21 Aug 2020

Huntley 158 families,

We have officially begun the 2020-21 school year, and we hope that you have had a successful first day under our Modified Remote Learning plan! Personally, I had nothing but great experiences as I made my way through our schools, visiting teachers who were happy to be back at work and engaging with students, albeit virtually. While no students were in the buildings, their voices could be heard! And that sound is music to our ears at this time or year, regardless of how we’re hearing them! We did experience glitches, but we worked through them together.

We also hope that you have found the multi-layered communications with your teachers, schools, and the District to be helpful and not too overwhelming. By the count of one parent who reached out to me, between teachers, schools, and the District, she had received 25 emails in the past week alone! That’s a lot—too much really—and we know that.

Unfortunately, the complexities of completely reimagining school require a lot of communication as questions arise and details are sussed out. As we move forward and work out the kinks in our system, the information barrage will recede.

However, it will remain vital to maintain an open and strong two-way flow of communication with families. As always, for most questions and requests, it’s best to start with your teacher. If they can’t resolve it, they will have the ability to elevate it to the appropriate level for followup. Above all, I thank you for your patience and grace as we work through these challenging times together!

Opt-In for Potential Small Group Opportunities (K-12)

Under our Modified Remote Learning plan, we are working to identify opportunities for small groups of students to participate in limited in-person experiences in our buildings. Please complete the form below to indicate whether you are interested in participating in these in-person sessions, should an opportunity arise. If additional opportunities arise, you will receive more specific information. 

  • Please note that this form is separate from the ECC and 6th Grade Welcome Week RSVPs that were previously sent. 
  • Please complete this form once for each K-12 student in your family. 
  • Due to the nature of its program, small group offerings at the Early Childhood Center will be managed separately.

Opt-In for Potential Small Group Opportunities (K-12)

Online Information Hubs

At the District level, we’ve created some online hubs to present information in what we hope is a helpful way for families. 

Please know that while these pages will be updated regularly, email will continue to be a necessary tool!

Food Services

Throughout the Modified Remote Learning period, all families will be able to purchase or, if eligible, pick up free lunch and breakfast meals at our drive-up lines. This service will be offered at Huntley High School, Heineman Middle School, and Marlowe Middle School, from 9:00 a.m.-noon on days when school is in session. Delivery options will be available for those in need. To inquire about meal delivery, contact the Food Services Department at (847) 659-6155. A limited curbside menu will be available.

Additional resources are available in the community for families facing food insecurity. Please view the resource packet (English/español) for additional information on available nutrition benefits and resources.

Childcare

We continue to work with our community partners to expand childcare options for those in the community. Currently, programs are available through the Huntley Park District and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dundee Township. Both programs are open to all interested, but spaces are limited, and interested families should contact the organizations directly to inquire about availability.

Feedback

Please continue to reach out to us with feedback about your experiences. Again, the first line of communication will be your teachers, who will be best able to respond to needs and elevate larger issues for broader attention. In addition, in the coming weeks, we will start asking you for more formal feedback about your experiences in Remote Learning. 

These survey opportunities will be presented regularly throughout the Remote Learning period, with the hope that we will see continuous improvement in instruction over that time. 

Thank you!

Thank you to all of our families and supporters, who have helped make day one a success. Your patience, understanding, and encouragement mean the world to us. We have a long way to travel on this road, but if we stick together, we will make it to our destination of successful learning for all students!

Inspiration

If you could benefit from a note of inspiration, I have one for you. I recently heard from one of our alumni, Julia Perrone. As a member of the Class of 2020, not only was Julia among the seniors whose final year of high school was abruptly disrupted last spring, but the pandemic also prevented her from completing her Girl Scout Gold Award project. That project was going to include the construction and placement of donation boxes for Grafton Food Pantry at HHS, Heineman, and Marlowe. 

While Julia graduated in the spring, she has not forgotten us or the need served by the food pantry. She recently built and delivered a new donation box to the food pantry, and she wrote a brief article highlighting the food pantry and its work along with a “shopping list” of items the pantry needs. Check it out here and donate if you are able. Thank you!

See you next week.

Sincerely,

Scott Rowe, Ed.D.
Superintendent