Dear Bateman Families & Friends, 

We have officially entered the Spring season and we are ready to enjoy some warm weather! There is quite a bit of information in the following sections of the Buzz. Please read carefully to find out more details regarding the Travel Guidance for Spring Break, Safety Drills, and the District Hybrid Survey.

Before we begin with more safety procedures, we’d like to take a moment to pause and recognize the unspeakable act of violence that took place in Atlanta last week. We have been long standing partners with the HANA Center, a community based organization that centers their work in supporting and empowering Korean American and multiethnic immigrant communities through social services, community organizing, culture, and education. Please read their statement in alliance with those in the AAPI community - we stand in partnership with an anti-racism lens.  If you are interested in continuing the conversation with your child(ren), please see these resources:

• Learning for Justice: Addressing Anti-Asian Bias

• How to Talk to Your Kids about the Atlanta Shootings and #StopAsianHate

• Attend an Anti-Bystander Intervention Workshop with Hollaback

• Celebrate Diversity in Stories by reading books that Celebrate Asian Culture

Travel Guidance for CPS

We’ve received some inquiries from families who are planning to travel over spring break.  Please follow the Spring Break Travel Advisory Guidelines for Students.  

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/emergency-travel-order.html

Steps to follow the Order:

1. When planning, review the CDPH Travel Order state list. Avoid all non-essential travel.

2. Prior to arrival, Orange list travelers must receive a negative COVID-19 test result no longer than 72 hours prior to arrival and have proof of negative results OR plan to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

3. Upon arrival in Chicago, Orange list travelers should maintain a copy of negative test results with them while in Chicago or quarantine for 10 days if they chose not to take a test.

Children under the age of 18 are not exempt from the travel order and must follow pre-arrival testing/quarantine requirements. Unvaccinated children travelling with fully vaccinated people are not exempt from the travel order and must follow pre-arrival testing/quarantine requirements. 

It is imperative that all families report honestly when returning from Spring Break as this is our collective responsibility to keep our community safe. Please consider our educators, neighbors, and families when returning for Hybrid Learning.

District Hybrid Survey

As you are all well aware, Chicago Public Schools has extended the due date for the Intent to Return for Hybrid Learning Survey. We have been calling individual families who have not yet responded. If you have yet to respond and plan to continue with Remote Learning, please still submit your survey so that we have final numbers in a prompt manner. All surveys that have yet to have a response by the end of the day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 23rd, will automatically default to “Learn at Home”. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

All Hybrid Families will receive a Shift Preference Survey. Please complete this survey as quickly as possible for responsive planning of pods. Thank you!

Lockdown Drills

Our school is committed to the safety and education of all our students and our priority is to keep children safe at all times. Our procedures aim to minimize disruption to the learning environment while ensuring the safety of all students and staff. Throughout this week, we will be conducting a series of important safety drills with our in-person students. On ​Thursday, March 25, 2021​, we will be practicing a lockdown drill. This is a required school drill that all schools must implement each year.

The teacher will review the purpose with the students at a developmentally appropriate level and discuss the safety drill procedures before the drill begins. Please feel free to discuss it at home, as well, and remind your children that it is a safety drill, like a fire drill, and that they are safe.

The Lockdown Drill procedure will be the following:

●  The office staff will go on the intercom and announce “Lockdown”.

●  Teachers will lock classroom doors and close window shades.

●  Teachers will gather students silently into the corner of the room that is the furthest away from doors/windows.

●  Students will remain silent.

●  Staff will travel around the building to check for compliance in all areas of the building.

●  Classrooms will stay like this until the “All Clear” signal is announced over the intercom. 

Things to keep in mind when speaking with your child(ren):

●  Approach the topic of safety with a calm and even tone.

●  Be open to your child’s questions.

●  Try not to meet their questions with resistance or negativity. Be open to whatever is going on in their minds. The more knowledge and understanding of the situation they have, the more comfortable they may become with more practice.

●  Use comparisons - sometimes it is easier for children to understand the importance of the drill when they have something to compare it to. ​You can even compare practicing drills to wearing a helmet or seat belt. You do these things to be safe, just in case there’s an accident or your child falls off their bike. These things may never happen, but if they do, you’re protected.

●  Remind your child to listen to their teacher - be a superhero listener!

We feel that open and clear communication is important to enhance our safety efforts and wanted you to know about this week’s lockdown drill. We appreciate your support as we are always seeking to create a safe environment at Bateman. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

We know this was a lot of information and appreciate you taking the time to read the details carefully. We are truly grateful for your partnership - those of you remotely and in-person. We thank you for your commitment to our wonderful school and wish you a relaxing, tech-free Spring Break with your loved ones.

Our best,

Georgia & Kate

March 18, 2021

Good afternoon Bateman Families & Friends,

The deadline to complete the Chicago Public Schools 4th Quarter Opt-in Survey is tomorrow, Friday, March 19th. Only families of students who are currently learning from home received this survey. Please check your email and text messages if your child(ren) is currently learning from home and you have not completed the survey. 

It is critical that we receive all information for our families by the end of the day tomorrow. If you have already completed the Quarter 4 survey or contacted the school with your preference, there are no further actions at this time. If you cannot find the survey that was sent to you from the district, please send an email to [email protected] by noon tomorrow, Friday, March 19th indicating your preference for either Learn At Home or Hybrid Learning. Surveys that have “No Response” after tomorrow will automatically default to “Learn At Home”. Please help us in creating a responsive plan for our community by responding to the survey as soon as possible.

There is a possibility that a student's current schedule may change for Quarter 4. For example, if a student is currently attending school four days per week in-person, that student may shift to two days per week in-person in either Pod A (Monday/Tuesday) or Pod B (Thursday/Friday). This decision will be dependent on the number of students that opt for in-person learning per pod. We will do our best to keep models and schedules the same for families as we enter the Fourth Quarter, but we cannot guarantee that all schedules will remain the same.

Families who opt-in for Hybrid Learning will receive a Bateman Pod Preference survey no later than Monday, March 22nd. This includes current in-person students as well as those who submitted the district survey for Hybrid Learning for Quarter 4.This survey will ask families their pod preference for Quarter 4, either Shift A (Monday/Tuesday) or Shift B (Thursday/Friday) in the event that their pod needs to be split into a shifted schedule. The deadline for this survey will be Wednesday, March 24th. It will be very important that all families complete this survey by the deadline so that we can communicate learning models and pod placements for the upcoming quarter in a timely manner. Our goal is to share each student's Quarter 4 model and schedule by the end of the week of April 5th.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we prepare for the 4th quarter. 

Warm regards,

Ms. Davos & Ms. Kloepper


-------------------------------------
 

Buenas tardes amigos y familias de Bateman,

Mañana, viernes 19 de marzo es el último día para llenar la encuesta para que su hijo/a regresa a la escuela en persona para el cuarto trimestre. Este encuesta fue mandado directamente por texto y correo electrónico de las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago. Solo las familias de los estudiantes que actualmente están aprendiendo desde casa recibieron esta encuesta. Por favor revise su correo electrónico y mensajes de texto si su (s) hijo (s) actualmente están aprendiendo desde casa y usted no ha completado la encuesta.

Es fundamental que recibamos toda la información para nuestras familias al final del día de mañana. Si ya completó la encuesta del cuarto trimestre, no hay más acciones en este momento. Si no puede encontrar la encuesta que le envió el distrito, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected] antes del mediodía de mañana, viernes 19 de marzo, indicando su preferencia por Aprender en casa o Aprendizaje híbrido. Las encuestas que tengan "Sin respuesta" después de mañana se convertirán automáticamente en "Aprender en casa" de forma predeterminada. Ayúdenos a crear un plan receptivo para nuestra comunidad respondiendo a la encuesta lo antes posible.

Existe la posibilidad de que el horario actual de un estudiante cambie para el cuarto trimestre. Por ejemplo, si un estudiante asiste actualmente a la escuela cuatro días a la semana en persona, ese estudiante puede cambiar a dos días a la semana en persona en el Grupo A ( Lunes / martes) o Grupo B (jueves / viernes). Esta decisión dependerá de la cantidad de estudiantes que opten por el aprendizaje en persona por grupo. Haremos todo lo posible para mantener los mismos modelos y horarios para las familias al ingresar al Cuarto Trimestre, pero no podemos garantizar que todos los horarios sigan siendo los mismos.

Las familias que opten por aprendizaje híbrido  recibirán una encuesta de Preferencia de Grupo de Bateman no más tarde que el lunes 22 de marzo. Esto incluye a los estudiantes actuales en persona, así como a los que enviaron la encuesta del distrito para el cuarto trimestre. Esta encuesta preguntará a las familias su preferencia de grupo para el cuarto trimestre. La fecha límite para esta encuesta será el miércoles 24 de marzo. Será muy importante que todas las familias completen esta encuesta antes de la fecha límite para que podamos comunicar los modelos de aprendizaje y las ubicaciones de los grupos para el próximo trimestre de manera oportuna. Nuestro objetivo es compartir el modelo y el horario del cuarto trimestre de cada estudiante durante la semana del 5 de abril.

Gracias por su continuo apoyo y paciencia mientras nos preparamos para el cuarto trimestre.

Saludos cálidos,

Sra. Davos y Sra. Kloepper

Dear Bateman Elementary School Community, 

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is committed to keeping families and staff informed of the most current developments regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A person who was in our school building tested positive for COVID-19. We are sending this notification for your awareness, and you do not need to take any further action at this time. If you have been identified as a close contact, you will receive a separate notification from the Office of Student Health and Wellness with quarantine instructions.

The affected pod will be asked to stay at home and switch to online learning until further notice. All other activities can continue.

As a reminder, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 as a school community by social distancing whenever possible, wearing masks in public, washing our hands thoroughly, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. 

If you have any questions about COVID-19, please review our FAQ here. For district updates and resources, visit cps.edu/reopening2020. If you need help locating medical care or have any CPS-specific questions, please reach out to the CPS Command Center at [email protected] or 773-553-KIDS (5437), which is staffed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We are here to support you as we move forward together as one healthy, supportive, and engaged school family. 

Sincerely,

Georgia Davos-Vetas and Kate Kloepper-James
 

Estimado comunidad de la Escuela Bateman Elementary School:

Las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago (CPS) se comprometen a mantener a las familias y al personal informados de los acontecimientos más actuales sobre la enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Una persona que se encontraba en el edificio dio positivo por COVID-19. Le hemos mandado esta notificación a usted para informarle de este caso, y no se le requiere tomar ninguna medida de su parte. Si usted ha sido identificado como un contacto cercano, la Oficina de Salud y Bienestar Estudiantil le enviará una notificación que contiene instrucciones de cómo hacer una cuarentena.

Se le pedirá al equipo afectado quedarse en casa y cambiar a aprendizaje en línea hasta nuevo aviso. Todas las otras actividades pueden continuar.

Para recordarle, como comunidad escolar podemos reducir la propagación del COVID-19, manteniendo el distanciamiento social cuando sea posible, usando mascarillas en lugares públicos, lavándonos las manos de manera exhaustiva y evitando el contacto cercano con personas enfermas.  

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el COVID-19, por favor lea este documento de preguntas frecuentes. Para novedades y recursos del distrito, visite cps.edu/reopening2020. Si necesita ayuda para buscar atención médica o si tiene cualquier pregunta sobre CPS, comuníquese con el CPS Command Center al [email protected] o al 773-553-KIDS (5437), que opera de lunes a viernes de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. 

Estamos aquí para ayudarlo a medida que avanzamos juntos como una comunidad saludable, acogedora y activa.

Cordialmente,

Georgia Davos-Vetas and Kate Kloepper-James

Dear Bateman Families & Friends,

We hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather over the weekend and were able to find your snow boots today! 

A few Hybrid Reminders

• Health Screener: Please remember to complete the Health Screener every morning prior to 7:30am. Students will not be allowed to go to their classrooms until they have passed the health screener!

• Chromebook Charging: Please continue to charge your chromebook every night! We want to ensure our classrooms are safe and although there are charging stations for emergencies, we can limit the amount of chords in the room if everyone remembers to charge every night! Thank you!

• Dismissal: Please be reminded to maintain social distancing at pick up for parents and students. Students are dismissed one by one and we all need to work together to encourage them to give their friends space. Ask your child what their pod mascot is to help them stay 6 feet apart!

Quarter 4 Hybrid Learning Survey

Please note that an email was sent to the primary contact of your child on Monday, March 9th. If you are unable to find the email, please be sure to check your phone as many times, families will receive a text message with a link directing them to the correct district form. The sooner we receive student responses, the sooner we will be able to thoughtfully create a responsive plan to best meet the needs of our community.

Below, please find scenarios for our entire community regarding who should have received the survey and next steps:

• Current In-Person Students: Families who are currently in-person learning for Quarter 3 should not have received the survey. All families are considered staying in-person for Quarter 4 and no further action is needed. All schedules and shifts will be dependent on the total number of students returning for Quarter 4 and may result in a change from 4 Day to 2 day shifts. More information will be provided following March 19th.

• Current Remote Students who Prefer Q4 In-Person: Families who are currently learning remotely but would like to have their child(ren) return for in-person learning for Quarter 4 should respond to the survey as soon as possible and indicate “Hybrid Learning”. All survey results MUST be submitted by Friday, March 19th. If you did not receive the survey please contact [email protected] with your child’s name, grade, and homeroom or call the main office at 773-534-5055.

• Current Remote Students who Prefer to Stay Remote: Families who would like to continue learning remotely for Quarter 4 need to make sure to reply to the survey and indicate “Learn at Home” by Friday, March 19th. All families who do not respond to the survey will automatically default to “Learn at Home”. All students who choose to learn remotely for Quarter 4 will not be able to change their learning preferences until Fall 2021 for next school year.

Please see the section below for Frequently Asked Questions and the Q3 Reopening Protocols and Procedures powerpoint for further details about a day in the life of a Hybrid student. We plan to host an open forum for Quarter 4 returning families on Wednesday, March 24th and will be sending an invite to our families who plan to return for in-person learning early next week.

Warm regards,

Georgia & Kate

Dear Bateman Families & Friends,

Happy International Women’s Day! Throughout Women’s History Month and beyond, our students are encouraged to #ChooseToChallenge as they learn lessons from influential leading women in history. Keep a lookout for upcoming classroom spotlights to see how our students are honoring women that have paved the way before us!

We are continuously impressed with our students’ and families’ resilience through yet another transition. Today, we welcomed our in-person 6th-8th graders and our third floor was filled with morning music, laughter, and learning as our middle school students joined their remote peers.

Some things our teachers and parents have been saying about the first week back:

• Teaching in person!!! So nice to interact with the students again.

• My daughter said it was the best day ever to be back to school!

• Seeing and interacting with my remote and in person students simultaneously!

• Hearing the students laugh!

• How well the teachers have done including both the hybrid and remote learning in their teaching.

• Seeing and hearing that all my students felt safe, happy and enjoyed learning in the classroom! 

• My child said she loved her Bateman school the best!

• Change in mental health!

We will continuously work to ensure every child is engaged, whether learning remotely or in-person. For those who have decided to return, please make sure to complete the health screener by 7:30am to ensure a smooth entry each morning. If you need assistance with the health screener, please see this Bateman Health Screener Tutorial or this District Health Screener Video.

The district emailed a message on Friday, March 5th indicating that a survey for 4th Quarter Intent to Return will be sent today to the primary contact of students. There is even a highlight of Bateman!  Please continue to check your inbox to indicate your intention to return for Quarter 4. The earlier families respond to this survey, the more thorough we will be able to plan again for the last quarter of the school year.

Our best,
Georgia & Kate

Dear Bateman Families & Friends,

Today was a great day. It was one of those days that really make us think of how fortunate we are for our school community and to see our everyone come together in a supportive way. 

Today was an enormous milestone and each of you played an integral role in its success. Our thanks to each of you -- thank you to...

...our educators and staff for making today engaging, safe, and happy for all of our students!
...our in-person parents for your patience with new routines and making sure that you and your children understand new protocols!
...our remote learning parents for your flexibility and support!
...our custodial team for ensuring our building is clean for our students!
...our lunchroom and recess teams for taking great care of our children during their mental break!
...and last but certainly not least, our students - your energy and enthusiasm were tangible through the screen and in the hallways. We hope you each felt the many hands supporting you (socially distanced, of course) through this transition.

We look forward to continuously learning more in partnership with each of you as we strive to provide an exceptional educational experience for all of our learners. Let's continue to #BeBatemanStrong!

Our best,
Georgia & Kate