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River Bend Families,

I wanted to provide an update prior to the Thanksgiving Break.  Many of you know we are experiencing more Covid cases than we have had all year.  The letter link and attachment provides an update.

 I am hopeful that you all have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving,

Darryl Hogue

November 22nd River Bend Covid Update

River Bend Families,

Due to a positive case of Covid 19 the River Bend District office will be closed today.  Please contact your child's school if you need any help.  We anticipate the office being open on Monday.  We will not be able to complete rapid tests at the District Office today.  

Thank you for your understanding,

Darryl Hogue

River Bend Families,

The River Bend staff are all enjoying having your children in school.  Thank you for the support.  We had a very busy summer and I wanted to share some of the new "things" we have for the 21-22 school year.  The attached letter provides an overview of the new staff and other new items to the district.

Enjoy the weekend,

Darryl Hogue

What's New to River Bend 2021/2022

Our starting date is just around the corner and our staff is excited to start working with your children. I am attaching a Safe Return Update letter, our recently approved Safe Return Plan and the Safe Return Plan Summary. The letter is a summary of the action and events following Gov. Pritzker's mask mandate. I can safely say very few are excited about having to wear a mask once again. I ask that you fully support our job as educators and join us in putting the focus on learning and the fun of being back together.

Darryl Hogue

Safe Return Update Letter 8/13/2021

Safe Return Plan 8/13/2021

Safe Return Plan Summary 8/13/2021

Dear River Bend Families,

I am providing an update based on Gov. Pritzker's announcement yesterday.

The executive order by the Gov. truly puts the district at a liability and financial risk if we do not follow the order.  I would encourage you to reach out to our local legislatures as well as the Governor and share your concerns.  I have shared my displeasure with the mandate that removes local control.  I am closely monitoring this issue and if other options exist, I would pursue them.

Gov. Pritzker- https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gov/contactus/Pages/VoiceAnOpinion.aspx

Rep. Tony McCombie-  mccombie@ilhousegop.org

Sen. Neil Anderson-   SenatorNeilAnderson@gmail.com

In addition to the governor's mandate,  I am evaluating our region and seeing an uptick on positive cases for children and young adults. Whiteside County used to have only 1-5 positive cases, now we are at 15-20 per day..  Our local health department and medical consultants are also advising and asking us to slow the spread by wearing our masks.  Whiteside County is one of the least vaccinated counties at 43%.   We simply do not have the backing of our state government to make masking optional.  

The new state quarantining protocols are complex and using masks greatly reduces the need to quarantine if and when we have students that test positive.  

Please be patient as we digest and best determine what this mandate fully requires.  The Illinois State Board of Education has yet to provide any guidelines.  I hope we can find ways and places throughout the day that offer students masking breaks without compromising safety. 

I am including an updated draft of our plan for the Board to consider next week.  Despite this change, I am truly excited about school starting in a few weeks and us working with children.  

Respectfully,

Darryl Hogue

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Dr. Darryl Hogue, Ed. D.  Superintendent River Bend CUSD #2"Helping children do their best"
1110 3rd Street

Fulton, IL 61252

Safe Return Plan Update 8/6/2021
Safe Return to Learn Summary 8/6/2021

Follow the link to pre-register: https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/9z8ej/

Registration is not required, but will help ensure that there are enough vaccines and staff for those that attend. 

River Bend Families,

Thank you for your patience and input over the last several weeks as the District gathered information about a safe return plan.  I am attaching two documents that outline our plan.  One document is a one page summary, the other document is a more detailed plan that provides additional information and will serve as the federally required Safe Return Plan.

Please note that the plans were shared with the Board of Education along with results from our recent survey.  The survey was completed by 311 students, parents and staff.  91% prefer to have masking optional, and 94% are comfortable sending their children back to school knowing that masking may be optional.  The District plan has also been reviewed by the Whiteside County Health Department and local medical staff. 

Also note that our plan may need to be changed.  At present, the Whiteside County Positivity rate is under 2% and we have had 1 positive case in the 61252 and 61230 zip codes in two weeks.  This data indicates that virus spread is presently low.  We all hope and pray that this virus spread remains low and our plan can move forward as it is outlined.  If it becomes necessary to modify our plan you will be notified as quickly as possible.  Specific class and building plans may vary slightly from the District plan the teachers and principals will continue to update.  

The River Bend Board of Education also supported reducing extra-curricular fees for MS and FHS athletes.  MS students will still be charged $25 and the Ottens Foundation offset fee will be reduced to $40.00.  FHS single sport fees (one-activity) will be reduced to $150 and multiple sport (activity) fees will be reduced to $180.  Reduced-student  fees will be lowered to $75 and Free-student  fees will be lowered to $25.  Any who have already paid extra-curricular fees will be contacted about refund options.  Sound financial planning, increased federal and state funds make it possible to reduce the athletic fees.  

Thank you for your input as we continue to look forward to our opening day August 18, 2021.

Darryl Hogue

--
Dr. Darryl Hogue, Ed. D. 

Superintendent River Bend CUSD #2"Helping children do their best"

1110 3rd Street

Fulton, IL 61252

815-589-2711

Safe Return Plan 2021-2022 Draft

21-22 Return to Learn Summary Plan