Above / As “education” news is received, this page will be updated to provide posts from the two public school districts that serve Naperville students. The most recent posts will be featured first.
Part III / Click here for future updates as students head back to e-learning on April 7, 2020…
Part II / Beginning with posts submitted to the Naperville school communities on March 19, 2020, these almost-daily messages were started on March 12, 2020, and are now divided into two for the sake of space.
Donations to the Naperville Education Foundation “Kid Booster Crisis Fund” can be made online at www.nef203.org/donate or via checks made payable to NEF and mailed to NEF, 203 W. Hillside, Naperville, IL 60540.
Donations to the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation “Kid Essentials Fund” provide immediate support to students and families through meal assistance, transportation, housing and essential items. To donate, go to IPEF and enter “Kid Essentials Fund” in the comments box.
Note! Beginning Mon., March 16, 2020, information related to e-Learning was sent to students in District 203 in order to begin on March 17. On March 18, students in District 204 began e-Learning. E-learning will continue until Spring Break begins March 30.
2020 Spring Break begins March 30 / E-Learning returns April 6 & 8
Remember! Parks are open during spring break. Yet, playgrounds, sport courts and active park amenities for contact sports are closed by order of the State of Illinois. Use parks and trails for walking or taking in fresh air and spring signs in nature. Enjoy the beauty of nature every day! Practice social distancing. Social distancing means 6 feet or more between individuals and not congregating or playing contact sports. Be safe.
UPDATE, March 27, 2020 / Today’s message includes important updates.
April 6, 2020 Professional Development Day / April 6, 2020, will be a professional development day for our staff. Students will not be participating in e-Learning on this day. It is important that our staff has time to continue to plan and collaborate in preparation for what comes next for our students. At this time, Tuesday, April 7, 2020 will be an e-Learning day and school is tentatively set to resume on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
Spring Break / Next week March 30-April 1, 2020 is Naperville 203’s spring break. We are asking all staff and students to take a break from e-Learning to enjoy time with family and relax.
K-8 Google Hangouts / This was recently activated to support e-Learning for grades K-8. During spring break this application will be deactivated for grades K-8 since e-Learning will not be in session.
Meal Assistance / The meal pick-up day for spring break will be Monday March 30th from 11:00 – 12:00 (pick up five days worth of meals). More information can be found here.
Summer School Payment / Even with the uncertainty that the next few weeks brings, we still plan to move forward with our plans for Summer Learning 2020. If circumstances change and we need to re-evaluate our summer offerings, we will communicate those changes in an expedited manner. As of now, registration continues to be open both online and through paper registrations. Paper registrations can be dropped off at the District 203 offices, 203 W. Hillside. Although the building is temporarily closed, there is a mail slot through which registrations can be dropped. Summer learning staff will pick up the registrations on a regular basis. Online registration can be accessed at, https://www.naperville203.org/domain/1054. High school students who wish to be added to a waitlist for Online US History, Online American Government, Online Consumer Economics, or Driver Education can email the high school directors, Heather Schild, hschild@naperville203.org, or Tom Gebbie, tgebbie@naperville203.org.
Social Distancing / Reminder about social distancing as the weather improves. Please avoid gathering in public places – Please remember that playgrounds, school facilities (including fields, tracks, and parking lots), etc. are off limits. The “Stay at Home” order mandates that we be at home as much as possible.
During spring break, we will only send emails if there is new information to share with our community. Please keep checking the District website for the most up-to-date information.
UPDATE, March 27, 2020 / With the end of our second week of e-learning, I know staff missed seeing our students in their classrooms. We appreciate all the alternative ways staff and students connected since we started this journey together. There will be no e-learning classes next week as we observe spring break. Our e-learning classes are set to resume on Monday, April 6.
With so many spring break travel plans altered, we have compiled a list of resources on our website to help with your staycation. Make sure to visit our lengthy list to see all the virtual field trips your family can take without ever leaving home. There are many engaging options, including watching for sharks on the live shark cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, viewing the exhibits at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or letting an astronaut take you on a tour of the International Space Station. We also have a list of education focused resources if you are looking for academic activities.
Here are some additional updates:
STUDENTS CAN SUPPORT HEALTHCARE WORKERS: Edward-Elmhurst Hospital is asking students to write letters and cards to motivate, inspire and encourage its healthcare heroes on the front lines as they continue their daily battle to treat patients with COVID-19. The effort is aimed at providing support to healthcare workers in the ER, Pulmonary and ICU departments. If you would like to encourage your child to participate, letters can be sent to the following address: Edward-Elmhurst Hospital, Attn: Healthcare Worker, 801 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540.
MEALS NEXT WEEK: Organic Life will continue to offer curbside pick-up of grab and go breakfast and lunch at no cost for all students during spring break. Pick-up locations are at each elementary school near door 1, between 11 am and 1 pm, Monday through Friday. If your family needs meals, let us know by completing this form. You can find a map with addresses for distribution sites here.
COMMUNICATION: This email is sent to more than 30,000 recipients, but we want to make sure we know if a parent isn’t receiving our updates. If you know a parent who is not getting our emails, please have them contact us at questions@ipsd.org or call 630-375-3890.
It goes without saying that we are in challenging times. I’m grateful to our families, teachers and community for all their support over the past two weeks. I will update you next week if we get any changes from the state, otherwise I look forward to welcoming students back to our virtual classrooms on April 6.
Karen Sullivan, Superintendent
UPDATE, March 24, 2020 / Today’s Naperville 203 community update includes a few reminders for our students and parents.
Advance Placement Test Preparation
For high school students preparing for Advance Placement tests, the College Board is offering several online resources including a daily live stream on YouTube of different classes and review sessions. More information can be found here:
Advanced Placement YouTube Channel
Meal Assistance Reminder
The schedule for meal pick up over the next two weeks is below.
- Wednesday March 25th from 11:00 – 12:00 (pick up three days worth of meals)
- Monday March 30th from 11:00 – 12:00 (pick up five days worth of meals)
Meals will be available for pick-up at any one of the locations below:
- Naperville Central High School – Front loop in the front of building
- Jefferson Junior High School – Bus lane on side of building
- Scott Elementary School– Front lane in front of building
Additionally, a limited number of meals can be picked up at one of the sites below if you are unable to visit one of the sites above. Look for the SD203 school bus to grab your meals on the above dates and times.
- Prairie Elementary School
- Raphael Church (1215 Modaff Rd)
- Connections Program (708 W. 5th Ave.)
- Hageman & Greenfield Dr.
- Surry Ridge Sports Complex (Naper & Abbeywood)
- SASED office (2900 Ogden Ave. in Lisle)
- Brush Hill Park (Whispering Hills Dr. & Lombardy Ln)
If you are in need of meals or other supports, please reach out to your school social worker directly.
Next Week and Beyond
Next week is spring break and we are asking our teachers and students to take a break from e-Learning. April 8th is our tentative return to school date. We will be providing additional information on our post spring break schedule in the coming days. As always, we will send out updates as we receive them from local and state officials.
UPDATE, March 24, 2020 / Yesterday, the Illinois State Board of Education submitted a waiver to the U.S. Department of Education that would waive all federally required assessments in the 2019-20 school year. This includes the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment, PSAT 9, PSAT 10, and the April 14 administration of the SAT. Additional updates were issued regarding ACT, SAT and Advanced Placement Exams. High schools will communicate directly with families as more information becomes available.
As a reminder, there will be no e-learning next week as we are scheduled for spring break. We will continue to provide meals for families during spring break. Visit our website for information and to order your meals.
Our Technology Services staff compiled a list of resources for free or low-cost Internet access. If your family is experiencing connectivity issues that can’t be met by these resources, please email questions@ipsd.org.
Thank you for your continued support.
Karen Sullivan, Superintendent
UPDATE, March 23, 2020 / Naperville 203 students are starting off the second week of e-Learning strong. Thank you for your continued support at home! As our students settle into a routine, we need to continue to be mindful of their social emotional health during these uncertain times. This is a new situation for all of us and it may begin to take a toll on our students’ emotions. Here is a great resource that provides some suggestions for dealing with the stress, as well as ideas for talking to your students about COVID-19 – Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
e-Learning Goal and Guidelines:
As a student-centered school district, Naperville 203 has implemented e-Learning to provide the structure and support our students need during this period of uncertainty. The Illinois State Board of Education has stated that student work completed during the statewide school closure, March 17- April 7, must not negatively impact a student’s grades or otherwise impact a student’s academic standing. Additionally, schools may allow student work to count during the closure only to increase a student’s academic standing. We have guided our teachers to provide formative feedback based on student work. We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in e-Learning and submit work as assigned. Attendance will continue to be gathered and regular communication with teachers is important.
Naperville 203 is committed to the continuity of education to build the foundation for future learning. Our students transitioning to post-secondary opportunities still need to be prepared for college entrance. It is important that all students stay engaged, complete assignments and review feedback from their teachers. Students benefit from regular practice, routine, and teacher interaction. Continued academic engagement will keep the learning moving forward and will help when school resumes.
UPDATE, March 23, 2020 / I have two short updates for you as we start week two of e-learning. Please note the state is allowing us to continue to provide meals during Governor Pritzker’s stay at home order. You can pick up a meal at the elementary school that is most convenient for you. Details are below.
MEALS AVAILABLE: Organic Life is offering curbside pick-up of grab and go breakfast and lunch at no cost for all students. Pick-up locations are at each elementary school near door 1, between 11 am and 1 pm, Monday through Friday. If your family needs meals, let us know by completing this form. You can find a map with addresses for distribution sites here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: We are updating our frequently asked questions page as common questions are submitted. Please check this page before reaching out to the district.
Thank you for your continued support.
Karen Sullivan, Superintendent
UPDATE, March 20, 2020 / Thank you to everyone for your support during the instructional shifts we made this week. Another modification you will see is in the format of our Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2020. To maintain social distancing practices, the meeting will be held virtually and have an abbreviated agenda to handle essential business items only. For more information, click here.
As you may have heard, Governor Pritzker announced this afternoon that schools will remain closed through April 8. We will continue to update you as we receive new information from the state.
MEALS AVAILABLE: Organic Life is offering curbside pick-up of grab and go breakfast and lunch at no cost for all students. The pickup locations are at each elementary school near door 1, between 11 am and 1 pm, Monday through Friday. If your family needs meals, let us know by completing this form.
Have a good weekend and thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Karen Sullivan, Superintendent
UPDATE, March 20, 2020 / Just a short time ago, Governor Pritzker issued a “stay at home” order for the entire state of Illinois through April 7, 2020. The Governor also extended the school closure order with the earliest schools can return being April 8, 2020.
District administration will continue to evaluate this situation as it evolves, but we will continue with our e-Learning plans that our teachers and schools have in place. However, during our scheduled spring break (March 28 – April 5), I want students and teachers to take a break from e-Learning and planning to spend time with their families and take care of themselves. This will be an important break during these uncertain times. Your health and your well-being are most important. The District is putting measures in place to keep providing food throughout spring break. More information will be out next week about additional meal assistance dates.
If you must leave your home, remember social distancing guidelines to limit your interaction with others, avoid crowds and public places, and to keep 6-10 feet between yourself and others. Athletes, we know you miss your sport, your teammates, and your coaches. Your long-term health and wellness are important. You must refrain from organizing practices and workouts during this time. Naperville 203 facilities are off limits for any organized activity.
As we get more information, we will continue to update our community. Thank you.
Dan Bridges, Superintendent
UPDATE, March 19, 2020 / We often hear how the Internet has changed our lives. It’s easy to think of things we can do online today that weren’t thought of 10, 5, or in some cases, even a year ago. Moving all classes online is one of those things. I loved seeing all the posts on Twitter with the ways our teachers are connecting with their students. Data from day one of e-learning shows District 204 was engaged. I thought I would share a few data points from yesterday:
- We had 20,000 students access Google Classroom.
- More than 660 hours of video conferencing took place between teachers, staff, and students.
- Programs on district computers were opened 25,000 times before 10 am. That number increased to 62,000 by 9 pm.
Again, thank you to our teachers and students for your work.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: With students working online, we are asking parents to remind their children about being good digital citizens. We have a resource for parents here.
ATTENDANCE: As a reminder, we had planned to take attendance on e-learning days, but the state directive is that no attendance will be taken.
MEALS AVAILABLE: Organic Life is offering curbside pick-up of grab and go breakfast and lunch at no cost for all students. The pickup locations are at each elementary school near door 1, between 11 am and 1 pm, Monday through Friday. If your family needs meals, let us know by completing this form.
Thank you for your continued support.
Karen Sullivan, Superintendent
UPDATE, March 19, 2020 / Today I am reaching out with a few updates.
Many in our community have outreached asking how they can help our students in need. The Naperville Education Foundation has created a Kid Booster Crisis Fund, an emergency fund providing immediate access to financial assistance for students and families in need. The Kid Booster Crisis Fund will help students that have been impacted by COVID-19 by providing financial support related to housing, meals for weekend and evening, and transportation needs. This crisis fund will directly help our most at-risk students, including the 15% of Naperville 203’s 16,500 students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, and the 1% of our students who are homeless. These are the families in our community who are most vulnerable to the overall impact of this virus. Donations can be made online at www.nef203.org/donate or via checks made payable to NEF and mailed to NEF, 203 W. Hillside, Naperville, IL 60540.
I want to continue to remind our families about the importance of social distancing. We have closed all of our Naperville 203 buildings to the public and have sent as many employees as possible to work at home. It is important that we continue to practice social distancing.
- Avoid gathering in public places – especially in close proximity to others.
- Avoid close contact with those that are sick.
- Try to keep 6-10 feet between yourself and others – give yourself space.
- Be at home as much as possible.
- Try to limit who you and your children interact with to the same people you typically are around.
This is going to get increasingly difficult for our students, but we would recommend that they “meet up” with their friends using technology like Google Hangouts to keep their social connections.
Also, with students working online during this e-Learning time, please take a moment to remind your student(s) about being a good digital citizen. More information about digital citizenship can be found here.
We will continue to update our community on a daily basis (Monday-Friday) through our Talk 203 messages.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Dan Bridges, Superintendent
That previous post, Part I, includes messages from the superintendents through March 18, 2020.
