109 News

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If you haven't heard, the federal government has launched a website where you can sign up to receive 4 COVID-19 test kits at your address via the US Postal Service. Go to https://special.usps.com/testkits to fill your form out today.

*This is entirely run by the USPS and the federal government and is in no way affiliated with DPS 109, meaning we won't be able to answer any of your questions!!!

You can complete an optional form in Family Access to let DPS 109 know that your child is vaccinated. This is the same form that was made available to students ages 12+ earlier this year. Please click below to log into Family Access.

Why are we asking for this information?

If your child is deemed to be a close contact to a positive case, either in school or outside of it, our contact tracing team will quickly be able to potentially rule out quarantine for those that have voluntarily disclosed their child’s vaccination status or minimize the number of additional tests required to participate in the test to stay program.

For questions, reach out to communications@dps109.org. We will put you in touch with the appropriate department.

To participate in DPS109 Extracurricular Activities, all participants must have a signed consent form and take part in SHIELD testing. Middle school families, you can find the consent form here, and in Friday’s Spartan Weekly Update or Caruso Connect. Elementary families, this applies to a limited number of people, so your principal has reached out already if you’re in that group.

The Board of Education will hold their regular monthly meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the District Office. The agenda can be found by clicking on THIS LINK. You can watch the meeting live via the DPS 109 YouTube channel simply by clicking the link below.

Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

· Effective Leaders

· Collaborative Teachers

· Involved Families

· Supportive Environments

· Ambitious Instruction

To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal.

• January 20: Policy Committee Meeting 5:30 PM
• January 20: Regular Board of Education meeting at 7 PM
• January 21: Board Study Session - Mission, Vision, Values 12 - 4PM

Background pic: ceiling tile art at Caruso Middle School.

CTAD's January newsletter celebrates local students and parents who give back to the community. Four our of five DHS and HPHS students say the try to make the world a better place. They volunteer, they speak up, they donate, and they stay drug-free to focus on what's important to them. CTAD's newest drug prevention poster celebrates students who give back and the theme of CTAD's January newsletter is gratitude. In this issue:

• "You make a difference" newest drug prevention poster at DHS
  
• Ways to make gratitude stick
• Local parents share why they enjoy volunteering
• Advice from social workers on talking to teens about drugs & alcohol
• "I had no idea" - free webinar for parents/guardians on marijuana and teen mental health