#301 Updates

March 2022 Update

As you may or may not know from my ridiculous videos and letters, we have used four emergency days. We built in five emergency days in the 2021-2022 calendar. Using the four emergency days means we must amend the calendar and utilize our designated emergency days as attendance days. Our School Board approved the amended calendar last night. Students will attend school on May 23, 24, 25, and 26. May 27 is an
institute day for our teachers.

April 18 is our last designated Emergency Day. IF we do not use an emergency day, April 18 will be a non-attendance day. Emergency days do not always mean using a snow day. We could have to use an emergency day for example if a water main breaks in town and our schools do not have water.

The School Board also approved the graduation date for Tuscola High School. Our Seniors will be honored with a graduation ceremony on May 28. Our eighth-grade promotion will be held on May 26. Further information on both will be provided from TCHS and East Prairie as we get closer to these ceremonies.

Please note a dismissal time change for April 5. On April 5, 2022, Tuscola School District will dismiss school at 2:00 p.m.

My goal is to have the school board approve the 2022-2023 calendar at the March 28 meeting. I am working with Omni Energy Partners to finalize our construction schedule. I want to prepare you that school may not start when it normally does. We may have to push our calendar back to start the 2022-2023 school year. Omni Energy Partners and Tuscola CUSD 301 are trying to avoid this. The problem we may run into is getting material in on time. Material has been ordered. Unforeseen circumstances with shipping and unforeseen circumstances with construction will determine if we can meet this goal. Look for me putting out next year’s calendar by the first of April. I appreciate your flexibility and understanding knowing our school year may not be as it has been in the past.

Please go out and do a warm weather dance so we can be spoiled with the weather as we are today. I know no one, especially my daughter Jillian, wants to see me doing that on our social media so I will rely on your dance moves to enjoy a nice spring! Have a great day.

Sincerely,
Gary Alexander

Winter Weather Information

Dear Tuscola CUSD 301 Parents and Students,

What is that I see out my window? It is SNOW! Winter weather and the problems it brings seem to be blessing us after an unusual absence. As I watched it snow, it felt like a good time to remind everyone about school closing or delays due to winter weather. The district understands the decision made regarding school closing or delay has a significant effect on families. We also understand that our students are better served both academically and socially by being in school. During inclement weather, our top priority is the safety of our students and staff. We will do our absolute best in this decision-making process. We know that often no perfect decision exists. Please know that any time there is inclement weather and our schools are open, yet you do not feel the conditions are safe enough for your child to be out, we respect your decision to keep him/her at home. We appreciate your support in making certain all of our students get to school safely on cold wintery days.

DECISION PROCESS
As the superintendent, I am responsible for the final decision regarding school closing or delays. The decision will be made by 6:00 a.m. or earlier if possible. The decision is based on careful analysis of all relevant factors such as the following:
• Information on road conditions. Even if your street is clear, travel elsewhere in the district may be dangerous. We must also consider we have young drivers who drive to school.
• Amount of snow and ice accumulated
• Whether precipitation is continuing
• Building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat)
• Parking lot conditions
• Temperature and wind chill.
• Bussing conditions
• We will also talk to other school districts. We will share information about our conditions and check on their decision regarding school closing or delay.
• We prefer not to decide based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate, but sometimes this is unavoidable.

All of the above factors will be used to determine if school is closed or we implement a 2-hour late start.

NOTIFICATION
Families will be notified through our school Twitter and Facebook accounts. The school website and School Messenger will be used to alert families. WCIA Channel 3 and WAND Channel 17 will be used to inform families. Other television and radio stations will be contacted as time allows. Please check these resources more than once.

2 Hour Late Start
Tuscola CUSD #301 will run a late start schedule for all schools on severe weather days. The late start schedule provides the flexibility to begin school two hours later than normal, allowing time for roads to be cleared and temperatures to rise.

This alternative eliminates a situation where severe weather in the early morning leads to a decision to close schools for an entire day when it is not warranted. On late start schedule days, buses will arrive at the scheduled pick-up points two hours later than their regularly-scheduled
time.

In the event a late start schedule is utilized, class periods will be shortened to accommodate a shorter day but dismissal times will not change. Aramark, our food service provider, will not serve breakfast but will continue to serve lunch as usual.

Certified staff/Aides report by 9:30 am. Non-Certified staff reports at their usual time.

5 Essentials Survey

Dear Tuscola CUSD 301 Parents and Students,

Tuscola CUSD # 301 is writing to inform you about a student survey that will be administered at your child’s school called the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This is the ninth year the Illinois State Board of Education will implement this survey across the state. It asks students about their experiences in school, giving school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans. From January 11 through March 11, students and teachers will be asked to take a 25 -minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment.

Student participants will be required to log in using their state student ID and birth date to complete the survey. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material.

All teachers and 4thth through 12th-grade students will be asked to respond to this survey. The Tuscola School District will administer the survey at the end of February. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2021 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials website.

If you do not want your son or daughter to participate, please contact your child’s school.

There is a parent portion of the survey. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5 essentials.org/illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact 5Essentials Customer Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Gary M. Alexander, Superintendent

2022 TCHS Spring Musical

We are just days away from announcing the 2022 TCHS spring musical! To keep the anticipation building, check out the drama board where Mrs. Steffens will be posting clues each day. These will continue all week leading to the big reveal on Thursday, November 18th at the drama club meeting during the advisory period. ANY student who is interested in the musical is encouraged to attend this meeting for important audition information. Let the countdown begin!

TCHS REMOTE LEARNING OCT 4-8TH, 2021

September 30, 2021

I am sure you have heard that our positive cases and our quarantine numbers at TCHS have risen. 20% of our TCHS students are in quarantine at this moment. TCHS is considered an outbreak by state guidelines. Working in conjunction with the Douglas County Health Department, the decision has been made to put Tuscola High School on an adaptive pause.

What does this mean? It means the TCHS Students will be learning via Remote Learning next week. TCHS will send out information on Friday and present the expectations for students. In-person learning for TCHS will resume on October 12.

North Ward and East Prairie students will continue with in-person learning next week. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1st will be an early dismissal for North Ward, East Prairie, and TCHS. The school will dismiss at 1:30. 

The Fall play will be postponed to 10/15, 10/16, and 10/17. 

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause households. We will be making sure TCHS is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. 

Have a great day!

Tuscola School Board Open Seat

August 24, 2021 – Due to board member Levi Miller moving out of the district, the Tuscola School Board has an open seat to fill. The Board of Education is elected utilizing Township and Range. Each Township and Range can have up to three members elected from it. Township 16N Range 8E has three members elected to the current school board. This Township and Range is located North of Route 36 to the district boundaries. There are two exceptions to this statement. If you live North of Route 36 and West of 600E or East of 1200E, you are not in Township 16 N Range 8 E. If you live south of Route 36, you will be eligible to apply for the open seat.

If you are not sure what Township and Range you are registered in, please call the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder at 217-253-2411.

QUALIFICATIONS:
a. United States Citizen
b. Be at least 18 years of age
c. A resident of Illinois and the District for at least 1 year immediately preceding the appointment
d. Be a registered voter
e. Not a child sex offender
f. Not hold another incompatible public office
g. Not have a prohibited interest in any contract with the District
h. Not be a school trustee
i. Not hold certain types of prohibited State or Federal Employment

HOW TO APPLY:
Individuals interested in applying should submit a letter highlighting their qualifications and indicating why they would want to serve on the Tuscola CUSD 301 School Board.

DEADLINE AND INTERVIEW:
The deadline to submit a letter of interest is September 7.
Interviews will be set for a later date.

Please submit your letter to:
Tuscola CUSD 301
Superintendent Gary Alexander
409 S. Prairie
Tuscola, Il 61953

You may also email your letter to Gary Alexander at alexanderg@cusd301.org Please put Tuscola Board Application in the subject line.

One to One Chromebooks

July 21, 2021 – Hello. I cannot believe school starts in 27 days for students! Tuscola CUSD 301 has purchased enough Chromebooks to give each student a Chromebook to use throughout the school year. We are excited about the opportunities this will create for the teaching and learning process. There will be a $30 fee added this year. This fee covers the cost of the warranty if the Chromebook is damaged. Students will also be able to bring their personal devices to school instead of utilizing a school-issued Chromebook. I have included the policy the board approved.

Tuscola CUSD #301 1:1 Policy and Procedures

Each student and parent will need to sign this policy even if you do not utilize the school-issued Chromebook.

Online registration is happening now! Teacherease has had problems when individuals try to use their mobile devices to register. If you register online, it is best to use a computer. Online registration will be available until August 6. Each building will hold registration on August 10 from 8 am to 6 pm. Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Gary Alexander

Plan for Safe Return to School

July 19, 2021 – Good Afternoon,

I have attached the Tuscola CUSD 301 DRAFT Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction. This plan follows CDC guidance adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health. There is a link at the end of the document, that you may comment on the plan. As we know from last year, guidelines can change very quickly. We will adapt as the guidelines change and communicate with you any necessary adjustments to this plan. The Tuscola CUSD 301 Board will vote on this plan at their July 27 meeting. 

Comments on the plan can be submitted HERE until July 23 at 2:00 pm.

A few areas that always bring about discussion are masks, self-certification, remote learning, and quarantine. I will give a brief overview of each. Detailed information is in the attached plan. 

Masks- The CDC recommends mask use for those who are not vaccinated indoors. Tuscola CUSD 301 will do the same. We recommend mask use for those who are not vaccinated indoors. Each household will need to decide what is best for their situation. 

Self-Certification- Will families be required to continue to daily self check their child(ren) for symptoms? Yes. But at this time, Tuscola will not require the daily reporting form that was in place last year. Even so, let’s continue to be strict in keeping sick students home

Remote Learning- Remote instruction will only be made available for non-vaccinated or vaccine ineligible students who are under quarantine as directed by the local health department or the Illinois Department of Public Health, per the Illinois State Board of Education.

Quarantine- Students and staff who are not fully vaccinated should quarantine after recent exposure to someone with COVID-19.  Fully vaccinated people who were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 but does NOT have COVID-19 symptoms do not need to quarantine or be tested. Quarantine decisions will be made and communicated by Douglas County Health Department officials.

Thank you for looking through our Draft plan. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Gary Alexander, Superintendent

Tuscola CUSD #301

Click on the image below to view the plan.

May 24, 2021

I am writing to let you know we were informed by the Douglas County Health Department today that an individual at East Prairie has tested positive. The Douglas County Health Department andEast Prairie will contact you if your child is considered a close contact.

The last week of student attendance is upon us. This has been a year for overcoming obstacles placed in front of us. I am = very proud of how the school year has gone. Our students, staff, parents, and community met a challenge head-on and overcame it. The efforts of everyone involved this year should be applauded. I want to congratulate the Class of 2021 and wish them the best of luck.

I hope everyone enjoys their summer break. As we slowly move to normal, remember to stay connected with people you care about, reach out to those you have not been able to connect with and take time for yourself. This year has taught each of us that perseverance will overcome all obstacles. Continue to move forward and enjoy each day!

Sincerely,

Gary Alexander, Superintendent

Tuscola CUSD #301

April 28, 2021

April 28, 2021 – Good Afternoon,

The school board approved June 1 as Remote Learning Plan Day. The last day for student attendance will be May 28. We would like to thank Cathy Mannen, Rick Quinn, and Martin Marx for their service to the Tuscola Board of Education. We appreciate the dedication they have shown to the students and staff of the district. We would like to welcome Wade Wilcox and Levi Miller to the Tuscola Board of Education. We appreciate their willingness to serve on the Board of Education. The Tuscola School Board will be appointing one school board member. Information on how to apply for this appointment will be sent out by Friday.

I attended a meeting last week hosted by the Mattoon School District. The Mattoon School District will be purchasing the Illinois Consolidated Building on Charleston Ave. in Mattoon. Their plan is to convert the building into a Regional Innovation Center. Students from the region will be able to attend the Regional Innovation Center to learn about Childcare, Technology and Innovation, HVAC and Green Energy, Manufacturing and Construction Trades, Leadership and Business, and Culinary Arts and Hospitality. The Mattoon School District is in the early planning stages of this project. They want a regional perspective to make this the best possible program for all students in the region. If you have a child in grades 6-12, please take a few minutes to fill out the parent component, Mattoon would greatly appreciate it. You can copy and paste the following URL into Google to complete the survey: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfGtoKbPXiLr0…/viewform

It is hard to believe we only have a month of the 20-21 School Year left. Great job Tuscola! This community has stepped up and helped the school district have a successful year. Let’s finish strong and look forward to a great summer!

Sincerely, Gary Alexander