Mather Memo

Dear CPS Families and Supporters,

Today, the district is announcing a Pre-K–12 remote learning plan as part of our response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. While this plan will not replace the classroom learning experience or completely bridge the digital divide that exists in our city, it is a full-throttle effort from the district to empower our educators and provide them with the resources they need to engage students in high-quality learning opportunities while schools are closed.

This plan is not a one-size-fits-all approach—every school community is different, and each school will be notifying families of their plans by April 6, and in alignment with new guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, remote learning plans will begin April 13, following our scheduled spring break.

Students will be offered both digital and non-digital learning options, as well as dedicated “office hours,” where students and families can receive support from teachers via Google Meet, phone, or email. Students should embrace this opportunity to continue their learning!

Please go to cps.edu for the full press release

Please take a minute to answer the following MHS Covid-19 Readiness (Technology Resources) Survey. This information will help us determine if/how much technology is needed for our students.

We have also created a general Mather email address if you need to contact the school - it will be monitored daily: ContactMather@cps.edu

As of right now, the SAT will be offered in June. Juniors who are interested should follow the steps below to sign-up and get a fee waiver.

1. As you know, you will not be taking the SAT at Mather this spring. Don't worry, the district and state are putting together a plan to make sure you get an opportunity to take it, but in the meantime, I highly recommend that you sign up to take the SAT on your own in June if you intend on attending a 4-year university after graduation.

You can sign up through College Board.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register

Once you create your account, select a test site and complete all of the information necessary, please contact me and I can provide you with a fee waiver code to take the test for free. We have limited waivers so it's first come first serve. Please do not request a waiver unless you are certain you will take the SAT in June.

If you are in College Possible, you should already have a waiver number, so you do not need another.

2. You will still take your AP tests this May. Please pay attention to all of the advice and assignments your AP teachers share with you. College Board is providing excellent resources to them and they will pass these on to you.

Reach out to your counselors with questions.

Food services is still available from 9-1pm every day at Mather High School Please go to Door 4 off of California Ave to pick up the food.

Free Internet - If you are in need of free internet here are a few sources

• AT&T
  • AT&T is expanding “Access from AT&T,” our low-cost home internet offering to qualifying households AT&T will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program.
  • Additionally, they are offering new Access from AT&T customers two months of free service.
  • All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers can use unlimited internet data.
  • AT&T is redirecting more resources to provide communication services and tools for first responders, health care professionals, educators, and other essential customers. This additional support will help ensure these customers can continue providing critical support to the country and their communities, particularly to first responders using the FirstNet network.
• Spectrum Free Broadband: Spectrum is offering free internet to students in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Starting March 16, 2020, the company will offer free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395.
• Comcast is taking steps to implement the following new policies for the next 60 days, and other important initiatives:
  • Comcast has opened their Home Hotspot network for all non-Comcast customers. If you rent router/WiFi equipment from Comcast, you can enable it to help out those around you in this unprecedented time of need. Comcast promotes it as secure and will not impact your own network experience. Please consider turning this option on at the following: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/disable-xfinity-wifi-home-hotspot
  • Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
  • Pausing Our Data Plan: With so many people working and educating from home, we want our customers to access the internet without thinking about data plans. While the vast majority of our customers do not come close to using 1TB of data in a month, we are pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
  • No Disconnects or Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.
  • News, Information and Educational Content on X1 and Flex: For those with school-age students at home, we’ve created new educational collections for all grade levels in partnership with Common Sense Media. Just say “education” into your X1 or Flex voice remote. To help keep customers informed, we also have created a collection of the most current news and information on Coronavirus. Just say “Coronavirus” into your X1 or Flex voice remote.

Check out this great and timely article in Chicago Parent to help your senior cope.

COVID 19
HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANT! APPLY NOW!

The City of Chicago is providing a Housing Assistance Grant that you can apply for. This needs to be filled out TODAY.

Click on the link to apply!