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Return to School planning
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know there is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty surrounding what fall instruction looks like in District 65, and across the country for that matter. We do know that Illinois schools can re-open in Phase 4 of Governor Prtizker's Restore Illinois Plan. How we start the school year may not be how we end and some form of remote instruction will likely be possible, at least for some students and staff. We are committed to transparency in our planning and sharing updates throughout the summer.
Building Understanding
Given the uncertainty that lies ahead and the fluidity of the situation, we are actively planning for various scenarios for our safe re-opening in accordance with public health guidelines. We anticipate having updated guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health by the end of June. To build awareness and understanding, we have created a five-minute video (Spanish) and one-page summary (Spanish) for community reference.
Listening to and Learning from our Community
Thank you to our educators, students, and families who responded to our Remote Learning Survey. We received over 4,500 responses! The information we have learned from your experiences will be instrumental in our planning efforts.
We need to hear more from you, especially about your feelings in sending your children to school and/or returning to work and how we can best support all of you. A brief survey for D65 parents/caregivers will be forthcoming. The survey for staff closes on June 17.
Return to School Planning Teams
During the week of June 8, we convened our first meeting of our Return to School Task Force. This is an incredible group of over 60 staff members, parents, and community representatives. This group will spend significant time through early July in planning for various return scenarios. A list of participants is available below.
In addition, a team of teachers, paraprofessionals, curriculum and instruction staff, and school and district administrators have formed a committee to focus on teaching and learning for the various scenarios.
Updates
Visit our archive for communication updates issued from District 65.
D65 Return to School Task Force
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Group Moderator: Dr. Andalib Khelghati, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Compression Facilitator: Kim Kelly, Grants Manager
Participants
David Davis, Kingsley Principal
John Mitchell, Rice Education Center Principal
Beth Flintoft, D65 Green Teams
Lisa Montgomery, Educator
Debra Coleman, Paraprofessional
Brenda De Vaul Payne, Health Clerk
Aisha Clark, Childcare Professional
Lawrence Hemingway, City of Evanston Director of Parks and Recreation
Lou Gatta, Transportation Services
Maria Barroso, Educator
Don Stevenson, Buildings and Grounds Director
Howard Mitchell, Custodial and Maintenance Staff
Robin Varnado, Erie Health Center Director of Operations
Mark Schroeder, Northshore Evanston and Skokie Hospitals Community Relations Manager
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Group Moderator: Dr. Romy DeCristofaro, Executive Director of Special Services
Compression Facilitator: Jari White, Instructional Coach
Participants
Raphael Obafemi, Chief Financial Officer
Julie Lepley, Educator
Vivian Green, Paraprofessional
Earscell Harrison, Head Secretary Dawes
Omar Whyte, Custodial and Maintenance Staff / ECMA President
Renee Sklade, Childcare Professional
Keri Mendez, Bessie Rhodes Principal
Jill Anderson, Park School Principal
Liz Rolewicz, PTA Equity Project Representative
Ike Ogobo, City of Evanston Health Department Director
Kenneth Jones, President St. Francis Hospital
Michael Nabors, Evanston/Northshore Chapter NAACP President/ Second Baptist Church Reverend
Sergio Hernandez, D65 Board Member
Beatrice Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Roger Williams, OPAL President
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Group Moderator: Dr. LaTarsha Green, Executive Director of Black Student Success
Compression Facilitator: Donna Cross, MTSS/SEL Coordinator
Participants
Bernie Judd, D65 Health Services
Ruth Young, Educator
Heather Shaffer, Educator
Dawn Jackson, Paraprofessional
Sheiba Oats, Health Services Secretary
Dave Chuboff, Custodial and Maintenance Staff
Sonja Moulton, Childcare Professional
Jim McHolland, Chute Middle School Principal
Bobby Burns, ABC (African American Black and Caribbean) Parent Group
Monique Parsons, McGaw YMCA / D202 Board Member
Kate Mason Schultz, Nutrition Services
Scott Bramley, ETHS
Fuschia Winston-Rodriguez, AFHW - Washington Elementary
Charlotte Carter, ChildCare
Megan Orleans, Y.O.U.
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Group Moderator: Dr. Stacy Beardsley, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Compression Facilitator: Dr. Jamilla Pitts, Director of Social Studies, Extended Learning, and African Centered Curriculum
Participants
Joey Hailpern, D65 Board Member
Ellen Urquiaga, Family Engagement Facilitator
Joe Caravello, Director of Technology
Kylie Klein, Director of Research, Accountability, and Data
Meg Krulee, District 65 Educators Council (DEC) President
Julie Yandell, Paraprofessional
Jennifer Keating, Head Secretary Lincolnwood
Delnore Crayton, Custodial and Maintenance Staff
Natalie Cooper, Childcare Professional/EACCP President
Sharon Sprague, Director of Early Childhood
Donna Wang Su, PTA Council Representative
Dr. Kavita Kapadia Matsko, Northwestern University Associate Dean for Teacher Education
Cicely Fleming, OPAL CEO / 9th Ward Alderwoman
Kate Noble, CASE
Maricar Ramos, Evanston Cradle to Career