On Friday, July 10, 2020, District 54 Superintendent Andy DuRoss shared the Reopening District 54 Plan (Spanish version available here) with all families and staff: a plan designed with the health and safety of our students and our employees as the top priority.

The District 54 Reopening Plan is based public health information available at this time. The plan will most likely be adjusted as new guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and other public health officials is received or as necessary to best support the health and safety of our students and employees. All updates will be posted online at sd54.org/COVID19 and shared with our families and employees.

Please keep in mind, that should Illinois move from Phase 4 back to Phase 1, 2 or 3 due to a resurgence of the virus, it is possible that the governor will direct all Illinois schools to move to remote learning for all students for a period of time. It is also possible that new restrictions could be instituted on classroom capacity limits, which could require a combination of on-campus and remote attendance days. Some states have delayed the start of the school year, due to the number of COVID-19 cases in their state. As a district, we are preparing for a variety of scenarios and, as always, we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

At this time, District 54 is offering the following two options for the 2020-21 school year. Parents/guardians please log in to the District 54 Families Website using your portal log-in information by Friday, July 17, and select one of the two options listed below (see page 9 of the booklet for more information). To set up a portal account, email portalsupport@nullsd54.org. If you are unable to create an account, please contact your school principal with your selection.

Option 1: In-Person Instruction

Governor Pritzker announced on June 23 that Illinois schools can return to on-campus learning with enhanced safety protocols. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending students physically return to school. The Reopening District 54 plan outlines the protocols we are putting in place to resume instruction at school based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Board of Education and the Centers for Disease Control.

Option 2: District 54 Virtual Learning Academy

We know that in-person instruction is not an option for some of our students with elevated health risks, or who have family members with elevated health risks. Any families who do not feel comfortable having their children attend school in person are not required to do so. Your children will be provided online instruction.

Please review the Reopening District 54 plan to help you make the choice that is best for your children. We have also prepared a short video explaining the two options – District 54 Student Learning Options (the Spanish version is available at this link). We greatly appreciate your understanding and collaboration as we work together to keep our students, employees and community healthy and safe.

As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to change, District 54 is working with amazing community partners to provide food to families who are struggling financially. Families needing assistance may benefit from the following.

• Wednesdays:  Willow Creek Community Church will host a mobile food truck distribution from 11 a.m. to noon every Wednesday in the District 54 Rafferty Administration Center parking lot, 524 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.
• Thursdays:  District 54 staff will be working with Township High School District 211 to distribute meal bags with five days of lunches, five days of breakfast and a half gallon of milk from 8 to 11 a.m. each Thursday through July 16 at Hoffman Estates High School, 1100 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. 
• Fridays:  Willow Creek Community Church will host a food distribution from 4 to 5 p.m. every Friday at Keller Junior High School, 820 Bode Road in Schaumburg.
• The Schaumburg Township Food Pantry is now running a drive-through pickup from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the township office, One Illinois Blvd. in Hoffman Estates. For more information, please call (847) 732-7166.
• Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry, 1451 Bode Road in Schaumburg, is offering drive-through pickup on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. near the garages.
• Living Hope Food Pantry, 777 Meacham Road in Elk Grove Village, is offering drive-through pickup on Thursdays from 11:30-noon.
• Trinity Charities Food Pantry, 927 Plum Grove in Schaumburg, is open from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

We would like to thank the number of individuals and organizations who have inquired about how to make donations to help those in our community who may be struggling. We feel the best practice is to work with organizations who are currently offering these services in our community and will therefore not be collecting food. Please do not bring food donations to the district office as previously mentioned.

The Schaumburg Township Food Pantry and many faith-based charities are providing food to families in our community. Click here to access a list of these pantries on the Schaumburg Township website. In order to encourage social distancing, these organizations are not collecting food at this time.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)

The Illinois Department of Human Services has a new special benefit called the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer to help families buy food for children who would normally receive free lunch when schools are in session. To apply online, families should visit https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access and click on Apply for Benefits.

Families that currently receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. These additional P-EBT benefits will be loaded into Illinois LINK EBT accounts along with regular SNAP benefits. Families that do not currently receive SNAP benefits but do have children who receive free lunch, will need to apply on this website. A paper application in English and paper application in Spanish is also available and can be submitted as an attachment by email to DHS.FCS.PEBT@nullillinois.gov. IDHS created a flyer to help families with the application process. A Spanish version of the flyer is also available.

Crisis Fund

The District 54 Education Foundation has also created a new fund called the D54 Foundation Crisis Fund, which will be used to support our most at-risk families, including the 20% of students who qualify for free lunch. This emergency fund will help families impacted by this virus, and could be used in the future to provide immediate access to financial assistance for financially struggling families.

To donate, visit any of the following websites:

• District 54 Education Foundation – select Crisis Fund
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Schaumburg Township Food Pantry

Lugares de despensa de alimentos y oportunidades de donación

A medida que la situación en torno al nuevo coronavirus de 2019 continúa cambiando, el Distrito 54 está trabajando con increíbles socios de la comunidad para proporcionar alimentos a las familias que tienen dificultades financieras. Las familias que necesitan asistencia pueden beneficiarse de lo siguiente.

• Miércoles:  Willow Creek Community Church llevará a cabo una distribución móvil de camiones de comida de 11 a.m. a mediodía cada miércoles en el estacionamiento del Centro de Administración Rafferty del Distrito 54, 524 E. Schaumburg Road en Schaumburg.
• Jueves:  Distrito 211 de Township High School, cinco días de almuerzos, cinco días de desayuno y medio galón de leche de 9 am a mediodía cada jueves en la escuela secundaria Hoffman Estates, 1100 W. Higgins Road en Hoffman Estates. Esta es una camioneta drive-through. Cuando llegue a la escuela, quédese en su vehículo. Cargaremos las bolsas en su maletero o asiento trasero.
• Viernes:  Willow Creek Community Church también llevará a cabo una distribución móvil de camiones de comida de 4 a 5 p.m. cada viernes en la escuela Keller, 820 Bode Road en Schaumburg.
• Schaumburg Township – La despensa de alimentos del municipio de Schaumburg ahora está llevando a cabo una recolección de 1 a 3 p.m. los martes y jueves en la oficina del municipio,  One Illinois Blvd. en Hoffman Estates. Para obtener más información, llame al (847) 732-7166.
• Iglesia del Espíritu Santo Despensa, 1451 Bode Road en Schaumburg, ofrece servicio de recogida los jueves de 2 a 5 p.m. Cerca de los garajes.
• Living Hope Food Pantry, 777 Meacham Road en Elk Grove Village, ofrece servicio de recogida los jueves de 11:30 a mediodía.
• Trinity Charities Food Pantry, 927 Plum Grove en Schaumburg, está abierto de 4 a 6 p.m. Jueves y de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. Sábados.

Nos gustaría agradecer a la cantidad de personas y organizaciones que han preguntado cómo hacer donaciones para ayudar a aquellos en nuestra comunidad que puedan estar luchando. Creemos que la mejor práctica es trabajar con organizaciones que actualmente ofrecen estos servicios en nuestra comunidad y, por lo tanto, no recolectarán alimentos. No traiga donaciones de alimentos a la oficina del distrito como se mencionó anteriormente.

La despensa de alimentos del municipio de Schaumburg y muchas organizaciones benéficas religiosas están proporcionando alimentos a las familias de nuestra comunidad. Haga clic aquí para acceder a una lista de estas despensas en el sitio web del municipio de Schaumburg. Para alentar el distanciamiento social, estas organizaciones no están recolectando alimentos en este momento.

Transferencia electrónica de beneficios pandémicos (P-EBT)

El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois tiene un nuevo beneficio especial llamado Transferencia electrónica de beneficios pandémicos para ayudar a las familias a comprar alimentos para niños que normalmente recibirían almuerzo gratis cuando las escuelas están en sesión. Para solicitar en línea, las familias deben visitar https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access y hacer clic en Solicitar beneficios.

Las familias que actualmente reciben beneficios del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) no necesitan solicitar los beneficios P-EBT. Estos beneficios adicionales de P-EBT se cargarán en las cuentas de Illinois LINK EBT junto con los beneficios regulares de SNAP. Las familias que actualmente no reciben beneficios de SNAP pero tienen niños que reciben almuerzo gratis, deberán presentar una solicitud en este sitio web. Una solicitud en papel en en español también están disponibles y se pueden enviar como archivo adjunto por correo electrónico a DHS.FCS.PEBT@nullillinois.gov. IDHS creó un volante para ayudar a las familias con el proceso de solicitud. U

Crisis Fund

La Fundación Educativa del Distrito 54 también ha creado un nuevo fondo llamado D54 Foundation Crisis Fund, que se utilizará para apoyar a nuestras familias más expuestas, incluido el 20% de los estudiantes que califican para el almuerzo gratuito. Este fondo de emergencia ayudará a las familias afectadas por este virus y podría usarse en el futuro para proporcionar acceso inmediato a asistencia financiera para familias con dificultades financieras.

Para donar, visite cualquiera de los siguientes sitios web:

• District 54 Education Foundation – select Crisis Fund
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Schaumburg Township Food Pantry

Are you looking for ways to keep your child learning and engaged during the Summer?  Well, look no further!  Check out some great virtual opportunities for your child to grow this summer!

School District 54 Virtual Learning University

District 54 has created the Virtual Learning University so that students have a place to go for fun and engaging activities to keep their academic skills sharp over the summer!  There are grade level specific activities in the subjects of Language and Culture, Literacy, Math, Science, Social Emotional Learning, and Social Science.  Enjoy browsing through the site as a family!

Creative Summer Art

The link will provide you will all kinds of excellent resources and ideas to help your child be creative with Art over the summer!

Armstrong Story-Time

Check out Armstrong’s Read Like A Champion Flipgrid to choose a few stories to listen to as a family.  The best part is that these stories are read aloud by an Armstrong teacher.  We hope you enjoy!

Online Reading Resource

During these unique times, many families are having trouble finding access to reading materials.  School District 54 has created an Armstrong Online Reading Resource Page.  On this site you will find ebooks (only available for students in grades 3-6), Public Library collections, online encyclopedias, and virtual field trips.  As always, items on the web are ever changing so please let us know if something is no longer available.  We encourage you to browse these resources as a family.  Please contact Mrs. Mielke, our Library Resource Teacher, with any questions or concerns at ChristinaMielke@nullsd54.org. Happy reading!

Summer Reading Lists

District 54 has provided summer reading lists for each grade level.

Special Accommodations Website

The District 54 Special Education Department has created a website with resources for the families of students who regularly receive accommodations at school. You can find information about speech supports, behavior management, assistive technology, health and mental wellness, physical and occupational therapy, contact information and much more on the website.

Registration for the 2020-21 school year is now open in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.  Having the most updated registration information allows us to accurately plan for classes next year, so it is important for families to finalize registration as soon as possible. Please read the reminders below and complete registration.

New District 54 families

Click here to begin online registration. After processing your registration, your child’s new school will contact you to request additional information, such as the Student Transfer Form (ISBE form 33-78) for students transferring from another Illinois school; proof of immunizations (list of required immunizations by grade level), birth verification and proof of residence (see details at sd54.org/registration).

For questions, please contact registrationdocuments@nullsd54.org. If you don’t know what school your child will attend, click here to access our School Search program and enter your address.

Current D54 families

Log in in to the parent portal, and update your information for next year by June 1, 2020. You must hit the SUBMIT button after reviewing the information, even if you don’t make any changes. If your children will not be attending District 54 schools next year, please contact your school office and let them know.

If you have previously created a portal account and cannot recall your username or password, you can reset them yourself from the parent portal website. If you have never created a portal account, please email portalsupport@nullsd54.org to create one.

All families are required to prove that they live within District 54 boundaries every year.  If we were unable to verify your residency electronically, you will have the ability to upload your residency electronically through your portal. If you do not have a portal account, you can also email the required documents to registrationdocuments@nullsd54.org.

Information about busing and material fees will be communicated this summer. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Ward and Ms. Sagastume at the following emails:  kimward@nullsd54.org and mariasagastume@nullsd54.org.

We appreciate your attention to this important step to prepare for next year!

Our wonderful Armstrong PTA (Parent Teacher Association) runs so many amazing programs for students at Armstrong School.  To keep these going, we need volunteers to run these committees.

If you are interested in running any of the committees, please email ptaneilarmstrong@nullgmail.com.

Here is a list of open committees, along with a description about each one:

Coupon Books – Coordinate with Coupon Book Vendor to obtain and distribute books early in the school year. Collect funds and report progress in meetings.

Hot Lunch – Communicate and negotiate with local food vendors for hot lunch deliveries once per month. Create and distribute menu, place orders, oversee distribution of lunches, procure volunteers, report progress at monthly meetings.

Reflections – Coordinate with STC (Schaumburg Township Council) regarding National Theme. Distribute information regarding yearly entry, collect submissions, adhere to deadlines. This is a National PTA Arts Program. You need to assure that the rules are available to the six arts catergories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Make sure you have the deadlines and theme, that the projects with paperwork are filled out correctly and passed on to the STC Reflections Chair in a timely manner.

School Supplies – Coordinate school supply orders for students either via a company or buy purchasing in bulk. Distribute to students.

Snack Day – Communicate and negotiate with local food vendors for snack deliveries once per month. Create and distribute menu, place orders, oversee distribution of snacks, procure volunteers, report progress at monthly meetings.

Teacher Appreciation – Coordinate dinner for Teachers during the October and January Parent/Teacher Conferences and coordinate one lunch for teachers in May during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Auction – Coordinate Armstrong PTA’s donation for the Annual STC Scholarship Auction. Solicit for donation from area businesses and/or purchase basket items. Create baskets on behalf of Armstrong school within budget. Secure voluteers to work the night of the auction and coordinate RSVP for attendees.

Book Fair – Schedule Book Fair with Scholastic. Run book fair on decided upon date. Suggest to ask a friend or two to help. You can also put out a form for volunteers.

Yearbook – Coordinate a new Yearbook vendor. Handle deposits for yearbook. Take pictures of students, and then submit them using a CD for distribution of yearbooks by end of the year.

Membership Co-Chair – Collect membership information and money. Work with treasurer to deposit and make payment to the Illinois PTA for their dues. Keep track of membership information. Report membership numbers to STC membership chair.

Sixth Grade Celebration – Work with 6th grade teachers for end of year celebration for 6th grade students

Social Media – Create a free Google Site to post flyers and promote using Facebook, or host the files in Google Drive and post links to the files on Facebook.

Dinner Night Out – Set up and help promote fundraisers at local restaurants

In light of recent events in our region and across the nation, I want to share the commitment of our District 54 staff to continue to listen to our students and families and provide support and care for the students in our diverse school community.

As we have focused during these past three years on our practices to ensure the success of the whole child, improving our cultural competency as a staff and student body has been a part of this effort. Our social-emotional learning curriculum creates space for students to discuss bias and privilege. District 54 staff have developed and provided training across every school in cross cultural communication and recognizing and reducing bias.

As we return to school in the fall, whether virtually or in person, the conversation with staff regarding how we can support our students will become even more essential. Educator and author Matthew Kay describes that the foundation of creating a safe space for students of color includes, listening patiently, listening actively and monitoring our own voice.

In the meantime, I also wanted to share a resource from the Child-Mind Institute concerning talking to your child about racism and violence. I hope this helps you as we work together to support our diverse community.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Andrew D. DuRoss

As many of you know, students traditionally enroll in the District 54 Instrumental Music Program in the spring of fourth grade and begin lessons in fifth grade. Due to our unique circumstances in the spring of 2020, instrumental music enrollment will be held once school resumes in the fall. In the meantime, we encourage fourth grade students and their parents to visit the District 54 website to view information about band and orchestra enrollment so that they are prepared to choose an instrument and join the fun!

As we reflect on our school year, we could not be more proud of these students and their accomplishments during their time at Armstrong. Many of our sixth grade students have been at Armstrong for seven years – since Kindergarten! We are grateful for the time we get to spend with your children over the years.

We wanted to share with you a few ways we are recognizing this milestone for the Class of 2020:

• Tonight (May 28, 2020) all of the lights in the school will be left on overnight as a symbolic representation that our 6th Graders are the light of the future. I included a picture of our sign to honor our sixth grade students.
• All sixth grade students received a JH feeder t-shirt to wear proudly this summer.
• Armstrong staff created a Virtual Sixth Grade Parade video to uphold a long-standing tradition on the last day of school.  View the video here: 19-20 Virtual Sixth Grade Parade
• The Armstrong PTA also surprised our sixth grade students with a special picture frame as a memory of their sixth grade class.

We wish the Class of 2020 the best of luck!

You will be missed,

The Armstrong Staff

The District has decided to keep all current K-7th grade student accounts active so all devices will be functional over the summer months as well.  With community libraries still closed, the devices can be utilized for students to continue reading over the summer.  We are asking parents to be diligent in monitoring student device usage to ensure they are being utilized for appropriate purposes.

Due to the move to remote learning in March, District 54 will be prorating prepaid fees (i.e. milk, field trips, pizza fundraisers, etc.) based on actual goods or services received. The amounts that have been paid by families for goods or services that have not been received have been credited to their student’s account on the District 54 Portal. Each item credited is identified separately for tracking purposes.  The consumable materials fee will not be prorated, as this fee is used immediately for student workbooks and other consumables. 

For those that paid for transportation, that fee reimbursement is being handled separately from this process. In addition, payments made to the PTA are being handled by the school PTA.

If your child is an eighth-grade student, the credit has been applied to a sibling’s account. Checks will be mailed before May 22 to families whose youngest child is graduating from District 54 this spring and to families who are moving out of District 54.

If you are experiencing a financial hardship and need these fees refunded by check, or if you have any other questions, please contact your school secretary.

Due to this unprecedented time we are faced with, all District 54 Summer Camps have been cancelled for this year. These camps include Summer STEM, 54 Fitness League, Camp Creative, Language and Culture Camp, and Summer Instrumental Music. If you have submitted a payment for any camp, you will be issued a refund starting Thursday, April 30, 2020, and you should see a credit appear on your statement within 14 business days.

The camp facilitators are going to miss seeing students this summer. Students in all grade levels can stay engaged by participating in the School District 54 Summer Virtual Learning University, which is filled with fun activities and challenges for students and families to participate in together from home. The link for the Virtual Learning University will be on the School District 54 website in the last week of May, 2020.