District Digest

January 5, 2021

District 41 is in full remote Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week while the post winter break COVID-19 Surveillance Saliva Testing is taking place. A robo call will be sent to all families and staff on Wednesday evening, January 6, with information about school opening or not on Thursday, January 7. Please plan for being back in the blended in-person model this Thursday January 7.

For information about disposal of saliva after testing, click here.

If your child tested positive for COVID-19 over winter break or is in quarantine due to a close contact with someone who is positive, please contact your school office or your school nurse directly as soon as possible.

Students and staff who were signed up for COVID-19 Surveillance Saliva Testing in Skyward prior to December 21 will receive test kits for the week of January 11 on Thursday (1/7) and Friday (1/8) of this week. See the saliva sample return schedule below:

Please bring saliva samples to the schools on the following dates:

Monday, January 11

• 8th grade

• 5th grade

• Kindergarten

Tuesday, January 12

• 7th grade

• 4th grade

• First grade

Wednesday, January 13

• 6th grade

• 3rd grade

• 2nd grade

• PreK

Sign up for COVID-Surveillance Saliva Testing in Skyward now and participate the week of January 18.

Click here for an instructional video about how to collect the saliva sample.

It takes most people 2 to 5 minutes to provide a saliva sample. If your child is still having trouble, the following suggestions can help increase saliva production:

• Closing the mouth and wiggling the tongue

• Gently rubbing the outside of the cheeks, just behind the back teeth

• Making chewing motions with the mouth

• Smelling or imagining smelling sour foods such as lemons

• Thinking about one's own favorite food

If you are in the blended in-person model and have not signed the waiver for your child to participate in the COVID-19 Surveillance Saliva Testing in District 41, click here to sign up! The school that is the first in 2021 to reach over 90 percent of students and staff signed up AND over 90 percent participating (by dropping off the saliva samples) will have a blanding's turtle adopted for them at Cosley Zoo for a year.

The District 41 turtle’s name is Scooter and he can’t wait to meet the students and staff from the school that reaches the 90 percent goal for 2021. The zoo will place signage near Scooter with the school name and adoption information. In addition, the school will receive a stuffed animal turtle to display in the school front office.

Thank you to Cosley Zoo and to Cosley Foundation Board President Susan Varcak for making this challenge possible.

Just before winter break, District 41 was informed that the ACCESS testing window has been postponed. The first day of ACCESS testing will now begin March 15, 2021. Teams will reach out to families of English as a Second Language (ESL) and some Dual Language students to schedule testing sessions as necessary. We will share any additional updates in the next few weeks. Thank you for your understanding regarding the change.

Participate in the first public conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)! On Saturday, January 23 from 10 am-12 pm village leaders will share what their organizations have done, are doing, and plan to do regarding DEI initiatives. Moderator Reesheda Graham Washington of RGW Consulting, LLC will lead a Q & A after all presentations are completed.

Reserve your spot and receive the Zoom Meeting ID by email at gepl.librarycalendar.com.

The purpose of the Glen Ellyn DEI Project is to provide a format for the residents of Glen Ellyn to learn more about the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion activities taking place in the community and then to participate in open, facilitated conversations regarding their thoughts and ideas about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Glen Ellyn.

District 41 will use text messaging to share timely information and emergency communications. You can now opt in to receive these important text messages from District 41. Text Y or Yes to 67587.

CLIC PARA ESPANOL

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Email: ekrehbiel@d41.org
Website: www.d41.org
Location: 793 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: 630.790.6400
Facebook: facebook.com/glenellynd41
Twitter: @glenellynd41