Harrisburg Unit 3

Community Unit # 3 Family, Just wanted to provide an update on the situation today. As I am sure many of you saw, the Governor now has BANNED any gathering over 50 people. This situation is progressing at an ever rapid rate. The district remains optimistic that we will be back in school on the 31st of March, but will attempt to prepare over the next week, to have a plan for whatever decision comes down from Springfield. I also want to publicly thank the best Board, Administrative team, and staff of employees in the STATE! This community should be proud of the people you have leading your children in this district. The Support we have received from the Board has been tremendous. My administrative team has spent hours upon hours collaborating in meetings during the week, on the weekend and on the phone many nights for hours searching for the best plan/solution for your children in this unprecedented time. Finally our staff, these people are the best! We brought them a plan and said we need help....there were no questions.......they said LET'S DO THIS.......AND HAVE SHOWN WHAT A GREAT GROUP THEY TRULY ARE! I am very very proud of them and know they will be ALL IN for the district, your children and OUR COMMUNITY. BULLDOG PROUD! I also want to thank you, the public again. We had people come pick up learning packets and they were so positive and encouraging. They realize these decisions are out of our hands, we are in uncharted territory and we are doing all we can at this point. We will continue that practice through the closure and continue to look for better ways to do things to help our students and families, BECAUSE HARRISBURG IS HOME!!! Thank YOU Mike Gauch

Notice from Val Hodges Food Service Coordinator: This is a reminder to the residents of Harrisburg that the Harrisburg School District has several feeding sites located across town that are offering grab and go free meals. The meals are being served from 11-12:30 and feature a breakfast and a lunch meal. The locations are East Side, West Side, High School, Century Estates, New Life Church in Dorris Heights, Housing Authority on Barnett St, and Mitchellesville Store. Please note the following changes: Gaskins City residents can visit the Gaskins City Missionary Baptist Church on Water Street and a new location in Ledford at the Ledford Baptist Church.

Stay up-to-date on the latest info from Unit 3 Schools. Download the Harrisburg Bulldog app on Android: http://bit.ly/2Nm5KGj or iPhone: https://apple.co/2OPDY5B. Be sure to enable push notifications.

MEAL PLAN STARTS TODAY!! HARRISBURG PROUD! So proud of our staff!

Parents/Guardians/Students Harrisburg Community - Harrisburg Unit # 3 schools will have someone in offices at each building and the Unit office to assist you with concerns or questions throughout this closure. In an attempt to limit the opportunity for the transmission of any health related problems, we ask that you first call the district and attempt to conduct any business you may have by phone. We will do everything in our power to be able to address your concerns on that call. Should you be in need of a form, paper or any other document we can take that information on the phone and use email to transmit to IF POSSIBLE. This will avoid you having to travel outside your home for something we can take care of on the phone or by email. Should we not be able to handle the issue by phone, we would ask you to come in so we could get you any information or documents you need for you or your child. Please refer to the Meal Plan Document as we start serving meals today in several locations noted on that document. My staff and I are very appreciative and humbled by the outpouring of support from our families and community members. This is a very stressful time for everyone and to have the kind words we heard throughout the day yesterday was why Harrisburg is HOME! We truly care for your children as well and want them back in our buildings as soon as it is deemed to be the safest solution for them. Thank you again for your cooperation and we will continue to update you as this situation evolves. Thank you, Mike Gauch Superintendent

View image or click link for information on contacting your child's teacher from our website and app: https://5il.co/droe

NOTICE FROM VAL HODGES FOOD SERVICE COORDINATOR: Beginning Tuesday, March 17- Monday, March 30th the Harrisburg School District will be handing out grab and go meals from 11:00-12:30 at the following locations: East Side, West Side, High School, Mitchellsville Store, Library, New Life Church off of Grape Street, Housing Authority Office on Barnett Street, Elks Parking Lot, and have the option of deliveries. IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN ALLERGY WE ARE ASKING YOU CONTACT US PRIOR TO PICKING UP MEALS. WE WILL ARRANGE A TIME FOR YOUR ALLERGY-FREE MEAL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE HS PICK UP LOCATION. Thank you!

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SUPERINTENDENT MIKE GAUCH The School Board WILL have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to conduct essential business that we must accomplish. HOWEVER, we are asking that unless you have direct business as stated on the agenda that you NOT attend the meeting as to limit the amount of people in attendance due to the health concerns we are dealing with as a nation. Those of you that are regular attendees as the HEA and other groups, please limit your group to only one representative attend the meeting. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Parents, We have attached our district's information regarding a meal plan during this closure. Please call the unit office with any questions you have. The district will be serving meals for free Monday - Friday during this entire closure period. Thank You, Mike Gauch View Image or Click Link: https://5il.co/dqcr

NOTICE TO ALL HARRISBURG STUDENTS AND PARENTS FROM MIKE GAUCH SUPERINTENDENT:

Parents I have received some information from the state that will assist us and guide the district during this closure. My administrative team will meet tomorrow and break these documents down and see how they will relate to our students and staff. We will get this information out to you sometime Monday regarding meals starting Tuesday for students, as well as any updates that may need clarified through the closure. I will also be involved in a town hall phone call tomorrow afternoon with all Superintendents and the Illinois State Board where I will ask questions about the process we are starting on Monday. Finally. the State will be providing a webinar with further guidance for the closure on Tuesday afternoon and my entire administrative team has signed up to be a part of that. We will be in the unit office to all listen together and try and improve our plan or gain clarification from the state as we move forward. We are still moving forward with our plan to be able to open up e-learning online Tuesday as well as having learning packets at your child's school from 2-4 on Monday. This situation is still changing hourly and I will keep you all informed as information comes in that we believe is important to convey. Thank you again for your patience and understanding that this is out of the district's control and we just have to do what we can to make the best of the situation for our children. Thank You Mike Gauch Superintendent

Today in an unprecedented event, Governor Pritzker has ordered all schools in the State to close until March 30th. The Governor said this should begin on Tuesday March 17th. Harrisburg Unit 3 schools has decided to make Monday March 16 a Teachers Institute day and students WILL NOT BE IN SESSION. Students will not be in session from March 16th through March 30. E – learning will begin on Tuesday March 17th We will have e learning and learning packets available to maintain gains and hopefully avoid regressions in learning skills. You will be able to access the district’s e-learning materials through our district app and social media outlets, or if you do not have access to the internet can pick up learning packets at your child’s school on Monday March 16th after 2 p.m thru 4 p.m. During this time there will be no Extra Curricular events home or away of any kind. More information will be sent out regarding the possibility that the district provide a meal plan through this closure. We will make an announcement on that as a district sometime Monday the 16th. We will continue to monitor this situation and make announcements regularly to make you aware of any changes that arise. Should you have questions please call the unit office . Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Harrisburg Unit # 3 is dedicated to ensure the safety of all students as we try and navigate this unchartered territory that is the coronavirus WHILE THERE ARE STILL NO DOCUMENTED OR CONFIRMED CASES OF THIS VIRUS IN OUR DISTRICT OR EVEN IN THE AREA. We remain in contact with our local health department as well as the Illinois State Board allowing these experts to guide us through this issue. We are preparing e-learning plans/suggestions in case the state or district determines it is in the best interest of our children to shut down in response to this public health issue. This situation is changing by the hour and we are constantly monitoring these developments to make the best decisions for our students and our community. We continue to put out periodic announcements as things progress today and through the weekend. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Respectfully, Mike Gauch

As we charge into Spring and look toward the Summer, I would like you all to remember our SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM will be up and running again. I am so proud of the work Val and her team have done on this program and hope you will all "COME HAVE LUNCH WITH US" this summer. Mike Gauch Superintendent https://vimeo.com/395201230

WHILE THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED CASES OF THIS VIRUS IN OUR DISTRICT OR EVEN IN THE AREA we are using this link as our guide as precautionary measures in an attempt to avoid future problems regarding this issue. We are in contact with our local health department as well as the Illinois State Board allowing these experts to guide us through this issue. We will put out announcements periodically as needed. While this link is directed at schools, there are many things that can be done at home as well. We appreciate your assistance and ask that you implement some of these things at home with your family. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

Just a reminder about HHS parent teacher conferences tonight from 3:30-6:30 in Davenport Gym

Check Out Our Bulldog Sideline Store 15% off orders of $85 or more Valid 3/1/20 to 3/31/20 http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/harrisburg/harrisburg-high-school

Our final round of parent/teacher conferences will be held on March 10 3:30-6:30 in Davenport Gym. Please come and check the progress of your HHS student.

I am so very proud of Mrs. Natalie Fry our East Side Elementary Principal. She is a finalists for the State's Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Administrator in the state of Illinois. She attended a banquet this weekend to receive her plaque. Winners announced SOON! #HBGPRIDE

Announcement: HHS Prom will be May 2nd. HHS Graduation will be May 16th.