The letter posted below details the current state of the COVID-19 virus in Thompsonville Schools. Please be aware that if cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in our schools, we may have no other choice than to temporarily close and return to full Remote Learning.
One of the many regulations put forth by ISBE/IDPH for schools to be open is the self-certification form. We are having an issue with students bringing this form in. Beginning tomorrow, students who do not have this form completed will not be allowed on the bus and will not be allowed to be dropped off. A copy of the form is posted on the school app and our Facebook page. Please make sure your student has this form. Again, the requirement of this form is mandated by ISBE and IDPH.
Here is a message from Galatia for anyone attending the baseball and softball games today.
“Galatia is practicing social distancing and wearing face masks when social distancing is not obtainable. We will not have bleachers available for spectators & the visiting crowd at both fields will sit along the 3rd base line.
There is not a concession stand at either field but there’s is a funnel cake/fair concession stand vendor set up at the boys fields.”
Parents/Guardians , please make sure your student has the self verification health form filled out and brought to school with them. Thank you,
Assignments are due the following day after they are assigned by 11:59pm. If teachers are marking off for those assignments that are turned in before that time, please contact the school. It was discussed having homework turned in by Sunday night as an option. We chose not to do that, in case there were technical issues and a student waited till the last minute to submit. We also felt that we wanted to make sure students are getting the content and not waiting until the week is over to show that, by that time the student is already a week behind. So we are turning in things throughout the week.
Just like most small communities in our area we struggle with internet. We are paying over $2500 dollars a month to give hotspots to students in our district that did not have internet access. We are hoping next week that each student will have their own Chromebook to use.
Yes, the administration of the school feels that students learn better digitally then with old fashion books. I do not remember a time when I walked into a place that had student age kids all reading a hard copy of a book. They are usually on their cell phones or tablets. Digital formats, once learned and bought into, will keep their attention longer than a book will. Most schools are going to all digital formats, because colleges and most careers are already doing that. Schools fighting the importance of digital learning will be doing a disservice to their students.
Our original plan was to not bring students back to school until October. We wanted to try it earlier. Over 30% of our school district has chosen full remote. Until this Covid issue is over, we will continue to turn homework in and do things digitally. We have many rules that we have to follow in order to be compliant with the Illinois Department of Public Health. We are still hoping to bring back all students 4 days a week in October.
This is not easy on anyone. If you have questions please call your teachers. If you are not liking what the teachers say please call the administration. If you do not like what they have to say then call the board members.
The school appreciates all of the parents/guardians that are doing everything they can for their students during this time. We will all get through this together, as long as we are together.
Seniors: Applications for the Horatio Alger Scholarship are now available. https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/66358-Horatio-Alger-Association.
Applications are due October 25. Please contact me with questions!
Please make sure your students have their self certification sheets each day when they come to school. Thank you
Progress reports will be sent home next week. Students with last names A-L will be bringing progress reports home on Monday (9/14) and students with last names M-Z will be bringing progress reports home on Tuesday (9/15). Remote learners will have progress reports mailed home on 9/14/2020.
From Mrs. Heern: Just a reminder for students bringing home lunches--please remember to refrigerate and reheat meals as necessary.
Open gym starts this evening at 5 pm for any high school boy wanting to play basketball.
• You must bring the signed parent consent form with you in order to participate. (These are available to pick up in the office.)
• Masks are required.
• Bring your own water.
As we are returning to school this week lots of paperwork will be sent home with your children to be filled out. Only fill out what is pertaining to them. Along with returning these please remember to turn in any physicals, eye exam, dental and shot records you may have for them. If you don’t have these yet please make sure to schedule these promptly(if required). If you have any questions about anything needed or received this week please feel free to contact the school.
Thompsonville Schools is thankful to have students back in our halls and classrooms today. We know this is a small step towards our goal of everyone being back in school. We feel this is a safe way for students and staff to get acclimated with all of the changes that we have to adhere too. Please continue to be patient with us as we move forward and get through each day. We have almost 1/3 of our students continuing with Full Remote Learning and we will always provide those students the best education that we can give them.
Parents/Guardians of In-Person Learners: The first day your child attends they will be bringing home a Student Health Information Packet and a Student Demographic Form that need to be completed and returned. These are the forms you typically complete at Registration Day. Please complete the necessary paperwork and return to your child's teacher.
Starting Tuesday we will be implementing our back to school with students Phase 1 plan.
Monday and Wednesday are attendance days for students with the last name starting with A - L.
Tuesday and Thursday are attendance days for the last names starting with M-Z.
8:00 to 11:57 are the times that students will be here.
Do not drop off you students before 7:45.
Students will need their temperature checked at the bus and before entering the building. If they have a temperature they will not be allowed to get on the bus or come into school. Please do not drive off until they have had their temperature checked. We will try to be out by the vehicles to speed up this process.
Parents/guardians please have plans for your students in case they need to be picked up or the school has to go back to full time remote learning.
No visitors will be allowed to be at school during school hours unless they have an appointment.
Students can bring water bottles to school.
Dismissal is at 11:57. Students will need to go straight to vehicles and buses when school lets out.
HS and Middle School will come in the commons door at the back of the school.
K-4 will come through the main door in the front of the building.
Please talk to your students about the importance of social distancing and keeping their masks on.
K-4 Breakfasts will be in the cafeteria, middle school breakfasts will be in the commons area, HS breakfast will be in the Old gym.
Students will need to take them to their classroom, homeroom to eat.
After your students first day of school they will have a form they will need to bring back signed each day in order to get on the bus or come into the school.
Thank you, We look forward to seeing students back next week.
Boy’s high school basketball open gyms will start next Wednesday, September 9 at 5pm. Anyone interested in participating will need to have a parent consent. The forms are available in the office to pick up today or next week.
Each child will be required to bring a Self Certification sheet in every school day that they attend. This will be required to get on the bus or to enter the building if driven. Along with these we will be doing our own temperature checks before they enter either as well. Attached is an example of this form.
If your child is planning on taking a medication here at the school when they come back would you please call the nurse at the school so we can figure out a plan for them. We would like to limit their time in the nurses office if we can. Thank you.
Good morning, We understand that some students will have pre-existing conditions that have symptoms that are the same as ones that preset with COVID-19. If this is the case for your child, would you please go ahead and get them a doctors note stating this. Hopefully this will save you some time and headache if this does come up at the return to school. Thank you.
Upon further guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and our attorney, face shields will not be able to replace the use of a mask. You must have a mask on in order to attend in person learning. Thank you!
This is the most recent flow chart form the IDPH
