Superintendent Update: Jan 15, 2021

from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

SuperintendentUpdate: Jan 15, 2021from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

To view past superintendent updates, please click here. To view weekly updates online, please visit our District Updates archive on our website.

Greetings USD116 Friends and Family,

In December 2020, the Urbana School District Administration and the Board of Education established an Equity Task Force. The goal of the Task Force is to examine inequities in the District, explore how disparities are impacting student success, and arrive at an actionable path forward to building a culture of equity and inclusion across all District structures and systems.


If you are eager to join in this task, District Administration and the BOE invite you to complete our interest application. We are recruiting parents, staff, students, community members, and alumni who will serve as thought partners with District Administration and Leadership. If interested, the application process is now open; please follow this link: Equity Task Force Interest Application. The survey will close on Monday, January 25, so the Administration can make final selections and prepare to convene the committee in February.


As we welcome more students back to the buildings, families and USD116 staff, please take a few moments to discuss with your students what to expect when they return for in-person learning. Our website has several health and safety resources if you have questions regarding safety protocols. Enjoy this video, which demonstrates for our younger students the new guidelines and expectations for in-person learning.


One of the most important additions to our health and safety protocols is our ability to provide COVID testing through a rapid antigen test during the school day. Starting Tuesday, January 19, symptomatic students and staff will have the opportunity to test onsite at every school. Remember, if you feel sick, stay at home! However, if someone begins to feel unwell during the day, we will have the ability to test that individual and take the necessary precautions for contact tracing or quarantining immediately. We will never test a student without a parent or guardian’s permission. Per the return to in-person parent/guardian consent form, if your child becomes ill or begins to show any symptoms, you will be called immediately and asked to pick up your child(ren). Our nursing staff will work with you to complete COVID-19 testing and ensure we have a signed consent for testing as part of the process linked here. Consent to COVID testing; SP- Consent to COVID testing; FR - Consent to COVID testing


As we are on the eve of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s commemoration weekend, let us remember the prolific words of Dr. King, which said, “I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear.” These words are certainly appropriate in times like these.


Be safe and be well,


Dr. Ivory-Tatum,


Superintendent

UHS and Elementary Return Plans

There is a change in student attendance plans for those students invited back for in-person learning at Urbana High School. Instead of all “invited” students returning on Tuesday, January 19, only 9th graders should attend on Tuesday. All students in grades 9-12 invited to return should be in attendance on Thursday, January 21, and Friday, January 22. If you are returning in person, please make sure you have also completed your parent/guardian consent form. If you have any questions, please contact UHS at 217-384-3505.


Reminder for K-5 Families your elementary students will return as follows:

  • Tuesday, January 19th: Kindergarten (K) and Fifth grades (5th) return

  • Wednesday, January 20th - remote only for all students K-5

  • Thursday, January 21st - First (1st) and Fourth (4th) grades return

    • Kindergarten and 5th are also in attendance

  • Friday, January 22nd - Second (2nd) and Third (3rd) grades return

    • K, 1st, 4th, and 5th are also in attendance

LATEST NEWS

#StrongerTogetherResources

This week, we kicked off our #StrongerTogether116 campaign. With this campaign, we will be sharing information about health and safety with families as some of our students safely return to our buildings for in-person learning. To view the COVID-19 dashboard, health and safety FAQs, and information about testing protocols, visit our website and view the #StrongerTogether116 block on the homepage.

Free Student Opportunities

Are you looking for interesting activities to keep your students engaged? Urbana Park District has some great opportunities coming up just for teenagers in the community, including Imagination Open Lab and Self Care for Gen Z. View the flyers and contact Urbana Park District for more information! #UrbanaBetterTogether

2021 Meal Distribution Changes

Starting Wednesday, January 20, there will be a change in meal distribution: Meals will be available for all children 18 and under on Wednesdays! Any family with children 18 and under can attend a meal distribution at any USD116 elementary building or UMS on Wednesdays from 1130- 12:30 to receive free meals. Families can pick up a total of 7 days worth of meals and breakfasts. To contact food service for information, call 217-384-3501. To view the full flyer, click here.