Back to School News 2021-2022

August 3, 2021

Topic: Student Learning

The following message was sent through ParentSquare to families registered for the 2021-2022 school year. If you did not receive this message, please email [email protected] to ensure your contact information is up to date.

Dear CCSD21 families,

We hope you have had a safe, enjoyable summer and are ready for the 2021-2022 school year! We are energized and look forward to our students’ return!

First day of school

The first day of school is a full attendance day for students: 

  • Wednesday, August 18 – Grades 1-8
  • Thursday, August 19 – Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

School hours are: 

  • Middle school (grades 6-8): 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Elementary school (grades K-5): 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
  • AM Pre-kindergarten: 9:00 to 11:30 AM
  • PM Pre-kindergarten: 1:00 to 3:30 PM

2021-2022 school supplies and student fees

School District 21 will continue to provide a “fee holiday” for all district students for the 2021-2022 school year. All fees associated with student registration, like the cost of instructional materials, digital learning devices, physical education uniforms, and device protection plan, are eliminated for the coming year.

Additionally, all students will be provided a set of common school supplies at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Families may choose to purchase additional supplies for their student’s use at home or school, but all necessary supplies will be provided by School District 21 in the fall and replenished later in the year. The CCSD21-provided school supply list for students entering grades K-8 can be found here. As always all PreK classrooms will be stocked with the supplies and materials students need to participate in learning throughout the year.

Chromebooks

Students who attended a CCSD21 school last year are expected to bring their fully-charged Chromebook to school on the first day of attendance, ready to learn!

Students new to CCSD21 and incoming kindergarten students will be issued a Chromebook in the first days of school. All students in grades K – 8 will take their Chromebook home each night and then back to school the following day fully charged.

Masks, mitigations, and vaccinations

In accordance with CDC and IDPH guidance, all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to CCSD21 schools will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Additional procedures for the 2021-2022 school year include: 

  • Weekly SHIELD saliva testing for COVID-19 will continue for unvaccinated individuals. 
  • We will continue to contact trace following a positive test and exclude close contacts when necessary.
  • More details regarding student cohorting, sports and extracurricular activities, food service, cleaning protocols, and more, are available within this document.

CCSD21 strongly encourages all eligible individuals in our community to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Receiving a vaccine is safe, free, and protects against severe illness. Make your appointment today!

If your child is fully vaccinated, please consider submitting a copy of their completed vaccine card:

  • Email a scanned copy or photo of the vaccine card to [email protected].
  • Visit any CCSD21 school on weekdays between 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Weekly SHIELD saliva testing – consent form

A key mitigation effort this year will be weekly COVID-19 testing through SHIELD Illinois. CCSD21 participated in this program last school year and it successfully helped us identify and exclude asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. 

On Wednesday, August 4, ALL CCSD21 families will receive a message and consent form through ParentSquare. Please complete the consent form, one for each child, before the first day of school. The first day of SHIELD testing will be Tuesday, August 24. 

Breakfast and lunch during the school year

CCSD21 will return to hot meal service during the school year (rather than sack breakfast/lunch). Thanks to the extension of federal funding, breakfast and lunch meals will be free throughout the 2021-2022 school year for ALL students. 

Teacher assignments

Families who have completed the 2021-2022 registration process will receive their child’s teacher assignment on Monday, August 9. Families who have not yet completed the registration process received a reminder earlier today. 

Middle school families will be able to access their child’s schedule through the Parent Portal. Log in credentials and directions on how to create an account will be emailed through ParentSquare on Monday, August 9. 

Elementary school families will receive a ParentSquare message with their child’s teacher assignment on Monday, August 9, in the afternoon.

Language services

CCSD21 takes great pride in providing programs that serve families who speak a variety of languages. CCSD21 is committed to providing instruction that supports the academic growth and achievement and honors all students’ diverse cultures and languages.

Review this summary flyer to understand CCSD21’s Language Services. 

Required medical exams

Certain exams are required in order for students to enroll in school. If your child is entering the following grade, please make sure updated forms are on file with your school’s health office. 

  • Preschool: Physical Exam
  • Kindergarten: Physical, Dental, and Vision Exams
  • Second Grade: Dental Exam
  • Sixth Grade: Physical and Dental Exams
  • Seventh Grade: Physical Exam if participating in sports
  • Eighth Grade: Physical Exam if participating in sports

Medical professionals may provide their own form indicating that an exam has taken place, or forms from the state can be submitted for completion.