March 13, 2020
Parents and Guardians of DPS #170 Students,
The purpose of this communication is to let you know that Dixon Public Schools will be closed next week (March 16-March 20). We will observe our Spring Break from March 23 to March 27, 2020. Students will return to school on Monday, March 30, 2020. The District will utilize our five emergency days for next week. Five days will be added to the end of our calendar as a result. If more days are needed I will submit a request to ISBE for “Act of God” days. An “Act of God” day is a day for which Illinois does not impose a state aid penalty even though the District did not provide a minimum school term. The District would be required to make up the five emergency days at the end of the school year, but would not have to make up the “Act of God” days.
Our teachers and administrators have been preparing for a potential school closure by creating education packets for students. These education packets will be review and extension materials aligned to our curriculum. The District isn’t currently set up for extended virtual online learning at this time, and we wanted to make sure that students remained academically focused and engaged during the school closure. Packets can be picked up at the main office of each building your child attends (K-8 buildings) or at the Dixon High School cafeteria for high school students. Packet distribution will be from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at each school. After 1 p.m. on Monday, packets can be picked up at the District Office. Packets will be available at the District Office Tuesday through Friday next week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
We will be providing a bagged “grab and go” breakfast and lunch to students, at no charge next week. These “grab and go” bags are available to all students. These meals will be delivered to each of our schools as well as the former Lincoln School site from 8:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. each day. All parents wishing to have their DPS #170 student(s) participate in the “grab and go” breakfast/lunch program are asked to complete a survey to sign up. The survey link can be found on our website, app, and social media pages. You can also click on this link to be taken to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r... Meals will not be served during spring break, March 23-27, 2020.
As a reminder, DPS #170 is cancelling athletics and activities effective today. Practices and rehearsals are now cancelled as well. The use of our gyms and buildings by outside entities is also suspended effective today.
Our custodial staff continues to clean and disinfect our buildings. We are utilizing the Clorox Cleaning Pro machine in buildings which allows us to disinfect all areas and is safe for our students and staff.
We are doing everything within our control to keep our students and staff safe and healthy. This COVID-19 situation is fluid and changes rapidly. Please utilize our website, app, and social media pages for updates. I thank you for your support and being such a wonderful school community.
Sincerely,
Margo Empen
Superintendent