Dixon Public Schools

We are currently having power issues at Madison Elementary and Reagan Middle School. We are working with local officials to rectify the situation. We will keep you updated.

Please click on the link below from Superintendent Empen regarding the District's response to a Tik Tok Challenge. https://5il.co/13b04

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

The December Board of Education Meeting will be streamed live on Youtube at 6pm on 12/15/21 via this link: https://youtu.be/sHUfDOBgVHY

Outstanding DHS Choral Concert! Great job Mrs. R and our incredible students! #GoPurple #Bravo

Getting in the holiday spirit with the DHS choral concert. #GoPurple #TalentedStudents&Teachers

We are experiencing trouble calling and receiving calls from local phones around the city of Dixon today. The school system phone service and local cell services appear to be functioning normally, it's just traditional phone lines in the area that appear to be experiencing an outage. If you have trouble calling our schools, try using a cell phone if you have one available, and your call should go through.

We are hiring! #gopurple

Dixon Public Schools is having their Regular Board Meeting and Truth in Taxation Hearing on Wed., Dec. 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the District Office, 1335 Franklin Grove Road. The District is returning to an in-person meeting format. The meeting will be recorded and will posted on the District’s YouTube channel and website. Masks are required. Social Distancing will be observed. Once all seats are filled no other participants will be allowed. Those wishing to submit public comment need to email them to the Board President, Linda Wegner and to the Superintendent, Margo Empen, by Noon on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Public Comment received after this time may not be guaranteed to be read aloud at this meeting.

Parents/Guardians: Click on the links below for this week's COVID data. This data reflects those out due to being positive or quarantined. Please contact your building nurse if you have questions or concerns. https://5il.co/131xn https://5il.co/131xo

Check out our amazing '5 Days of Kindness' video that our Safe2Help student ambassadors at DHS made! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7D_I8RvyzeE

Dear Families and Staff: This letter is to inform you that 2 individuals at Jefferson Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19. 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 Jefferson 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, Jefferson 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 Jefferson Elementary School at (815) 934-9661 or Sherry Hafer, District Nurse, at (815) 453-4966. Sincerely, Margo Empen Superintendent

Come to the Madison Elementary and Reagan Middle School band and choir concert tonight at 7 pm in the James A. Wiltz Auditorium at Dixon High School. Call time for band/choir students is 6pm. Come join us for a great night of music! Enter through door #2 or #8.

Thank you Alivia R. and Katie S. for being student representatives at Rotary today. #GoPurple #SuperStudents

Parents/Guardians: Click on the links below for this week's COVID data. This data reflects those out due to being positive or quarantined. We did see an increase in our numbers this week. https://5il.co/12prc https://5il.co/12prd

DHS students & staff had a money drive to help those in need this holiday season. We are happy to have donated $700 to the Dixon Community Food Pantry!

Come support DHS Key Club at Culvers!

Due to limited bus driver availability, please see the attached document for changes in bus routes. Thank you for your patience. https://5il.co/12on8

Please remember to allow plenty of time tomorrow if you signed up for the IDPH/LCHD vaccine clinic. Wait times may be lengthy, so bring something to read and a snack if needed. The vaccine clinic is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the DHS cafeteria. #GoPurple

Congratulations Coach Ravlin & Duchesses Basketball!