Good morning Bateman Families,

As you are probably aware, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois schools will be closed starting tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th until Monday, March 30th. The goal is for students to return to school on Tuesday, March 31st. As always, the local news will have the most updated information regarding the day we will return. Until further notice, please do not send your children to school.

If your child is in school today, they will be receiving a packet of teacher created materials to continue their learning. Teachers will also be sharing online resources.  These resources will be available on the Bateman Website. If you did not send your children to school today, families will have an opportunity to pick up hard copy materials of teacher or district created work outside the main entrance between 2pm - 3pm today. Again, packet pick up will be from 2pm - 3pm this afternoon in front of Door 1.  Online resources will also be sent out via social media and posted on the school website throughout the next two weeks. 

We want to stay in close communication with families during this time to provide support, as needed. If you have any questions about educational materials, please email your child's teacher. If you need any other support, please reach out to us at bateman@cps.edu.  All resources from the district will be uploaded to the Bateman Website.
 

Bateman will remain an election site tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th and Bateman will be a daily food distribution center from 9:00am-1:00pm starting on Tuesday, March 17th. Please come to door number 6, which is off of Sacramento.
 

Finally, with the health of our community as our highest priority and the most recent guidelines put forth by the CDC along with the state of Illinois, the Bateman Boosters are planning to reschedule this year's Spring Fling 2020: Eat, Drink and Be Bateman.  Please stay tuned as our plans are finalized.  Remember to support your local businesses (including @Twisted Hippo), many of whom will continue to offer delivery and pickup service during this time.

If you need support or if you know someone that needs support during the school closure, please let us know and/or reach out to them. The Bateman community is FULL of loving and caring people that want to help.  

If you have any further questions regarding the information about school closures, please tune in to your local news stations, visit our website at bateman.cps.edu and #BeBateman!

Stay healthy!

-Georgia & Kate

Hello Bateman Families & Friends,

As you are probably aware, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois schools will be closed from Tuesday, March 17th until Monday, March 30, 2020. Monday, March 16, 2020 will be a regular school day. The goal will be for schools to reopen on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. As always, the local news will have the most updated information regarding the day we will return. 

Our teachers have been working hard since the announcement and are planning home learning activities that will be a combination of hard copies of material and/or online learning. These resources will be shared with students on Monday. 

We know that there are many questions about sending your child to school tomorrow.  We encourage you to do what you feel is best for your family. If you decide to keep your child(ren) home on Monday, their absence will be excused and you can reach out to your child's teacher to have access to assignments. Families will also have an opportunity to pick up hard copy materials outside in front of the main entrance between 2pm - 3pm. Online resources will also be sent out via social media and posted on the school website throughout the two weeks. 
 

The resources to be shared with families in packets and online will include:

• Online platforms that are accessible at home, with recommended usage

• Daily reading recommendations

• Ideas from our Essentials Teachers on ways to encourage the arts, music, language, and physical movement 

• Social & Emotional Strategies to support your child(ren)

• How to stay in communication with the teachers during this time. Teachers will check emails within the regular school hours and we are asking them to respond within 24-48 hours. Many of them have families that they are caring for, too.  

We want to stay in close communication with families during this time to provide support, as needed. If you have any questions about educational materials, please email your child's teacher. If you need any other support, please reach out to us at bateman@cps.edu.  

• If your child has medication, please stop by the office anytime after 3:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick-up.   

• Bateman is an election site on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. 

• Bateman will be a daily food distribution center from 9:00am-1:00pm starting on Tuesday, March 17th. Please come to door number 6, which is off of Sacramento.

Parents, we understand that this is a difficult time for you to navigate, as well. You have to keep your children engaged all day, without allowing them to tear down the house. Setting a schedule or routine can greatly alleviate potential meltdowns, anxiety, or struggles throughout this time.  Consider setting structured and consistent daily academic time, creative time, and active play time. This Sample Schedule has been floating around the internet and can serve as a starting point for your daily routine.  Please keep in mind that you, too, must take care of yourselves in order to best serve your children - think of this time as a wonderful opportunity for extra family bonding! 

Below are resources to review as you have conversations with your child(ren): 

Huffpost article - How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus 

Video - Coronavirus Brainpop 

SAMHSA - Coping with Stress During an Infectious Disease Outbreak 

Child Mind Institute - Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus 

Share My Lesson - Coronavirus Student Guide: Explanations and News Updates 

National Education Association - Schools and Coronavirus 

National Association of School Psychologists - Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource 

If you need help locating medical care, please reach out to the CPS Office of Student Health & Wellness at oshw@cps.edu or by calling the Healthy CPS Hotline 773-553-KIDS (5437). If you or your child has a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, please contact the CDPH at 312-746-SICK (7425). 

If you need support or if you know someone that needs support during the COVID-19 school closure, please let us know and/or reach out to them. The Bateman community is FULL of loving and caring people that want to help. We are One School, One Family!!! 

Always remember to...Be Bateman!

Stay safe and healthy Bateman families! 

Georgia and Kate

Dear Bateman Families & Friends, 

We know there is a high level of anxiety due to COVID-19 Virus and wanted to notify you of some changes that will be occurring based on the district guidance presented yesterday evening.  Rest assured, our teachers and staff are resuming normal schedules and routines and maintaining a supportive, calm environment.

CPS has given specific directives regarding group and event gatherings, domestic travel restrictions, and international travel. Click here to find the full Interim Guidance Document from CPS. Effective immediately, group gatherings/events and visitors to the school have been restricted until April 12, 2020. Essential school activities will continue such as lunch/recess. As we process this information, we will share more updates as it relates to the impact on the students and families at Bateman. 

Cancelled Events (through April 12th or until further notice):

• All Mystery Reader Programs
• All Volunteer Programs
• All Choir Rehearsals 
• All Parent Meetings in the School (LSC; PTA; Boosters)
• All Teacher-Led After School Programs
• All Outside After School Partners (Joffrey Ballet, iCook, We Got Game, Urban Initiatives)

• Kindergarten Field Trip to the Shedd Aquarium (originally scheduled April 1st)

• Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club will continue with regular hours
• Before & PreK After Care will continue with regular hours

School is still in session and learning opportunities will continue!  Below you'll find reminders that have already been shared in previous communication. 

• If your child is sick, they should stay home. If we call because your child is sick, please pick them up as soon as possible.

• The district will be providing additional cleaning services to focus on high touch point areas such as door knobs, light switches, etc. Our staff will continue to disinfect surfaces as well. 

• We will provide more opportunities for students to wash their hands throughout the school day and will remind them to use soap and water.   

• If you are entering the building for any reason, we will ask you to sign-in with your name, phone number, email address, time in and time out.

• If your phone number or email address has changed, please update the office so we have current information to contact you in case of an emergency.

From CPS:

Right now, these are the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your school community: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Please continue to follow announcements on the news, the CPS Website, and the Bateman Website for the most updated information.

Stay healthy!
-Georgia & Kate