FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
April 20, 2020
Dear Parents and Community Members:
I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well. On Friday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced that remote learning in Illinois will be extended through the end of the 2019-20 school year. Although in-person learning has been suspended for the remainder of the year, I assure you our entire Medinah School District staff remains committed to learning and engaging with all students through remote learning, as well as continuing with our food distribution program.
Like you, we are saddened by the reality that our school community will not be able to reconvene in person this school year due to this public health crisis. However, the final chapter of this school year hasn’t been written yet. These past few weeks have proven our school community is resilient, capable and compassionate. I’m confident our collective strength will shine through during the remainder of the school year, and we will emerge even stronger.
Having said that, the recent announcement will result in significant and multiple scheduling changes in our district. Please be patient as we work as a district to get information to you in the next several weeks.
Things that will not change, based on the extension of the school building closure order, include the following:
- Remote learning will continue with the changes implemented a week ago.
- The current food service program will continue for the remainder of the school year.
- We will continue to post announcements and updates on the district web page regarding remote learning and resources for parents. Check these out at medinah11.org.
- All district spring extra-curricular programs are canceled for the remainder of the school year.
- All students must engage in the remote learning and assignments must be turned in to all teachers.
Some issues that we are discussing and will be addressed include:
- How to honor the achievements of our 2020 8th grade graduating class.
- Summer school, virtual and/or physical programming.
- Distribution of additional technology devices at Medinah Primary School. If you have a student at Medinah Primary and you are in need of a device please contact Mrs. Langietti at [email protected].
- How to handle pick up of personal items from each school.
- Creating a new ‘report card’ or ‘progress report’ for our students during this situation.
- What kind of additional supports can we provide to our students, including transition activities for students and families – grade to grade and building to building.
Again, additional information on these topics will be made available as decisions are made.
I know this is not the school year that any of us imagined, but I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we have dealt with this unprecedented situation together. This period of Remote Learning offers us new ways to learn and grow, and out of this Pandemic, we will emerge stronger. Plans will be underway soon for the return to in-person learning next school year.
It’s important we continue to work together and support our students. I can't thank you enough for all that you are doing as we all work together through this.
Thursday, June 4th and Friday, June 5th
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up of student materials at each building (schedules and specific instructions will be sent to parents from principals during the week of May 11th)
Parents will remain in their cars and drop off any Medinah School District #11 owned resources:
-technology devices
-chargers
-device cases
-band instruments
-any district owned materials such as textbooks
Student materials that were left at schools will be provided to parents in a bag.
parent survey
Please take a few minutes to fill out a short survey.
Please submit a survey for each child attending Medinah School District #11.
Thank you!
Medinah School District 11 Parent/Guardian Remote Learning Feedback
HAPPY RETIREMENT
PAT GERDISCH
# years teaching: 20 1/2
# years doing supervision: 1 1/2
# years total in district: 22 years
Most Memorable Moment:
I don't know if I could pinpoint just one particular moment that stands out as there have been so many. A few that do stand out: I remember all the staff being so scared on 9/11 but all coming together to support one another and make all students and staff feel safe. A great memory is how a parent has thanked me for helping their child learn how to read. This event happened so many times, always rewarding and making me feel like a made a difference. My final thought on this subject is how all of Medinah staff and administration pull together in all kinds of events from tragedy to treasure.
Advice: I would tell anyone starting at Medinah that they are joining a real "team" school and that people will always help no matter what the situation.
Starting Day: I will probably be taking my dog for his usual morning walk and having my coffee afterwards and just enjoying the day.
Potential Snow Day: Out helping my husband clear the snow from the driveway and sidewalks.
I love to shovel snow, good exercise!
Future Plans: Hopefully lots of travel whenever we feel like it and some volunteer work.
Special Quote: "That's not what I thought was going to happened" a little 1st grade boy said that after rolling in the mud and being sent to the office to change clothes. (He thought he'd get sent home). It always makes me laugh because isn't that really how life is? Expect the unexpected.
Finally I just want to say I've enjoyed working in Medinah and have made so many life long friends. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything!
remote learning
Please check your child's school for specific Remote Learning materials.
Frequently Asked Questions - Family
Frequently Asked Questions Family - Polish
Frequently Asked Questions Family - Spanish
PUSHCOIN PAYMENT – SCHOOL FEES
Medinah School District 11 is using a convenient service for paying school fees and funding student lunch accounts called PushCoin.
IF YOU
HAVE NOT CREATED A PUSHCOIN ACCOUNT YET, follow these steps to create and link your parent account to your student. Please click here for Push Coin instructions
eaRLY CHILDHOOD
Medinah School District #11 Early Childhood Department offers the following services for children ages 3-5:
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)Partnering to Achieve Literacy Success (PALS)Preschool Program
2019-20 Developmental Screening Brochure - Spanish