Familygram MARCH 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Elmhurst, Illinois 630.530.3490
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familygram MARCH 2021 Immaculate Conception Grade School Elmhurst, Illinois www.icgradeschoolelmhurst.org 630.530.3490 Dear Parents, During the past week, we have been enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures. For me, they are signs of hope and the fact that spring is coming! At the same time, we are starting to see the effects in our country of vaccinations, mask wearing, and social distancing. COVID-19 infection rates are for the most part decreasing and we are making good progress. These are the fruits of many months of self-discipline and suffering and even though we are not “out of the woods” yet, we are feeling hopeful. In the same way, here at Immaculate Conception Grade School, we are beginning to see the fruits of all of the hard work we have put in this year. The year’s difficulties we have faced together have made us stronger as a community and have empowered us to look at challenges differently. At the same time, our students have put in the time necessary to learn all that is being taught during a very unconventional year. As Mrs. Talluto, our Parents’ Club President, recently shared in her Parents’ Club message to the ICGS family, we received the news that our whole school performance, on grades tested in the fall (2020) for ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) and MAP (Measure of Academic Progress), were reported in the top 15% in the state as defined for Reading/ELA and Math performance. We are so very proud of the work our teachers, staff, students, and parents have put in to achieve this excellent result! This too gives us a sense of hope because we know that all the work done to plan for this school year is paying off. As we continue to move through Lent, let us put that same sense of self-discipline toward our Lenten practices. During this holy season, we are called to be people of prayer, sacrifice, and almsgiving. It seems that during this pandemic, we have become more aware of the importance of these (3) things as we have prayed for healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those battling COVID-19. We have also sacrificed a great deal of our personal freedom to protect each other and are more aware of the joy that comes from simply being with those we love. We have also likely expressed our compassion for those who are suffering by donating to our parish food pantry and other causes supporting those in need. Our Lenten “muscles” have been primed all year long due to the challenges of the pandemic. As we approach the halfway mark through Lent, let’s see if we can work those “muscles” even harder since they are already in good shape. If we do, we will arrive at our celebration of the Resurrection on Easter stronger and more faithful than ever before. As our Spring Break approaches, I ask each and every family to review our travel guidelines and stay disciplined about safety protocols. We have done so much work this year to keep our ICGS family safe. We cannot let our guard down. Thank you for all of the ways you are supporting our efforts this year. May our Patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception continue to watch over us all as we move toward spring and the joy of Easter Sunday. Thank you, Mrs. Cathy Linley, Principal #icgsbethehope From the School Office... We survived the snow and cold in the middle of a pandemic….we can survive just about anything! For our families who will be traveling, it is vitally important that you email or call Mrs. Wachholder if you will be traveling at any time. It is important for us to know who is traveling and where your destination is, as we work diligently to keep all of our students and staff safe. The travel restrictions are being updated each day and we have sent this information to parents. Remote learning is designed for certain situations and we want to make sure that the student’s criteria will make them eligible for this accessibility. Thank you to our amazing Parents Club for all of your creative ideas and projects to make this year’s Lucky Knight/Dinner Dance fundraiser a huge Virtual success. Parents please don’t miss this Virtual Night of wonderful and special offerings. Thank you to our students for your wonderful designs on your inspirational signs, and your fabulous dancing skills to create your Cupid Shuffle videos. Parents you will be so excited to see all the wonderful creations of our students on April 23, 2021. Please remember school pictures for grades PK-3 thru 7th grade will be taken Monday March 15, 2021. We will be using the gym which will allow plenty of room for us to maintain our social distancing protocols. If your student is absent on this day, we will offer a makeup date once the photographer knows how many retakes will be needed. We ask that ALL lunch items the children bring in remain disposable. Please do not send lunchboxes or a thermos. We ask that your students lunch, be brought in a paper bag that can be disposed of after they eat lunch, as the garbage is removed from the classroom after the class finishes eating. We are not using lockers and we want the bins next to the children’s desk that hold their class materials to remain clean and free of food particles or odors. On Wednesday March 17, 2021 our student council will be sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Dress down day. Details of appropriate dress will follow in an email. Our Religious Education department has sent information to our second grade families regarding First Reconciliation information. On Thursday March 28, 2021 we will sponsor our Shining Star and March Birthday dress down day. Friday March 26, 2021 is an Early Dismissal Day, Spring Break officially begins. School will resume Tuesday April 5, 2021. If you are traveling, please make sure you have completed and submitted a Vacation/Travel Form to me. ** Reminder: Daylight saving time begins Sunday March 14, 2021. Spring ahead…….. Thank you to our ICGS Family……please continue to remain diligent with all safety protocols, as we all try to move forward to some sense of normalcy…. Stay safe, Mrs. Wachholder Travel Restrictions: There is still widespread, ongoing transmission of novel coronavirus worldwide. At this time, having been vaccinated does not change any aspect of risk. We must all continue precautions like wearing masks and social distancing. Always be aware, local or non-local traveling, the following high risk activities; Traveling through airports, planes, cruise ships, riverboats, buses or train stations. Going to a large group social gathering like a wedding, funeral, party, Easter Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade. Being in crowds like in restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters. Being with people who don’t live with you At this time, Immaculate Conception Grade School protocol is: International Travel: All international travel will require quarantine at home x 14 full days before returning to school. Domestic & Illinois Travel: Anyone traveling where Covid-19 transmission is high or increasing should be prudent when they return. Please use the following map as a guide to the specific area you are traveling: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/travel *High risk area=get tested with a viral Covid (PCR) test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home and self quarantine for the full 7 days. If you are positive you will need to self-isolate x 10 days to protect others from getting infected. If you chose to not get tested, stay home & quarantine x 10 full days after travel. *Low Risk Area= No need for quarantine as long as not had any close contacts with a known Covid positive person and have no symptoms related to Covid. Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when paired with a period of staying home and precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at travelers’ destinations. Upon return, if there are any symptoms consistent with Covid, the individual should follow all isolation protocols listed below. Symptoms related to Covid-19; Fever 100.4 or higher Diarrhea Moderate to severe headache Abdominal pain from unknown causes Shortness of breath New congestion/runny nose New cough New loss of sense of taste or smell Sore throat Nausea Vomiting Fatigue from unknown cause Muscle or body aches If any above symptoms, student needs to seek medical attention and provide a note from MD, Covid test result, and/or quarantine x 14 full days. ICGS will continue our protocol for any close contacts with a Covid positive person will need a quarantine of 14 full days Some CDC/IDPH guidelines suggest a 10 day quarantine but days 11-14 need such strict distancing away from all people that it is too difficult to maintain in a school and therefore we continue to require the 14 full days at home. ***These guidelines are effective immediately but can be changed at any given moment based on Illinois Department of Public Health, DuPage County Department of Public Health and ICGS closely monitoring data that can move us back to the previous phase & recommendations. IC Grade school Classroom News PRE-K 3 MRS. MAGGIE SCHAP ASSISTANTS: MRS. JENNIFER LEAHY & MS. HAYLEY EBELING MRS. KIM LIBERT, MRS.