To meet the demands of the community of increasing the volume of attendees in the District's monthly board meetings, District 99 is leveraging GoToWebinar, which allows for more community participants and opportunities for public comment.
This month's virtual board meeting will be held on
Wednesday, April 14
6:30 p.m.
Community members who would like the opportunity to make a public comment during the designated time must register on either a computer or mobile device, where you will be asked to enter your name and email address, after which you will be sent a confirmation email with information on how to join the meeting.
Community members who wish to only listen in to the meeting should dial:
(914) 614-3221
Enter Access Code: 507-501-692
Please note — if you are dialing in, you will not have the opportunity to make a public comment.
Cicero community — join District 99 in welcoming Aldo Calderin as the District’s interim superintendent!
As interim superintendent, Aldo Calderin's goal is to serve the community and ensure that District 99 continues to provide its students with opportunities to grow and learn.
Calderin has worked in the education field since 2004, where he began his teaching career here in District 99 as a bilingual math and science teacher. Most recently, he has spent the past three years as principal of Unity Junior High School.
CICERO DISTRICT 99 REIMAGINES POPULAR PARENT UNIVERSITY AS VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
Despite the various challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cicero District 99 has remained committed to addressing the educational, social/emotional and community needs for Cicero families. Through success with remote learning, virtual cultural events and socially distanced community outreach programs, District 99 has remained steadfast in its No. 1 goal of providing Cicero families with the best educational experience possible — for children and their families combined.
And now after months of reimagining and with a strategic overhaul, the District is preparing to resume its highly acclaimed Parent University program this April — albeit virtually.
Saturday, April 17
9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
The event will include dozens of presenters from District 99, community outreach programs and area family organizations. Topics covered at this spring’s event will include overviews of the educational programs in District 99, strategies to help young readers, supporting student mental health at home, strategies for promotion and inclusion of special-needs children, personal growth and development tips for families, understanding immigration policies, first-time home buying, and more.
Parent University, a signature event developed to connect local parents with guest speakers and provide educational resources to bridge the gap between socioeconomic barriers and academic success, is celebrating its 12th year in the district. Presented in both English and Spanish, this spring’s program has been redesigned into a completely virtual experience — while still promising to provide the same top-notch learning and resource programming for Cicero families.
Since its inception, Parent University has become a vital support program for hundreds of families, both in Cicero and neighboring communities.
DISTRICT 99, RIVEREDGE HOSPITAL TO CO-HOST THIRD ROUNDTABLE FOR REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Cicero District 99 has adapted to the fluctuations between remote learning, safe in-person interactions and navigating the ever-evolving health protocols relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But one mission remains critical: mental health support — not just internally, but for students and staff districts both locally and nationally
Join us for our third virtual School-Based Mental Health Roundtable discussion, a free program inviting educators and mental health professionals to collaborate on best practices in addressing student and staff mental health
To specifically discuss best practices in developing community mental health supports, particularly in helping districts map out wellness plans and share strategies on how staff can help colleagues and students avoid burnout and navigate the fear of uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.
District 99's Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) continues to actively seek partnerships with district leaders and community entities to work together and find meaningful solutions amid the challenges presented by the pandemic.
The roundtable will also feature breakout sessions with leaders from surrounding school districts and community organizations.
CICERO DISTRICT 99 BOARD OF EDUCATION AND CICERO COUNCIL REACH AGREEMENT FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING TO RESUME
Newly approved optional hybrid learning model will ensure students, faculty and staff return safely to the classroom under new county-wide COVID-19 health protocols
The Board of Education of Cicero District 99 (Board) and The Cicero Council, West Suburban Teachers Union, Local 571, IFT-AFT (Union) announced it has agreed on an optional hybrid learning model for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic school year. Parents will have the option to enroll their child/ren in the hybrid learning model or continue with virtual learning.
“For the past eight months, our Cicero teachers, faculty and staff have worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to give each one of our students the highest-level of education they deserve,” said Cicero District 99 Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez. “This optional hybrid learning model is the first step in getting our District back into the classroom. Our primary goal since March 2020 has been to create an environment that is safe and healthy for all staff and students. With the return to in-person instruction the health and safety protocols we have put in place will be monitored. I look forward to maintaining an open dialogue with the Union and parents as we work together to bring our staff and students back into our buildings.”
The optional hybrid learning model and the District’s implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols have been met with excitement from Cicero parents across the county.
“Like many parents, I’m so excited the District and Union reached an agreement that gives us the option to send our children back into the classroom for the remainder of the year,” said Josefina Arenas, whose sixth-grade son attends Goodwin Elementary School. “I have seen first-hand the effects virtual learning has had on my son’s mental health and I know he’ll be very happy to see his teacher and friends in-person again.”
For parents who choose to enroll their child/ren in the optional hybrid learning model, the new school week schedule will be as followed:
Mondays: All students will participate in virtual learning.
Tuesdays: Students assigned to Group A will attend in-person learning. Students assigned to Group B will participate in virtual learning.
Wednesdays: Students assigned to Group A will attend in-person learning. Students assigned to Group B will participate in virtual learning.
Thursdays: Students assigned to Group B will attend in-person learning. Students assigned to Group A will participate in virtual learning.
Friday: Students assigned to Group B will attend in-person learning. Students assigned to Group A will participate in virtual learning.
Additionally, the optional hybrid learning model will begin on the following dates:
March 15: all District employees, unless approved for a medical accommodation, will return onsite to their assigned buildings to perform their job duties. March 16: Designated cohort for special education and early childhood students will return onsite.
March 22: Designated cohort for regular education students will return onsite.
Parents that do not choose to enroll their child/ren in the optional hybrid learning model will continue virtual learning via the District’s e-learning platforms.
The Board’s top priority is ensuring a safe and smooth transition back into the classroom and therefore, have established new health measures that meet the most recent school health standards set by: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). New safety practices to be rolled out across all Cicero schools and buildings includes:
Class Size: To adhere to social distancing, the District will not assign more than 15 people in total per classroom at any one time.
Rapid COVID-19 Testing: The District will provide rapid COVID-19 testing through the BinaxNOW testing pilot as authorized by ISBE. Testing accessibility for teachers, staff and students is contingent upon testing and staffing availability.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) onsite, which includes masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant solution. The BOE will also be prepared to provide additional PPE such as face shields, gowns, protective barriers, and cleaning supplies if needed and in accordance with current CDC, CCDPH, IDPH and ISBE guidelines.
HVAC and Ventilation: Increase outside fresh air to 35%, to open outdoor air dampers to reduce or eliminate recirculation, to increase fresh air changes to approximately three and a half (3.5) to four (4) times per hour depending on the building and outside air changes, and to disable demand-controlled ventilation. HVAC system filters will have the highest MERV rating appropriate per manufacturer’s recommendations. Systems will run approximately three (3) hours before and three (3) hours after the majority of staff leaves and portable HEPA filters will be used in all higher risk COVID-19 Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE”) rooms.
Positivity Rate: The District will adhere to IDPH and CCDPH guidelines and consult with the CCDPH for approval prior to returning staff and students to onsite learning. Furthermore, the District will follow all Governor Executive Orders and ISBE requirements regarding onsite learning.
COVID-19 Vaccinations: The Board and Union will put forth the maximum effort to enable all staff members are vaccinated against COVID-19 once vaccines are readily available.
📲 D99 IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND 📲
In today's world, mobile-friendly platforms with easy-to-digest navigation tools are a favorite way people enjoy accessing the news and important information they need to know.
And while Cicero District 99's website is the main hub for all news, information and resources across the district, we understand that many of our community members access the internet through cell phones, not laptops or desktop computers.
Now, District 99 is proud to announce the release of its mobile app!
The Cicero District 99 app is now available for download from both the Apple App Store and Google Play! Just search"Cicero SD 99"!
