USD116 BOE Update: Aug. 2, 2022

Masking: The CDC recommends, but does not mandate, universal indoor masking in communities with HIGH transmission levels. Currently, there is no federal or state mask mandate in place; however, the District still recommends mask wearing, especially during HIGH transmission.

Physical Distancing: Currently, there are no federal or state mandates for social distancing. The CDC recommends using cohorting in areas of HIGH levels of transmission. We will continue to cohort or provide additional physical distancing in areas of increased positivity or transmission We will continue to allow additional lunchroom monitors to allow additional spacing at lunch.

Testing: The CDC recommends schools offer diagnostic testing for symptomatic students

and staff and those who came into close contact with an individual with COVID-19.

• The CDC and the District encourage the continued use of at-home tests. You can order home tests at this link: Get free at- home COVID- 19 tests

• Testing will still be available in schools for symptomatic students and staff via the building nurse.

Contact Tracing, Close Contacts and Quarantine

• Schools are not required to conduct contact tracing; however, the CDC recommends notifying individuals identified as close contacts.
• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be excluded from school for five (5) calendar days.
• We are not excluding asymptomatic close contacts at this time.
• Districts are still required to provide assignments and schoolwork for students excluded due to COVID.

Vaccinate or Test (Staff) The Governor extended the Executive Order. Until the order is lifted, we are still requiring staff to be fully vaccinated, and if not fully vaccinated, to test weekly.

• We will continue to offer in-district drive through options for staff to test before or after school on the following days:

• Mondays | 7-8 a.m | UMS Door #6 (Michigan St.)
• Tuesdays & Thursdays | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Yankee Ridge

Vaccine Clinics: USD116 will host a vaccine/booster clinic for staff and students (5 and older) on Friday, August 12th from 1-3 p.m. in the small gym at Urbana High School.

• We will work with C-UPHD to offer a clinic for the new bivalent Omicron-adapted vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

View the full 2022/23 Return to Learn Plan

The return to learn plan will be brought back to the Board for approval at the August 23rd meeting.

THE ANTI-VIOLENCE COLLECTIVE

The Anti-Violence Collective’s goal is to develop a diverse network of support to problem solve a systemic system to address violence in our schools and the Urbana Community.

• The AVC started at UHS but will incorporate UMS students in the Fall
• There are currently two working groups: Trauma-Informed Work Group and Student Intervention Work Group

FUNDING SOURCES

• The District still intends to complete the grant process to access City of Urbana ARPA funds. The application process is scheduled to open in August.
• We have been moving forward with renovations at the new site.
• We have received grants this summer and have other pending grants to help grow the programming planned and initiated through the AVC.
• Dr. Wiemelt has gathered a knowledgeable group of teachers, counselors, administrators, community partners, etc., to begin planning the framework and logistics to support our most impacted youth in grades 6-12 at the new site.

Mental Health Training and Resource Grant funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health funded for $100,000. This grant will be used for:

• Hiring an Assistant Director to help support programming
• Youth Mental Health First Aid; hopefully, build a Train the Trainer model for the District
• Police Public Safety Youth Mental Health Training for SROs
• Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing (REACH)
• Trauma-Informed Schools &Trauma intervention groups - Self Made Kingz; GLAM; GRIT; and a Mom & Dad group (through the AVC)
• Restorative Justice Education

Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Program (R3) - Grant funded by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) funded for $147,000.

• Restorative Practices Training, Pk-12
• Edmentum - Credit Recovery
• Xello - Electonic Portfolios for students in Career Readiness
• Specific Programming for students in grades 6-12
• Outreach opportunities for youth

Freedom School Grant: In the process, funded for $350,000

Funds are designated to supplement the learning taking place in public schools by creating programs with a mission to improve the odds for children in poverty. This grant will support:

• Students in grades 6-12 most connected to our anti-violence programming efforts
• After school programming, Monday-Thursday, at the new site
• Credit recovery for UHS students
• After-school tutoring
• Exposure to trades, earning certifications
• Peer-to-peer groups
• Trauma-informed groups

School Violence Prevention & COPS Grant ($350,000 & $1,000,000): NOT YET FUNDED. If funded these grants will support:

• Additional cameras at UMS and UHS
• Anonymous reporting systems and hotline
• Updating our door fobs system, door alarms, ID scanners, and metal detection
• Specialized training for administrators, staff, and threat assessment teams responding to mental health crises
• Training for school personnel and students to prevent student violence against others and self

View the full Grant Update presentation

Work has been ongoing this summer at Thomas Paine Elementary. A few things to note as staff and students return for the 2022/23 school year.

• The sidewalk on the south side of the street will be closed near the intersection of Florida Avenue and Lincolnwood Drive
• Due to supply chain issues, the fence at the new sensory garden will be installed in the early fall
• Contractors will continue working on the new North and East additions throughout the school year
• Any work required on the existing building will be completed during the Fall and Spring breaks
• Aug. 16 is back to school night and families will get to see the new building

View the full Thomas Paine Construction Update

The Board of Education approved employment of the following new Administrators for

the 2022-23 school year:

• Terry Napper, Co-Director Before and After School Child Care Program, District Wide (replacing S. Davin)
• Chad Harper, Co-Director Before and After School Child Care Program, District Wide (replacing S. Davin)

Mr. Chad Harper has nearly 30 years with the Urbana School District. He started in Urbana in 1993 as a paraprofessional at Yankee Ridge Elementary. During his tenure at USD #116, Mr. Harper has served as a teacher’s aide, lunchroom supervisor, recreation leader, gentleman’s club coordinator, summer maintenance worker, DPW Site Coordinator, and a national trainer for after school programs.

Mr. Terry Napper has more than 35 year serving in the Urbana School District, he started in Urbana in the1980’s. During his tenure at USD #116, Mr. Napper has worked at Leal, Wiley, and Urbana Middle School serving the district as a lunchroom supervisor, recreation leader, Leal Site Coordinator, and also a national trainer for after school programs.

Highlights:

• Sola Gratia Farm and the USD farm to school program received a $100,000 implementation grant from the USDA. The new grant will support the creation of a Farm to School Coordinator position for the district, fund garden leaders at each school, and develop educational kits for agriculture education in the classroom, kitchen and school gardens. Apply for coordinator position
  
• Freshman Transition Program is Aug 10 & 11 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

SIGN UP: https://forms.gle/jUKMMeK96KGe9Bk9A
• Opening Day is Aug. 16
• Community school supply giveaways

Email: contactus@usd116.org
Website: usd116.org
Location: 205 North Race Street, Urbana, IL, USA
Phone: (217) 384-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/usd116
Twitter: @urbana116