Unit 40 Superintendent Doan Releases New Letter on District Status

Effingham Unit #40 Superintendent of Schools Mark Doan released a letter Friday morning containing the latest information as to the status of the school district while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Here's the letter:

March 27, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Information is always available on the District website at https://www.unit40.org/emergency_information. The District will continue to take guidance from the Governor’s office, IDPH, Effingham County Health Department and ISBE as we move forward. Presently the Governor’s directive is that all schools are closed through April 7, 2020. We expect to receive additional guidance in the next few days which could change the present status. Here are some updates:

• Updated continued learning opportunities and activities will be posted online on Monday, March 30th. If students/parents do not have internet access, paper packets can be picked up at the lunch sites from 11:00 – 12:30 p.m.
• Learning activities for all students are located at https://www.unit40.org/emergency_information
• Students and parents can click on the link to the grade level or building. For instance, EHS is athttps://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTY-GlwY9miO1-4WaN1O2D3wcMadplCswFU91qeR7q5NZZfmlQr6pliZ7unPUFwVV7WJYIa3nqx6J2t/pub

Information on the right side is from the teachers. Information on the left side are additional suggestions.

• The District is planning and preparing for long-term educational needs of students. Therefore, information at the upper levels (JH and HS) will become more content focused with structure and the ability to seek guidance/feedback from the teaching staff. 
• EHS is focusing on dual-credit courses initially with additional information from Mr. Roberts coming early next week.
• At this time, the District is awaiting further guidance from the Illinois Board of Education (ISBE) on how to address graduation requirements of seniors. This is a priority for them as well.
• The District has sent out a survey to determine the technology needs of our families. Your feedback is important and you can access the survey at https://forms.gle/REBa1bqCuA2oaPSS8.   
• Reminder that lunches will continue to be provided each day school is not in session at the five pre-arranged sites:  EHS, South Side, in front of Kay’s Jewelers, Mason Christian Church and Edgewood Park District site (Edgewood School). Nearly 200 lunches per day are being provided to families each day. Unit #40 and Blessings in a Backpack are partnering to hand out additional food at these sites as well.

Everyone in Unit #40 is working hard to adjust instructional methods to meet the needs of students. I wish to thank all Unit #40 teachers, staff, and administrators for their efforts in planning continued educational learning opportunities as well as providing much needed lunches. Please take care of yourself and your family. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mr. Mark E. Doan, Superintendent

Effingham Unit #40