Fall Reopening Guide and Reminders to Families
Posted on 08/07/2020
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Wilmette Public Schools District 39

Wilmette Public Schools District 39
Mikaelian Education Center
615 Locust Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-512-6000
www.wilmette39.org

Dear Wilmette D39 Parents and Families,

Thank you to all who have reviewed the Video Presentation and Presentation Slides shared with families last week, which provided an overview of our Wilmette District 39 fall reopening plans and the continuum of instructional models that have been developed for the 2020-2021 school year.  Thank you also to those of you who attended and provided questions for our two parent webinars hosted this week: D39 Reopening Plan Q&A Webinar and the Q&A Webinar Focused on Special Education Programming.  Your questions and input have provided valuable insight as we finalized our District 39 Reopening Guide published online today.  I am writing today to share this Guide with our families and to provide a few reminders.  

District 39 Reopening Guide

We have developed this District 39 Reopening Guide, which supplements the overview information provided in video format last week and offers additional detailed information regarding our reopening plans and procedures. Within its pages, you will find information regarding the overview of our D39 Reopening Plan shared last week as well as additional information regarding key health and safety measures for in-person instruction, a review of the fully remote and in-person instructional models and enrollment options available, and additional school operation logistics for the 2020-2021 school year.  We invite you to review this information and we will continue to provide regular updates to this Guide.

Enrollment Commitment Form

As a reminder, we ask families to submit their enrollment preference for each child via the D39 Enrollment Commitment Form.  With appreciation for the difficult decisions families face in these uncertain times, we are extending the final deadline for families to submit this form to Sunday, August 9 at 8:00 pm. In submitting the enrollment commitment form, parents are selecting their enrollment preference for each child for the first semester, which extends through January 22nd.  We are encouraging families to think carefully about this commitment as it is intended to be a commitment for the semester.  

Class and teacher assignments will be made based upon these selections and classes will remain intact regardless of the Reopening Phase of the Governor’s Restore Illinois Plan for Wilmette and/or the instructional model that must be provided at any given time.  We are working hard to support, nurture and maintain the connections and relationships among students, teachers and classmates that are so crucial to strong levels of engagement and learning, and maintenance of these class assignments based on these enrollment commitments are key.

Given the changing nature of state and federal health guidance for schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic, our carefully connected continuum of instructional models are specifically designed to ensure robust teaching and learning throughout the school year even through anticipated needs to pivot. Adjustments and improvements will continue to be made as we work to ensure ongoing access to connected and meaningful educational services for all students.  

With appreciation for the countless hours of work that have been contributed to our planning process, we thank our planning team members as well as the many, many stakeholders who contributed input throughout. While we have worked to balance the many competing interests and the imperfect choices we face, we have learned from each other and deepened our understanding of how to support one another through these challenging times. These are ever-changing and unpredictable times; and yet, we have developed plans that will allow us to ensure the excellence in educational services that we are so very proud to provide within District 39 while adhering to health and safety guidelines and ensuring preparedness to pivot, as needed. 

Thank you for your ongoing patience, grace and care through these challenging times.  

Be well.  

Your partner in education,

Dr. Cremascoli
Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D,
Superintendent
Wilmette Public Schools District 39

 

Links to Resources and Reference Tools: 

  • Reopening Presentation: Please watch our D39 Fall 2020 Reopening Presentation video and review the presentation slides.

  • Reopening Guide: Review the District 39 Reopening Guide for additional information regarding our reopening plans, expectations and procedures.

  • Enrollment Commitment: Parents have been asked to submit their chosen enrollment commitment via this form for each of their child(ren) enrolling in D39 for the fall semester by Thursday, August 6th, with an allowed extension of this timeline through the weekend for those who may need it. Parents will receive a return receipt upon submission of each enrollment commitment. The final deadline for submission of your enrollment commitment has been extended through Sunday, August 9th at 8:00 pm.  

  • Consider reviewing the Q&A webinars that were held with parents this week.  Access to these recordings are provided below.