September 24, 2021
Dear Palos 118 Families,
Teamwork is a constant focus at Palos 118 School District.
We know that we can accomplish anything if we work together.
After a water main break forced the evacuation of Palos South Middle School on Tuesday, that teamwork and 'better together' mindset was on full display.
Working together, administrators, teachers, support staff, bus drivers, parents, and our friends at Peace Memorial sprang into action to evacuate the school and transport students calmly and orderly to Palos East, Palos West, and Peace Memorial.
Students were safely and comfortably housed at these locations until parents picked them up or they were transported back to Palos South once the water supply was restored.
Evacuating a school building is a decision we never want to make and dismissing students from sites other than their home school is complex and challenging. But once again our school community showed we can overcome any obstacle when we all work together with the best interest of our Palos 118 students.
On Wednesday, the administrative team reviewed Tuesday's events to identify ways we can improve our procedures for the future. Taking parent feedback into consideration, we are working on setting up our emergency communications system to send text messages that will alert families more quickly than email.
The school district is also exploring ways we can speed up student-parent reunification at our offsite locations. Please know that we require picture identification for pickup to ensure we never release a student to someone other than a parent, emergency contact, or someone designated by a parent to pick up their child. We will continue to balance an efficient reunification process with the well-being of the children you place in our care.
I have just a couple quick reminders this week.
Vaccination Clinic at Palos South on Saturday
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will host two vaccine clinics in September and October at Palos South Middle School, 13100 S 82nd Ave., Palos Park.
The first clinic is this Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments can be made online through the IDPH website. Walk-in appointments are also available. Another clinic is scheduled for October 16 at the same time and location.
SHIELD-IL Screening Starts
Next week, the school district will launch our weekly screening program, Shield-IL, for students with signed consent from parents. Testing is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday at Palos East, Thursday at Palos South, and Friday at Palos West.
Parents will be notified by one of our District nurses if their child tests positive.
If your child is excluded from school as a result of testing positive for COVID-19 or being a close contact to a positive COVID-19 individual in the household, they are eligible for remote support during that time. However, remote support is not available to students who are not attending school due to general illness, vacation, or any reason other than exclusion due to COVID-19.
Per the student handbook, parents of students who are absent from school due to illness other than COVID-19 may request make-up work prior to 10 a.m. by calling the school office. Homework may be picked up in the school office from dismissal until 4 p.m. (East & West) and 3:45 p.m. (South). A student who is excused from school attendance shall have the equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements which he/she missed during the excused absence (schedule to be determined by the teacher).
For students who are absent due to vacation, the teacher will provide make-up work upon the student's return to class. Students will be given the same number of days to complete make-up work as the number of days out of school for vacation. Please visit the District website for additional information on student absences.
This Week's Metrics
The school district remains committed to keeping our students and staff safe during in-person learning. Thank you to our families for their continued partnership.
You can review this week's updated COVID-19 dashboard here.
Have a great weekend.
Best regards,
Dr. Anthony Scarsella Superintendent of Schools ©2020 Palos School District 118 |