Superintendent Update: 4/1/22

To view past superintendent updates, please visit District Updates on our website.

Following spring break discussions with the Board of Education and our Urbana Education Association, the decision was made that beginning Monday, April 4, and for the remainder of the school year, masks are strongly recommended as long as the region is designated as Medium or Low, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When the CDC community level is “high,” the District will also consider the positivity rate within the school district. Provided at least 1,000 students or staff continue to voluntarily submit to testing and the school district positivity rate is 2% or more, the District will return to masks being required for all students, staff, and visitors.

Decisions regarding masking requirements will be assessed and re-evaluated based on a weekly review of county metrics, the district's positivity rate, and the CDC community level. During periods where the region is designated as Medium or Low, the Board's face-covering policy shall be suspended in its entirety. When increases and surges in positive cases are noted in our data or county levels, the District will announce the shift returning to “masks required” to the USD community on Friday for the following week.

Of particular note, per order of the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA), masks are still required on MTD buses at least through April 18. We will continue to keep our 6-12 grade students and families updated if this changes. MTD riders, please remember to bring a mask with you to your MTD bus stop. Masks are strongly recommended but not required on First Student yellow buses beginning April 4.

As we make this transition, I ask that all members of the USD116 community be kind and considerate of one another’s choices. Regardless of whether an individual chooses to wear a mask or not, "mask bullying" will not be allowed or tolerated. In no situation shall a student or USD staff member question another student or staff member about their decision to wear a mask or not wear one. Bullying is prohibited by Board Policy and may result in disciplinary action for students and progressive discipline for staff. Parents, please discuss the importance of respecting others’ choices. We have created a visual linked HERE to help you get the conversation started.

As we make this shift, it will be critical that your family stay connected with us through District messaging if we need to update our mask status. Thank you to the Urbana family for your commitment to good health and wellness.

Dr. Ivory-Tatum,

Superintendent

All USD116 families should mark their calendars for the opening of online registration on Tuesday, May 31. We are opening the online registration window earlier, hoping that all returning students register by Monday, July 25, 2022. We will spend the week of July 25th welcoming our new families.

Come support UMS Theater students as they perform Annie Jr.

• Thursday April 7 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday April 9 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets sold at the door.

We want input from our families as we search for the next Principal of King Elementary.

Please take a moment to fill out the "Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams" survey. We would like to collect input from students, staff, and families. Note: The surveys are not anonymous.

Survey Link: Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams for King Principal 2022-2023

We want input from our families as we search for an Assistant/Associate Principal at UHS.

Please take a moment to fill out the "Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams" survey. We would like to collect input from students, staff, and families. Note: The surveys are not anonymous.

Survey Link: Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams of UHS Assistant Principal

You can find the next four months of public track hours here: Public Track Hours April-July

UHS Students: The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundations has multiple scholarship opportunities available to you. Be sure to apply soon! The applications are online and the deadline is April 19.

https://cuschoolsfoundation.org/scholarship-applications/

Many of your or your student’s primary health needs can be taken care of at the Urbana School Health Center.

Primary medical care, physicals, vaccines routine dental care, and mental health services are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. -4:30 p.m. and Thursdays by appointment only.

• For a medical or counseling appointment, please call (217) 239-4220.
• For a dental appointment, please call (217) 403-5477 and ask for the school dental clinic. exams, and other primary care needs.
• To schedule an appointment, call (217)-239-4220.

USHC is a partnership between Promise Healthcare and the Urbana School District. Promise Healthcare is a local community health center providing primary medical, behavioral health and dental care to patients regardless of ability to pay.

The Urbana School Health Center is located adjacent to the Urbana High school at 1002 S. Race Street.

The USHC accepts most insurance plans and an income-based sliding fee scale is available for those who are uninsured. The USHC does not turn anyone away based on the ability to pay.

Services Provided

• Medical Services: The Urbana Health center provides physical exams (school and sport physicals), immunizations, treatment for acute and chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, ADHD, etc.), reproductive health services, treatment for sport-related injuries and sub-specialty referrals, and individual and family dietary management.

• Dental Services: The Urbana Health Center provides dental services for children and adults, school dental exams and cleanings, and treatment for cavities and extractions on-site.

• Counseling: the Urbana Health Center also offers individual and family counseling, school-based counseling, case management, and resource and referrals.

If you haven't already, be sure to opt-in to receive USD text alerts! USD116 utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.

You can participate in this free service* just by texting “Yes” to 67587.

You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.

SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.

Email: contactus@usd116.org
Website: usd116.org
Location: 1101 East University Avenue, Suite B, Urbana, IL, USA
Phone: 2173843600
Facebook: facebook.com/usd116
Twitter: @urbana116