The post FAQs appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

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Kahok Families, 

The effort put forth this week navigating the latest COVID-19 surge has been tremendous.  The actions by our teachers, support staff, administrators, families, and partners First Student and Sodexo, were tremendous to meet our students’ academic, social and nutritional needs.  It was no easy task changing course in the middle of the school year, and I am grateful for the collective response to make this work.  

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have reduced quarantines and exclusions for students and staff members who test positive for COVID-19, or are considered a close contact to a positive case, to five days.  This guidance aligns with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).      

The district is adopting the new guidance immediately.  As a result, all students and staff who were positive on or before Wednesday, January 12th may return on Tuesday, January 18th if they are fever free for 24 hours, have improved symptoms, and remain masked at school.  Close contacts on or before Wednesday, January 12th may return on Tuesday, January 18th if they remain asymptomatic.  The shortened quarantine and exclusion will assist in making sure we have the staff to manage classrooms and decrease the length of student absences that are COVID-related.  The district’s Return to Learn Plan will be updated and released to families early next week.   

After careful consideration, we have decided to continue in-person instruction on Tuesday, January 18th by incorporating a shortened school day.  Schools will dismiss ½ hour early every day.  The shortened day will give our certified and non-certified staff additional time to balance combined in-person and live instruction for COVID-19 related absences; and allow our district to meet our students’ academic, social and nutritional needs.  The district will maintain this schedule from January 18th through February 4th.  At this time, it is anticipated the district will return to our normal schedule on Monday, February 7th.   

This bus and school schedule is currently used on Wednesdays throughout the school year and is familiar to our staff, students and families.  A change of this nature is not welcome at any point in the school year, but it is necessary at this time.  Please review the student dismissal times below and adjust your daily routine for the next three weeks.  We understand this may cause an additional burden on families and we apologize in advance.  This change is designed to be temporary.    

½ Hour Early Dismissal Schedule

Cleaning protocols outlined in the district’s Return to Learn Plan and social distancing to the greatest extent possible will remain in place to provide a safe environment for our students and staff.  

Due to the volume of rapid antigen tests our health staff is administering to symptomatic students, the district is going to suspend the “test-to-stay” option for students who are a close contact to a positive case at school.  Once the surge subsides, we will revisit offering the test-to-stay option to all students exposed to a positive case. Thank you to our health staff for their amazing efforts every day.

What happens outside of school in the community and your home has an impact on our ability to keep kids in school.  During this surge in COVID-19 cases, we need your help. Please review the information and protocols below to help us provide a safe environment for our students and staff:

• Complete the daily COVID-19 checklist: Parents are reminded to review the COVID-19 symptom checklist each day before children leave for school. The checklist is posted on the district website (use this link) and the CUSD Connect district app. The app is free and is available on your phone’s app store.  
• Symptomatic People Stay Home: Anyone feeling sick or experiencing symptoms outlined in the COVID-19 checklist, should STAY HOME.  If a child begins to feel sick at school, they should report their symptoms to the teacher or school nurse immediately.

• Proper Masking:  Students and staff are required to properly wear a face covering (mask) over their nose and mouth while indoors and on bus transportation.  The full Face Coverings and PPE policy is on pages 6-7 of the district’s Return to Learn Plan. 

• Family Responsibility:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is imperative for families to practice disease prevention outside of school, too.  This includes simple actions like proper hand hygiene, physical distancing, face coverings and avoiding attending/hosting crowded gatherings. Use these links to see CDC recommendations to protect yourself and others from COVID-19: English or Spanish

• Alternative Diagnosis: Depending on symptoms, even with a negative COVID test, documentation of an alternative medical diagnosis may be required for a child to return to school. This request is consistent with our district’s Exclusion for Communicable Disease policy. (Review the policy in English or Spanish.)

• Proof of Vaccination: Children 5-years and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.  If your child’s vaccination status has changed – by becoming vaccinated or boosted – please make sure their school has the most up-to-date information by providing a copy of their vaccination card. 

• Vaccine Clinic Information:  Our district has partnered with the Madison County Health Department and IDPH to host vaccination clinics after hours at several of our schools for the convenience of families and community members who want to get vaccinated.  The next clinic is Monday, January 31 at Webster Elementary from 3-8 p.m.  Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.  To schedule an appointment, click HERE.  Additional vaccination opportunities in our community are found HERE. 

As we experienced last year, the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing.  Updates will be provided to families with as much advance notice as possible.  Thank you for your continued patience and your constant dedication to our students.  Don’t forget to wear your purple and show your Kahok Pride!  

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich, Ed.D.
Superintendent

The post January 13, 2022 Announcement of Return to In-person Learning appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

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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.

BiNaxNow is approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a quick nasal swab test designed to give our trained health staff results within fifteen (15) minutes.  Our tests will be administered by school nurses and athletic training staff who have been specially trained.

Information about BiNaxNow testing (English)
Information about BiNaxNow testing in Spanish

Additional information can be found on the Illinois Department of Health website.

This free COVID-19 testing option would only be used when a student is symptomatic at school or has symptoms when completing the self-certification health check.

The potential benefits of the POC antigen test in schools include:

• Rapid confirmation of suspected COVID-19
• Helping your child’s healthcare provider make a timely informed decision about your child’s plan of care
• Assisting for an expedited and safe return to the classroom for students
• Help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in school and community

To allow children to be eligible to receive a test at school, parents need to submit a signed pre-authorized consent form to allow children to be tested if they exhibit symptoms during the school day.

Click HERE for an complete explanation of the program in English
Click HERE for an complete explanation of the program in Spanish

Click HERE to complete Parent/Guardian Authorization and Consent for COVID-19 Testing (English)
Click HERE to complete Parent/Guardian Authorization and Consent for COVID-19 Testing (Spanish)

Click HERE for a printable Parent/Guardian Authorization and Consent for COVID-19 Testing (English)
Click HERE for a printable Parent/Guardian Authorization and Consent for COVID-19 Testing (Spanish)

If you have any questions or need any assistance completing the Parent/Guardian Authorization and Consent for COVID-19 Testing parent/guardian permission form, please contact your child(ren’s) school.

The Collinsville CUSD 10 plan for Rapid Point-Of-Care (POC) Testing for COVID-19 includes an initial “pilot school” roll-out at Kreitner Elementary School during the second academic semester. The District is hopeful to expand antigen testing in schools throughout the district in a phased approach.

Click the image below to view a presentation produced by our CUSD 10 Health Staff:

The post Free At-School COVID-19 Rapid Point-of-Care Antigen Testing appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

As you know, due to ongoing health concerns nationwide, school will be closed from Tuesday,
March 17, until at least Monday, March 30th. The teachers at CMS have been diligently working
to prepare and provide students with the best at home options possible during this time. In
preparation, I would like to make sure that we have open lines of communication to assist
students in successfully completing the work provided.

Beginning Tuesday the 17th, teachers will be available online from 8 am until 1 pm; teachers will
provide the assignments or needed materials through email and/or Google Classroom and
students will be asked to complete activities for each class daily. We are aware that there may
be some that do not have internet access at home; we did a survey on Friday in an attempt to
identify the students in this situation and we will be providing paper packets for those students
on Monday. We have also been made aware of various companies providing free internet to
families during this difficult time. If this could benefit your family please contact our local
providers for more details.

Please also be aware that it is possible to access the internet via most phone and there
are ways to complete assignments through the phone rather than the Chromebook.

If you would like to explore this option and have questions related to technical activities like writing on a PDF or transferring documents back and forth to teachers through the phone, Mr. Hayman our media center specialist will be available during the same hours of 8 am until 1 pm for assistance. To access Mr. Hayman for phone assistance, please text @haymani to 81010.

Beginning Monday morning, the nurses of the district will be making calls to arrange to have
medications picked up by the end of the school day. If your child currently takes medication at
school, please be aware that you need to make arrangements for pick up by the end of the
school day on Monday. If this presents an issue, we will do our best to make other
arrangements on a case by case basis.

We are living through a time that none of us have experienced before. The emotional impact of
the ongoing fear and disruptions to regular routines may be significant for many. Our social
workers will be providing information about dealing with crisis and how to talk to kids about their
feelings. Although many of us will never feel the impact on our health from the virus, the
emotional impact has the potential to have an even longer reaching impact. Please look for
these tips as our social workers send them out over the next few weeks and do not hesitate to
reach out for assistance.

As I always state, thank you for trusting us with the education of your child. We will get through
this together!

Respectfully,
Dr. Kimberly N. Jackson, Principal
Collinsville Middle School

The post CMS Letter to CMS Families March 15, 2020 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The Eye Thrive program will conduct on-site vision screenings for all Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 K thru 4th grade students between January and May 2020.

If a student fails to meet passing criteria for the screening, they will be invited to the on-site Mobile Vision Clinic for an eye exam and FREE prescription glasses if needed.   The screenings are in cooperation with CUSD 10 school nurses.  

• 1 out of 4 children has a vision issue that impairs learning and behavior.
• 90% of low-income children who need glasses don’t have them.
• Eye thrive works to ensure that no child in our community fails to thrive simply because his/her family cannot afford glasses.
• Since 2013, Eye Thrive has provided 17,517 free glasses to children in need.

The post Eye Thrive Vision Screenings Beginning January 2020 at CUSD 10 Schools appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The school nursing staff is responsible for

• keeping required health records,
• managing the school-day needs of students with chronic conditions,
• giving students required medications during the day
• and caring for students who become ill during while at school.

They are a valuable resource for health and wellness information for school families, students and staff.

CUSD#10 currently has five Certified School Nurses (CSN) with a support staff of two Registered Nurses (RN), one Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and five health clerks to cover the needs of our school and administration buildings.  The health services staff is responsible for meeting the emergent, acute, chronic and special needs of students, and on frequent occasions that of staff.

The NASN (National Association of School Nurses) defines school nursing as:

“A specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students.  To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaption, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.”

CUSD #10 School Nursing Staff

Collinsville High School

Angie Kimbrell, RN, BSN,  IL/PEL-CSN
akimbrel@cusd.kahoks.org

Kim Gorka-Smith, Health Clerk
kgorka@cusd.kahoks.org

Leah Liszewski, Health Clerk
lliszewski@cusd.kahoks.org

Collinsville Middle School 

Debra Welch, RN, BSN, IL/PEL-CSN
dwelch@cusd.kahoks.org

Jamie Bruce, Health Clerk
jbruce@cusd.kahoks.org

Dorris Intermediate School 

Allison Thornsberry, RN, BSN
athornsberry@cusd.kahoks.org

Renfro Elementary School

Lisa Sabatino, RN, MSN, IL/PEL-CSN, District Lead Nurse
lsabatin@cusd.kahoks.org

Maryville Elementary School

Stacia Kell, LPN
skell@cusd.kahoks.org

Webster Elementary School

Chelsea Eakle, RN
ceakle@cusd.kahoks.org

Caseyville Elementary School

Mary Kay Norberg, RN, BSN
mnorberg@cusd.kahoks.org

Courtney Hay, Health Clerk
chay@cusd.kahoks.org

Twin Echo Elementary School

Chelsey Ryterski, RN
cryterski@cusd.kahoks.org

Kreitner Elementary School

Michele Dye, RN, BSN
mdye@cusd.kahoks.org

Jefferson Elementary School

Chelsey Ryterski, RN
cryterski@cusd.kahoks.org

Summit Elementary School

Chelsey Ryterski, RN
cryterski@cusd.kahoks.org

Hollywood Heights School

Chelsea Eakle, RN
ceakle@cusd.kahoks.org

The post Contact Your School Nurse appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

HEALTH EXAMINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONS

A student’s parent/guardian must present proof that the student was examined by a licensed physician and received the immunizations and screenings for preventable communicable diseases as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health within one year prior to:

• Entering Pre-K, Kindergarten or first grade (if the child did not attend Kindergarten);
• Entering the sixth, ninth and twelfth grades; and
• Enrolling in an Illinois school, regardless of the student’s grade, when transferring into Illinois from out-of-state or out-of-country.

NOTE:  DURING ANNUAL ONLINE REGISTRATION, PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMPLETE THE HEALTH PAGE.

Failure to comply with the above requirements by October 15 of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District.   If a student is considered homeless, the district will make every effort to assist with obtaining these requirements.

IMMUNIZATIONS must be up to date according to the IDPH guidelines.

• If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by October 15, the student must present, an immunization schedule and a Statement of Medical Exemption* with the reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by the physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant responsible for administering the immunizations.
• If there is a religious objection, a Certificate of Religious Exemption* must be completed by the parent/guardian, signed by a physician, presented to the school nurse/principal and approved by the district superintendent or designee.
• Transfer students who are first-time registrants shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations.

A completed PHYSICAL EXAM includes all required fields (immunizations, examination results, system review, diabetic screening, lead risk assessment, physical education examination)

• MUST be on the Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination* form signed by a Physician/PA/NP including the office stamp/contact information.
• The health history located on the back of the physical form MUST be completed and signed by the parent/guardian.
• MUST be completed by October 15 of the required grade or may be subject to EXCLUSION from school.

DENTAL EXAMINATION

All children in Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grades must present proof of having been examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the current school year in accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Dental examinations are to be completed on the IDPH Proof of School Dental Examination* form and MUST include the dentist’s signature and office/clinic information.  The dental exam must have been completed within 18 months of May 15 of the required grade level. 

A Dental Exam Waiver* must be on file if the student’s parents/guardians show an undue burden or lack of access to a dentist.

EYE EXAMINATION

All children entering Kindergarten or transferring from a school outside of Illinois (for the first time) are required to have eye exam performed by an eye doctor.  The Illinois Eye Examination Report* form must include the doctor’s signature and be completed within one year upon entry to an Illinois school.

SPORTS PHYSICAL

If your child will be participating in grades 7-12 sports, a sports physical is required annually.  (9th Grade physical exam may be used during freshman year only.)  The completed IHSA/IESA Physical* form MUST be completed and submitted to the school Athletic Department prior to tryouts/practice/play.  Sports physicals are valid for 395 days.

VISION AND HEARING SCREENING

The Illinois Department of Public Health requires that certain grade levels are screened for hearing and vision by certified vision and hearing technicians.

Hearing screenings are conducted for early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1-3, special education, and new students to the districts.  Vision screening are conducted for early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, second grade, eighth grade, special education, and new students to the district.

Vision screening is NOT a substitute for a complete eye exam by an eye doctor.  However, if a student has completed an eye exam within the previous 12 months, and that evaluation is on file at the school, the child will not need a screening.  An Eye exam by an eye doctor is still required for kindergarten and students who are attending an Illinois school for the first time.  

Teachers and Parents may request an additional screening by contacting the SCHOOL NURSE.  If a student fails either the hearing or vision screenings, the parent/guardian will be notified and a referral for further examination may be needed.

Contact your SCHOOL NURSE if you are in need of assistance finding resources, etc. We are more than willing to assist you in any way we can to prevent your child’s exclusion from school.

The post School Health Requirements appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Wellness Policy

Our Collinsville CUSD #10 Wellness Policy outlines how we promote healthy living by providing access to healthy foods, nutrition education and opportunities to be physically active throughout the school day. Click HERE to read the policy.

Health Requirements & Information

There are specific health-related requirements for children to attend school and to help them be their best while they are at school.  The links below take you to information, policies and health forms.

Click the images below for CUSD #10 Student Health Information:

Partnership with SIHF Healthcare

In 2022, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 entered an agreement with SIHF Healthcare to provide a school-based health center at Collinsville Middle School.  The in-school clinic is open to all CUSD 10 students, teachers and staff.  Insurance is accepted, but not required.

For more information about SIHF Healthcare School-Based Clinics, click HERE.  For details about the CMS Clinic and consent forms, use THIS LINK and select “SIHF Healthcare-Collinsville Middle School”.  To make an appointment, call 618-578-5701.

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