Viking Voice

We are very impressed with the learning that has been taking place in STEM class this year. The students have really done an amazing job of going through the problem solving/inquiry-based learning continuum. We recognize that learning this is difficult in a remote learning setting. Starting on January 4th, we will have a new instructional plan for our STEM class. Instead of students having STEM twice a week, students will have STEM 5 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. All STEM classes will be live allowing students to meet with Mrs. Williams during every STEM time. We will be starting with 4th grade students in January. Below are the units of study and the tentative months of instruction. We are very excited about this change!

The units of study and order of grade-level instruction are as follows:

4th Grade: Energy: Collisions (Rockin' Roller Coaster) (January)

3rd Grade: Forces & Interactions (Save the Zoo Animal) (February)

2nd Grade: Properties of Matter (Save the Popsicles!) (March)

1st Grade: Animal Adaptations (World Traveler) (April)

Kindergarten: Weather & Climate (Build a Shelter) (May)

Since Mrs. Williams will be teaching an entire grade level at one time, students will not be receiving weekly STEM instruction until it is their grade level's month for instruction. The time that used to be STEM, will now be a time for your child to catch up on missing assignments, practice reading or math skills, or participate in other specials. When it is your child's turn for STEM, we will be providing a STEM kit for your child, so that you have all of the materials you need for the unit at your fingertips!

Your child's teacher will update the landing page to reflect this new change in the schedule. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sarah Smith.

This upcoming Wednesday will be another Wellness Wednesday! It was awesome to see all of the creativity and relationship building that happened in classrooms through scavenger hunts, show and tell, favorite books, painting, drawing, virtual field trips and much much more! Please remember to carry Wellness Wednesday into your house as well! Take time together as a family by reading a book, cooking a favorite family recipe, sharing favorite items in your home with each other, or calling family members you haven't talked to in a while!

Be on the lookout for a surprise to be delivered to your door this upcoming week!

Please follow the directions below to access and sign your child's report card online. We are asking that ALL kindergarten-fourth grade families sign the report card electronically. PLEASE SIGN YOUR CHILD'S REPORT CARD BY TODAY!

Mrs. Kawka puts the needs of “ALL” students first. She assisted a colleague to provide a smooth transition of virtual instruction for students and her willingness to accommodate the additional students was a tremendous gift to all! She is EXTRAORDINARY!

Mrs. Holden has gone above and beyond as a substitute and jumped in with both feet, eager to learn and help in any way she can. She is a quick learner, has made the transition seamless and has taken on additional work from another building administrative assistance in her absence as well! She is EXTRAORDINARY!

Mrs. Holden's last day in the office at Salt Creek will be Friday, December 18th. She has done an amazing job in this position and we will miss her dearly!

Check out our new COVID-19 Information page on our website. Stay up to date with the latest Salt Creek School District 48 COVID-19 metrics by visiting:

https://www.saltcreek48.org/page/covid-19-information.

Would you like to recognize a staff member in Salt Creek School District 48 that deserves some extraordinary recognition for something they have done in our school district to make a difference for others? Please fill out this form to have this staff member recognized for their amazing accomplishment.

Although our students are currently in remote learning we are asking that parents still report to the school if their child is experiencing a COVID-like symptom. The Illinois Health Department (IDPH) considers all of the following COVID-like signs/symptoms: Fever of 100.4 or higher, headache, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nasal congestion, nausea, fatigue, muscle or body aches, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell.

In addition to reporting any COVID-like symptoms to your child's school, I also wanted to remind parents that our district has an obligation to notify the DuPage County Health of any confirmed COVID-19 cases or possible exposure cases within our school community, even during remote learning. Please report to the school if anyone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19 or was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Confidential information regarding the COVID-19 positive or probable cases, including the individual's name and other personal identifying information, will not be shared with anyone but the health department.

If someone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19, is identified as a close contact to someone that has tested positive, or is experiencing a COVID-like symptom, please leave a message on the attendance line at your child's school. The nurse will then follow-up to gather the information required by the health department, discuss next steps, and answer any questions you may have.

Meals are available for pick up on Tuesday, November 24th, from 1:00-1:30 and 2:30-3:00.

Any District 48 family can pick up 5 days worth of meals (breakfast and lunch) at Albright Middle School at Door 2 on Tuesdays from 1:00-1:30 and 2:30-3:00. You can also pick up meals on Wednesdays from 11:00-4:00 at any District 45 school. If these times do not work for you, please contact the office, and we can arrange a different time for you to pick up the meals. Menus for December are linked below.

12/15: Parent Education Night: Dr. Bolton @ 7:00 PM

12/16:Wellness Wednesday: Seasonal Color Day ( Wear red, blue, green, white)

12/21-1/1: Winter Break

Our libraries are still lending books to students! Check out this video from Mrs. Ross to see how to check out some of your favorite books.

Need tech support? Please call the office or fill out our Google Form.

Sarah Smith, Principal

ssmith@saltcreek48.org

Sarah Monroe, Assistant Principal

smonroe@saltcreek48.org