“When crisis hits, we don’t turn against each other, we listen to each other. We lean on each other. We are always stronger together.” -- Michelle Obama
March 29th, 2020 Dear Brookwood School District 167 School Community, Parents/ Guardians:
Board of education
State Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala has declared that Remote Learning Days will begin for schools statewide on March 31st and continue until in-person instruction can resume.
MS. DOREEN DAVIS
The State Superintendent clarified that during Remote Learning Days, schools may implement either an E-Learning Plan or a Remote Learning Day Plan that provides students with instruction and access to educators through whatever means possible. Remote Learning Days, Remote Learning Planning Days, and Act of God Days count as actual student attendance days. All of these days count toward the minimum length of the school year and do not need to be made up. ISBE’s Emergency Rules For Remote Learning Days: Click Here ==> https://bit.ly/2UuYBov
Remote Learning Recommendations: Click Here ==> https://bit.ly/2Uta34a
(708) 758-5190
MS. MARY TAYLOR MR. JOHN DIXON MS. ROSLON SEALS MS. TIFFANY GRAHAM MS.TOLEDA HART
Over the past week, ISBE convened a Remote Learning Advisory Group of teachers, students, paraprofessionals, related service personnel, principals, and district and regional superintendents to make recommendations to support educators, students, and families during Remote Learning Days. The recommendations provide overarching best practices for instruction, grading, communication, social-emotional needs, content selection and delivery, family engagement, and other important concerns, as well as specific guidance for different grade bands, English Learners, and students with disabilities.
201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425
MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON
www.brookwood167.org
superintendent MS. BETHANY A. LINDSAY
“When crisis hits, we don’t turn against each other, we listen to each other. We lean on each other. We are always stronger together.” -- Michelle Obama
The Remote Learning Recommendations strongly encourage that school districts’ local grading policies during Remote Learning Days embrace the principle of “No Educational Harm To Any Child” and that school districts adopt grading models of pass or incomplete. The ISBE Advisory Recommendations state that “Grading should focus on the continuation of learning and prioritize the connectedness and care for students and staff. All students should have the opportunity to redo, make up, or try again to complete, show progress, or attempt to complete work assigned prior to the remote learning period in that time frame. A focus on keeping children emotionally and physically safe, fed, and engaged in learning should be our first priority during this unprecedented time.” Additionally, Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-15, issued on 3/27/20, suspends state assessments for Spring 2020, including the Constitution exam. This action officially ends assessment activity statewide for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, and Dynamic Learning Maps-Alternate Assessment for the 2019-20 school year. ISBE has refreshed its comprehensive guidance document with all of this information. Updated ISBE Comprehensive Guidance Document: Click Here ==> https://bit.ly/2UyoPXw The Key Focus Priority Areas Recommendations:
outlined
by
MS. DOREEN DAVIS MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON MS. MARY TAYLOR MR. JOHN DIXON MS. ROSLON SEALS MS. TIFFANY GRAHAM MS.TOLEDA HART
superintendent ISBE’s Remote Learning
MS. BETHANY A. LINDSAY
• Safety/Wellbeing | Priority #1 - As it has been and will continue to be, our first priority as we battle the pandemic is to ensure our students, families and staff remain healthy, safe, and fed. Every decision we make must work through this filter, since nothing else we hope to accomplish during this time is as important as this; "We are stronger together than we are alone.” -- Walter Payton 201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425
Board of education
(708) 758-5190
www.brookwood167.org
“When crisis hits, we don’t turn against each other, we listen to each other. We lean on each other. We are always stronger together.” -- Michelle Obama
• Local Control – We should not lose site of the fact that we have the autonomy to deliver educational services to our students within the scope of our local context and capacity. No doubt this will take some innovation. So, when you read through ISBE’s recommendations, understand that those are meant to spur your thinking and creativity; • Do No Harm – As with local control, we also appreciate how these recommendations reinforce how we must educate with grace, empathy, and compassion. As educators, we must look ahead and understand that we may soon be living with the reality that staff, students, parents, family members, and others we care about become very sick. And even if this does not happen, families will still be navigating the various stresses brought on by the stay at home order. Thus, we must be reasonable with our expectations about content to be covered, mastery of content covered, and grading of content; • Stay Connected – Staying connected to each other, students, and parents through video messages, emails, social media, and phone calls will help alleviate anxiety and concerns as we pivot from Act of God days to Remote Learning. As we move forward together, I am sure you have questions regarding the information shared and will have more questions in the days ahead. If so, please don’t hesitate to ask. ISBE is also committed to updating their recommendations as they receive feedback and questions from the field. Please know that all of the efforts you are taking to support the education of your child are greatly appreciated and valued. Do not ever lose sight of the fact that you make a difference and our partnership with you is valued. Your involvement and support during this time offers confidence and hope to our school community that we will endure this pandemic together. 201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425
(708) 758-5190
www.brookwood167.org
Board of education MS. DOREEN DAVIS MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON MS. MARY TAYLOR MR. JOHN DIXON MS. ROSLON SEALS MS. TIFFANY GRAHAM MS.TOLEDA HART
superintendent MS. BETHANY A. LINDSAY