03/15/2020
To: MCUD #6 Parents/Guardians
Re: COVID-19 UPDATE (2)
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Earlier this evening I made the decision to close school tomorrow March 16th, 2020. Please know that this decision was not made lightly, but was made in consideration for the safety of our students and staff. As a result of the decision to close there are several items that need to be shared and questions answered.
Will these days need to be made up? The state board of education has determined that all school days between March 17th and March 30th will be designated as Act of God Days. Act of God days are utilized when circumstances beyond the district’s control cause a school/district to close and therefore DO NOT need to be made up. Tomorrow (March 16th) was not designated as an Act of God Day and will therefore need to be made up. The decision on when tomorrow will be made up will be made at a later date depending on when we return to regularly scheduled classes.
Is it possible that the mandated school closure be extended? At this point that is a possibility. The governor in his statewide conference call with superintendents on Friday stated that an extension may be a possibility.
Will the District alter Spring Break? NO. The district will maintain the current Spring Break schedule.
Is the District going to engage in E learning? Not at this time. Since these days are designated as Act of God Days (see #1 above) they do not count as instructional days. Furthermore the ISBE is continuing to develop guidelines as it pertains to E Learning and until such time as those guidelines are set the District will not be engaging in an E Learning program. In the event that the mandated closure is extended the District will notify parents of the plan to continue your child’s instruction.
What can I do to help with my child’s education? The District will be posting links to educational resources that will help to keep students engaged and reinforce learning that has already occurred.
Will lunch be provided for students during the mandated closure? YES. A school closure lunch order form was sent out earlier tonight. If you did not receive that notification you can phone into the district office to place your order. The district will offer grab and go lunches or the option to have lunches delivered.
Where can we go to get more information? All updates pertaining to COVID-19 and our District will come from my office and will be posted on the District social media sites, website, and emailed to parents/guardians as soon as possible.
Are extracurricular activities allowed to practice during the closure? NO. As long as the mandated closure is in effect all extracurricular activities are cancelled. The District will continue post updates as they are made available from the IHSA and the IESA. Additionally the high school weight room will not be open.
Will students have access to the building to retrieve books etc…? There will be a minimum number of staff on site during the closure, but there is no guarantee that that means you will be able to access the building. If you must get into the building calling the district office to see if there is staff on site that day is recommended.
Sincerely,
Scott Vance
Scott Vance
Superintendent
Attention parents of incoming kindergarten students: The parent meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 will be rescheduled for a later date and time. Thank you for your understanding.
Please read the following message from the Northside/Southside PTO: Based on the district’s closing from March 16-30, 2020 due to COVID - 19, we have decided to cancel the Hurts Donut fundraiser this year. Although we’re disappointed that we had to make this choice, we are uncertain as to what the next few weeks will bring and if we could make the fundraiser up at a later date.
Students who have already turned in their fundraiser forms and money will have the envelopes returned to them when school reopens. If an earlier timeframe is desired, please private message our Facebook page or a member of the PTO.
As this fundraiser was meant to provide programming and cover the cost of field trip bussing for our Northside and Southside students, we hope to find other ways of raising funds in the near future.
The scholarahip deadline of March 16th is still in effect. If you have materials that need to be turned in, please bring them to the MHS main office between the hours of 9-12.
With the extended school closure the district will be providing lunch for students this week beginning Tuesday March 17th. Parents/guardians wishing to order lunch for their children should follow the link below or contact the district office to place their order.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzBiArQ6pNb2DeV1TH6il9-bIqWTXJKr7AWrZgkJJ3lDp6Gw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Due to the ever changing situation with the COVID-19 virus the district has decided to cancel classes for tomorrow March 16th.
Due to the late start tomorrow morning, there will be no PreK both AM and PM.
Attention Northside and Southside parents: Hurts Donut orders are due on Monday the 16th! Get them in before school closes on Tuesday. We won’t be able to accept late orders. Thank you for all your support! 🍩 🍩 🍩
Scholarship applications will still be collected at the end of the school day on March 16th. Turn your information into the MHS main office. $$$$$$$$$$$$$
Please see the attached memo concerning the school closure beginning Tuesday March 17th.
MCUD #6 will be opening two (2) hours late Monday March 16th. More information is forthcoming in regards to the Governor's announcement that he closing schools beginning Tuesday March 17th.
Thank you to Representative Tony McCombie and Katie Jakubs from Exelon for sharing about your career paths this week with our 8th Grade Careers class!
The March Madness games scheduled for tonight at Morrison High School have been postponed. We will host the event later in school year.
Also all sporting events for next week have been cancelled. As these unique times play out we will reevaluate midweek to see if we need to continue to postpone games or participate in the scheduled events. Teams may continue to hold regularly scheduled practices.
The District regrets to announce that the Junior High IMEA festival scheduled for tomorrow at MJHS and MHS has been cancelled.
In the craziness of the week, meetings on eLearning, and other issues, I forgot to mention “Pi Day” to my students. Fortunately, a couple of students “stepped in” and brought treats for the class. Thanks Faith and Emily- it was very thoughtful of you!
Due to a water main break in Erie, there will be no Junior High Quiz Bowl meet this evening. It will be rescheduled. There is no practice today. There will be practice tomorrow after school until 3:45.
Please see the memo below concerning an update on the COVID-19 virus.
Under the direction of Northern Illinois University, the IESA has cancelled this weekend's State Wrestling Finals at the Convocation Center due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Congratulations Cameron McDonnell, Will Meier, and Donny Reavy on a great season!!
Due to an all staff training, MCUD #6 will be dismissing at 2:05 pm on Wednesday March 18, 2020. Northside will be dismissing at 1:55 pm on that day. There WILL BE afternoon PreK on that day.
Thank you so much to everyone who came to the MCUSD 6 Library Book Garage Sale on Saturday! Hope you enjoy your books!