A message from our staff

This morning the SLC staff conducted our first-ever remote meeting via video/phone call.  During the conversation we talked about what our work will look like over the next month, and discussed some of the ways we can stay connected to, and share resources with, colleagues and our SLC families.

As we all try to navigate new emotions, stress and uncertainty I continue to be impressed with the staff’s leadership, creativity and compassion.  We have remarkable teachers and they have generated a wealth of suggested activities and resources that they look forward to sharing with you soon.

That said, the message the staff wants our families to receive is this:  during this heightened time of stress and anxiety, it is important to focus on routines that meet your family’s basic needs for rest, nourishment and exercise (preferably outdoors). 

Once these needs are met, and based on what research shows, PLAY is the next best thing you can do for yourself and your children.  Read stories, bake, play games, act, sing, or build a fort.  We want it to be clear that any suggestions or resources you receive from SLC in the coming weeks are by no means an expectation, and are to be utilized (or not) in a manner that best suits your family.

So, what can you expect in the coming weeks from SLC?

• The office will continue to send weekly communication via Thursday Thoughts.
• Your teaching team will reach out to you regularly; they miss you and are looking forward to ongoing communication during school closure.
• We will host parent/teacher conferences remotely, and they will consist of two parts:
  • You will receive your child’s Reporting Document via email by Friday.
  • Your teachers will follow up to schedule a time to have an OPTIONAL phone conference.

Good Afternoon,

It has been a busy 48 hours and I want to start by thanking all of our families for their patience and understanding during this dynamic circumstance.  I also want to thank the leadership, guidance and support of the SLC Governing Board of Directors & Administrators who have made informed and thoughtful recommendations over the past two days.  

In accordance with District 65s decision to close, SLC will be closed starting Monday, March 16th and will re-open on Monday, April 13th.  

This decision was made with the health and safety of our families and staff in mind, and based on information and research put forth by agencies including the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  

During school closure the SLC staff will be working to remain engaged with our families through the sharing of resources and regular communication.  We also plan to hold Parent-Teacher conferences (remotely) in the coming weeks.  Please look for our first communication on Monday afternoon, after we hold a staff meeting.

This is likely a stressful time for many of our families, and discussing the Coronavirus with our children can be challenging.  Here is an article written by SLCs STEM teacher, Ann Gadzikowski, that you may find helpful in the coming days:

How to Talk to Children about Coronavirus

If you have questions, needs or concerns during the next few weeks please do not hesitate to reach out by sending an email to questions@slcevanston.org.  We are here to support each other and we will do our best to connect you to the information and support you need.

Be Well,

Chrissy Cornell
Director

Good Morning SLC Families,

Per our notification yesterday, SLC will be in session today (with the exception of our Little Explorers class).  There is plenty of staff on hand to welcome your children this morning.

SLCs COVID-19 sub-committee of our Governing Board of Directors will meet this morning to discuss school closure.  Now that District 65 has made the determination to close starting Monday, March 16th, SLC will do the same.  This decision is being made with the heath and safety of our staff and families in mind.  Please begin to prepare for this disruption to your everyday lives.

We will send more details later this afternoon.  Thank you for your patience during this dynamic situation.  

Best,
Chrissy Cornell
Director

Dear SLC Families,

School for Little Children continues to monitor the quickly evolving situation regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  The safety and well-being of our students, parents and staff is always our top priority.  While we remain fortunate that there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in our school community, we do know that there is at least one confirmed case in the local community.

Outlined below are the steps we are taking, as well as helpful precautions for individuals from the CDC and IDPH (IL Department of Public Health):

School Environment:  In addition to our regular cleaning protocol, we are using CDC approved disinfectant.  Frequently touched surfaces are being wiped down, and teachers continue to wash hands and wipe down the classrooms throughout the day.  In addition, reminders for hand washing instructions and sneezing/coughing protocol have been posted throughout the building.
Visitors in the Building:  We are asking that all visitors to the building wash their hands after checking-in at the front office.  This will include parents/guardians during next week’s scheduled conferences.
Travel:   SLC recommends that families use the guidelines put forth by CDC, to evaluate their travel plans.  In accordance with District 65 protocols, individuals who return to the US from China, Iran, Italy or South Korea (CDC level 3 travel health notices) will be asked to remain home for a period of 14 days from the time they left the country.  Family members who live in the same household may also be asked to self-quarantine based on advise from a medical professional.
Recommended Precautions for Families:  Families can take basic precautions to help slow the spread of this virus. The following recommendations follow the guidelines of the CDC and the IDPH.

• Wash your hands often for 20 seconds with warm water and soap

• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol)

• Wipe down surfaces regularly with disinfectant spray. 

• Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it away immediately

• Do not send your child/ren to school if they are sick. Children who have had a fever cannot return to school until they are fever-free without medication for 24 hours.  

SLC does not currently have any large group gatherings planned.  At the time of this writing, we will continue with all classes and parent-teacher conferences as scheduled. We will notify you immediately of any changes based on this dynamic situation.  In the meantime, SLC has a dedicated team to monitor and respond to this rapidly changing situation.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.

In Partnership,
Chrissy Cornell & SLC Governing Board of Directors