Huntley 158 families,
Thank you for all you continue to do to support our students and our District. With substantial numbers of students back in our classrooms our schools are feeling a fresh energy that we all have missed. That is due largely to the sacrifices so many have made.
With preparations now underway for (modified) graduation and 8th grade promotion ceremonies, momentum is building toward a sense of “normal.” We know we are not there yet and will continue to operate with fidelity to the public health guidelines that have been set forth. But please know that so many of us are smiling under our masks whenever we see your children, whether they are physically in our school buildings or learning remotely.
Updated Vaccine Availability Information from MCDH
The McHenry County Department of Health announced yesterday that McHenry County residents who are 16 and older will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at MCDH clinics beginning Monday, April 12.
This is certainly welcome news to many of our families, as students age 16 and 17 will be eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 along with individuals 18 and older. While there is no requirement of students to be vaccinated, the health department is encouraging all eligible individuals to locate an appointment as soon as possible. Please note that these clinics are fully operated by MCDH. We are simply sharing information on its behalf with our families.
A parent or guardian must accompany the minor to the first and second dose appointment and sign a consent form during both visits. Additionally, minors must present proof of birth date at the time of their appointment.
For information about where to get a vaccination in McHenry County, please visit MCDH’s Vaccine Locations page. To search for available COVID-19 vaccine appointments at an MCDH clinic, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Registration page. Those without internet or who need assistance navigating the COVID-19 registration process should call MCDH’s COVID-19 Call Center at (815) 334-4045. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The extended eligibility is in line with the State of Illinois’ vaccination plan that will open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all residents on Monday. Read the full announcement from MCDH at https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/Home/Components/News/News/16438/1026.
Kindergarten Registration for 2021-22
If you or someone you know has a child entering kindergarten next fall, please visit www.district158.org/kindergarten-registration to find information and the link to complete the fully online registration process. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2021 to register for kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year.
We’re Hiring
We are hiring for a number of critical positions, both for this year and next year. Positions range from full-time, benefited roles to flexible hourly positions.
If you or someone you know is looking for employment, please visit https://www.applitrack.com/mchenry/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&choosedistrict=true&district=677 to view and apply for positions.
Weekly Inspiration
When Huntley High School Medical Academy teacher Renae St. Clair started a Pen Pals program with senior citizens living in Del Webb’s Sun City, she had hoped it would be a valuable opportunity for students to build their communication skills during a time when face-to-face conversation with strangers wasn’t possible.
The result was more than she could have hoped for, with 62 volunteers from Sun City exchanging more than 500 letters with students over the past year. It’s not just the quantity of correspondence that is striking, but the depth of the relationships that have been formed. Despite the pals being separated both physically, never having met in person, and generationally, with an average age difference of half a century, St. Clair said the participants have in many cases become true friends.
“I did not expect it on this scale. Honestly, they are impacting each other’s lives,” she told My Huntley News.
“It’s not surface level anymore,” said HHS senior Faith Doy. “We’re into the deep stuff, to the point when something happens, I’ve got to write my pen pals.”
Read more about the success of the program at myhuntleynews.com.
As always, I wish good health to you and yours.
Sincerely,
Scott Rowe, Ed.D.
Superintendent
