School Closure: COVID-19 Information
Dear District 7 Families,
On March 31st, Governor Pritzker issued an extension of the Illinois Stay At Home Order and school building closures through the end of April. Please know that at District 7, our buildings may be closed, but teaching and learning continues. The Edwardsville School District has developed a Remote Learning Plan for all students PK – 12th grades. Click the following link to see District 7’s Remote Learning Plan: http://ecusd7.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/District-7-Remote-Learning-Plan.pdf
This plan has been be developed in collaboration with our teachers and administrators and will follow the recommendations from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). It covers topics such including “Grading” and “Special Education & Related Services” that continue to be on the minds of parents. The District 7 Remote Learning Plan is extremely important in minimizing the negative impact the school closure has on our students by ensuring consistency in the skills and concepts being taught and providing clear communication of student expectations.
District 7 Spring Break is scheduled for next week, April 6 – April 13. Remember that since these days have already been approved as non-attendance days, new instruction/lessons will be suspended during this time. The next day of Remote Learning will take place on Tuesday, April 14th. Families who pick up meals will still be able to get them on Monday, April 6th at the Glen Ed Pantry located at 125 5th Ave, Edwardsville, IL between 10 AM and 12 PM. Many thanks to the Glen Ed Pantry for partnering with District 7 and providing extra hours for our families to pick up meals in the coming weeks.
With our buildings closed, state-wide assessments such as the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and the SAT session held at Edwardsville High School have also been suspended.
We will continue to communicate in a timely manner and make it a goal to get parents new information as soon as possible.
Respectfully,
Dr. Jason Henderson
April 2, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 31, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 26, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 24, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 22, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 20, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 18, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 17, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 16, 2020 – School Closure Update
March 15, 2020 – FAQs Regarding District 7 School Closure
March 13, 2020 – District 7 School Closure
March 11, 2020 – Information regarding COVID-19 from District 7
Will the District be providing meals to students during the closure?
YES. All parents will receive a short survey today that asks whether they would like meals to be provided for their students during this school closure. It is imperative that ALL parents fill this survey out by noon on Monday, March 16th in order to know the number of meals needed and have them at the proper location(s).
Grab and Go breakfast and lunches will be provided to parents daily between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, through Monday, March 30, 2020. Glen Carbon Elementary, Worden Elementary, and Edwardsville High School will be the primary sites in which parents/guardians can drive through and receive multiple days of school-provided meals. In addition, a second meal pick up time will be provided on Monday, March 23, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Glen Carbon Elementary, Worden Elementary, and Edwardsville High School. We will work with families that cannot pick up during any of these times and arrange for delivery of meals. Filling out the survey will provide the District with the names and addresses of families that require delivery of meals so we can fulfill this need. Any family who requests meal pickup or delivery will get additional communication with specific details regarding pickup or delivery.
In addition, many local restaurants have posted information regarding providing free meals for students as well, and District 7 is working to make this information available. If you are a restaurant owner or manager who would like to make this information available to the public, please contact the District Office to provide details. We will post a list of restaurants where students can get free or reduced cost meals on the District’s website once the final list is compiled on Monday, March 16th.
Click here for Local Businesses Offering Free Food Options for Students
Local Businesses Offering Free Food Options for Students
BREAKFAST
222 Artisan Bakery: Free breakfast of baked oatmeal for kids, Monday thru Friday 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Walk in and grab a bag.
659-1122
222 N. Main St, Edwardsville
LUNCH
McAlister’s Deli: Offering a free lunch for kids from Monday thru Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Free lunch will include a turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, applesauce and a cookie. No other purchase necessary.
372-9599
312 Great Place Dr., Edwardsville
Crazy Bowls & Wraps: Offering free kids quesadillas Monday thru Friday 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Meal will include a drink, crispy treat, chips and no additional purchase necessary.
692-9727
6679 Edwardsville Crossing, Edwardsville
Mike Shannon’s Grill: School aged children will receive a meal with choice of a grilled chicken breast, turkey sandwich or ham sandwich and will be served with carrot sticks, fruit slices and a 12 oz. beverage (whole milk, apple juice, orange juice or lemonade). Between 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pick up inside.
655-9911
871 S. Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville
Businesses offering free internet services
Charter is offering 60 days of free internet access (click link below)
Madison Communications is offering 60 days of free internet access (click link below)
FAQs Regarding School Closure from March 17th-March 30th
Will the District be providing meals to students during the closure?
YES. All parents will receive a short survey today that asks whether they would like meals to be provided for their students during this school closure. It is imperative that ALL parents fill this survey out by noon on Monday, March 16th in order to know the number of meals needed and have them at the proper location(s).
Grab and Go breakfast and lunches will be provided to parents daily between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, through Monday, March 30, 2020. Glen Carbon Elementary, Worden Elementary, and Edwardsville High School will be the primary sites in which parents/guardians can drive through and receive multiple days of school-provided meals. In addition, a second meal pick up time will be provided on Monday, March 23, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Glen Carbon Elementary, Worden Elementary, and Edwardsville High School. We will work with families that cannot pick up during any of these times and arrange for delivery of meals. Filling out the survey will provide the District with the names and addresses of families that require delivery of meals so we can fulfill this need. Any family who requests meal pickup or delivery will get additional communication with specific details regarding pickup or delivery.
In addition, many local restaurants have posted information regarding providing free meals for students as well, and District 7 is working to make this information available. If you are a restaurant owner or manager who would like to make this information available to the public, please contact the District Office to provide details. We will post a list of restaurants where students can get free or reduced cost meals on the District’s website once the final list is compiled on Monday, March 16th.
Will schools be open at all during the closure?
Currently, the plan is for school offices to be open for a limited time each day in order to allow parents to pick up needed materials, resources, and student medications. Beginning Tuesday, March 17th, all school buildings and the District Office will be open from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Please call the school office prior to coming to any school building.
When can parents pick up materials if their children are not in school on Monday, March 16th?
Instructional plans and paper packets will be available at school offices Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM for parents to pick up if their children are not at school on Monday, March 16th. If you choose to keep your child home from school on Monday, March 16th, the absence will be excused by the school office if you inform the office using normal procedures.
When will I find out the e-Learning/home based learning plan for my student?
Teachers or building principals will be emailing all parents the e-Learning/home based learning plans for their students by 9 AM on Wednesday, March 18th. If you do not receive an e-Learning/home based learning plan for your student by that time, please contact your child’s school so that information can be provided to you.
Will teachers be available to answer questions during e-Learning?
Yes. Teachers will be available beginning on Wednesday, March 18, and for each successive day of closure between 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM to answer questions via email.
How will this closure affect spring break or the end of school schedule?
This answer could change based on directives from the Illinois State Board of Education. On Saturday, the District received a notification from the Illinois State Board of Education that no districts would be required to make up days in consideration of the fact that all school were required to close by the directive of the Governor. As a result of this, the last day of school will still be May 28th. As of now, there is no change to spring break, however, we are considering all options should the mandated closure expand past the original two weeks. We will provide updated information on this as soon as it becomes available.
How will the District communicate with parents of students with IEPs/504 Plans?
An email will be sent from Adam Garrett, Director of Special Education by Monday, March 16th, to all families of students with an IEP or a 504 Plan. Each student’s case manager will be contacting parents of students with IEPs to outline the plan of instructional activities. The activities outlined for students receiving direct services from the special education teacher within the instructional plan will be aligned with the student’s IEP goals/objectives. For support and accommodations on specific assignments in e-learning, please contact your child’s case manager.
What about kindergarten registration informational meetings?
All informational sessions for kindergarten registration are postponed until further notice. No informational sessions will take place during the dates of school closure at this time. We will provide information for rescheduled dates as soon as that information becomes available. We will also be posting a narrated PowerPoint regarding Kindergarten registration on the website so that parents can access this information at any time. Once this PowerPoint is available, we will communicate this to the community.
Will assignments that are completed during at-home or e-Learning count towards grades?
NO—assignments and lessons that are completed at home will not affect student grades. This is a directive from the Illinois State Board of Education. District 7 will NOT require that students complete the work nor will we give any sort of disciplinary action if assignments are not completed. While this is the case, we hope that most students will make the choice to engage with their teachers and complete any assignments. Our teaching staff is trying everything possible to maintain some level of continuity and routine for students and keep them moving forward with their education. We are counting on parents to help their students develop a daily routine that includes completing school work and assignments.
What do we do if our child is unable to access the digital platforms recommended by the classroom teacher?
All materials related to accessing our digital technology platforms can be found on the District 7 website: http://ecusd7.org/parents/digital-resources-asp/ This site provides direct links to Clever, Schoology, and Tigerview along with a digital content manual that walks through the steps of accessing digital items based on a child’s grade level. The last page of the document provides “Troubleshooting Tips” that may help answer some of the most common errors in accessing the content. If you are still unable to access the content, please email your building principal with your name, student’s name and grade, and where your issue is occurring. For a more prompt response, it would be beneficial to send a screenshot of the error if that is feasible.
How can I contact schools or the district office during school closure?
As of Monday, March 23rd, all schools are closed to visitors and all phone calls are directed to the district office. The district office will continue to answer phone calls between the hours of 9 AM and 12 PM each day. All building related questions should be emailed directly to the school principal and all classroom or subject-related questions should be emailed directly to the teacher.
What will happen with the District 7 Spring Break (Scheduled from April 6th-13th)?
The Governor’s current directive is for schools to remain closed through April 7th. District 7 was scheduled to begin spring break on April 6th with students returning to school on April 14th. Because of this, even if the order to return to school is lifted, District 7 will remain closed until April 14th. Students will NOT have e-Learning or home-based assignments during the days of spring break. Kid Zone will not be in session during any days of school closure or spring break. District 7 will provide meal pickup on Monday April 6th. More information on meal pickup during spring break will be provided as we get closer to April 6th.
When will we get 3rd quarter report cards?
A few parents have been calling the office to ask about 3rd quarter report cards. All high school, middle school and intermediate (3rd, 4th, and 5th grade) students’ report cards are already available on Tiger View. Primary grade (kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd) report cards will be mailed home on Friday, March 27th.