Dear Huntley 158 Parents & Families,
This return to school for the second semester of the 2021-22 school year has been full of expected and unexpected challenges. However, what stands out among these obstacles is our staff and community’s commitment to making learning happen. Despite staff shortages, high rates of community transmission, and new guidelines to adjust to, we have been able to provide our students with the education they deserve. As we have returned from break and embarked on this path in the new year, I see a rejuvenated sense of determination amidst our school community. It stands as an ever-present reminder of why the struggles we face are worthwhile. Please see some important and exciting announcements from across the district below.
Updated Dashboard and Positive Case Notifications
We want to draw your attention to some recent updates that were made to the district COVID-19 dashboard which we hope will provide a greater degree of accuracy in reporting positive cases and monitoring the new periods of isolation and quarantine. On the dashboard you will find the number of positive cases, isolations, and quarantines identified on a single day (these totals will be reflected with a 24 hour delay to give our nursing staff a full day to enter any reports of positive cases), a cumulative total of positive cases over 5 days, and a cumulative total of positive cases over 14 days. In order to ensure the greatest degree of accuracy and account for the around the clock nature of monitoring and reporting positive cases of COVID-19 in our district, the positive case notification emails you receive from your building are now directing families to our district dashboard. If you have any questions about COVID-19 reporting in one of our buildings, please reach out to your student’s health services office.
Sign Up for Free COVID-19 Tests Online
The federal government has partnered with the United States Postal Service to allow citizens to order free COVID-19 at-home tests to be shipped to their home. Each individual may order a maximum of four tests to a residential address. This is entirely voluntary, but we would like to make our families and staff aware of this additional nationwide resource. To place your order for a shipment of free tests, please click here.
Huntley 158 Named One of McHenry County’s Top Best Places to Work
We are proud to announce that Huntley 158 was named one of the Top Best Places to Work in education in the 2021 McHenry CountyTop Workplaces: Readers’ Choice Awards. We are excited by this recognition because it is truly a representation of our community’s voices and the incredible staff that surrounds our students. This year, more than ever, we are seeking passionate and excited candidates to join our school community, including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, substitutes, teachers, and more. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a part of the Huntley 158 community, we invite you to explore our employment opportunities and begin your pathway to teaching and learning in Huntley 158.
MCC’s People in Need Forum: January 29, 2022
The People in Need Forum is a virtual event that will be presented by McHenry County College in partnership with community sponsors on January 29, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The event will feature information regarding housing, employment, food insecurity, youth resources, and more opportunities for aid throughout McHenry County. Registration is FREE to all members of the public and can be found here. The People in Need resource directory can also be found here: English | Spanish
#HuntleyHappy: Join us in congratulating LIGHT Student D’Andre Chapman!
This week, a student in our LIGHT 18-22 transition program, D’Andre Chapman, was recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children with the 2021 YES I CAN! Award in the Arts! D’Andre was honored among 12 other students worldwide for his work as the founder and lead dance instructor of the “Dance With D’Andre” initiative, a class that is run by D’Andre and teaches dance to his fellow students and Huntley 158 staff. We are so proud of D’Andre’s talent and his ability to pursue his passion for dance. Visit our Facebook page and join us in congratulating D’Andre on this prestigious award!
Even as we face circumstances that are not ideal, our students’ joy, talent and ability to find success shines through. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
Thank you,
Scott Rowe, Ed.D.
Superintendent
