Walker School Update

Twosday was a big hit! The students had so much fun dressing up for the day.

Parents, as you may know the mask mandate has been lifted for schools. We are working hard to support our students as we transition to a mask recommended model for our schools. A few reminders while we are making the transition to mask recommended.

• Everyone will have different feelings about this, and whatever you are feeling about it is ok.
• It's perfectly fine for you to choose to wear a mask or not to wear a mask, and your decision can change from day to day based on how comfortable you feel.
• Students who choose to wear a mask shouldn't be made to feel that they are silly or unnecessarily fearful.
• Students who choose not to wear a mask shouldn't be made to feel that they are irresponsible or uncaring.
• If students are struggling with how to feel about this or the right decision to make, encourage them to talk to their parent, a teacher, the social worker, or another trusted adult.

Please help us make this a smooth transition by talking with your children about kindness and respecting each individual's decision. Our community has accomplished so much together, and I am confident that we will transition smoothly into this next chapter.

Starting Monday, February 28, 2022, the wearing of masks will be optional on all School District 104 transportation, due to the changes in guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control as well as the masking recommendations for the State of Illinois. Thank

you.

A partir lunes 28 de febrero de 2022, el uso de mascarillas será opcional en todo el transporte del Distrito Escolar 104, debido a los cambios en la orientación y recomendaciones de los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades, así como las recomendaciones de uso de mascarillas para el Estado de Illinois.

Gracias.

Arrange a time with your classroom teacher if you would like a conference. This trimester the conferences are optional.

Dismissal at 1:50 pm

Conferences from 3:00 - 8:00 pm

March

4 - End of 2nd Trimester

7 - Regular Student Attendance Day (Casimir Pulaski Day)

8 - 27 - IAR Testing Dates

11 - Report Cards go Home
14 - Early Release Day 1:50, P/T Conferences 3-8pm
15 - Regular Student Attendance Day (Formerly Institute Day)
17 - St. Patrick's Day - Wear Green

25 - The BFG Assembly 10:00 am
Spring Break - March 28 - April 1

We're almost there! If you haven't taken the survey, please take 5 minutes right now to complete it. Thank you to everyone who has already taken it!

The 5Essentials Survey is given to students, teachers, and parents to measure a school's progress in instruction, family connections, the school environment, collaborative teaching, and school leadership. The securely collected data is used by school leaders to drive school improvement and identify areas of strength. Parent feedback is a critical and valued component of this survey. The parent/guardian survey can be found at this link. To log in, you'll need to put in an email address (which you'll only receive 1 confirmation email when completed and submitted), our county (Cook), and then our school (if you begin typing Walker, the elementary school W W Walker will come up for you to select. Then, it will ask you how many kids you have in that school.

FAQs

1. What changes did District 104 make to its COVID-19 mitigation plan?

District 104 is recommending that students and staff follow the CDC’s guidance and wear masks while on school property.

2. How is District 104 supporting students and staff during this transition period?

Our priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We understand that while some students may be excited about not having to wear a mask, the transition may also cause anxiety and stress for many students. District 104 emphasizes the importance of respecting the choices of others while reiterating that we want all students to feel safe.

3. How can families help support their child(ren) through this transition?

In addition to the conversations that students will have at school, we ask that you have conversations with your child(ren) to make a decision regarding mask wearing that is best for your family.

4. If my child has COVID-19 symptoms, what should he or she do?

Students, staff, and visitors experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not report to school. If at any time your child is not feeling well, please have him/her stay home, or, if your child is in school, have him/her visit the nurse's office.

5. Can individuals who test positive for COVID-19, or have Covid-19 Symptoms return to school after five days?

District 104 will continue to follow CDC’s guidance regarding positive COVID-19 cases. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19, or have Covid-19 symptoms, need to also isolate for 5 days must be excluded from school and may return to school after five days if they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and if their symptoms are improving. School nurses will advise parents when students can return to in-person instruction.

6. Are students required to wear masks on the school bus?

Yes, students are required to wear masks on any District-provided transportation, as required by federal mandate.

7. Will District 104 continue to offer a COVID-19 testing program?

Yes, we will continue to offer onsite COVID-19 testing for staff and students for those who wish to be tested.

8. Will District 104 continue to update its families regarding the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the district?

Yes, we will continue to maintain and update our Covid-19 Dashboard located on our website.

9. Will students involved in after-school extracurricular activities be required to wear masks?

District 104 recommends that students and coaches wear masks while on school property. When visiting other districts, students and coaches are expected to follow the rules set by the school district they are competing against.

Mitigaciones contra el COVID-19 del distrito 104

Preguntas mas frecuentes (FAQ)

1. ¿Qué cambios hizo el Distrito 104 en su plan de mitigación de COVID-19?

El Distrito 104 recomienda que los estudiantes y el personal sigan la guía de los CDC y usen máscaras mientras se encuentran en la propiedad escolar.

2. ¿Cómo apoya el Distrito 104 a los estudiantes y al personal durante este período de transición?

Nuestra prioridad es la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes y personal. Entendemos que algunos estudiantes pueden estar entusiasmados por no tener que usar una mascarilla, la transición también puede causarles ansiedad y estrés a muchos estudiantes. El Distrito 104 enfatiza la importancia de respetar las elecciones de los demás y reitera que queremos que todos los estudiantes se sientan seguros.

3. ¿Cómo pueden las familias ayudar a sus hijos durante esta transición?

Además de las conversaciones que los estudiantes tendrán en la escuela, le pedimos que tenga conversaciones con su(s) hijo(s) para tomar una decisión sobre el uso de mascarillas que sea mejor para su familia.

4. Si mi hijo tiene síntomas de COVID-19, ¿qué debe hacer?

Los estudiantes, el personal y los visitantes que experimenten síntomas de COVID-19 no deben presentarse en la escuela. Si en algún momento su hijo no se siente bien, pídale que se quede en casa o, si su hijo está en la escuela, pídale que visite la oficina de la enfermera.

5. ¿Pueden las personas que den positivo por COVID-19 o que tengan síntomas de COVID-19 regresar a la escuela después de cinco días?

El Distrito 104 continuará siguiendo la guía de los CDC con respecto a los casos positivos de COVID-19. Las personas que den positivo en la prueba de COVID-19 o que tengan síntomas de COVID-19 deben ser excluidas de la escuela y pueden regresar a la escuela después de cinco días si no han tenido fiebre durante 24 horas (sin el uso de medicamentos para reducir la fiebre) y si sus síntomas están mejorando. Las enfermeras escolares informarán a los padres cuándo los estudiantes pueden regresar a la instrucción en persona.

6. ¿Se requiere que los estudiantes usen máscaras en el autobús escolar?

Sí, los estudiantes deben usar máscaras en cualquier transporte proporcionado por el Distrito, según lo exige el mandato federal.

7. ¿Continuará el Distrito 104 ofreciendo un programa de pruebas de COVID-19?

Sí, continuaremos ofreciendo pruebas de COVID-19 en el sitio para el personal y los estudiantes para aquellos que deseen hacerse la prueba.

8. ¿Continuará el Distrito 104 informando a sus familias sobre la cantidad de casos positivos de COVID-19 en el distrito?

Sí, continuaremos manteniendo y actualizando nuestro Tablero Covid-19 ubicado en nuestro sitio web.

9. ¿Se requerirá que los estudiantes que participen en actividades extracurriculares después de la escuela usen máscaras?

El Distrito 104 recomienda que los estudiantes y entrenadores usen máscaras mientras se encuentran en la propiedad escolar. Al visitar otros distritos, se espera que los estudiantes y entrenadores sigan las reglas establecidas por el distrito escolar contra el que compiten.