be extended through April 30th in order to slow down the spread
of COVID-19.
During this time, on-site learning will remain suspended but our schools' commitment to learning and education will remain open and learning will continue for all students - just through a different format.
Remote Learning is off to a wonderful start.
Students are engaged in a variety of tasks with both familiar programs as well
as new learning sources. Our staff is regularly researching and adopting new
resources for our students to use with the e-Learning platform. There are plans
for additional fun and engaging learning experiences such as teacher recorded
read-alouds and novel studies. Teachers are learning how to do new things to
best serve our students! Mrs. Davis is starting a book club with text
selections appropriate for each grade level. Students will be able to follow
with the text in hand -- if they can purchase it through Amazon, or digitally
through the public library. The reading entries will be recorded so students
will be able to listen to the readings.
To assist in our remote learning process, students were provided
digital devices to take home. These devices are on loan to our students through
their home school. They will be returned upon the reopening of the buildings.
Students in the primary grades received iPads; intermediate and upper grade
students received chromebooks. The remote learning is taking place on a Google
Classroom platform.
Parents and guardians, we are here to help students in the same manner as if they were in our classrooms. As a reminder, please make sure your students are logged on for their daily remote learning from 9AM - 2PM. Our teachers are online and providing instructions through videos and interactive learning opportunities. Students are able to participate in their learning and ask questions for clarity.
Everyone has been wonderful in their support! Please continue to work with us in partnership to deliver the best continued learning experience possible for students!
While it is not ideal, we
want to assure you that at Hazel Crest School District 152%, our teachers and
staff are fully engaged and willing to take on this new challenge and push
forward with remote learning, engaging with students and continuing with our food
distribution program.
I know this is not the
school year that any of us imagined, but I
want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we have dealt with
this unprecedented situation together.
As a recap, here are the
three priorities for our leadership and planning moving forward:
Priority 1 - Feed and care for the extended safety, health, and welfare
of students, families, non- student children, staff,
and community at large.
Priority 2 - Communicate clearly; share coherent, organized and
controlled messages with your staff, students and
community.
Priority 3 - Provide for the continuity of learning in Illinois.
It's important we continue to work together and support our students. Thanks
Sincerely,
Dr. Kenneth Spells Superintendent