Peoria Public Schools

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    • Governor visits Manual High School to recognize 216 C-SYEP students

      216 Peoria youth participated in the COVID Summer Youth Employment Program (C-SYEP) funded by a State of Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) grant. C-SYEP matched young people, primarily PPS students and residents of 61605, 61603 and 61604, with Success Coaches who worked with them to write a resume, practice interview skills and develop employment skills. The participants were then placed in jobs with over 40 business partners, non-profit agencies, government offices and Peoria Public Schools. Grant funds paid their hourly wages while young people built job skills.

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    • Re-watch the Virtual Town Hall videos here

      Peoria Public Schools hosted three Virtual Town Halls this week to help families and staff prepare for the upcoming school year. Click here to view the video recordings of those three town halls.

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    • Online registration for 2020-2021 opens July 8

      Online registration for the 2020-2021 school year begins on July 8, 2020. Parents can register students at www.peoriapublicschools.org/FamilyAccess.

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    • C-SYEP business partners provide work experience for 198 students

      Thank you to the following Peoria businesses and organizations for providing 198 Peoria Public School students jobs this summer as part of the State of Illinois' COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program (C-SYEP). The program helps young people develop workplace skills and gain employment experience while exploring potential Career Pathways.

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    • Notice of Public Hearing

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    • Meal distribution continues through summer at 19 PPS sites

      Peoria Public Schools and Sodexo staff have packed and distributed 444,431 meals since March. Meals are distributed Monday, Wednesday and Friday from school sites. Meal distribution will continue throughout the summer.

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    • June 29th Update from the Superintendent

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    Superintendent's Blog

    • In reopening schools, state must address educational recovery plans

      Posted by Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat on 7/15/2020 2:00:00 PM
       
       

      Superintendents Tony Sanders, Arthur R. Culver, Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat and John Price wrote an editorial in the Daily Herald.

      From the editorial:

       

      For months, we have witnessed in awe the resilience displayed by our students, families and school staff as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis that has shuttered our campuses. Although many school buildings remain closed through the summer, educators and parents around the state are working diligently to ensure that learning continues.

       

      However, we know this past semester had and will have an impact on our students. Many children were without access to the tools they needed to learn effectively during remote learning. This was particularly acute where parents in "essential" jobs continued to leave the home, even as child care disappeared. For others, being absent from the classroom and their caring teachers, peers, support staff and administrators compounds the trauma they experienced more generally due to the coronavirus. And, while some schools are hosting limited in-person summer school, we know that's not sufficient.

       

      We look forward to the fall, when we can begin to reopen our schools, resume in-person learning and restore the achievement gains that are being lost to the pandemic. With that said, like everyone else, we know this virus has a life of its own, and we continue to prepare for every eventuality and recognize this school year may not go as planned, yet again.

       

      Although our districts have different demographics and needs, two things are certain. First, this crisis is affecting every student in the state. Second, making sure all students get what they need in Illinois will require "all hands on deck" and a multi-year statewide learning recovery plan that provides flexibility for schools and districts and that is comprehensive, well-resourced and rooted in equity.

       

      Absent serious effort, this period of emotional and academic turmoil will follow Illinois' children into adulthood.
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    • July 2 Update from the Superintendent

      Posted by Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat on 7/2/2020

      Peoria Public Schools families,

      I would like to share a few updates with you. From the beginning of this Return to School process, we have said that as ISBE guidance continues to change, Peoria Public Schools will also adjust its Return to School plan for the fall.

      Right now, our focus is to continue finding more options to increase in-person instruction, and we are working together with all stakeholders to achieve that goal.
      We do believe that in-person instruction is the most ideal for our students, and we are committed to providing those options while also balancing the health and safety of students and staff.

      As a result of the June 29th ISBE guidance, the Blended Learning model adopted by our Board will now feature alternating Friday in-person instruction. Under the A/B model, Week 1 Friday will be A students; Week 2 Friday will be B students. The rotation will continue in the following weeks. Students who are not in person on a Friday will still be participating in off-campus independent learning as assigned by the teacher.

      I also want to remind our families that we are offering a Virtual Only option. To find details about this option, please visit the district website under the Fall 2020 Reopening tab.

      Lastly, please be on the lookout for a Childcare survey that will be sent to you today. We strongly urge that families fill out this survey in order for us to determine the childcare needs for each building and how we can assist.

      As you remember, we were proactive in putting a tentative plan in place with board approval early in the summer, which included over 131 participants and over 70 meetings.

      I suspect that the guidance from ISBE may continue to evolve throughout the summer, and Peoria Public Schools will be dynamic in updating our Return to School plan primarily with a focus on increasing in-person instruction. All updates will be posted to our district website under the Fall 2020 Reopening tab or by visiting psd150.org/reopening



      Have a safe and relaxing Fourth of July weekend,

      Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat

      Superintendent

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    • June 29 Update from the Superintendent

      Posted by Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat on 6/29/2020

      Peoria Public Schools families,  

       

      Following the special Board of Education meeting on June 22, I want to formally announce Peoria Public Schools is adopting a Blended Learning model for the upcoming fall semester.

      The plan is based on ensuring the health and safety of our students and employees while also addressing the need for in-person instruction.

      The plan is aligned with the current guidance from the federal, state and local health officials.


      Here is an overview of what you need to know right now:

      • The intent of the blended model is to allow students in person instruction while maintaining safety guidelines for physical distancing through a reduced number of students in each building.
      • Students will follow an A/B style schedule Monday through Thursday. Students on the A schedule will attend school in person on Mondays and Wednesdays.
      • Students on the B schedule will attend in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
      • Friday will be virtual only *(with exception of potential on-campus flexible scheduling for high school) 
      • Families will be assigned the same schedule for student continuity across schools.
      • For those families that do not want their child attending in-person, families will have the option of choosing a 9-week full virtual learning schedule. That option will be available to sign up for starting with online registration opening on July 8th.
      • Students who choose the virtual option will be using an online learning platform. This online K-12 program allows students the option of working in all content areas​ virtually and independently. Students listen to a pre-recorded lesson from a certified teacher and then complete independent activities to practice their new knowledge.
      • We understand that childcare is a top concern for our families. The Return to School Childcare committee continues to work with existing community partners while building new partnerships to provide our families with options for affordable childcare.

      We will start the school year safely and cautiously with our approved plan, and my team and I will continue to explore additional ways to increase in-person instruction for the benefit of our district students.

      Thank you for your patience and understanding in what has been a rapidly evolving several months.

      Peoria Public Schools is committed to keeping your student safe while continuing to provide excellent educational opportunities. Remember the plan is flexible and will continue to evolve.

       

       

      Thank you and be safe,

       

      Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat

      Superintendent

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