March 22, 2020
Dear Thornton Fractional 215 Families and Students,
Last week we made an abrupt transition from traditional schooling to an online approach that we refer to as e-learning. On behalf of our Board of Education and entire Thornton Fractional 215 staff, I want to personally thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigated the mandated school closure as required by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
As we move forward with the mandated school closure, I want to share some additional information. First, our overall district-wide student attendance during our first week of e-learning ranged from a low of 75% to a high of 87%. This is good news for us because we consider each day your child(ren) interact(s) with teachers and counselors as time well spent. Apparently, most of our students believe this too, but we would love to see all of our students online and every day.
Here are a few highlights from last week:
• Over the span of four days, the IT department, under the leadership of Mr. Wakefield, distributed more than 150 tablets/hotspots.
• Our food services department, under the direction of Ms. Phylicia Burford, has prepared and provided more than 3,500 grab-and-go meals.
• We also collaborated with our elementary feeder schools and will rely on transportation services to reach even more students through a “meals on wheels” effort beginning on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
• I personally contacted more than one dozen families last week and will continue these efforts.
In addition, the latest guidance from ISBE, coupled with Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Order, continues to direct our ongoing work through the mandated school closure, and I promise to keep you informed regularly. Because these are difficult times for some of our families, our collaboration with the elementary feeder schools will ensure interested students will be able to pick up grab-and-go meals during our spring break—March 30 through April 3.
Finally, as we proceed with e-learning, know that I am beyond proud of our students and staff. Their resiliency throughout these very difficult times is nothing short of amazing. Family, you are equally amazing! I am even more proud to know that I have the privilege and honor to serve as your child(ren)’s superintendent.
As things continue to unfold, your campus principal and/or I will keep you abreast. In the meantime, if you should have any questions or need to contact us for any reason, you are encouraged to contact us via [email protected]; we are monitoring this email address daily and will respond within 24 to 48-hours.
Remember, we are a family and we will get through this together. #TeamPhenomenal215
Sincerely,
Teresa A. Lance, Ed.D.
Superintendent
A message from District 215 Superintendent Teresa Lance
