November 8, 2022 – When weather conditions make travel hazardous, CUSD 10 will declare an E-Learning Day, meaning students will learn remotely from home based on expectations determined by their schools/teachers. 

PLEASE NOTE: A complete school closure could still be issued if power outages or other circumstances make remote learning difficult or impossible. 

E-Learning Days are important because students do not lose instruction due to inclement weather, so learning continues and there are no missed days to make-up at the end of the school year. If school is “Closed” – those emergency days are added to the school calendar.  If no emergency days are used, the school year ends on the designated day.

The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved a plan to allow Snow/Emergency Weather Days to become E-Learning Days beginning in Winter 2020-21.  The change was approved on December 21, 2020.  Since that time, CUSD 10 has had the option to designate an E-Learning Day when weather forecasts or events deem road conditions too dangerous for students to travel to and from school.  

The 2022-23 E-Learning Plan was updated on October 12, 2022.

What is an E-Learning Day?

E-Learning Days are designed to serve as official attendance days of school when the students and teachers stay at home due to emergency situations, yet learning continues as students remotely leverage digital tools and engage in teacher-prepared lessons. The Collinsville School District E-Learning Plan also includes teachers available remotely to assist students by email with their assignments during the hours of the e-learning school day.

Issuing an E-Learning Day

In the event conditions are such that school must be canceled, administration will do its best to make that determination by 6:00 am. Sometimes this is not possible, as conditions can change rather quickly in southern Illinois, but the goal will be to make the determination by 6:00 am.

Once the decision is made, students, staff, and parents will be notified:

• through our District call system
• through our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• through local tv and radio stations, as well as newspaper websites

If an e-learning day is implemented, everyone will be notified in the same manner as when school is canceled. Students will be expected to utilize the day to meet with their teachers virtually and work on their required assignments/activities.

Teacher Availability 

All teachers are required to offer synchronous instruction on an e-learning day. Teachers are also expected to be available to students/parents during their work hours to answer questions.  For many teachers, other systems may work better than email (telephone, ClassDojo, Google Classroom, etc.) and staff are encouraged to utilize these other communication tools as the situation dictates. However, all teachers will check their email regularly and provide feedback and guidance to students/parents on an as needed basis. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Live Video Conferencing Sessions

Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during e-learning days for online learners. If a student is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. Elementary teachers with students in grade PreK-6 will include in their morning announcement the times students are to log in for live instruction. At grade levels 7-12, staff will use the abbreviated class times when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions.

Parent Tutorial for Navigating Google Classroom

Student Attendance

During e- learning, attendance will be taken. The preferred method of collecting attendance is always a one-to-one daily connection between the teacher and the student. However, we recognize that this method is not available or practical for all student scenarios under an e-learning situation. We encourage and suggest several ideas for how classroom teachers can collect and count a student as present during an e-learning Day.

• Video conference “check-ins.”
• Wellness checks coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Phone calls coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Text messages or email communications coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Packet collections by school personnel.

Grading

Students will be accountable for completing the assigned tasks either online or by printed materials in the same manner as any other school day. Incomplete work will be considered incomplete. Teachers are encouraged to hold students accountable for completing work as they would with any missing assignments. Completed work can either be turned in online or on an upcoming school day.

Student/Parent Technical Support:

In the event of an issue with a student’s district assigned device, please call or email the technology support person at your child’s school.  Contact information, as well as information on internet connectivity, is found on the district website’s Chromebooks & Technology resource page.  

The post Information for CUSD 10 2022-23 E-Learning Days appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

These devices will be the responsibility of the student and the parent while at home. The parent may be financially responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen devices, including the power cords. Collinsville Community Unit #10 will communicate the device return date to parents. If a family leaves the district, all district property must be returned to the home school. Technical support will be provided by the home school. Parents can contact their home school with any questions regarding their device.

For additional information, please refer to the Chromebook Student User Agreement found in the Student & Parent Handbook.

Instructions on How to Connect School Chromebook to Home Wi-Fi

English

Spanish

Report a Chromebook Problem

Glenn Woodcock – CHS/Twin Echo
CHS Lead Computer Support Specialist
Phone:  618-346-6320 x1035
Email: gwoodcock@cusd.kahoks.org

Isaac Mizel – CHS/Twin Echo
Computer Support Specialist
Phone:  618-346-6320 x1036
Email: imizel@cusd.kahoks.org

Dayna Chiapelli – Maryville
Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-346-6261 x3427
Email: dchiapel@cusd.kahoks.org

Jodie Avery – CMS
Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-343-2134 x 2134
Email: javery@cusd.kahoks.org

Grant Hartman  – Caseyville
Computer Support Specialist
Phone:  618-346-6205 x3328
Email: ghartman@cusd.kahoks.org

Sarah Williams – DIS
Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-346-6320 x7232
Email: swilliams@cusd.kahoks.org

Chris Pendleton – District
IT Operations Supervisor
Phone: 618-346-6350 x4243
Email: cpendlet@cusd.kahoks.org

Shelley Conner – Kreitner/Summit
Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-343-1013 x2531
Email: sconner@cusd.kahoks.org

Andrea Moore – Hollywood Heights
Special Ed Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-343-2762 x3032
Email:ammoore@cusd.kahoks.org

Jessica Marth – Renfro/Jefferson
Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-346-6265 x2662
Email: jmarth@cusd.kahoks.org

Chris Parciak – Webster
Computer Support Specialist
Phone: 618-346-6301 x5934
Email: cparciak@cusd.kahoks.org

Home Internet Access Assistance Programs

Spectrum (Charter Communications) and AT&T offer inexpensive home Internet packages for families who qualify. Directly certified National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participants automatically qualify. 

Spectrum

Click HERE for more information about Spectrum Internet Assist

AT&T

Click HERE to learn more about AT&T Access Opportunities.

5G home internet options from Verizon and T-Mobile are for those families who do not have access to Spectrum or AT&T.

Verizon: https://www.verizon.com/5g/home-internet/

T-Mobile: https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices.  Use THIS LINK to find out more, see if your family qualifies, and apply online.

The post Chromebooks & Technology appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Español

Kahok Families,

We understand the stress an adaptive pause to in-person learning puts on everyone.  Our district appreciates the flexibility of community partners and families as we move to remote learning for the next three days.  

Attached is a summary of policies, expectations and resources applicable during the adaptive pause occurring this week on Tuesday (January 11), Wednesday (January 12) and Thursday (January 13).  Remember, Friday (January 14) is a Teacher Institute and Monday, (January 17) is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, so there are no classes on those days. 

This information is also posted on www.kahoks.org.  You should hear from your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and/or school with class- and building-specific instructions.  Please reach out to them if you have any questions.

The new year may have started with uphill challenges, however, I am confident if we keep our focus on our students, we will get through the current trials thanks to the support of our families and the dedication of our staff. Stay healthy. 

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Remote Learning during Adaptive Pause

Students will engage in learning activities facilitated by their teachers. The lessons will focus on essential course skills and content appropriate for an abbreviated day of remote learning.  School buildings will be open daily and teachers and staff will be in attendance to prepare and deliver lessons using available classroom technology equipment. 

Teacher Availability

Teachers will periodically monitor their email and respond to questions during their school hours.  Teachers will be available outside of these hours by appt. only. If you need an appointment please reach out to your teacher.  Teachers will use various means to stay connected with students, including: webpage updates, Google Classroom updates, ClassDojo, emails, phone calls, Remind updates, etc., to help the instructor connect with, reassure, and provide students with feedback and encouragement. 

Student Attendance

Attendance will be taken daily using methods designated by the teacher or school.  

Live Video Conferencing Sessions

Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during Remote Learning Days. If a student is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. 

• Elementary students (Grades K-6):  will include in their morning announcement the times students are to log in for live instruction.
• Middle and high school students (Grades 7-12): staff will use the abbreviated class times when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions. The following schedule will apply:

CMS and CHS Daily Schedule

Students with Special Education Services

• Students receiving special education services in Grades 7-12 will follow their class schedule outlined above for CMS and CHS.
• Students receiving special education services in Grades K-6 will be expected to attend Google Meets set up by their assigned classroom teachers.  
• Students who receive special education services in the General Education setting will continue to receive instruction and assignments from their general education teacher(s).
• Students who receive special education services in the general education and special education setting will receive instruction and assignments and activities from their general education teacher(s) and from the special education teacher(s).
• Students who receive special education services in the Special Education Setting will receive all of their instruction and assignments and activities from their special education teacher(s). 
• Related Services: Speech, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Adapted PE- Students receiving related services per their IEPs will be communicated with on an individual basis from their related service providers regarding service delivery model and schedule.

IEP Meetings

Scheduled IEP meetings will continue to take place via Google Meets. IEP Coordinators will send out emails with the google meets link and invitation. If for some reason the IEP meeting would need to be rescheduled, all IEP Team members will be notified as soon as possible. Please reach out to your child’s special education teacher/case manager with any questions. 

Grading

Students will be expected to complete all assignments, assessments, and projects in a timely manner. All assignments will be graded when appropriate and students will be provided with feedback on each graded assignment. 

Technology

All students have been provided with a Chromebook and charger for remote instruction. Students who do not have adequate access to the Internet will be provided with a hotspot/router. Here are instructions on connecting to WiFi: English or Spanish. Please contact your building principal if you have connectivity issues. 

Use this link for a list of school-by-school contact information for student/parent technical support. 

COVID 19 Testing Availability

If your student is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and you would like them to be tested for COVID at school, please contact your student’s school health office to request an appointment. Appointments will be made based upon availability on a first come, first served basis and will only occur during the School Health Staff’s contractual hours.  Use this link for contact information. 

Child Care/Latchkey

The district is partnering with the Collinsville, Maryville and Troy YMCA to allow families access to child care and/or latchkey service regardless if student attendance is in-person or remote during the adaptive pause.  Y Club will be offered from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm on January 11th, 12th, and 13th at Renfro Elementary for current students.  School’s Out Camp will be held on the 14th and 17th at the YMCA.  Interested families should contact the CMT YMCA at 618-346-5600.

Food Service

FREE student meal service will be provided to  students (ages 1-18) on Remote Learning Days during the Adaptive Pause in CUSD 10.  We encourage families to take advantage of this offer to ensure children are fed.  (Click HERE for a printable PDF of food service information and map.)

On Remote Learning Days during the current adaptive pause, meal service will be available Tuesday (Jan 11), Wednesday (Jan 12) and Thursday (Jan 13).  Since January 14 and 15 were scheduled non-attendance days, food service is NOT available on those days.  

Curbside Pick-up: Bagged meals will be available via curbside pickup from 7 am-12 pm, at the following locations:

• Collinsville High School (Back of School by Dock)
• Dorris Intermediate School
• Kreitner Elementary School
• Webster Elementary School (Back of School)

Delivery Route Pick-Up Locations: First Student school buses will deliver meals designated neighborhoods using the following routes and schedule:

The post Information for Navigating Adaptive Pause Jan 11-13 2022 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

November 1, 2021 – When weather conditions make travel hazardous, CUSD 10 will declare an E-Learning Day meaning students will learn remotely from home based on expectations determined by their schools/teachers. 

PLEASE NOTE: A complete school closure could still be issued if power outages or other circumstances make remote learning difficult or impossible. 

E-Learning Days are important because students do not lose instruction due to inclement weather, so learning continues and there are no missed days to make-up at the end of the school year. If school is “Closed” – those emergency days are added to the school calendar.  If no emergency days are used, the school year ends on the designated day.

The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved a plan to allow Snow/Emergency Weather Days to become E-Learning Days beginning in Winter 2020-21.  The change was approved on December 21, 2020.

WHAT IS AN E-LEARNING DAY?

E-Learning Days are designed to serve as official attendance days of school when the students and teachers stay at home due to emergency situations, yet learning continues as students remotely leverage digital tools and engage in teacher-prepared lessons. The Collinsville School District E-Learning Plan also includes teachers available remotely to assist students by email with their assignments during the hours of the E-Learning school day.

ISSUING AN E-LEARNING DAY

In the event conditions are such that school must be cancelled, administration will do its best to make that determination by 6:00am. Sometimes this is not possible, as conditions can change rather quickly in Southern Illinois, but the goal will be to make the determination by 6:00 am.

Once the decision is made, students, staff, and parents will be notified:

• through our District call system
• through our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• through local tv and radio stations, as well as newspaper websites

If an E-Learning Day is implemented, everyone will be notified in the same manner as when school is cancelled. Students will be expected to utilize the day to meet with their teachers virtually and work on their required assignments/activities.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

During E- Learning, attendance will be taken. The preferred method of collecting attendance is always a one-to-one daily connection between the teacher and the student. However, we recognize that this method is not available or practical for all student scenarios under an E-Learning situation. We encourage and suggest several ideas for how classroom teachers can collect and count a student as present during an E-Learning Day.

• Video conference “check-ins.”
• Wellness checks coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Phone calls coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Text messages or email communications coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Packet collections by school personnel.

GRADING

Students will be accountable for completing the assigned tasks either online or by printed materials in the same manner as any other school day. Students will only receive a “present” for attendance once work is completed. Incomplete work will be considered incomplete.

Teachers are encouraged to hold students accountable for completing work as they would with any missing assignments. Completed work can either be turned in online or on an upcoming school day.

TEACHER AVAILABILITY

Teachers will periodically monitor their email and respond to questions during their school hours.  If you need an appointment please reach out to your teacher. For many teachers, other systems may work better than email (Telephone, ClassDojo, Google Classroom, etc.) and staff are encouraged to utilize these other communication tools as the situation dictates. However, all teachers will check their email regularly and provide feedback and guidance to students/parents on an as needed basis.

The District understands that many teachers have their own responsibilities that may arise with these days (supervising their own children, shoveling snow, etc.). The District also understands that there will be time spent in follow up activities after the E-Learning Day (reviewing completed assignments, providing support for students without internet access, encouraging students to complete assignments, etc.). Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

LIVE VIDEO INSTRUCTION

Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during E-Learning Days for online learners. If your child is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. 

Elementary teachers with students in grade PreK-6 will include in their morning announcement the times students are to log in for live instruction.

For grade levels 7-12, staff will use the following abbreviated class times when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions:

STUDENT/PARENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

In the event of an issue with a student’s District assigned device, please call or email the technology support person at your child’s school.  Click HERE for a list of tech support staff.

The post E-Learning Option for Use During Inclement Weather appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The post CHS 2020-21 Year End Technology & Textbook Collection appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Left to right: Michelle Stutts (BOE), Jane Soehlke (BOE), Gary Kusmierczak (BOE), Dr. Dennis Craft (BOE), Dr. Brad Skertich (Superintendent), Derek Turner (Director of Technology), Mayor Michael Suarez (Fairmont City), Ben Fischer (LTE Specialist STEPcg0, Ed Walton (CEO Stepcg), Gary Peccola (BOE President), Todd Kelly SVP of Solutions Engineering STEPcg), Dan Gregory (Private LTE Program Director STEPcg)

Collinsville, Illinois – March 5, 2021 – Today, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 launched a Private LTE Network to bring internet connectivity to approximately 500 students in the Fairmont City and State Park communities.  

Collinsville CUSD 10 partnered with IT solutions provider STEPcg to construct a private LTE network which utilizes technologies from Nokia and Cambium Networks. The network is among the first in the US built by a school district. 

CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich said, “The pandemic heightened the fact not all of our students had connectivity and exposed the need to ensure all students had equal access whether at home or at school.  Internet connectivity ensures all students are able to complete assignments, conduct research, interact with classmates and teachers, apply for scholarships, seek employment, and participate in everyday occurrences as simple as seeking the answer to a random question. The need and rationale were easy.  The ‘how’ took some time.” 

The district explored many different options prior to deciding on private LTE; including hotspots, routers on school buses, routers on telephone poles and paying for internet providers to install service in affected areas.  

“The district’s Board of Education was 100% committed to breaking down the connectivity barrier,” said Skertich, “All that needed to be done was for Derek Turner, our Director of Technology, to find a cost effective and sustainable internet solution.”

Turner said, “As we were investigating different possibilities, I began asking about private LTE. In early 2020, the FCC had approved use by private companies, cities and schools.  I was put in touch with STEPcg who helped me understand the ins and outs of private LTE and put together a bold plan to conquer the connectivity gap in our community.”

CARES stimulus funding provided the resources to make the $300,000 network a reality.  

Planning began in late March 2020, according to Turner.  By August, STEPcg constructed a temporary solution and conducted testing to determine any flaws in the system. During September, plans were reworked to provide more coverage and better reliability.  By December 2020, construction was completed on a broadcast tower at Kreitner Elementary School, and in early 2021, microcell installs began at Kreitner Elementary, the Mounds Water District tower, and Fairmont City locations.  Installation was finalized and testing completed in February, enabling the network to go “live” in March.

“Our district made a commitment to technology that started over 20 years ago with a goal of putting computers in every classroom. We continued by adding Promethean boards into the classrooms, The next step was to get Chromebooks into the hands of every student. With the 1:1 initiative that was phased in over a number of years, that goal was achieved last school year,” said Collinsville CUSD 10 Board of Education President Gary Peccola. 

Peccola continued, “However, the commitment wasn’t just focused on computers. Our fiber WAN project connects all of the schools and buildings throughout our district and provides internet access to all students while they are at school, but not all students have internet access when they are at home. With the construction of this LTE broadband tower, we are taking another step forward to meet the connectivity needs of students in the State Park and Fairmont City areas.”

Technology Behind the Network

STEPcg is an award-winning IT engineering firm specializing in solutions powered by strategic experts and best-of-breed technologies that guide their clients through complex IT challenges.

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the Digital Divide for many students and communities across America, the lack of access to affordable high-speed broadband connectivity,” said 

STEPcg CEO, Ed Walton. “Instead of having to drive to a restaurant or park for access to the internet, the Collinsville school district is leading the way by providing an innovative solution utilizing a private LTE network that enables safe, high-speed connectivity in the students’ homes.”

The centerpiece of the network is an LTE Broadband Tower constructed at Kreitner Elementary School which ties into the district’s internet service. In all, the network includes four Nokia CBRS microcell installations that provide approximately 4 square miles of coverage in the communities of Fairmont City and State Park. The result allows students to have equal access to school instructional programs from home. 

“We are pleased to partner with STEPcg to help Collinsville school district bridge the digital divide for students challenged with remote learning during this difficult time. Nokia’s industry leading private wireless solution complemented by STEPcg’s expertise to design, deploy and operate wireless networks was critical for the success of this project,” said Vikas Trehan, Nokia’s Head of Partner Sales in North America.

Matt Young, Vice President of North America Enterprise Sales, Nokia Cloud and Networking Services, said, “This use case in education illustrates the benefits of private wireless for school districts across the country. Nokia DAC (NDAC) enables fast and reliable connectivity to empower students in this challenging digital divide. We look forward to helping Collinsville school district accelerate on its path to a digital future for students, where 4G/pLTE capacity and performance provide a future-proofed infrastructure that enhances an educational institution’s capabilities for remote learning.” 

“Cambium Networks is extremely pleased to supply our wireless solutions to STEPcg for this Collinsville school district project.  Connecting the unconnected and under-connected has taken on unprecedented importance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bryan Sheppeck, SVP, Global Sales at Cambium Networks, “Twenty-twenty accelerated an emerging trend: ‘if it can be wireless, it will be wireless’ due to its intrinsic ease and speed of deployment. STEPcg and team have demonstrated once again the economic and performance benefits of wireless solutions.”

About the Technology Partners

STEPcg was founded in 2014 and has become one of the fastest growing technology firms in the Midwest. Their portfolio enables enterprises with solutions for wireline, wireless, cellular, cloud, security, collaboration and managed services. STEPcg is a privately held company headquartered in Covington, Kentucky. STEPcg is Where Innovation Meets Execution.

Nokia creates the critical networks and technologies to bring together the world’s intelligence, across businesses, cities, supply chains and societies.  With Nokia’s commitment to innovation and technology leadership, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we deliver networks at the limits of science across mobile, infrastructure, cloud, and enabling technologies.

Cambium Networks delivers wireless communications that work for businesses, communities and cities worldwide. They work with their Cambium certified Connected Partners to deliver purpose-built networks for service providers, enterprise, industrial, and government connectivity solutions in urban, suburban, and rural environments, with wireless that just works.

The post Private LTE Network Brings Internet Connectivity to Students appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Click HERE to read the full, approved E-Learning Plan.

When weather conditions make travel hazardous, CUSD 10 will declare an E-Learning Day meaning students will learn remotely from home based on expectations determined by their school/teachers.  A complete school closure could still be issued if power outages or other circumstances make remote learning difficult or impossible.

E-Learning Days are important because students do not lose instruction due to inclement weather, so learning continues and there are no missed days to make-up at the end of the school year. If school is “Closed” – those emergency days are added to the school calendar.  If no emergency days are used, the school year ends on the designated day.

What is an E-Learning Day?

E-Learning Days are designed to serve as official attendance days of school when the students and teachers stay at home due to emergency situations, yet learning continues as students remotely leverage digital tools and engage in teacher-prepared lessons. The Collinsville School District E-Learning Plan also includes teachers available remotely to assist students by email with their assignments during the hours of the E-Learning school day.

Issuing an E-Learning Day:

In the event conditions are such that school must be cancelled, administration will do its best to make that determination by 6:00am. Sometimes this is not possible, as conditions can change rather quickly in Southern Illinois, but the goal will be to make the determination by 6:00 am.

Once the decision is made, students, staff, and parents will be notified:

● through our District call system
● through our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
● through local tv and radio stations, as well as newspaper websites

If an E-Learning Day is implemented, everyone will be notified in the same manner as when school is cancelled. Students will be expected to utilize the day to meet with their teachers virtually and work on their required assignments/activities.

Student Attendance

During E- Learning, attendance will be taken. The preferred method of collecting attendance is always a one-to-one daily connection between the teacher and the student. However, we recognize that this method is not available or practical for all student scenarios under an E-Learning situation. We encourage and suggest several ideas for how classroom teachers can collect and count a student as present during an E-Learning Day.

• Video conference “check-ins.”
• Wellness checks coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Phone calls coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Text messages or email communications coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Packet collections by school personnel.

Grading

Students will be accountable for completing the assigned tasks either online or by printed materials in the same manner as any other school day. Students will only receive a “present” for attendance once work is completed. Incomplete work will be considered incomplete.

Teachers are encouraged to hold students accountable for completing work as they would with any missing assignments. Completed work can either be turned in online or on an upcoming school day.

Teacher Availability:

Teachers are expected to be available to students/parents from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm by email. For many teachers, other systems may work better than email (Telephone, ClassDojo, Google Classroom, etc.) and staff are encouraged to utilize these other communication tools as the situation dictates. However, all teachers will check their email regularly and provide feedback and guidance to students/parents on an as needed basis.

The District understands that many teachers have their own responsibilities that may arise with these days (supervising their own children, shoveling snow, etc.). The District also understands that there will be time spent in follow up activities after the E-Learning Day (reviewing completed assignments, providing support for students without internet access, encouraging students to complete assignments, etc.). Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Student/Parent Technical Support:

In the event of an issue with a student’s District assigned device, please call or email the technology support person at your child’s school.  Click HERE for a list of tech support staff.

The post Snow/Weather Days will be E-Learning Days in 2020-21 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Dear CHS Parents and Guardians,

As previously communicated, your child’s teachers should have contacted them already. Please emphasize the importance of grades and attendance. Most importantly, stress the importance of student engagement and effort. Despite the obstacles presented, students must prepare for their future.

We are definitely conducting Remote Learning through September 4th. It will be quite helpful if students adhere to an established schedule. Please note the attached CHS Remote 2.0 Instructional Schedule.

Students are expected to complete school assignments and remain engaged in their studies outside of specified Google Meet live lessons. Teachers will be available from 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. beginning Monday, August 24th. Parents are encouraged to monitor their student’s progress on Skyward. Don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or other school personnel if you have any questions or need assistance.

We are doing our best to ensure all of our students have access to technology. Contact the CHS Chrome Depot at dchiapel@cusd.kahoks.org if your child is encountering any technology issues. Please note the attached link that provides instructions for internet connectivity with Chromebooks.

I am hopeful your son/daughter is off to a fantastic start this school year. Thanks in advance for your efforts and assistance in making remote learning work for your child. If everyone does their part (i.e. social distancing, mask, washing hands), I am optimistic we will have the opportunity to initiate in-person learning sooner rather than later. Go Kahoks!

Sincerely,

David Snider, CHS Principal

Click HERE for Remote Learning Schedule
Click HERE for Connecting to WiFi Instructions

The post August 19, 2020 Message from Principal David Snider appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Teachers throughout the district are planning special lessons and discussions in their classrooms.  It is also a good time for families to review internet safety tips.  For resources see:  Parent Resources/Internet Safety.

The CUSD 10 Technology Department has taken the lead in developing incentives to keep students engaged learning internet safety.  They are sponsoring a series of contests for classes and students during the month of February.

Grades K-2: Coloring Contest

Grades 3 and 4: Poster Contest

Each class will choose one topic/poster theme from the list below:

• Cyberbullying
• Suspicious Online Characters
• Online Privacy
• Social Media

Any class that has 100% participation will be entered into a drawing to win a pizza party (one per building).  The posters will be displayed around the school buildings starting the 4th week of February and lasting throughout the month of March.

All K-4 teacher whose classes have 100% participation will be entered into a contest to win a Chromebook that will be checked out to them.  (2 Chromebooks will be given out per building)

Grades 5 and 6: Read an Internet Safety Book and Take a Quiz

Students will read an an e-book on Internet Safety and take a quiz to test their knowledge of the book.  All students who take the quiz and get an 80% or greater will be entered into a drawing to attend a pizza party.  Twenty qualifying students will be randomly chosen to attend the pizza party.

Grades 7 – 12:  Write a 1-page Internet Safety Informative Essay

Collinsville Middle and High School students are being asked to write a 1-page (double-spaced, 11-point font) informational essay on one of the Internet Safety topics listed below:

• Cyberbullying
• Online Predators
• Internet Threats
• Internet Scams

The purpose of the essay is to inform friends and classmates about the chosen Internet Safety topic.  Participants will be entered into a drawing to have their Chromebook upgraded to a brand new HP 14″ Chromebook.  One entry from each grade level will be drawn.

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“The Kahok family offers and embraces opportunities for everyone to reach his/her fullest potential.”

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 is dedicated to meeting needs of EVERY student no matter where they are on the academic scale or where their interests and abilities lead.  We offer challenging academic courses, as well as innovative programs for children who are academically at-risk.  Our students and faculty earn honors in and out of the classroom.  Our schools focus on character education, promote volunteerism and encourage community involvement.

Our mission in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District is to create a school environment where children are intellectually challenged in ways appropriate to their individual strengths, needs and experiences. We are committed to the pursuit of academic excellence and the development of our students to their fullest potential by providing a variety of innovative experiences, a caring progressive staff and an involved community. In doing so, we strive to develop thriving individuals, responsible citizens and lifelong learners who will actively participate in their local and global communities.

Education in Collinsville dates back to the mid-1800s. Jefferson Elementary School now resides on the site of the first school opened in Madison County. Webster Elementary School was opened in 1873. In the early 1950s, Superintendent D.K. Darling oversaw the conversion of Collinsville’s separate dual elementary and high school districts into the unit district of today.

Today, Unit 10 covers 57 square miles, providing educational services to students from Collinsville, Caseyville and Maryville, as well as portions of Glen Carbon, Fairmont City and Granite City. The school district is comprised of eight elementary schools (grades K-4), one intermediate center (grades 5-6), one middle school (grades 7-8) and one high school (grades 9-12). Servicing over 6,500 students, Unit 10 employs a staff of approximately 470 certified and 290 non-certified staff members.

The district has a rich tradition of offering a quality learning experience to its students. Outstanding extra-curricular programs, including athletics, music and foreign language, as well as a multitude of student service organizations, help provide opportunities for students to develop skills and talents beyond the classroom.

Collinsville High School provides an excellent college prepatory program, including Advanced Placement and dual credit courses that offer challenging, undergraduate level curriculum where eligible students can earn credits and accelerated placement in college. Adjacent to CHS, the Collinsville Area Vocational Center offers a two-year, public vocational training center for junior and senior high school students from Collinsville as well as surrounding communities.

Our 1:1 technology initiative means all students in grades 5-12 receive individual Chromebook computers for use in the classroom.  Middle and senior high school students take them home to use as tools to complete homework and research projects.  Elementary students have access to classroom computers, computer labs and iPads.  Classrooms use state of the art technology including interactive projection systems and digital resources.  

Together with parents and the community, Unit 10 is working to ensure all students have the opportunity to meet their goals and aspirations. We celebrate the diversity reflected in our schools.  We have several bilingual classrooms, translators to help families and special programs for English Language Learners.  

Collinsville schools have a culture that encourages volunteerism and community service among students at all levels. We partner with local groups and organizations to teach responsibility, patriotism, care and concern.

We are Kahoks.  We are proud and strong.

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