Superintendent Update: 12/10/21

The holiday season is a time to celebrate another year and also an opportunity to show gratitude to one another and those we love and care about most. It is a special time to spend memorable moments with neighbors, classmates, friends, and family. So much of the holiday season focuses on gifts and “things.” This year, give a unique gift. Be creative! Look for special ways to celebrate one another through kindness and encouragement. Tell a teacher, classmate, friend, or family member how much you appreciate them for something they do well, or give them a pat on the back with a few words of genuine praise. It is wonderful to give gifts to others, but the gift of encouragement and appreciation doesn’t cost anything, and it’s a gift that shows you care.

Another way you can show how much you care is by practicing safe COVID protocols now and throughout the upcoming break. Champaign County is currently experiencing a higher number of positive COVID cases. Last week (i.e., the week after Thanksgiving), the County experienced some of the highest case numbers since the start of the pandemic. Of the 1,266 positive cases last week, per C-UPHD, 8 out of 10 of those impacted were unvaccinated. Vaccination continues to be the best protection against COVID-19. If your student has received both doses of the vaccine, we ask that you upload a copy of their vaccination card. It is a fairly easy process through Family Access. Once you log in to Family Access, click on "Online Forms" on the left toolbar. You will see a link to upload a COVID vaccination form. Once you locate your file and upload it, you are done! I have also linked COVID-19 upload instructions from Family Access. This is very important! If there is a positive case, asymptomatic, fully vaccinated individuals are not identified as close contacts and are therefore not excluded from school. We will always notify you if your student is identified as a close contact so you are aware and can monitor their symptoms or get them tested.

Many of you are mask weary and experiencing COVID fatigue, but now is the time to be even more diligent than we have in the past. Even if you are fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control recommends wearing a well-fitted mask indoors and in indoor public places or crowded outdoor settings. Please continue to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate if you develop symptoms and get tested. Remember anyone who feels ill should stay home!

In more positive news, this year we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Spanish Dual Language Program. The program started in 2012 at Dr. Preston Williams and Leal. The program’s first students are now in the 10th grade. We are incredibly proud that almost 20% of our student population participates in the Spanish Dual Language Program. As the program has grown in size, so has its success and challenges. Following the winter break, a team of District stakeholders will review the program’s current model through an internal program evaluation process. In addition to evaluating the program, the committee will also examine student enrollment and space concerns, teacher recruitment and retention, as well as other immediate challenges. If you are a parent or guardian, staff member, or student in the Spanish Dual Language Program and are interested in being part of this working committee, please reach out to your teacher or principal. We have created an interest survey form they can share with you. The survey will also be shared with parents via email. If you would like more detailed information and want to read or watch the entire presentation from this week’s Board meeting, please follow these links to the most recent Board of Education Update:

• English: https://usd116.org/boe12721/
• Español: https://www.smore.com/qfjab

Celebrating the rich diversity of our District is just one reason why I feel privileged to be part of the Urbana family. There will be many different cultural celebrations taking place across our community. I hope that whatever holiday you and your family celebrate, you can spend quality time with loved ones in the coming weeks.

May the spirit of the holiday season fill your heart and your home,

Dr. Ivory-Tatum,

Superintendent