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Teachers, families prepare for remote learning with creativity; urge ‘latitude and grace’

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Written by Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Photo by Justin Fowler Posted at August 30, 2020 9:08 AM Allison Acker delivered Aaliyah Sanders her brand new car Wednesday. Sanders hasn’t even started first grade yet. The “smart car” was really a souped-up U-Haul box that Acker fashioned with headlights made from paper plates. It included … Read more Teachers, families prepare for remote learning with creativity; urge ‘latitude and grace’

Schools Shapeshift

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Schools Shapeshift Families adjust to ever-changing plans By Rachel Otwell Illinois Times Published August 20, 2020 Painting by Felicia Onen John Freml never anticipated squaring off with the Springfield public school district over pajamas. Among the details to work out for the coming school year, District 186 updated its student handbook. Per the guidelines, students … Read more Schools Shapeshift

‘Giving it a shot is the best plan’: Teachers, parents react to District 186′s in-person model

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By Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Posted Aug 8, 2020 at 5:29 PM At some points last spring when Springfield School District 186 was forced to go to remote learning by the directive of Gov. JB Pritzker as safety issues swirled around the COVID-19 outbreak, Diana Stewart of Springfield had seven students in her house … Read more ‘Giving it a shot is the best plan’: Teachers, parents react to District 186′s in-person model

SEA: District 186 needs to have comprehensive plan in place “for safe return” of students, teachers

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By Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Posted Aug 5, 2020 at 10:29 AM Updated at 7:36 AM The head of the Springfield Education Association said he doesn’t think School District 186 has put into place a complete plan “for the safe return of students and staff.” Wednesday’s statement from President Aaron Graves on behalf of … Read more SEA: District 186 needs to have comprehensive plan in place “for safe return” of students, teachers

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights

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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from … Read more Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights

District 186 rolls out Return to Learn plan (SJ-R.com, 7/21/20)

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By Steven Spearie The State Journal-Register Springfield School District 186 will offer to families two plans–hybrid/blended in-person and remote learning only–as part of its 33-page “Return to Learn” document. The document, put together by 100 teacher leaders from the district, the Springfield Education Association and the Illinois Education Association, was rolled out District 186 Superintendent … Read more District 186 rolls out Return to Learn plan (SJ-R.com, 7/21/20)

Safe Passage

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“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” ― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore It has been over four months since we have come to grips with the realities of COVID-19 and the profound effects it has had on our … Read more Safe Passage

Remote Rug-Pulling of Your Bargained Health Benefits

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  Insurance Update  – Pulling the Rug on Your Bargained Benefits          Last night, April 20, while conducting a SPS186 digital Board Meeting from their homes, six of the seven SPS186 School Board members (all but Micah Miller) voted to drastically change your health insurance in just a few brief minutes. They did so by making … Read more Remote Rug-Pulling of Your Bargained Health Benefits