Dear Parents and Families,
We hope this email finds you and your family healthy and well. As our school year begins to wind down, we look forward to celebrating our students’ hard work, learning and many accomplishments realized throughout this school year. We cannot wait to see you and your children at school for our reverse parades and/or 8th grade graduation next week!
We are also already planning for the 2020-21 school year and our return to school in the fall. Although we have more unknowns than answers at this point regarding our re-opening of schools, we are planning in earnest to ensure healthy and safe learning environments that will support continued growth and connection for our students. We want to share some of our early planning considerations with you, and hear about your perspectives regarding remote learning and re-opening plans.
Parent Webinar: On Tuesday evening, we hosted a well-attended webinar for parents regarding our D39 planning for the fall. We provided updates on health restrictions as we know them to date, and we reviewed our many considerations for re-opening schools. If you were able to join us, we thank you. If you missed the webinar, a recording of the webinar is accessible here, and if you would like to review the presentation materials, the presentation slides are available here.
Parent Survey: Your insights and perspective as a D39 parent and valued partner will help guide our next steps in planning. Please complete our Parent Survey for Planning of Fall Re-Opening of Schools by Monday, June 8. Students in 3rd-8th grade will be asked to provide their input via a special student survey over the next several days, as well.
Advisory Task Force for Fall Planning: We are seeking stakeholders from across our D39 community to serve on the D39 Advisory Task Force for Planning of Fall Re-opening of Schools. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please complete the Application to Serve on the Advisory Task Force. This Task Force will serve in an advisory capacity as we develop plans for school re-opening. Members will be asked to provide feedback and input throughout our planning process within the critical focus areas of Health and Safety, School Operations and Logistics, and Teaching and Learning. Applications will be accepted through June 8, and those chosen to serve on the Advisory Task Force will be notified by June 11.
Summer Enrichment Programming: We are proud to be able to offer a variety of options for students to remain engaged and learning over the summer and in preparation for a return to school in fall. The start of Summer School has been rescheduled to July 6 - August 7 to allow students an opportunity for a break before starting summer school. In addition, a new two-week “Jump Start to Fall Learning” option is being offered July 27 - August 7. Families are encouraged to consider options and information provided on our 2020 Summer Enrichment Program website and to register for any of these summer enrichment programs.
Additional Summer Resources: District 39 is partnering with ScootPad to provide additional dynamic learning resources to our students this summer and next school year. ScootPad is a personalized mastery learning platform built on proven learning science research and data-driven intelligence in collaboration with Stanford University researchers. It delivers continuously adaptive enrichment, automatic remediation and personalized mastery for every student. Look for information from our D39 team next week regarding access and login credentials for your student. Additionally, our D39 Virtual Library will be available throughout the summer and provides many resources for additional learning and enrichment, such as eBooks, STEAM activities, Virtual Field Trips, options for Learning Something New, and Summer Resources!
Finally, as our school principals and I shared in messages to our families earlier this week, District 39 condemns hate and racism in all its forms, and we continue to work hard to create school cultures and climates that are inclusive, accepting, respectful and supportive of all. The racism, hatred, violence and fear that are gripping our nation and its people in these difficult times are deplorable and heart-breaking. Our advocacy and support are with all who are suffering. Resources regarding equity and how to talk to children about race and racism were provided to families in our earlier communications. We encourage you to review these resources as you support your children and family through these challenging times. If you are looking for additional resources, we encourage you to consider the equity resources collected here by our D39 team. May we all continue to find ways to come together to denounce racism and hatred in all of its forms and to create a better future for ourselves, for our children and for all human kind.
Thank you for your support and your ongoing partnership. We look forward to celebrating your children next week at our schools. Until then, be well and continue to spread joy and kindness wherever you go.
Your partner in education,
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Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Wilmette Public Schools District 39
Fall Planning Resources:
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