Parents, please see the following message from the Charleston Joint PTA and Ashmore PTO: https://5il.co/185mc
Come work with us @ Charleston CUSD Number One! Scan the QR code or use the following link to view all of our current job openings and/or apply today: https://www.applitrack.com/charleston/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp
Ongoing construction at CHS in the Ag Building and Swickard Auditorium continues during Spring Break this week. Lots of progress is being made and we look forward to seeing the final outcomes later this year!
If you don't already have the Charleston CUSD#1 app on your phone, you can download it for free with the following links!
Android: http://bit.ly/2WM0oFa
iPhone: https://apple.co/2CfgbDj
Hello, this is Charleston Schools Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Kristen Holly with a reminder to parents about this year’s Illinois 5Essentials Survey. We value the input of our parents in helping us be at our best for kids. If you have not yet taken the survey, please consider taking a minute to complete it and help make a difference at Charleston CUSD #1. You can access the survey on our website or with the following link: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/login/
Thank you!
Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.
Due to multiple recent forecasts showing weather events that may lead to treacherous road conditions late this afternoon, Charleston schools will close two hours early today, February 24. Lunches will be served. Students and staff should take whatever is needed home with them in the event than an e-Learning day is called for tomorrow. After school activities for today will be cancelled or postponed. We recognize how this poses an inconvenience to many; however, we want to act with caution for the safety of all who will be travelling in the coming hours.
Not receiving our text alerts? Text 'Start' to 98900. (You must also be listed in Skyward with an up-to-date phone number as a current Charleston CUSD#1 staff member or a parent/guardian of a current Charleston CUSD#1 student.)
The southern parts of our region have more icy conditions than our area; however, there is cause to slow down and create space this morning on the roads. As travelers take extra precaution this morning, anticipate bus route delays and school tardies. Safety first!
Forecasted sub-freezing temperatures and snow throughout the night on top of this afternoon's icy road conditions give district officials increased confidence that closing our schools by utilizing an e-Learning day tomorrow is the best decision aimed at ensuring the safety of our school community.
Charleston CUSD #1 schools will utilize an e-learning day tomorrow (February 25). Our district’s e-learning plan is accessible on our website at https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1823159/e-Learning_Plan_8213_.pdf
School district officials are monitoring multiple weather forecasts for the coming days. Most forecasts are showing less of a winter weather event for our area than initially projected, yet all still forecast some snow for early tomorrow afternoon. As always, proactive approaches are best for these occasions (e.g., arrange for possible childcare, if needed; secure e-Learning materials, etc.). Spring break is just around the corner!
Good evening. Due to hazardous road conditions, schools in the Charleston district will be closed tomorrow, Friday, February 18. The timing of this notification makes e-Learning for tomorrow undesirable; therefore, tomorrow will be an emergency day, NOT an e-Learning day. For those who were wishing for a “snow day” at some point this year, your wish has been granted! If you venture out, please be careful! Thank you.
Due to multiple recent forecasts showing weather events that may lead to treacherous road conditions late this afternoon, Charleston schools will close two hours early today, February 17. Lunches will be served today. Students and staff should take whatever is needed home with them in the event than an e-Learning day is called for tomorrow. After school activities for today will be cancelled or postponed. We recognize how this poses an inconvenience to many; however, we want to act with caution for the safety of all who will be travelling in the coming hours.
School district officials are monitoring multiple weather forecasts for the coming days. Decisions about school closings, delayed starts, etc. focus on the best interest, welfare, and safety of our school community. Students, staff and parents can be proactive by preparing for multiple scenarios (i.e. early dismissal, e-Learning, etc.). One scenario forecasts freezing rain to begin tomorrow afternoon. If schools are dismissed early tomorrow, for example, parents will want to plan now, if needed, for afternoon childcare. Reminder: wi-fi "hot spots" are available upon request from each school's main office or library. Aside from ice and snow, heavy rains can also be a travel risk -- stay safe, everyone!
Please see the following message regarding tonight's special School Board Meeting: https://5il.co/15cnz
Today, an Illinois judge ruled on a lawsuit filed by more than 700 parents across the state that challenged state-mandated COVID-19 mitigations. This weekend, district officials will review the judge’s decision and communicate with our school community ASAP as to the extent to which this ruling impacts our school community.
I thank you for your patience as our district navigates potential changes to the COVID-19 guidance for Illinois’ schools. My gratitude for your continued support of our school community is immeasurable. While pandemic circumstances have been challenging for everyone, our collective efforts through all of this demonstrate the Charleston Way of caring for each other while respecting diverse perspectives.
To all CUSD#1 Families and Students: Please take a few moments to complete a survey about the e-learning days that you experienced over the past three days. We value your input as we look to celebrate our strengths and make improvements for the future.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZVmoXzSDt0eo3d9OfKD91Sl4MXJkEZZAoTF45J5-XqFURVdRRzJDQVYwMklBTENWTjlNU05XQ1ozOS4u
Multiple weather forecasts call for freezing rain beginning tomorrow morning and transitioning to significant snow accumulation. Such forecasts give district officials increased confidence that closing our schools through Friday is the best decision aimed at ensuring the safety of our school community. When an emergency school closing is declared, our district now has two options: use an emergency day or an e-learning day. While the use of an emergency day has to be “made up” at the end of the school year, an e-learning day does not. Use of an e-learning day, however, must be declared by 8:00p.m. on the evening before the e-learning day. While neither “easy” nor pleasing to everyone, such decisions are made after considering the multiple perspectives of staff and parents regarding how to best serves students. For these reasons, Charleston CUSD #1 schools will utilize e-learning days tomorrow (February 2), Thursday (February 3), and Friday (February 4). It is important to note that e-learning is expected to be a different experience from the remote learning days resulting from pandemic-related closures in that students should have more schedule flexibility without the reliance on synchronous, online instruction. Our administrative team has collaborated and communicated with teachers to use the K.I.S.S. principle when planning for student’s e-learning activities – Keep It Super Simple. Teachers have also been preparing students for this scenario by ensuring that students take home whatever is needed to participate in and complete e-learning activities. While e-learning activities will vary depending on grade level (less reliance on computer technology for our younger students, for example), teachers are to be readily available and responsive to students and families during the day. Specific class/course activities/assignments will be communicated by teachers through the district’s Learning Management System or email by 9:00a.m. on the e-learning day. Students will have the equivalent of two school days (including the e-learning day) to complete the e-learning day activities and assignments. To learn more about how e-learning works, please refer to our district’s e-learning plan on our website: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1823159/e-Learning_Plan_8213_.pdf
Multiple forecasts calling for freezing rain and significant snowfall prompt questions about how we decide on the status of school openings or closings, so it’s that time of year to share our “How We Decide” document: https://5il.co/1518d
Stay safe, everyone!
Our district values the input of our school community, and we encourage all of our parents to make their voices heard by taking the 5Essentials survey. Parents can access the survey at: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/login/ or from our district’s website anytime through March 11, 2022. Thank you for helping to make a difference at Charleston CUSD #1.
