Click on the links below for this week's COVID data. This data reflects those out due to being positive or quarantined. School resumes tomorrow. We look forward to seeing everyone. https://5il.co/14dya https://5il.co/14dyb
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
January 13, 2022 Dear Families and Staff: This letter is to inform you that 3 individuals at Madison Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. Students who have had potential exposure will be contacted. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Madison Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps: • Staff members or students who are close contacts to the positive case will not be attending work or school until they are released to do so by Lee County Health Department. If your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted and given instructions by Lee County Health Department. • Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks. • Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. • Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day. We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows: • Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home. • Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy. • Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility. • We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc. • We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing: o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles. o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching. o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes. o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing. • As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines. As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Madison Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Madison School at (815) 934-9662 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966. Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent
about 2 years ago, Madison School
DPS #170 is using an emergency day on Friday (1/14/22) due to a shortage of staff in our buildings. This day will be made up at the end of the school year, and there will be no remote learning tomorrow. We are hoping that the long weekend will allow our staff levels to return to normal next week. We continue to monitor numbers daily related to Covid. We will see everyone back on Tuesday, January 18th.
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
January 12, 2022 Dear Families and Staff: This letter is to inform you that 3 individuals at Madison Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. Students who have had potential exposure will be contacted. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Madison Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps: • Staff members or students who are close contacts to the positive case will not be attending work or school until they are released to do so by Lee County Health Department. If your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted and given instructions by Lee County Health Department. • Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks. • Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. • Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day. We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows: • Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home. • Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy. • Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility. • We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc. • We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing: o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles. o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching. o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes. o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing. • As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines. As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Madison Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Madison School at (815) 934-9662 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966. Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent
about 2 years ago, Madison School
January 11, 2022 Dear Families and Staff: This letter is to inform you that 3 individuals at Madison Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. Students who have had potential exposure will be contacted. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Madison Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps: • Staff members or students who are close contacts to the positive case will not be attending work or school until they are released to do so by Lee County Health Department. If your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted and given instructions by Lee County Health Department. • Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks. • Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. • Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day. We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows: • Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home. • Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy. • Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility. • We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc. • We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing: o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles. o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching. o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes. o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing. • As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines. As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Madison Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Madison School at (815) 934-9662 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966. Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent
about 2 years ago, Madison School
Attached are the Covid numbers from the past week. A majority of the positive cases were identified prior to coming back to school on January 6th, so they were not on our campuses. We continue to monitor numbers daily. https://5il.co/1413t https://5il.co/1413u
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
DPS #170: Due to limited bus driver availability, there are changes in bus routes for the week of 1-10-22. Visit our website (News/Live Feed), App, and Social Media for updates.
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
January 9, 2022 Due to limited bus driver availability the following changes in bus routes will take place immediately and will run through the end of the week. • Dement Park stop 4th grade through 8th grade students will now ride on Bus #12 (AM & PM). • 3rd & Artesian stop 4th grade through 8th grade students will now ride on Bus #12 (AAM & PM). • Chateau Estates (All grades will be on Bus #11.) • Bus #10 AM shuttle children will ride on Bus #18 in the AM to Washington. • 1002 IL Rt 38 children will now be on Bus #18 (AM & PM). • Bright Beginnings bus stop will now be on Bus #11. • Countryside & Middle stop will now be on Bus #11. • Bus #10 & Bus #19 children will now shuttle from Washington to their appropriate schools. • PM Route Only: Bus #6 Washington (Kindergarten) will now ride Bus #18 to Madison/RMS. • PM Route Only: Bus #6 will shuttle Open Sesame children to Lincoln School. • Updated Route Times for Bus #19: o 6:21 am – 1910 Naylor Road o 6:23 am – 1199 Naylor Road o 6:25 am – 1235 Naylor Road We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause. Our goal is to transport the students safely to and from school. We appreciate your patience. Sincerely, Marc Campbell Business Manager
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
DPS #170 staff, students, and families: We need your help and input on a project. This applies to everyone no matter your grade level. We need to hear your voice in regard to thoughts on changing school start times. Over the last year and a half, the district Community Engagement Committee has been researching the effect of school start times on student achievement and student’s social-emotional well-being. On our website (www.dps170.org) you will find a link that will take you to a video explaining the work that has been done, an informational page about school start times, and a survey asking for your input on changing school start times. We ask that you first watch the video, then read the one-page informational sheet, and finally complete the survey. The survey will be available through January, and will be sent directly to RMS and DHS student school emails. We need your voice! Please help us in our decision making process to know if this should be a consideration for the Board of Education to determine an outcome for the upcoming school year. Contact the District Office if you have any questions.
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
We are looking for a full time custodian for Dixon High School #gopurple
about 2 years ago, Dixon Schools
Now hiring graphic
January 7th, 2022 Dear Families and Staff: This letter is to inform you that 5 individuals at Madison Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. Students who have had potential exposure will be contacted. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Madison Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps: • Staff members or students who are close contacts to the positive case will not be attending work or school until they are released to do so by Lee County Health Department. If your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted and given instructions by Lee County Health Department. • Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks. • Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. • Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day. We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows: • Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home. • Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy. • Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility. • We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc. • We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing: o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles. o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching. o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes. o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing. • As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines. As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Madison Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Madison School at (815) 934-9662 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966. Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent
about 2 years ago, Madison School
January 6, 2022 Dear Families and Staff: This letter is to inform you that 6 individuals at Madison Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. Students who have had potential exposure will be contacted. This number includes all positive cases that were reported to us over the holiday break. We are coordinating our efforts with the Lee County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of Madison Elementary School students and staff are our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. To prevent further spread of the disease, Dixon Public Schools are taking the following steps: • Staff members or students who are close contacts to the positive case will not be attending work or school until they are released to do so by Lee County Health Department. If your child was exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted and given instructions by Lee County Health Department. • Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks. • Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of all areas daily and additional attention to the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. • Continuing our strict adherence to social distancing and hand washing practices during the school day. We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows: • Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home. • Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy. • Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility. • We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc. • We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing: o Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles. o Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching. o Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes. o Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing. • As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines. As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms . Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, Madison Elementary School, and your local health department. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact Madison School at (815) 934-9662 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966. Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent
about 2 years ago, Madison School
DPS #170 will be back in session on Thursday, January 6, 2022 for a full day. The School Improvement half-day will be rescheduled in the future. RMS & DHS students-remember to bring your fully charged Chromebooks tomorrow to class. #GoPurple
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
School resumes on Wednesday, January 5, 2022! Click on the link below for a message from Supt. Empen about returning and free COVID testing tomorrow for students and staff at the DHS cafeteria from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm if you are interested. https://5il.co/13ong
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
January 3, 2022 Dixon Public Schools families and staff, Happy New Year! There is a lot of information since the CDC has issued new guidance regarding isolation for positive cases and changing protocols for those that have received the first two doses of the vaccine, but not a booster - as of now, none of it applies to Pre-K – 12 schools in Illinois according to the IDPH and the Illinois State Board of Education. I believe this will continue to be a topic of discussion throughout the state next week and I will issue a revision to this letter when more information is available. Until then, our protocols for positive cases remain the same as the first semester. If we are issued additional guidance, we will apply it. Parents need to be ready to pivot to remote learning should our numbers warrant it. I will continue to monitor our numbers daily. If we need to move to remote learning, the turnaround will be quick. Please get your plans in place now to ensure a smooth transition for you and your students. We will continue to be vigilant in our layered mitigations in the days to come in order to continue in-person learning. While I understand our community has different views on how COVID should be handled, I am extremely concerned about not having the requisite staff available to continue in-person learning if we let down our guard at all. We are asking for continued patience and support as we come back to in person learning this week. We all know that COVID numbers are very high in our region and this is impacting our health care system tremendously per my conversations with local health officials. The good news is that in the readily available data, we are currently maintaining or decreasing our case prevalence compared to when break began. Free rapid testing for staff and students will be available Tuesday, January 4, 2022 for anyone who may need it. Rapid testing will occur at the Dixon High School cafeteria from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. tomorrow. A parent must be present for a student to be tested. Testing takes at least 15 minutes, so plan to be at DHS while you await your results. Social distancing and masks will be required prior to entering door 12 at Dixon High School. Thus, to start the new year, I have a few requests for you. 1) I can’t stress this next statement enough….if your child has symptoms DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL!!! 2) If your child has symptoms, please take advantage of our on-site, free COVID testing, or seek offsite testing through your physician or local COVID testing sites. 3) If someone in your home has symptoms or has COVID, follow the protocols that have been sent by our nurses and err on the side of caution 100% of the time. 4) If you have questions, please contact our nurses. They will be on-site beginning Wednesday, and are a great source for guidance and information. One thing I believe everyone can agree on is that we want to continue in-person, daily, face-to-face instruction. As we navigate changing guidelines, please understand that our administrators and health services staff are absolutely doing the best they can. I’m asking everyone to please be kind to our teachers, principals, and nurses as they try to navigate ever-changing CDC, IDPH, and ISBE changes and updates. As we move into 2022, I am confident that we will meet the challenges that lie ahead. I’m looking forward to starting our second semester together, and will continue to communicate as we carefully monitor COVID cases in our buildings. Thanks for your continued support. #GoPurple #DPS170 Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent
about 2 years ago, Margo Empen
K-Kids officers pictured with the donations to the Dixon food pantry from their recent food drive. We are grateful for the hard work of our K-Kids making a difference in our community!
over 2 years ago, Madison School
K-Kids food drive
Click on the links below for this week's COVID data. This data reflects those out due to being positive or quarantined. RMS is on remote learning for the next two days due to high numbers and known internal spread. https://5il.co/13dcw https://5il.co/13dcx
over 2 years ago, Margo Empen
Please click on the link below from Superintendent Empen regarding the District's response to a Tik Tok Challenge. https://5il.co/13b04
over 2 years ago, Margo Empen
DPS #170 Staff, Students, and Families, I am writing this not to alarm you but to inform you. There is another Tik Tok Challenge circulating nationally that dubs Friday, December 17th as "shoot up your school" day. The original post is general and not directed at a specific school. We do not have any threats against any of our schools. I am sharing this notice out of an abundance of caution and as a precautionary measure. My intent of sharing this information with you is to be transparent, and let you know we are always vigilant in the safety and security of our buildings. This information has been shared with our District and school administration, our school resource officers, and local law enforcement. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. All safety concerns to our school or students are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Here are some reminders on how you can help ensure safety in our schools: • Be sure to report any concerning message you hear or see in person or online to a trusted adult, school administration or staff member, or police. • The Safe2Help Illinois is a 24/7 program for students to share school safety issues, find resources to get help and find encouragement to help others. Reports can be submitted by clicking https://app.safe22helpil.com/. • Please do not promote social media rumors, instead, tell us. • If you feel uncomfortable about something you read, something you hear, something you see please, report it so we can do something about it. • Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming and using webcams. Dixon Public Schools is committed to keeping our schools a safe place for learning, and we will work together to continue to keep it that way. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or any building or district administrator if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Margo Empen - Superintendent
over 2 years ago, Margo Empen
Normal phone service has been restored to all schools. Please resume using the main numbers for each school posted on our website for each school building.
over 2 years ago, Dixon Schools