D92 Newsletter November 2023

District 92 Families,

November is an ideal time to reflect on our gratitude as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. For me, I know that the busier I get, the more likely I am to focus on all of the "problems" facing me and as that happens, I lose focus on the important things in my own life. However, I have found that the more I slow down my thoughts and reflect on the most important people in my life, I quickly become filled with gratitude.

As we enter the potentially hectic months of November and December, I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes that helps me remain in a fairly positive (and calm) state of mind. The musician Ray Wylie Hubbard says, "The days I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, I have really good days."

I hope your life is filled with plenty of really good days.

Be well,

Tim Arnold, Ph.D.

Superintendent

(815) 838-8031

Congratulations to the nearly 40 Oak Prairie students who have been inducted to the National Junior Honor Society this year! We are so proud of the effort each of the following students dedicate to their learning:

Gianna Adamik, Joris Avizonis, Michal Belciak, Alexander Boreman, Theodore Budz,

Willow Chamberlain, Emily Cimino, Sidney Corrigan, Isabella Cuevas, Sophia Dalot, Sadie Eissing,

Leyan Elayyan, Scarlett Ford, Katherine Gayhart, Christina Hioureas, Bryar Jensen, Gracie Kane,

Brayden Klacko, Adrian Kurnat, Nathan Kwasneski, Emma Lasko, Madison Lewis, Morgain Lewis, Ashley McCalla, Amaya Mendoza, Addison Merrill, Vincent Meyer, Brady Moore, Olivia Pietka,

Alex Pietrowski, Ava Pinkerman, Maggie Rehfeld, Isabella Rodriguez, Bella Savarino,

Eva Sinkevicius, Abigail Small, Amelia Sobanska, Abigail Szarzynski, Dane Thurnall, Makayla Tobin, Hunter Van Tholen, and Aiden Zak

State Participants

Gracie Kane

Sadie Eissing

Leah Corrigan

Sidney Corrigan

Sophia Turek

Lilly Barrett

Riley Reposh

Brayden Klacko

We also congratulate our 8th graders on their fantastic running careers at Oak Prairie!

November is a special month for giving thanks and in D92, we always look for ways to recognize all of those who have served (and are currently serving) for Veterans Day.

This year each of our schools will be involving students in age-appropriate activities to recognize our local veterans, including Veterans Day assemblies and the Operation Support Our Troops donation drive, which provides care packages for our troops deployed overseas.

D92's annual giving tree event will begin November 20, 2023. Each year the D92 community fulfills holiday wishlists for those families in need. Gift tags will be hung on the Giving Tree located at each school beginning Monday, November 20th. Please take a tag or two and purchase the requested items. Wrap each gift and attach the tag taken from the tree to the appropriate gift. Gifts can be returned to your student’s school no later than Thursday, December 14, 2023. Last holiday season, the D92 community assisted with providing 40 D92 families with holiday gift donations. Thank you for your ongoing support. It is our hope to bring joy and cheer while making the holidays a bit brighter for those D92 families that have a need this year.

The D92 Annual Budget for FY 2024 was approved by the Board of Education on Sept. 19 and is now posted on the website at d92.org.

Last month D92 provided a Cyber Safety Presentation for parents as part of our Parent University. The content was geared towards parents of students in grades 5-8, however all D92 parents and guardians are encouraged to watch the presentation. If you were unable to attend the presentation, you may view it here.

The presenter, Richard Wistocki, is a former D92 parent and a nationally recognized High Technology Child Crimes Specialist. Det. Wistocki presented proactive strategies, expert insight, and invaluable resources designed to empower our families to combat cyber-bullying and sexting that may be happening on your child’s social media or gaming platform.

The presentation covers the following topics:

• How to effectively monitor your child's devices remotely.
• Understand cyber-crime and that “No one online is anonymous”.
• Understand appropriate protocols when a child discloses issues of cyber-bullying, sexting, or sextortion.
• How to report criminal cyber-bullying, sexting and sextortion.
• Understand apps: Snap Chat, Instagram, House Party, Tik Tok, Google Hangouts and more.
• How internet investigations are conducted using subpoenas and search warrants.
• Understanding social media laws such as harassment, cyber-stalking and false personation.
• How to empower parents to be responsible for their child’s technology.
• How to empower students not to be victims & protect their “digital footprint”.

D92 families have access to a mental health resource that is being made available to all Illinois schools for free for one year through Impactful USA. Impactful USA is a non-profit organization working to bring no-cost mental health literacy programs to every student in the United States.

Impactful USA's primary strategy involves using movies to reach students, teachers, families and communities to de-stigmatize mental health issues. As they describe in their program description, they deliver award-winning film and evidence-based programs that educate on complex topics and include empowering strategies and practical tips on supporting positive mental health by addressing anxiety, online safety, bullying, resilience, loneliness, addiction, connection and belonging.

This year we are using the same protocols for COVID and other illnesses that we had in place at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

• COVID: If an individual tests positive for COVID, it is recommended that they isolate for 5 days, with "Day Zero" being the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test. We also recommend wearing a mask for days 5-10.
• All other illnesses: The following information is found on p. 23 of the 2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook
  
  

STUDENT HEALTH
Students should remain at home until they are well enough to resume work in the classroom. Children who have had a fever should maintain a normal temperature for 24 hours before returning to school. Should a student incur an unusual rash, the student should be kept home for observation and/or attention by the family physician. Lice checks are conducted periodically. A “no nit” procedure is enforced when lice are found.

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES (Policy 7.280)
Please use the following as a guide for the length of time children should be out of school.
Chickenpox - Minimum 7 days after eruption.
Mumps - Minimum 7-10 days until all glandular swelling is gone.
Measles - Minimum 7 days; longer if the child is still not well.
Scarlet Fever - Isolation is required for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
Impetigo - Minimum 5 days, until all crusty lesions heal.
COVID - Minimum 5 days and symptom-free

HOME INJURY
Injuries happening at home will not be treated at school, nor is any diagnosis to be made of home injuries. The school is not responsible.

EXCUSES FOR ILLNESS (Policy 7.70)
The child may be required to bring a signed note from the doctor if the illness keeps the child away from school for three days or more. A signed note from the doctor is required if restrictions are put on the child. The duration should be stated along with restrictions. In cases when a parent has not called the school to report an absence, a written excuse may be required.

Families are also encouraged to check out the IDPH School Health Listing of Communicable Diseases for additional details.

We have moved to streaming our monthly Board of Education meetings via our D92 YouTube Channel. To view the meetings in real time or the recordings of previous meetings, simply go to the D92 website, click on "Board of Education". Then select on "View Live Stream BOE Meeting".

You may also attend Board of Education meetings in person. The meetings are typically held at Ludwig School in the LMC.

Website: www.d92.org
Location: 708 North State Street, Lockport, IL, USA
Phone: 815.838.8031