Friday, March 13, 2020

COVID-19 Closure Information and Web Resources



March 13, 2020

Dear Families, 


March 13, 2020


Dear D114 Families, 
As you are aware, we are closed effective tomorrow, Saturday March 14 through at least Sunday, March 29. Information about this closure was sent out earlier today and is posted below.
I will be in regular communication with you with updates, information, and supports. For now, please see below for helpful information:
  • Grab and Go meals will be available for our families at Lotus and Stanton Monday, 3/16-Friday, 3/20 at Lotus and Stanton from 7:30-9:00AM. Please come by!
  • Click here to access our Remote Learning page.
  • Click here to access our COVID-19 update page.
Please continue to watch for updates. I will use emails, calls, and social media to keep you informed.
If you need to reach me at any point, please call 847-973-4028.
Stay well! Heather Friziellie, Superintendent

MESSAGE SENT OUT 3/13/20 at 1:30 PM:

To safeguard the health and wellness of all students and staff, we have decided to close District 114 schools to students beginning Saturday, March 14 through at least Sunday, March 29, following Spring Break. Future plans will be shared as soon as information is available, including if schools are re-opened on March 30. This decision was made after consultation with area school officials and following the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding limiting the gathering of large groups in an abundance of caution and as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) illness in our community. By closing schools to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in our community, we also help lessen the burden on hospitals that will need to focus their energy on people who are ill. THIS MEANS TOMORROW’S PTA EVENT IS CANCELLED. All of today’s after school events and child care will continue as planned. 
We are not currently aware of anyone in D114 who has been infected with the Coronavirus. This is a purely precautionary measure to help safeguard our community.

REMOTE LEARNING
We have put into place remote learning plans for students in grades K-8. Packets that combine hard copy and online work tasks are being sent home today so you have exactly what you need for remote learning.  A cover letter describes our remote learning plan, and all the resources you need can be found at https://www.d114.org/remote-learning. Please note that we DO NOT expect students to complete remote learning tasks during Spring Break (March 23-27), nor will teachers be accessible during this time. 

ACCESS TO BUILDINGS LIMITED
As an additional precaution, and following the example of other institutions, we are implementing procedures to limit access to our buildings. We are canceling all before and after school activities from March 16 through at least March 30. Beginning Monday, families are discouraged from visiting the schools until students return. 

TRAVEL
Currently, the IDPH states that if you are returning from an area identified by the CDC as "Level 3" (currently China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran) that you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days after the day you return to the U.S. Please note that areas listed as Level 3 may change. It is important for you to note that it is your responsibility to check the CDC website every day for the latest update regarding areas identified as Level 3. For more information, please visit the CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
As a reminder, the most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to follow the standard preventive practices. There are a number of steps we can all take to minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Since the public announcement of the outbreak of the coronavirus, District 114 has been taking additional proactive steps to ensure the safety and health of its students and staff. We are using antiviral cleaning agents on all surfaces. D114's custodial staff is treating surfaces such as handrails, doorknobs, lockers, chairs, desks, and all other surfaces that students and staff may touch at least daily. They will continue to do this throughout the school year. This EPA-registered and USDA-accepted surface protection will enhance all of D114’s current disinfection practices. We will use the time that our buildings are closed to deep clean all surfaces and spaces. 

D114 posts information to its Coronavirus Updates website page. More information about COVID-19 is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC COVID-19. The IDPH also has information available on its website, including a coronavirus hotline: IDPH COVID-19.

As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately

The decision to close school is not one we are making lightly. We are fully aware of the complications that this will cause in the lives of our students and their families — and for our faculty and staff as well. Whatever the downsides of closing school may be, we believe that as a public school we have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff and the broader community.
At this time, all voting stations remain open on Election Day, March 17. You can also early vote through Monday to avoid the lines and make sure your vote is counted. Remember that the D114 ZERO RATE CHANGE proposal is on the back of the ballot. 
We will continue to keep you informed throughout this process. Thank you for your partnership and understanding. I sincerely hope you and your family remain healthy. 

With commitment to our students,

Heather Friziellie, Superintendent of Schools

Friday, March 6, 2020

March Brings Opportunities!!!

March 6, 2020

Dear Families, 

DISTRICT UPDATES

REFERENDUM UPDATE
Remember--the D114 ballot proposal asks you to keep the tax rate where it is...a ZERO
RATE CHANGE...and we will be able to:
*Improve safety with secure entrances at both schools and a new roof and sprinklers at
Stanton
*Increase teacher salaries so we are no longer the lowest paid in Lake County
*Provide our students will updated and rigorous learning materials

Be sure to look on the BACK of the ballot--our question is the only one on the back!

Did you know our teachers are currently the LOWEST paid in Lake County?


Please find linked here list of questions you may have about this
important effort. This is a great opportunity for our District, so please reach out if you have
any questions or need more information.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
To make sure we are providing the most up-to-date information on this health situation, we
have added a specific page to the D114 website. Please click here for information. If you have
questions or want additional information, don't hesitate to reach out. The key is to keep hands
clean!!!! Click here to watch a short and helpful video on how to avoid respiratory illnesses.



REQUIRED ILLINOIS STATE TESTING
We will be proctoring the following assessments in the near future:

Illinois Science Assessment--Grades 5 and 8--March 16-23
Illinois Assessment of Readiness--Grades 3-8 (Literacy and Math)--March 30-April 24 

If you have questions about the specific schedule for your child(ren)'s grade level, please contact your building principal. 

GETTING READY FOR PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN
We're starting to gear up for next school year! Please see below for information on our FREE Pre-K (half day and full day) and Kindergarten (full day) programs...





Image result for important dates

Saturday, March 7--Robert D Sayles Foundation Spring Fundraiser






LOTUS UPDATES
Sunday, March 8
SPRING FORWARD!
Monday, March 9
Band 10:35-11:15
Gymnastics 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-4:00 in Gym
Girls on the Run 2:20-4:00 Room 113
Band Dress Rehearsal at Lotus 4:00-6:30


Tuesday, March 10
Young Rembrandts 2:20-3:30
AR 3rd & 4th Grade 7:10-7:40am in Library
Choir 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-3:30 Room 142
PreK Parent Enrichment 1:15-2:00
Gymnastics 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-4:00  Gym
Soccer Club 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-3:30 Room 210
PTA Meeting @ Stanton 6:30
Band Concert at Lotus 7:00 pm


Wednesday, March 11
EARLY RELEASE
Band 10:35-11:15


Thursday, March 12
AR 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-3:30 in Library
STEM 4th Grade 2:20-3:30 Room 208
Choir 3rd & 4th Grade 7:00-7:40 am Room 143
Gymnastics 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-4:00 in Gym
Girls on the Run 2:20-4:00 Room 113
Soccer Club 1st & 2nd  Grade 2:20-3:30 Room 210


Friday, March 13 
Drama 2-4 Grades 2:20-3:30 Room 142
Gymnastics 3rd & 4th Grade 2:20-4:00 in Gym
Pottery 4th grade 2:20-4:00 Room 143
PreK Screening 12:00-2:00
American Heart Assembly 1:15


Saturday, March 14

PTA’s Mother/Son Carnival at Lotus 2:00-3:30









STANTON UPDATES
Monday, March 9
Mentor Club Event 3:05-3:45
Choir Practice 3:15-4:00
Scholastic Bowl Practice 3:15-4:00
Band Concert Rehearsal at Lotus 4:00-6:00


Tuesday, March 10
Student Council Meeting 7:50 and 3:05
Scholastic Bowl Meet at Home 4:00
Band Concert at Lotus 7:00
Sectional Spelling Bee 


Wednesday, March 11
EARLY RELEASE


Thursday, March 12
Choir Practice 3:15-4:00
Scholastic Bowl at Home 4:00


Friday, March 13 
5th-7th Grades Spring Picture Day
8th Grade Candy Sale Ends
Wrestling State Meet TBA


Saturday, March 14
PTA’s Mother/Son Carnival at Lotus 2:00-3:30
Wrestling State Meet TBA

Music in Our Schools Concert at Grant Community High School 5:00





JOIN US ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14 FOR THE MOTHER/SON CARNIVAL AT LOTUS FROM 2:00-3:30!


Stay Updated!
Please be sure to check our District calendar for up-to-the minute event updates at https://www.d114.org/district-calendar! We'll update this regularly, so please check to
know more about D114 events!

Information on inclement weather procedures, including our NEW delayed start schedule, is linked here.


If you ever need assistance, have a question, or want to share an idea, please reach out:
Lotus: 847.973.4100
Stanton: 847.973.4200
District Office: 847.973.4208
Superintendent: heather.friziellie@foxlake114.org or 847.973.4027


With commitment to our students,
Heather Friziellie


D114 Superintendent of Schools