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  • JB Pritzker’s current order is to use Act of God Days through March 30.  Later, the Governor ordered schools to remain closed through April 7, but he has not yet made any determination regarding how the school should treat these days regarding attendance and academics.  I fully expect that we will be under some type of E-Learning mandate.  I also expect that there will be yet another extension of the school closure.  With this in mind, I have met with our administrative team, and we are attempting to make sure devices get in the hands of every student and that every student will have some type of access made available for them to get on the internet.  This will allow all students to utilize our teachers' e-learning plans to their fullest extent including some digital interactive time with their teachers and classmates, and then we will be better able to continue progressing through our curriculum using this platform.

    Also -  Please know that CassComm has opened up all of their public hotspots for free.  There are many local areas where this is available.  Please see their webpage for these locations and remember to continue to exercise appropriate social distancing if utilizing these services.

    https://home.casscomm.com/wifi-hotspots/

    While those plans materialize, let me leave you with this:

    Lunches/Breakfasts are still being provided in a grab and go format from each building from 11:30-12:30 every weekday.

    For those who received packets from their teachers before we dismissed and they have been completed, you may bring those back to the school and drop them off during the same time as lunch is being made available.  We will get them to the teachers for you.

    When I have more information, I will push it out to you.

    Thank you and stay safe!

     
    Comments (-1)
  • Dear A-C Central Families,
     
    Today, Governor Pritzker issued a Shelter in Place order and he also ordered that all schools remained closed through April 7 (potential return on Wednesday, April 8). Meals will continue to be provided throughout this school closure as they have been since it started. Our kitchen staff has been STELLAR in how they have responded to this crisis. It remains to be seen how those canceled school days will be treated as far as potential E-Learning, Act of God days, or how they might be handled. I will update you with that information as soon as I know more.
     
    Our staff is committed to doing what is best for our children and understand the challenge this school closure creates. Our staff has committed to being available to support the experiences that were planned as best they can. We are grateful for their commitment to our students during the closure. It’s another example of A-C Central is such a special place for students.
     
    I am proud to be part of a team that has the best interests of students in mind and is willing and ready to continue to support them during this unprecedented time. Our staff has stepped up in a MAJOR way to do whatever they can for our kids and each other. Please continue to stay tuned as we monitor the anticipated return date for any changes related to the status of school closures. In the interim, be safe and continue to be cognizant of the recommendations from the CDC and the Illinois Department of Health with respect to safety precautions (see below) and social distancing. Our custodial staff has been taking care of deep cleaning of the buildings during our time away to be ready for students when we return.
     
    Concern over this new virus can make children anxious. It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If adults seem overly worried, children's anxiety may rise. Adults should reassure children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy.
     
    Children also need factual, age-appropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk, so the focus of the conversation should be concrete instructions about how to avoid infections and the spread of disease. Teaching children positive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infections can help reduce anxiety. Please talk with your children about precautions they can take to stay healthy, including:
    ● Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is best, especially if they are visibly dirty. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is a suitable alternative. Consider showing your children one of these videos about proper handwashing technique: www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
    ● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    ● Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    ● Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
    ● Stay home if you are able to stay home. Avoid travel if you can.
     
    Other resources that may be beneficial are below.
     
    Stay safe and be well.
     
    Thank you,
     
    Tim Page
     
    Online resources shared by SASED for students with IEPs:
     
    https://www.sased.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=994022&type=d&pREC_ID=1851446
     
    The National Association of School Psychologists has additional guidelines about talking to children about COVID-19 at https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource.
     
    Comments (-1)

  • I hope that this message finds you well.  I want to share that all Sangamon area school districts that attended the Career Fair received the message below from Mary Jo Wood, Director, Regional Office of Career & Technical Education.

    AC Central had many sophomores attend this Career Fair. While the risk for contamination was low, we believe it important to share with everyone out of an extreme abundance of caution. 

    "Our office was given information late last night that one of our representatives at Career Day was the third person in the county to test positive for the coronavirus.  She was representing the State Treasurer’s Office.  There was minimal exposure as she was one booth that not many students approached.  She was behind an 8-foot table with her back to the wall.  Those students not approaching her and that were in the aisle in front of her table were 8 to 10 feet from her.  She is recuperating at home.


    Per Conversation with the health department, the health department will reach out to those who were in direct contact with her per their review and evaluation of her.

    If anyone experiences symptoms they are to contact their physician or call their local health department.

    Cass County: (217) 452-3057

    Morgan County: (217) 245- 5111

    Sangamon County:: (217) 321-2606

    Menard County: (217) 632-7864

    Per the Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH) along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine have issued this joint communication:


    “If you have had limited contact with a person under quarantine, you do not have to go into quarantine yourself, but you should stay away from others as much as possible. “Limited contact” is defined as being at least six feet apart from the quarantined person for 10 minutes to up to two hours. If you have had contact with an individual under isolation, you should be quarantined.”

    We certainly appreciate your patience as we work through this together.  Thank you for your cooperation.
    Comments (-1)

  • Based on recommendations from the Cass County Health Department, and the Regional Office of Education, A-C Central will be closed on Monday, March 16. This closure is now in place from Monday, March 16 through Monday, March 30 at a minimum. More updates will be coming on our webpage and our Facebook page. Please check those sites often for the latest information. I will be posting updated lunch plans, elementary classroom packet distribution plans, and other information when it is available. I very much appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding in this unprecedented situation. Circumstances are very fluid, and often warrant new plans or changes in old plans. I thank you in advance for your understanding.
    Comments (-1)

  • One important change to information that was posted earlier today:

     

    ALL STUDENT LUNCHES SERVED DURING THE SCHOOL CLOSURE WILL BE FREE.

     

    The schedule remains the same.  Thank you, and keep checking back for more updates!
    Comments (-1)

  • During the school closure, the A-C Central Kitchen Staff will be providing students brown bag lunches available for pick up at both buildings.  While these lunches are targeted for free and reduced lunch students, all students are welcome to get one.    Lunch accounts will be charged as a normal Class A school lunch.  Please report to the school building nearest your home. Meals will be available for pick up on the following dates:

    Tuesday, March 17 11:30-12:30

    Wednesday, March 18 11:30 – 12:30

    Tuesday, March 24 11:30 – 12:30

    Wednesday, March 25 11:30 -12:30

    Thursday, March 26 11:30 – 12:30

    Friday, March 27 11:30 – 12:30

    Monday, March 3011:30 – 12:30

     
    Comments (-1)

  • Governor JB Pritzker has just ordered the mandatory closing of all public schools beginning Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 30.  We WILL have school this coming Monday, March 16.  School will resume after the extended closure on Tuesday, March 31.  More information will be coming regarding potential school calendar changes, and meal availability during the closure.  This information will be made available through schoolreach phone calls, as well as being posted on the school Facebook page and the school website.  Please check there often for the latest available information.
    Comments (-1)

  • As the Coronavirus dominates the news cycle, we wanted to put some basic information out that will just remind everyone of how best to prevent infections.  Basically, the Illinois Department of Health recommends the same procedures for avoiding other illnesses such as the common cold or flu.

    The IDPH recommends the following precautions in preventing any virus:

    • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
    • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
    • Staying home when you are sick.
    • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

    While we obviously encourage students to attend school regularly, it is important for parents to remember that our policy has always been and will continue to be that if a student displays symptoms such as a fever or vomiting, they should not attend school or school functions for at least 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided. 

    The following are informational links for schools to use:

    CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    Illinois Department of Public Health
    http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

     
    Comments (-1)

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