Illini Bluffs Middle School

Back to School Message For IB Families Dear Illini Bluffs Families, As the Illini Bluffs District plans for the start of the 2020-21 school year, we are committed to keeping you informed. While there are still some uncertainties regarding what the upcoming school year will look like, we are hard at work to ensure our students continue to have access to a high-quality educational experience, either remotely or in-person. As I reflect on bringing students back for in-person learning, I can’t help but to express my thoughts less from the perspective of a superintendent and more from the perspective of a father of three children that attend Illini Bluffs, and the husband of a spouse that teaches here. As a dad and a husband, I want nothing more than to completely eliminate risk. Unfortunately, that is not how life is, and I also know that risk can only be mitigated. As a superintendent, I realize that I have to keep the safety of my students and staff at the forefront. As a fellow parent, I feel I need to relay information that you would want to know. At this time, we plan to reopen our school buildings, but please understand that the situation surrounding COVID-19 is evolving with time. Regardless of the challenges, we have to be prepared to start the year in-person. We also have to be prepared to start the year remotely. We also have to be prepared to go back and forth between the two. We also have to be prepared to have some grade levels do in-person learning while others do remote learning. We need to be working on childcare options, now, in preparation for all of these options. As we approach the start of school, there will be some modifications to our schedule to prevent large groups of individuals from gathering in any one space. We will also implement physical distancing, enhanced cleaning protocols, health and safety measures, modified meal procedures, and other measures to protect the health and well-being of our students, staff, and families. I hope you also know that things change daily, and sometimes hourly. I believe we are up to 165 pages of guidance now, with more coming. The Centers for Disease Control changes things constantly, as does the Illinois Department of Public Health, as does the Illinois State Board of Education. It is frustrating, as well as difficult, to plan as the target constantly moves, and information becomes contradictory to what had previously been disseminated. Our building principals have been communicating and will continue to do so as plans take shape. You need to be asking questions. We might not have an immediate answer to all questions, and sometimes the answer might not be what you want to hear in all cases. We get it. None of us have been through a pandemic, thankfully. Here are some things relative to mitigation efforts that either have been done or are in the works. There is a tremendous cost associated with most of these safety measures. For anyone that knows me, I am extremely tight with money. I would much rather be spending money on things that benefit us academically. I am relaying the cost to you so that you understand the level of commitment we have to safety: *All employees and students will be asked to self certify that they are symptom free and fever free, daily. More information will follow at a later time as to this process. Temperatures will be taken at primary entryways via machines. *A cloth mask, a transparent mask, and a face shield will be provided to employees. *A cloth mask will be provided to students, but we ask that you have multiple masks available. *Gowns have been purchased for use by the nurse, and as needed in each building. *OSF is being contracted for nursing services, and we are also advertising for nurses within our community who might want to work on their days off. The nursing contract with OSF will be increasing by $21,000 due to additional hours and days worked. We don’t really know what our needs are going to be, and we want to make sure we have subs and additional nurses, as needed. *30 sheets of plexiglass have been purchased at a cost of $6,000 and they are being cut and turned into dividers to be used throughout the complex. *N 95 masks have been purchased to be used by the nurse, and 6 more N 95 masks are being delivered by Seapco, our special education cooperative. *2,000 disposable masks have been ordered. *Touchless hand sanitizer stations have been ordered, and our crew has manufactured 25 hand sanitizer stands to mount them on. The cost for a stand, should we order them, is $150-200 a stand--that is why we made our own. *1 gallon of hand sanitizer per classroom has been ordered at a cost of $1,800. *300 small bottles of hand sanitizer have been ordered at a cost of $1,000. *5 Temperature taking machines have been ordered at a cost of $20,000. *3 backpack electrostatic disinfectant sprayers and 3 handheld disinfecting guns have been ordered at a cost of $7,400. *Sanitizing gel refills and individual bottles for classrooms and offices have been purchased at a cost of $3,400. *Paper towels, spray bottles, and chemicals have all been ordered, beyond what we normally order, at a cost of $3,500. *First aid supplies for classrooms have been ordered at a cost of $500. *Rubber and nitrile gloves have been ordered at a cost of $500. *7 Refillable water fountains have been ordered at a cost of $15,000 (labor and material). *Disinfecting wipes have been ordered at a cost of $2,000. *Signage has been placed throughout the complex promoting social distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, etc. *Floors are being marked every 6 feet throughout halls and common areas. 54 rolls of painters tape have been ordered. *35 thermometers, at a cost of $2,100, have been ordered *New classroom furniture is being ordered in some classrooms in order to replace tables with more socially distanced desks, at a cost of $15,000. *Self certification software is being investigated to provide a method of communication and accountability in regards to symptoms and temperature logs. *Return to Work training videos have been ordered by job classification at a cost of $1,600. *Some classrooms have been emptied or moved in order to provide isolation rooms in each building. *Other transparent materials have been ordered or purchased for additional dividers on frames. *Custodial hours are being expanded to provide for more frequent disinfecting and cleaning. Additional employees are being hired for the same purpose. *Excess furniture is being removed from classrooms to provide space. *Each classroom is being provided with cleaning supplies for either employee or student use. *Locker use is either being eliminated or reduced in use, depending on the building. *Lunches are being served as prepackaged items or grab and go items. *The capacity on buses is being reduced to 50. Buses are being equipped with cleaning materials and hand sanitizer. *High touch surfaces in all areas will be cleaned and sanitized with more frequency and consistency. *Some desks are being placed outside for use in outdoor education. *Additional installation of paper towel dispensers in restrooms is being done. *Installation of additional occupancy sensors to reduce or eliminate the need to touch switches is being done. *6 cots (2 per school) have been ordered for the isolation rooms, at a cost of $240. *Elementary classrooms that still had carpeting have had new tile flooring installed which is easier to clean and sanitize. This is a small snapshot of just some of what has been occurring. We look forward to providing a quality education for our students in whatever capacity that might be (in-person or remote), as we move forward. In the last month, I would estimate that I have had 50 community members or more make a comment such as “I would not want your job for anything in the world,” recognizing the magnitude of decisions that I am having to make, the complexity of doing so, and the consternation that those decisions create. I make those decisions, because I want what is best for OUR kids. I appreciate the show of support that has been demonstrated by our community. I also appreciate the cooperation you, as parents, have shown. We need to continue to do whatever we can to support our children at home and at school. We will make it through this. We are TIGERS!

High School Cross Country practice starts Tuesday at 2:30. Meet at the track. Students check your email for more information.

Tips for preparing students to wear a mask.

Good Morning, Late yesterday the IESA reversed its decision and will now allow fall sports including Softball and Baseball to happen. That means Illini Bluffs will have both sports and the tryout schedule is as follows: Softball: Tuesday and Wednesday 9-11 at the Illini Bluffs Softball Diamond. Baseball: Tuesday and Wednesday 4-6 at the Illini Buffs MS Baseball diamond. All students will need a physical on file or bring it with you to the tryouts. Students will also need a mask for those times when they cannot social distance from one another. Each student will have a COVID-19 symptom check including a temperature scan. Also all remote learners will be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities as per ISBE guidelines. If you have any questions please contact the appropriate coach: Softball Coach Jenifer Schafer jschafer@ib327.com Baseball Coach Steve Schafer sschafer@ib327.com

‪The IESA Board of Directors has now reversed their decision and will allow fall sports following Governor Pritzker’s guidelines. IB is planning on having MIddle School Softball and Baseball. Tentatively we will be scheduling tryouts starting Tuesday. More to come tomorrow ‬

Friendly reminder - we would like all families of returning students to register online via TeacherEase by tomorrow. If you plan to home school your child, please let your child's school office know. New students can register at a school office starting August 5th. Registration information website: https://www.illinibluffs.com/o/illinibluffsdistrict/page/school-registration--8

The Illini Bluffs Food Pantry will be closing this Friday in preparation for the upcoming school year. We would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support of donations for the pantry since it’s inception several months ago.

Sad to report that the Illinois Elementary School Association has decided to cancel fall sports which includes softball and baseball. Therefore, we will not be holding softball and baseball tryouts.

IB families, we are finalizing the return to school plan and details for school registration. Registration for returning students will take place online via TeacherEase. The online registration window will open next Tuesday, July 21 and we would like all of our returning students to be registered by July 31. New student registration will require visiting a school office. We will be sending communications out early next week with more details in regard to both the return to school plan and school registration.

Join IBHS Student Council in supporting St. Jude! #ibtigerpride

A message was sent via student and parent email accounts with updates on sports practices/workouts still this summer. Please check your email accounts for those messages if interested.

IB Families: A transportation survey was just sent out to all parents by email. Please take a minute to complete one survey for each of your children to provide your input. Please complete the survey by July 14th.

We are looking for a part-time custodian! https://5il.co/hxkj

Please click on the link to review a letter from Superintendent Alvey in regard to a back to school survey for the fall. Parents are asked to complete this survey by Thursday, July 2nd. https://5il.co/hqkt

Please click on the link to review a letter from Superintendent Alvey in regard to planning for the 2020-2021 school year. https://5il.co/hgzp

We have a middle school special education teacher opening. Please click on the link for more information. https://5il.co/gufj

The need is still there within our community. The IB Food Pantry is in need of these items: Paper towels, toilet paper, size 4,5, or 6 diapers, tampons, canned fruit, canned lunch items like spaghettios, & Ramen noodles. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support!

A message from the IB Christmas HOPE organization: As we round the corner into another month of isolation and uncertainty due to COVID-19, we here at IB Christmas HOPE would like to help those in need within our IB Community in some small way. We will be offering a few household and food supplies for those that need a little help. If this is something you believe would benefit your household, please fill out the COVID-19 relief application on our website at http://www.IBChristmasHOPE.com by Monday, May 11, 2020. If you know of someone who does not have access to the internet, please have them call us at (309) 253-6993 by the deadline of Monday, May 11, 2020. Below are the facts you need to be aware of for participation of the COVID-19 basket: 1) You MUST reside within the Illini Bluffs School District to qualify. 2) This deadline is final – no exceptions - as we will only be purchasing for boxes on those who have completed the online application or called us. *We are at the mercy of the deliveries for the stores who are helping us and additional shopping would not be practicing the best stay-at-home guidelines for our workers. 3) The boxes are for pick-up only. *To ensure the safety of both the recipients and the workers no deliveries will be made. Please be sure you can make the commitment to pick your box up or have someone willing to pick-up your box prior to filling out the application. 4) Our projected pick-up date: *Saturday, May 23, 2020 *Please practice good socializing skills by wearing a mask at the time of pick-up. *Additional information will be communicated to the basket recipients. Website: http://www.IBChristmasHOPE.com Phone number: (309) 253-6993

We are grateful for all of our amazing educators! Be sure to show your appreciation for teachers this week. #ibtigerpride

The last day of school for seniors will be Monday, May 4th and the last day of school for all other students will be Monday, May 11th. We will be utilizing remote learning planning days and our unused emergency days from May 12 to May 22 which will only involve staff, not students. More information specific to senior students and information in regard to picking up of student personal items and returning loaner Chromebooks, wifi hotspots, library books, etc. will be communicated out next week.