LaGrange Highlands School District 106

Dear Highlands Famileis and Staff, 

I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well. Today,  the Illinois State Board of Education released guidance for schools on the 2020-21 school year. 

This 60-page document has been much anticipated and will go a long way toward answering critical questions all of us share about what the 2020-21 school year will look like in terms of in-person learning, scheduling, wearing masks, social distancing and other measures intended to keep everyone safe and healthy, while also re-engaging students in the learning process.  

Right now, we don’t have all the answers to those questions as this document was released to school districts at the same time it was released to the public. Therefore, we kindly ask for your patience as our staff thoroughly reviews this detailed guidance and implements the suggestions into our transition plan.

We are aware of the urgent need to communicate to families about what to expect next school year and anticipate releasing our own transition plan around July 22.

As you may know, our district formed transition teams earlier this month and has already been discussing options. This guidance will accelerate those conversations, and I’m confident we can put forth a plan that prioritizes the health and safety of our students while maintaining a dynamic learning environment. 

Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we navigated a situation together that none of us could have imagined. 

I will be in touch soon. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy your summer.

Warm regards,

 Dr. Warke

June 9, 2020, Board Briefs are now available here.

The live link for tonight's board of education meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiY4Q7r2MJ0

public comments can be emailed to kschmitt@district106.net

Dear Highlands Families and Staff, 

Have you ever wondered what happens in a school district during the summer months? Well, if you have answered planning, you are correct! This summer is no different. We are planning, just in a different manner than we have ever done before. We are preparing for three options to reopen in the fall, an opening with all students present, an opening we are calling a hybrid opening, and for remote learning. 

Did you know that how we return to school depends on what phase of reopening Illinois is in? When Illinois was in Phase 2-Flattening, and Phase 3 Recovery schools are closed, and remote learning is required. 

In phase 4 Revitalization, schools can open, with the Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance and the Illinois State Board of Education guidance. In phase 5 Restored, everything is back to operational. 

We received summer guidance on June 4 from the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health, and the fall guidance is anticipated as early as Monday. 

With our planning this summer, we have 31 staff members assisting the administrative team on our re-entry task force. We have five sub-committees that are planning for 

• the health and safety components of our students, staff, and community;  
• the social-emotional needs of our students, staff, and community
• the instructional delivery which addresses the use of Schoology, See-Saw, Zoom and other platforms;
• the instructional day- the what and when during the day ECE-8th grade and
• parent resources

Please know our teams are working diligently to provide the best plan for the students and staff to return to school in the fall. Information is still changing and evolving, and we are eager to learn from the guidance we receive to make plans for the fall. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy this fantastic weather we are experiencing!

Dr. Warke

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, a virtual meeting will take place. A link will be posted on our website on the evening of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting is available by going to Administration --> Board of Education -->Agenda

The link for tonight's Board of Education Meeting is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CLyyQ-Yht0