Frequently Asked Questions

The first day of school for all students is Monday, August 17. Students should check their email on Friday, August 14 for further communication from their teacher which will outline expectations for the first day for students.

On Mondays, students will follow their 9 period schedule from 9:45 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.

• Teachers will work from their respective buildings.
• Students/Staff Safety - We will follow all ISBE, IDPH and CDC Guidelines.
• Block Scheduling will be utilized to ensure students are able to maximize their high school credits while avoiding Zoom fatigue and have access to the necessary academic supports.
• The Fall 2020 Remote Plan will engage students synchronously (live instruction) multiple times each day/week.
• Social emotional, technology and academic supports for staff and students will be provided.
• Prioritization of in-person instruction for special student populations when possible.
• Attendance/Engagement will be required.
• The Standard curriculum will continue to be covered.
• Traditional grading and accountability (formative and summative assessments included in grades) will be utilized.
• The Canvas learning management system will be used for all classes.
• Specialized classes may occur in-person for hands on learning opportunities.

Students will be expected to follow their current 9 period schedule that is adapted to a modified block schedule (below) and be engaged.  Students will be engaged synchronously (live) on Tuesdays and Thursdays for ODD period classes and on Wednesdays and Fridays for EVEN period classes. Attendance will be taken every day for all students in Skyward. The expectation is that each teacher will cover the traditional curriculum for their course.

(See schedule in Daily Schedule & School Calendar)

Yes, attendance will be taken every day and will be recorded in Skyward. If your student is absent due to sickness, college visits, family vacation, etc. you need to call the attendance line and report your student’s absence.

*If your student is sick, but still able to participate in remote learning, we ask that you contact the nurses office to report your student’s illness.

Traditional grading will apply for assignments, projects and assessments.

• Zoom fatigue - sitting through a traditional 9 period day delivered via zoom would be taxing for anyone.  Some districts that tried this in the spring reported that this was not conducive to student learning in a remote setting.  By moving to a block schedule, it lessens the likelihood that students would be in Zoom meetings all day by breaking the schedule across two days.
• While periods are 75 minutes long, it is unlikely (although not impossible), that a teacher would Zoom with students for the full 75 minutes.  A more likely scenario would be starting with a synchronous check-in, discussion, and teaching on a topic before breaking to have students participate in some asynchronous activity (reading, writing, practice, etc.) before reconvening synchronously near the end of the period to touch base, review the activity/reading/practice, answer questions, and review expectations for the next day when they would be working asynchronously. 
• This longer class period will allow for these elements to occur and for in essence two days of learning expectations to be covered/laid out. This structure is very similar in nature to the structure our blended learning classes have been utilizing the last two years in all 4 buildings.  These classes have grown in popularity with both students and teachers for the flexibility the approach provides students in honoring their busy schedules and differences in time it takes students to master material.  If a student can master this content quickly, the student can spend more time working on another class where they may struggle more.
• The lengthened time period will also allow some time to be spent on the synchronous days on SEL, relationship building, etc. which may be difficult to work into the traditional 45 minute period in a remote setting.

Live student support will be available on Mondays from 8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and Wednesdays & Fridays from from 1:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Students in our specialized programs (Functional Communication Skills, Functional Living Skills, Life Skills, and STRIVE) will have the option to return in-person daily on a modified schedule. Special education leaders will personally contact each family in these programs to finalize a daily schedule for their student between Wednesday, August 5 and Monday, August 10.

Individual student programming questions should be directed to building Special Education Division Leaders.

(See Special Education & Related Services)

Counseling, speech-language, hearing, vision, orientation mobility, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychiatric consultation are available in accordance with a student’s individualized plan. Providers will consult with individual students to determine plans for delivery of services.

Parents/Guardians will receive updates regarding the status of each nine week grading period as follows:

• September 17, 2020 - Following the September board meeting parents will receive a status update of the remote learning experience.
• September 30, 2020 - Parents will receive an update on how education will be delivered for the second nine weeks of the semester.
• December 1, 2020 - Parents will receive an update regarding the start of the second semester or 3rd quarter.
• March 1, 2021 - Parents will receive an update for the remainder of the year.

Students will be supported by appointment, staff referral, teachers, students, and parents. Social-emotional curriculum will be delivered in a seminar structure through the Student Services and Wellness divisions. 

Parent education will be provided via: virtual presentations, webinar series, individual meetings, general consultation, and community based resources.

Staff support is available through Student Services, EAP, and community based resources.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Illinois State Board of Education recently announced the extension of the free summer food service program for children ages 18 and under. District 155 will now provide free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals for children who live in District 155 boundaries, regardless of free/reduced lunch status. 

Meals will be available for pick-up at Crystal Lake Central High School, located at 45 W. Franklin Ave. in Crystal Lake (field house entrance off Walkup). Food will be provided Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Children can receive breakfast and lunch for up to three days per pickup. For everyone’s health and safety, bagged meals will be placed on a table for drivers to grab and go to limit exposure and adhere to social distancing guidelines. If your child has any food allergies, please check the nutritional labels on food items.

Information about continued meal distribution will be sent out via email to families, and it will also be posted to the school district websites and social media. Questions about food distribution can be directed to distmail@d155.org.

We are working to develop a plan to provide our students in hands-on courses the chance to come into the building and work with the tools to enhance their skills, specifically students working towards a certification. More information will be shared with families.

With health and safety precautions in place, the district will work to provide extracurricular activities for students. Our athletic directors are working on a schedule and our hope is to have an enriched season with a focus in the Fox Valley Conference to minimize travel.

Fall: August 10 to October 24
Boys/Girls Golf
Boys/Girls Cross Country
Girls Tennis
Girls Swimming

Fall Contact Days (20) September 7 - October 31
For Winter/Spring/ Summer Sports
D155 Athletic Directors will share schedules once finalized.

Winter: November 16 to February 13
Boys/Girls Basketball
Cheerleading
Girls Gymnastics
Wrestling
Dance
Boys Swimming

Spring: February 15 to May 1
Football
Boys Soccer
Volleyball
Boys Gymnastics

Summer: May 3 to June 26
Baseball
Boys/Girls Track
Boys/Girls Lacrosse
Softball
Girls Soccer
Boys Tennis

With health and safety precautions in place, the district will work to provide extracurricular activities for students. Performances like the fall play will be determined at a later date. In many cases, student clubs will continue via Zoom.

The state testing date on September 9 is cancelled. The district will provide a fall SAT testing date for seniors and more information will be provided soon.

The District 155 Technology team has implemented a new helpdesk solution by IncidentIQ. You can now access tech support with the click of a button.

From your chrome device, simply click the Tech Support icon in the lower system tray or bookmark chsd155.incidentiq.com and login using your d155 Google account. There are also Tech Support links available from the district and school websites under STUDENTS, STAFF, and PARENTS at the top right corner. If your device is damaged and you are unable to use it to submit a technology help request, you can search for and install the Incident IQ app on your smartphone. When prompted for district URL enter chsd155, then log in with your D155 Google account.

Hotspots for increased connectivity from home will be available for families who demonstrate financial need. To request a hotspot, contact your building principal’s secretary.

No, the district is still providing resources to students during Remote Learning. Registration fees include record keeping, a Chromebook, textbook rentals, workbooks, paperbacks, lab course supplies, school newspapers, and student identification cards.

The parking fee for the 2020-21 school year will be reduced by half. Annual parking fees will be $75 per year and the semester parking fee will be $50 per semester. If you paid in full for a parking pass, you will receive a partial refund in 3-6 weeks.

Yes, you can get a refund if you no longer want a parking pass for the 2020-21 school year. Please contact the dean’s office at your school.