District Newsletter
As October comes to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on the positive energy and spirit that filled our schools this month. The last few weeks have been alive with all types of learning, engaging activities and festive Fall/Halloween celebrations, bringing together students, staff, and families in ways that truly enhance our sense of community.
It’s been a pleasure to see our students enjoying these moments with one another. It is evident that our schools have “fallen” into a nice routine, established new friendships and are working hard to master new content. Thank you for reinforcing learning at home and for helping ensure your children know the importance of doing their very best at school each day.
You are a vital part of our school community so thanks for your continued support as we head into the last few months of 2024.
Staying in the Flow: Maintaining Attendance Through the School Year
Now that we’re a few months in, it’s a great time to check in on your child’s attendance habits. By now, they’ve likely settled into their routine, but it’s essential to keep up the momentum. Even occasional absences can add up quickly.
A Note About Thanksgiving Week
The week leading up to Thanksgiving break is often one of our lowest-attendance weeks of the year. As learning and classroom activities continue as usual throughout this week, we encourage you to plan trips to start after the break officially begins to ensure your child doesn’t miss valuable instructional time.
Why Consistent Attendance Matters All Year
Missing just a few days each month can lead to chronic absenteeism and long-term setbacks.
It can take a student three days to make up the lost learning for just one absence.
Take Action to Prevent Absences
Schedule doctor’s appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
Watch for signs of school avoidance or anxiety—talk with your child’s teacher or counselor if you notice hesitancy about attending.
Plan family trips during school breaks to avoid unneeded absences.
Online Resources to Support You:
Creating Positive Morning Routines
Let’s stay on track to finish the opening months of school strong!
IXL Personalized Learning in Grades 2-8
This year, students in grades 2-8 have access to IXL personalized learning through Clever at school and at home. Your child may use this resource at home in a variety of ways. For example, your child may be asked to work through an IXL skill as homework or your child may choose a skill that is listed on their recommendation wall to practice.
Preparing for Inclement Weather and E-Learning
As winter approaches, we want to ensure that our families are ready for potential E-Learning days due to inclement weather. Should inclement weather prevent school from being open, we will utilize an e-Learning Day so as not to extend the last day of school. This decision was made to support the necessary extended summer required to implement the Moving 15 Forward plan and related construction. Doing this for another winter season will allow us to get back into alignment with our feeder high schools.
Should we need to call an e-Learning Day, we will notify families through email, text message, and phone calls via our mass notification system. The information will also be posted on our District and school websites, Facebook, Instagram, and pushed out through the CCSD15 mobile app. When severe weather is forecasted, materials will be sent home with your child the day prior in anticipation of a possible e-Learning day. PLEASE make sure your contact information is updated so you receive notifications from our schools/district.
If an e-Learning day due to inclement weather is called, students and staff will attend school virtually from home. All students should sign in to their Google classroom following their normal school schedule. Visit the D15 e-Learning Plan page for FAQs about our e-Learning Plan and additional help for students if needed to login and join their Google Classroom.
We recognize that providing Internet service at home may present a financial hardship for some families. Your household may be eligible to receive a monthly discount on a new or existing internet service plan. Visit our website for more information on Internet Options for Families. If you need assistance with home connectivity, please contact your school principal/school office.
D15 Nurses Shine on Statewide Stage
We have the very best school nurses in our schools, but are incredibly proud to celebrate two of our dedicated District 15 Certified School Nurses, Corinne Jones and Jillian Spellacy, who recently shared their expertise on a statewide stage while presenting at the Illinois Association of School Nurses conference. They inspired colleagues from across Illinois with their knowledge and innovative practices.
Ms. Jones led a session presenting her research poster on Assessing the Importance of Parents’ Understanding of Mental Health in Adolescents, and led hands-on skill labs for school nurses on performing emergency tracheostomy changes—a crucial skill in school settings. Mrs. Spellacy presented her Healthy Habits Hub initiative from Marion Jordan School, a wellness program funded by the District’s one-five Foundation mini-grant. She collaborated with attendees on implementing similar programs in their own districts, sharing the tremendous benefits the initiative has brought to our students and their families.
We are grateful to Ms. Jones and Mrs. Spellacy for representing District 15 with such passion and professionalism, advancing the field of school nursing for the benefit of students statewide!
Join our BPAC at “Authority: A Form of Love”
Our Spanish Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) will be hosting celebrated author and psychologist Dr. Mario Guzman on Tuesday, November 12 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Winston Campus, 900 E. Palatine Road, Palatine.
The theme of Dr. Guzman's workshop will be "Authority: A Form of Love." This presentation will be in Spanish with headphone translation available in English. We hope you can join us!
