Sandwich High School News

Thank you to all of our students who are making this a successful school year. Wearing your masks, social distancing, and washing your hands does work and we are doing a great job. Thank you to our parents and guardians for helping us stay open by teaching your child the importance of these IDPH expectations. When I talk to the students, they are happy to be back and we are pleased that they are here.

We are starting week four and it is a weird year to say the least. I think we are making the best of it that we can. We have a rhythm now and the students know how to get around using the one-way hallways. We are able to clean rooms quicker while maintaining high standards. This week we are introducing hot sandwiches for lunch on some days. This sounds like an easy thing to do, but since we cannot use the serving lines, it is a logistical challenge.

When assessing remote days, it is clear that it is a struggle for everyone. We are noticing that some students are not working on remote days; this will not do. Teachers are providing videos and work for students and they need to be completed. Please use these days like they are intended and complete the at-home assignments. Students are receiving zeros on projects and this is having a negative effect on grades. Some recommended tools for students (modified from Kidshealth.org):

1. Set up a work-friendly area. This is "your" work space.

2. Schedule a regular study time. Make a schedule and use it every day.

3. Help them make a plan. As parent/guardian, make sure your child has a plan and follows it.

4. Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, phone calls, video games, etc.

5. Make sure kids do their own work. Check grades every week. If your student is failing, find out why and make them do their work. Sometimes this requires checks and balances. This may include removing privileges like use of cell phone or video game console.

6. Be a motivator and monitor.

7. Set a good example. Do your kids ever see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents' examples than their advice.

8. Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.

This is a small list, but it is a good place to start and should help you get in gear to make the most of remote learning days.

Stay safe.

Mr. Sodaro

In-Person Students

We are happy to announce that yearbook photos, which are also ID photos, will be taken Wednesday, October 7, for our A-students and Thursday, October 8, for our B-students. HR Imaging will be set up in the small gym and classes will be dismissed to the gym in small numbers so social distancing can be maintained. There will be no picture retakes this year so please make every effort to be present and don’t forget to dress according to the school dress code which can be found on pages 21-22 of the student handbook.

Remote Students

We are happy to announce that yearbook photos, which are also ID photos, will be taken Friday, October 9, for Sandwich High School remote learning students. HR Imaging will be set up in the small gym and remote learning students are invited to come have their picture taken anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Please enter through door 19. This is the door facing west between the footfall field and softball field. You must bring a filled out self-certification form with you or we will take your temperature and certify you at the door. Students will need to dress according to the dress code which can be found on pages 21-22 of the student handbook. If you need a copy of the student handbook, please call the office. There will be no picture retakes this year so please make every effort to be present.

Newest Guidance from IDPH

Sandwich CUSD #430 is following the most recent guidance from the IDPH when deciding if a student needs to be sent home from school. Students will be sent home or denied entry to school if ANY of the following symptoms are present: Fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain from unknown cause, new congestion/runny nose, new loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches. Per the IDPH, medical evaluation and testing are strongly recommended for all persons with COVID-Like symptoms. Any siblings or family members of the symptomatic student that attend/work at a Sandwich school will also need to be sent home as noted in the guidance tree.

Physicals & Immunizations

Seniors (12th grade) are required to have an up-to-date immunization record on file by the first day of school. This is a state requirement for school attendance for both face-to-face and remote learners. Health records may also be sent via email to your school nurse. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact your school nurse.

• 9th (freshmen) must have a current physical examination form including immunizations (DTP/DTaP, Tdap, Polio, Hib, Pneumococcal Conjugate, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, or Meningococcal Conjugate) completed before admittance to school (sports physicals may not be used for the 9th grade physical requirement).
• All students entering 12th grade are required to show proof of having received 2 doses of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine; unless the first dose was given on/after the child’s 16th birthday.
• 9th (freshmen) must have a current dental examination. The examination form must be completed and submitted to the school by May 15, 2021.
• Students participating in athletics must have a physical exam completed and on file with the school prior to participation. Acceptable physical exams include a School Physical or a Sports Physical and must be on a form approved by the State of Illinois. Sports Physicals are NOT acceptable for School Physicals. However, a School Physical IS acceptable for a Sports Physical.
• A complete listing of all the state mandated health requirements for school can be found on the district website. Students not completing these requirements may be subject to exclusion from school.

Health Plans

Health plans for certain medical conditions (ex: asthma, diabetes, seizures, food allergies, etc.) need to be updated every school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse. REMINDER: Students who require an inhaler at school should also have a spacer/chamber available to be used with the inhaler.

Flu Season

Flu season is around the corner! Protect yourself and your family this season with an annual flu vaccine for everyone who is 6 months and older. Seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Visit www.flu.gov for more information.

If you have not completed your census reporting, it’s not too late. The 2020 U.S. Census self-response deadline has been extended to September 30, 2020. The census is a count of all people living in the United States and takes place every 10 years. For the first time, one can respond online.

The census is important because it helps decide how much federal money our schools will receive over the next 10 years, and how much money our state will receive for parks, neighborhood improvements, public health, transportation, and many other programs and services.

Census resource information:

Counting For Dollars 2020: Illinois Fact Sheet

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Census-Dollar-Allocations.pdf

ISBE’s Census Info:

https://www.isbe.net/Pages/census.aspx

Illinois 2020 Census Info:

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=117935