Brookwood 167 | COVID19 UPDATE

Board of education

April 29th, 2020

MRS. DOREEN DAVIS,

Dear Parents and Families: On behalf of the Board of Education for Brookwood School District 167, I hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. As you know, on April 17th, 2020, Governor Pritzker mandated that all Illinois schools remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. We recognize that our spring season is a time of celebration with many beloved traditions and transitions. We know there is a collective sense of disappointment because we are unable to move forward with events in person as we typically have in years past. Our educators and administration are committed to thinking creatively as we proceed, but we understand that this unexpected change is hard.

Thank you to all who completed the Parent Wellness Check-In Survey that is posted on our website. It’s not too late to complete your survey.

Our staff is analyzing the information/responses to target resources and provide assistance to our families. Our teachers are also sharing a Wellness Check-In Student Survey survey with all of their students for each one to complete in order to guide and implement additional efforts of support.

Remote Learning Technology Device Loan — It’s Not Too Late!

• We have been able to distribute technology devices (on loan) to any student in need. It is not too late to request a device.

During the time of pick-up for a technology device, parents will be required to sign a User Agreement for the technology loan. Please contact your child’s Principal to schedule a time for pick up.

The Emails Are Listed Below For School Principals: • Longwood: rpatterson@brookwood167.org • Hickory Bend: sjackson@brookwood167.org • Brookwood Middle School: onowels@brookwood167.org • Brookwood Jr. High School: jlarson@brookwood167.org 201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425

(708) 758-5190

www.brookwood167.org

BOARD PRESIDENT MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT MS. MARY TAYLOR, BOARD SECRETARY MR. JOHN DIXON, BOARD MEMBER DR. TIFFANY GRAHAM, BOARD MEMBER MRS. TOLEDA HART, BOARD MEMBER MS. ROSLON SEALS, BOARD MEMBER

superintendent BETHANY A. LINDSAY

You can find a wealth of resources to reassure your child coping with scary situations and talking to your child about COVID-19, as well as learn to manage anxiety and stress at: https://bit.ly/3dRc3L1 Remote Learning Planning Days have been scheduled for teachers and support staff. ISBE recommends that public schools use five (5) Remote Planning Days so that our educators can engage in professional development, collaboration, and planning for remote learning. On these days, teachers are not required and may not be able to interact with students and parents.

We have scheduled the following five (5) Remote Learning Planning Days: • April 9th (half day) • April 24th • May 1st • May 8th • May 15th • June 4th (half day) End-of-Year District Collaboration Food Service and Meal Deliveries • We will continue to provide meals through the end of the school year to Brookwood SD 167 families through our Grab & Go Meal Program (Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:30am – 11:00am at BMS). We want to thank our food service team for their unwavering commitment and teamwork to make this program a success. To date they have served approximately (6000) meals. Additionally, below is a link that is being shared with all families for information on assistance with food, paying bills and new programs specifically to address the COVID-19 pandemic: https://bit.ly/3aOLIL2

201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425

(708) 758-5190

www.brookwood167.org

Board of education MRS. DOREEN DAVIS, BOARD PRESIDENT MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT MS. MARY TAYLOR, BOARD SECRETARY MR. JOHN DIXON, BOARD MEMBER DR. TIFFANY GRAHAM, BOARD MEMBER MRS. TOLEDA HART, BOARD MEMBER MS. ROSLON SEALS, BOARD MEMBER

superintendent BETHANY A. LINDSAY

Yearbook Distribution • Yearbooks will be created this year and school Principals will be sending all parents an order form. Specific information regarding the timing and distribution will come from each school soon.

Board of education MRS. DOREEN DAVIS, BOARD PRESIDENT MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON,

Student Personal Belongings Pick-Up • We are working on plans for students and staff to pick-up personal belongings from our schools May 18th – May 28th.

Pick-up times will be scheduled during the hours of 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Principals will be sharing with you detailed information about a safe pick-up process. Please note that our last day of student attendance this year will be June 3rd, 2020.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

8th Grade Graduation • Graduation is such an important event and you may have questions about what we are doing for graduation. This directive was provided on 4/29/20 from the State Superintendent, Carmen Ayala (ISBE), regarding graduation:

DR. TIFFANY GRAHAM,

“In-person graduation ceremonies of any kind are not allowed at this time. This directive extends to drive-through graduation ceremonies or events where students come in small groups to the school or another location for a photo or to walk across a stage. The Governor’s extended stay-at-home order prohibits group gatherings. I join you in hoping that events can resume in person sooner rather than later, but that time is not now.

Schools and districts across the state have shown incredible creativity over the past few weeks. I have complete faith in your ability to honor graduates through safe, virtual ceremonies and celebrations.”

201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425

(708) 758-5190

www.brookwood167.org

MS. MARY TAYLOR, BOARD SECRETARY MR. JOHN DIXON, BOARD MEMBER

BOARD MEMBER MRS. TOLEDA HART, BOARD MEMBER MS. ROSLON SEALS, BOARD MEMBER

superintendent BETHANY A. LINDSAY

An inclusive Graduation Committee comprised of students, parents and staff has been developed by Ms. Larson, BJHS Principal. Plans and ideas are being articulated. This Friday, May 1st, 2020, the committee is having a virtual meeting. We are excited to share what the committee comes up with, so please stay tuned.

In closing, I know this is not the school year that any of us imagined, but I want to reiterate my sincere appreciation for your flexibility and ongoing efforts to support our students while they are learning remotely.

Please know that we are fully committed and are appreciative of our partnership as we work through this challenging time together!

Board of education MRS. DOREEN DAVIS, BOARD PRESIDENT MRS. SANDRA WASHINGTON, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT MS. MARY TAYLOR, BOARD SECRETARY MR. JOHN DIXON,

“Life is not what you alone make it.

BOARD MEMBER

Life is the input of everyone who

DR. TIFFANY GRAHAM,

touched your life and every experience that entered it.

BOARD MEMBER MRS. TOLEDA HART, BOARD MEMBER

We are all part of one another.”

MS. ROSLON SEALS,

– Yuri Kochiyama

BOARD MEMBER

We are in this together and we will get through it TOGETHER!

201 E. Glenwood-Dyer Road Glenwood, IL 60425

(708) 758-5190

www.brookwood167.org

superintendent BETHANY A. LINDSAY