Today (March 31, 2020) Illinois Governor Pritzker announced that schools will continue to be closed through April 30 as we all do our part to prevent the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. 

I know I’m speaking for all of our employees when I say that we would rather be at school, connecting with students in person. However, the health and safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. At this point the medical professionals are all recommending social distancing as the key to staying well during this pandemic.

Virtual Learning

We will continue to offer virtual learning online at sites.google.com/sd54.org/vlearning54. I am so grateful to the employees who so quickly adapted to this new way of teaching so they could continue to help your students thrive academically. If you need internet access at home or are having any technology problems, please email vlearning@nullsd54.org for support. Spanish-speaking families can also contact BarbaraVelez@nullsd54.org. 

Food Distribution

I am also grateful to the volunteers who are continuing to provide food for our financially struggling families. 

• Willow Creek Community Church will also be running a mobile food truck distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday in the District 54 Rafferty Administration Center parking lot, 524 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg. 
• District 54 staff will be working with Township High School District 211 to distribute meal bags with five days of lunches, five days of breakfast and a half gallon of milk from 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday at Hoffman Estates High School, 1100 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. This is a drive-through pickup. When you arrive at the school, please stay in your vehicle. We will load the bags into your trunk or back seat.

You can find more information about food distribution and how to support local food distribution on our website.

Finally, I want to thank you, the parents and guardians of our students. I know you are trying to help your children stay focused on their studies at home while also working remotely, cooking, cleaning and keeping everyone healthy. Many of us are parents too. We understand that it’s not always easy. We are here to support you. Here is a resources you may use to talk about the coronavirus with children: National Association of School Psychologists Parent Resource – Talking to Children About COVID-19.

Also please reach out to your children’s teachers, your school principal, assistant principal, social workers or psychologists if there is anything you need. As long as we work together for the children, they will grow and thrive.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Andy DuRoss

Actualización en español

Estimada comunidad del Distrito 54:

Hoy, el gobernador de Illinois, Pritzker, anunció que las escuelas continuarán cerradas hasta el 30 de abril, ya que todos hacemos nuestra parte para evitar la propagación del nuevo coronavirus 2019.

Sé que estoy hablando por todos nuestros empleados cuando digo que preferiríamos estar en la escuela y conectarnos con los estudiantes en persona. Sin embargo, la salud y seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal es siempre nuestra principal prioridad. En este punto, todos los profesionales médicos recomiendan el distanciamiento social como la clave para mantenerse bien durante esta pandemia.

Aprendizaje virtual

Continuaremos ofreciendo aprendizaje virtual en línea en sites.google.com/sd54.org/vlearning54 . Estoy muy agradecido con los empleados que se adaptaron tan rápidamente a esta nueva forma de enseñar para que puedan continuar ayudando a sus estudiantes a prosperar académicamente. Si necesita acceso a Internet en su hogar o tiene algún problema tecnológico, envíe un correo electrónico vlearning@nullsd54.org para soporte. Las familias de habla hispana también pueden contactar BarbaraVelez@nullsd54.org .

Distribucion de comida

También estoy agradecido con los voluntarios que continúan brindando alimentos a nuestras familias con dificultades financieras.

• Willow Creek Community Church también llevará a cabo una distribución móvil de camiones de comida de 11 am a 1 pm todos los miércoles en el estacionamiento del Centro de Administración Rafferty del Distrito 54, 524 E. Schaumburg Road en Schaumburg.

• El personal del Distrito 54 trabajará con el Distrito 211 de Township High School para distribuir bolsas de comida con cinco días de almuerzos, cinco días de desayuno y medio galón de leche de 9 am a mediodía cada jueves en la escuela secundaria Hoffman Estates, 1100 W. Higgins Road en Hoffman Estates. Esta es una camioneta drive-through. Cuando llegue a la escuela, quédese en su vehículo. Cargaremos las bolsas en su maletero o asiento trasero.

Puede encontrar más información sobre la distribución de alimentos y cómo apoyar la distribución local de alimentos en nuestro sitio web .

Finalmente, quiero agradecer a los padres y tutores de nuestros estudiantes. Sé que está tratando de ayudar a sus hijos a mantenerse concentrados en sus estudios en casa mientras trabajan remotamente, cocinan, limpian y mantienen a todos saludables. Muchos de nosotros somos padres también. Entendemos que no siempre es fácil. Estamos aquí para apoyarte. Aquí hay un recurso que puede usar para hablar sobre el coronavirus con niños: Asociación Nacional de Psicólogos Escolares Recurso para Padres – Hablando con los Niños sobre COVID-19 .

También comuníquese con los maestros de sus hijos, el director de su escuela, el subdirector, los trabajadores sociales o los psicólogos si necesita algo. Mientras trabajemos juntos por los niños, crecerán y prosperarán.

Sinceramente,

Superintendente Andy DuRoss

Dear District 54 families,

This afternoon, Governor Pritzker issued a “stay at home” order for the entire state of Illinois through April 7, 2020, to help prevent the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Governor also extended the school closure order. At this time schools would reopen on April 8, but Governor Pritzker also announced that he may extend this date as well.

This week was our first week of V-Learning in District 54 and the engagement between our students and staff was simply amazing. Thank you for your part in making this a success. Next week is our spring break. We will take that week to recharge. Spend time as a family playing games, reading books and reconnecting.

On March 30, District 54 will continue to interact with students through the D54 V-Learning Website. If you’re struggling to connect or do not have Internet access at home, please email VLearning@nullsd54.org. Spanish-speaking families who need assistance can contact BarbaraVelez@nullsd54.org or call 847-357-5074.

In the meantime, if you or any member of your family is diagnosed with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, please let your principal know. We will notify our families, should we have a confirmed case affiliated with our schools. 

While we miss spending time in school with our students, we know it is the right decision to put the safety and well-being of our students and their families first. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to the day we can return to the classrooms.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Andy DuRoss

As the situation surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus continues to change, District 54 is working with amazing community partners to provide food to families who are struggling financially.

We would like to thank the number of individuals and organizations who have inquired about how to make donations to help those in our community who may be struggling. We feel the best practice is to work with organizations who are currently offering these services in our community and will therefore not be collecting food. Please do not bring food donations to the district office as previously mentioned.

The Schaumburg Township Food Pantry and many faith-based charities are providing food to families in our community. Click here to access a list of these pantries on the Schaumburg Township website. In order to encourage social distancing, these organizations are not collecting food at this time.

The District 54 Education Foundation has also created a new fund called the D54 Foundation Crisis Fund, which will be used to support our most at-risk families, including the 20% of students who qualify for free lunch. This emergency fund will help families impacted by this virus, and could be used in the future to provide immediate access to financial assistance for financially struggling families.

To donate, visit any of the following websites:

• District 54 Education Foundation – select Crisis Fund
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Schaumburg Township Food Pantry

Families needing assistance may benefit from the following. These organizations ask that you please check their website before coming to ensure that they still have the food supplies.

• The Schaumburg Township Food Pantry is now running a drive-through pickup from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the township office, One Illinois Blvd. in Hoffman Estates. For more information, please call (847) 732-7166.
• Willow Creek Community Church will also be running a mobile food truck distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday in the District 54 Rafferty Administration Center parking lot, 524 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.
• District 54 staff will be working with Township High School District 211 to distribute meal bags with five days of lunches, five days of breakfast and a half gallon of milk from 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday at Hoffman Estates High School, 1100 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. This is a drive-through pickup. When you arrive at the school, please stay in your vehicle. We will load the bags into your trunk or back seat.
• Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry, 1451 Bode Road in Schaumburg, is offering drive-through pickup on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. near the garages.
• Living Hope Food Pantry, 777 Meacham Road in Elk Grove Village, is offering drive-through pickup on Thursdays from 11:30-noon.
• Trinity Charities Food Pantry, 927 Plum Grove in Schaumburg, is open from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Lugares de despensa de alimentos y oportunidades de donación

A medida que la situación en torno al nuevo coronavirus de 2019 continúa cambiando, el Distrito 54 está trabajando con increíbles socios de la comunidad para proporcionar alimentos a las familias que tienen dificultades financieras.

Nos gustaría agradecer a la cantidad de personas y organizaciones que han preguntado cómo hacer donaciones para ayudar a aquellos en nuestra comunidad que puedan estar luchando. Creemos que la mejor práctica es trabajar con organizaciones que actualmente ofrecen estos servicios en nuestra comunidad y, por lo tanto, no recolectarán alimentos. No traiga donaciones de alimentos a la oficina del distrito como se mencionó anteriormente.

La despensa de alimentos del municipio de Schaumburg y muchas organizaciones benéficas religiosas están proporcionando alimentos a las familias de nuestra comunidad. Haga clic aquí para acceder a una lista de estas despensas en el sitio web del municipio de Schaumburg. Para alentar el distanciamiento social, estas organizaciones no están recolectando alimentos en este momento.

La Fundación Educativa del Distrito 54 también ha creado un nuevo fondo llamado D54 Foundation Crisis Fund, que se utilizará para apoyar a nuestras familias más expuestas, incluido el 20% de los estudiantes que califican para el almuerzo gratuito. Este fondo de emergencia ayudará a las familias afectadas por este virus y podría usarse en el futuro para proporcionar acceso inmediato a asistencia financiera para familias con dificultades financieras.

Para donar, visite cualquiera de los siguientes sitios web:

• District 54 Education Foundation – select Crisis Fund
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Schaumburg Township Food Pantry

Las familias que necesitan asistencia pueden beneficiarse de lo siguiente. Estas organizaciones le solicitan que revise su sitio web antes de venir para asegurarse de que todavía tengan los suministros de alimentos.

• Schaumburg Township – La despensa de alimentos del municipio de Schaumburg ahora está llevando a cabo una recolección de 1 a 3 p.m. los martes y jueves en la oficina del municipio,  One Illinois Blvd. en Hoffman Estates. Para obtener más información, llame al (847) 732-7166.
• Centro de Administración Rafferty del Distrito 54 – Willow Creek Community Church también llevará a cabo una distribución móvil de camiones de comida de 11 a.m. a 1 p.m. todos los miércoles en el estacionamiento del Centro de Administración Rafferty del Distrito 54, 524 E. Schaumburg Road en Schaumburg.
• Distrito 211 de Township High School, cinco días de almuerzos, cinco días de desayuno y medio galón de leche de 9 am a mediodía cada jueves en la escuela secundaria Hoffman Estates, 1100 W. Higgins Road en Hoffman Estates. Esta es una camioneta drive-through. Cuando llegue a la escuela, quédese en su vehículo. Cargaremos las bolsas en su maletero o asiento trasero.
• Iglesia del Espíritu Santo Despensa, 1451 Bode Road en Schaumburg, ofrece servicio de recogida los jueves de 2 a 5 p.m. Cerca de los garajes.
• Living Hope Food Pantry, 777 Meacham Road en Elk Grove Village, ofrece servicio de recogida los jueves de 11:30 a mediodía.
• Trinity Charities Food Pantry, 927 Plum Grove en Schaumburg, está abierto de 4 a 6 p.m. Jueves y de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. Sábados.

Dear District 54 Community,

As you know, on Friday Illinois Governor Pritzker announced the mandatory closure of all public schools through March 30. While our staff would prefer to be at school, interacting in person with your children, we know this is the right decision to keep our community healthy and safe.

Please know that the closure may continue beyond March 30. The situation is incredibly fluid, and the state is waiting to announce what will happen after March 30 until we get closer to that date.

Because this statewide closure was mandated, all of the days are considered Act of God Days in Illinois, and therefore will not be made up at the end of the school year. However, school districts across the state are encouraged to provide virtual learning opportunities for students.

Today was an institute day in District 54 so that we could train our employees on the new District 54 Virtual Learning platform, which will allow us to provide continuous instruction to the more than 15,000 students we serve during these unique times. 

Timeline

• March 17:  closed for the elections as previously planned.
• March 18-20:  first week of virtual learning
• March 23-27:  spring break
• March 30:  virtual learning day

District 54 V-Learning Platform

On Wednesday morning, students will be able to visit the D54 V-Learning Website. Once you are on the site, click on the link that corresponds to your child’s age group and watch the welcome video. The website also contains a parent guide, a student guide and frequently asked questions.

• Junior high V-Learning classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and students will follow their current schedule (including a break for lunch). 
• Elementary school and Lincoln Prairie classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
• Early Learning Center students can also visit the site with a trusted adult at any time. Students brought home bags last week to compliment the Choose Your Own Adventure virtual learning platform designed for their age group.

Since these classes are virtual and we understand that this schedule may not work for some families, students have the flexibility to complete tasks at any time. However, students participating during these V-Learning times will be able to interact in real time with their teachers. Student work during this time will not be graded. 

All students in kindergarten through eighth grade should have brought home their District 54 iPads and Chromebooks on Friday. For those families who do not have Internet access at home, please email VLearning@nullsd54.org.

Reporting 2019 Novel Coronavirus 

If your child is sick and cannot participate, please email your school principal. It is especially important for us to track illnesses while the COVID-19 virus is spreading in our state.

Students Receiving Free Lunch

Thank you to everyone inquiring about how we can continue to support our students receiving free lunch. We distributed food to families this week. Anyone wishing to donate can donate to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry online. (Updated 3-19-20)

Thank you again for working with us, as we all do our part to prevent the spread of this virus in our community. As I’ve stated before, these are unprecedented times, but in District 54 we will continue doing what we do best – caring for our students and ensuring their academic success.

We wanted to give our Campanelli families some resources to read or listen to books! This padlet organizes the books into a variety of categories to help you simplify your search.

Parents, some of the resources provided give access to reading materials for everyone, including adults. Please help your children to make choices that are right for them. In addition, not all resources are available on our school devices, some will need to be accessed using your home device with parent permission.

If you know of other resources please email DianeBennes@nullsd54.org, KatherineFarley@nullsd54.org or MichelleGustafason@nullsd54.org and we will check them out.

Please join us to support our community and positive school culture!

Monday, 3/30 – Super Hero Day
In honor of the hospital workers, first responders, grocery store employees, and all other essential personnel.

Tuesday, 3/31 – Crazy Hair/School Colors Day
In honor of hairstylist and the school that we miss!

Wednesday, 4/1 – Dress Like an Older Person’s Day
In honor the generation that is most at risk.

Thursday, 4/2 – Jersey Day
In honor of our favorite sports teams that aren’t able to play right now.

Friday, 4/3 – Pajama Day
Pajamas are one of the best parts of virtual learning.

March 23rd – March 27th – Spring Break – Check out our facebook page for fun activities for your family.

March 30th – April 3rd – V-Learning

Virtual Learning Spirit Week 

Monday, March 30th – Super Hero Day

Tuesday, March 31st – Crazy Hair/School Colors Day

Wednesday, March 1st – Dress Like an Older Person Day

Thursday, March 2nd – Sports Jersey Day

Friday, March 3rd – Pajama Day

April 6th – April 7th – V-Learning – Check out our facebook page for fun activities for your family.

Summer is right around the corner and the perfect way to enjoy it is to join a Summer of 54 camp! Your child can build robots, design a t-shirt, learn a new sport, brush up on music skills, and so much more! T-shirts are included with registration, which is now available in your Parent Portal. Seats fill up fast so sign up now to be a part of the Summer of 54 Camp family! If you would like more information on each camp and the courses, please click on 2020 Summer of 54 Camp Brochure.

Some parents have been inquiring about spring pictures. We have emailed our representative and awaiting a response on when and how pictures will be delivered.

Registration for the 2020-2021 year will be available through your parent portal starting Monday, March 30, 2020 through Infinite Campus Portal (parent portal).  Please login to review the current information and make any necessary changes.  .  If you do not have a portal account, you should have received an email on March 14 inviting you to create one.

As a reminder, all families are required to prove that they live within District 54 boundaries every year. If we are unable to verify your residency electronically, you will receive a letter by U.S. mail, which will list the residency documents you can provide to the school office to complete your registration.

You can also pay the $50 consumable fee for 2020-21, as well as purchase milk and sign up for the instructional device insurance through the portal.  If you believe you will qualify for the Free Lunch Program in the 2020-21 school year, and therefore will receive a fee waiver, do not pay the consumable material fee now. Applications will be available in August for the Free Lunch Program.

Information about busing will be mailed the first week in June. Should you have any questions, please contact our office. Thank you for your cooperation.

If you or someone in your family is sick and cannot participate in V-Learning, please email me at Amythompson@nulld54.org. It is especially important for us to track illnesses while the COVID-19 virus is spreading in our state. Should we have a case of COVID-19 affiliated with our school, we will let you know.

District 54 has received several inquiries from families asking if they can make a donation to support those in need during the school closure.  Thank you for your care and concern for our community.  Anyone wishing to donate is welcome to make a financial contribution to our District 54 Foundation Crisis Fund linked here. 

If you or your child are feeling anxious during the school closure and you would like support, please feel free to reach out to our school support team:

Caroline Bullington, Social Worker CarolineBullington@nullsd54.org

Carly Flannigan, Psychologist CarlyFlanningan@nullsd54.org