EAST PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT #73

We hope the first few weeks of summer find you healthy, happy, and enjoying the gift of summer! This past week, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced guidelines that will allow schools to resume in-person instruction safely for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Over this past year, it has become abundantly clear that the people, relationships and an unwavering focus on children make East Prairie the incredibly special and unique community it is. The diversity of our community is our most remarkable strength. Each day, our East Prairie community learns from, with, and alongside one another, which we view as an incredible gift - and one that benefits both children and adults.

The final week of the school year is upon us. While this homestretch has certainly been different than the one we envisioned; our goal is to close out the year with spirit and celebration to ensure a sense of community and closure for our students. Today is our final planning day; daily lessons will continue, but with no teacher accessibility. This time has been invaluable for us to collaborate on designing impactful instructional opportunities, as well as, to continue planning for next year.

lease take a look at the required school supply list for the needs during the 2020-2021

Happy Friday Junior! (It’s our favorite East Prairie term for Thursday.) For those that have not yet seen it, here is a link to Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan to reopen the state. Additional information on this initial framework, as well as further local details can be found on the Skokie Health Departments COVID-19 information page.

Welcome to May! In addition to being May 1st, it is also May Day and International Workers Day. Check out today’s art and SEL collaboration to see how you can thank a superhero/essential worker. Thank you to Ms. Wade-Kuzwayo and Ms. Doolas for this creative collaboration! Here are some additional ideas for showing your gratitude. This ties in seamlessly with the opportunity shared yesterday about creating messages and artwork for an essential worker safe space at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. Families looking to contribute to these spaces can create uplifting and inspiring cards, messages, and artwork. Finished products can be mailed to the school or dropped in the Castro family mail slot located at 3839 Howard Street within our neighborhood.

As you are well aware conferences last month were cancelled due to the pandemic. Timely communication and the opportunity to connect with you on your child’s growth and development are, and will always be, top priorities.

Already this week, we have delivered over 225 Chromebooks and 500 meals to our EPS families. We continue to work with our families to provide internet connection, additional food, and connect them with other community resources. Feeling safe, nourished, and cared for are essential conditions to learning. The care, concern, and compassion of our EPS community is truly extraordinary!

Here is a link to a screencast video that provides an overview of our Remote Learning program for our students. Thank you for sharing this with you child(ren). For families that are waiting on a device and/or internet hotspot from the school, we will be making all of those deliveries on Monday. We are on track to meet the needs of all families that have communicated with us.

At noon tomorrow you will receive an email and phone call with detailed information regarding our eLearning plans. You will be asked to confirm that you received the email so that we can make sure EVERY family is connected and prepared for this new model of education.