May 3, 2022
Dear Families and Staff:
This letter is to inform you that 1 individual at Jefferson Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Jefferson Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health.
To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps:
• Staff members or students who are close contacts to the positive case will be attending contacted by Lee County Health Department. If your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted and given instructions by Lee County Health Department.
• Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks.
• Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
• Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day.
We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows:
• Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home.
• Students have the option to wear face coverings at all times.
• Staff have the option to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility.
• We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc.
• We are teaching students the importance of social distancing and proper handwashing:
o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles.
o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching.
o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes.
o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing.
• As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines.
As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Jefferson Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Jefferson Elementary School at (815) 934-9661 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966.
Sincerely,
Margo Empen
Superintendent
Earlier this afternoon, an Illinois Central School Bus was involved in an accident on Route 2 between Oregon and Byron. We want to confirm that NO DPS #170 students were on the bus at the time of the accident. We are awaiting additional information from law enforcement. There are delays in bussing this afternoon due to the closure of Route 2.
Congratulations to DHS’ Group Interpretation team on being awarded All Cast at sectionals! #GoPurple #AwesomeCast #SoProudofYou
Congratulations to DHS’ Group Interpretation team at sectionals today. You were awesome and we are so proud of you! #GoPurple. #BreakALeg
Isabella G. and Hayden S speaking at Dixon Rotary today. #GoPurple #SuperStudents
Congratulations to our DHS Group Interpretation team on “Come From Away.” Their performance was riveting and showcased their incredible talent. Good luck at Sectionals in Sterling. #GoPurple #GITalent
Congratulations to our DHS Group Interpretation team on “Come From Away.” Their performance was riveting and showcased their incredible talent. Good luck at Sectionals in Sterling. #GoPurple #GITalent
The 5Essential Parent Survey is open until tomorrow, March 11, 2022. We are in the final days to complete the survey for Jefferson Elementary. We set a goal of 50% completion for our parent survey and we are at 46%. We are SO close to reaching our goal! Reminder, parents/guardians are asked to fill out a survey for each of their children. Once you have completed the survey, please inform your child's teacher and their name will be entered into Jefferson's drawing for a chance to win: 1) playground equipment, 2) a scholastic book of choice, 3) various gift cards, 4) a large candy bar. Let's reach our 50% goal! Jefferson Elementary parents and guardians can reach this goal 100%!
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
The 5Essentials Survey closes on Friday! Parents, it's not too late to take a survey for each building you have a child in. Our goal is 50% for each building and we are getting close. Here are the parent response rates for schools in Dixon USD 170:
Dixon High School: 25%
Jefferson School: 45%
Madison School: 33%
Reagan Middle School: 21%
Washington School: 45%
We use your responses in drafting our School & District Improvement Plans and setting goals for Administrators. #GoPurple #ThankYouParents
The 5Essential Parent Survey is open until March 11, 2022. This is the final week to complete the survey for Jefferson Elementary. We set a goal of 50% completion for our parent survey and we are at 41%. We are SO close to reaching our goal! Reminder, parents are asked to fill out a survey for each of their children. Once you have completed the survey, please inform your child's teacher and their name will be entered into Jefferson's drawing for a chance to win: 1) playground equipment, 2) a scholastic book of choice, 3) various gift cards, 4) a large candy bar. Let's reach our 50% goal!
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Please click on the link below for a news article from Supt. Empen regarding the postponement of the Gender/Sexual Orientation data collection.
https://www.dps170.org/article/676636
Click the links below for this week's COVID data. This is the last COVID report unless we see a significant resurgence in numbers.
https://5il.co/16tod
https://5il.co/16toe
Parents & Guardians: March 11 is the final day for the 5Essentials Survey. Below are the percentages for each building. You can take a survey for EACH building you have a student in. For each survey you complete, you can turn in a slip for the $50 gift card. Our goal districtwide is 50% for EACH building. Go to www.dps170.org to find the survey and the participation slip to be entered for the gift card.
Here are the parent response rates for schools in Dixon USD 170:
Dixon High School: 21%
Jefferson Elem School: 34%
Madison Elem School: 28%
Reagan Middle School: 20%
Washington Elem School: 43%
Effective immediately, drivers, monitors, and students will no longer be required to wear masks on buses in DPS #170. Areas in low or medium COVID ranges will no longer need to require masks on school buses. The District continues to encourage individuals to wear masks in areas in which they cannot properly socially distance and the buses will continue to maintain supplies of masks for students to use at their requests.
Click on this link to review the guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html
Our goal is to transport the students safely to and from school.
Maddie and Riley at Dixon Rotary Meeting today! #SuperStudents
Jefferson School has decided to hold a Read-a-thon this year! Read-a-thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. Our Read-a-thon starts Monday March 7, 2022. About one week before our Read-a-thon starts we will send home instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress.
We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/JKaGlV/1 and following the simple instructions. We've chosen Read-a-thon because it will not take much of your time, gives your child a reason to read and helps in the development of stronger reading skills. We hope EVERYONE participates. Thanks for your support!
Jefferson School
Click on the links below for this week's COVID data. This data reflects those currently out due to being positive or quarantined.
https://5il.co/16btt
https://5il.co/16btu
Click on the links below for this week's COVID data. This data reflects those currently out due to being positive or quarantined.
https://5il.co/15y4y
https://5il.co/15y4x
Dear Families and Staff:
This letter is to inform you that 1 individual at Jefferson Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Jefferson Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health.
To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps:
• Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks.
• Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
• Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day.
We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows:
• Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home.
• We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc.
• We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing:
o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles.
o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching.
o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes.
o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing.
• As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines.
As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Jefferson Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Jefferson Elementary School at (815) 934-9661 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966.
Sincerely,
Margo Empen
Superintendent
Dear Families and Staff:
This letter is to inform you that 3 individuals at Jefferson Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Jefferson Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health.
To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps:
• Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks.
• Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
• Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day.
We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows:
• Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home.
• We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc.
• We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing:
o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles.
o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching.
o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes.
o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing.
• As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines.
As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Jefferson Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Jefferson Elementary School at (815) 934-9661 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966.
Sincerely,
Margo Empen
Superintendent