Spirit Wear sale ends SUNDAY 2/13!!
https://www.ontargetsalesspiritshop.com/shop/95
Very, very busy week in sports this week!! Tonight we have HS Girls and Boys Basketball traveling to Westlake Christian for 6:00 & 7:30 games. We also have MS Girls 7th & 8th grade basketball at home vs. Park starting at 4:30. Please click on the Athletics link to check out "This Week in Sports" for the full week schedule.
CTE News: Join us as we celebrate Career and Technical Education Month®!
#ILCTEMonth
#ahgiants
District 19 Update - 2.6.22
Dear District 19 Staff and Families:
On the evening of Friday, February 4, 2022, a temporary restraining order (TRO) was issued that has a significant impact on Illinois schools. The court held that the governor and state agencies such as the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) do not have the authority to mandate masks at school, exclude students for having symptoms of COVID-19 or being close contacts, or require COVID-19 vaccinations or testing of school personnel. The court held that only the state legislature has the authority to mandate COVID-19 prevention strategies in schools. The Illinois attorney general has appealed the decision to the 4th district appellate court in Springfield. Either the trial or appellate court may enter a ‘stay’ (pause) of the decision pending a ruling from the appellate court; however, that had not occurred at the time of this communication.
We will continue to monitor all of the various outcomes of the litigation and the appeal as the situation unfolds. Please note that future decisions regarding the TRO and the court case may direct us to change our mitigation measures again. We will continue to keep our community informed should that occur.
So what does all of this mean?
Effective immediately, face masks will be strongly recommended but not required at school and at all school-related events for staff and students, as well as visitors and volunteers. Students and staff are still required to wear face masks on school buses per federal regulation as the court ruling has no effect on federal requirements. Additionally, buildings may reduce or temporarily pause visitors and volunteers from being in the schools as an added mitigation measure.
Students will no longer be excluded from school due to being a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 nor will schools conduct contact tracing when there’s a positive case. Students will only be excluded from school due to illness at the discretion of the school nurse or other administrator. The 5-day school exclusions for exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, testing positive without symptoms, or having ‘close contact’ status will cease. If your child is ill, please keep them at home until they are healthy. Students must be fever-free for a period of 24-hours, with no vomiting or diarrhea, before they can return to school. Students who have vomited need to remain home until they have gone 24 hours without vomiting.
A main priority has always been to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. The recent court decision does not change that. The district will continue to meet with the health department and utilize all of our other mitigation strategies: staying home when sick, physical distancing to the greatest extent possible, and cleaning and sanitizing protocols.
Our school community includes staff and students with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of illness as well as staff and students who live with family members with compromised health conditions. We recognize that some parents may be worried about sending their children to school when masks are not consistently worn and other COVID-19 prevention strategies are not required. If your child has, or may qualify for a medical certification, please contact Mrs. Beck, our Director of Special Services, via email (kbeck@ah19.org) to discuss the medical certification process.
Please know that the ruling based on the litigation may cause school districts to remain in flux for some time, at least until the appellate court issues its ruling. Schools operate best when there is routine and consistency. We need your assistance in keeping students calm, focused on learning, and accepting of others' choices as we adjust our mitigation measures. We recognize there may be concerns about how this change could impact interactions among students when some may be wearing a mask and others may not. We will continue to teach the importance of kindness and respect for others in our schools and encourage families to do the same so we are able to maintain a positive teaching and learning environment.
Throughout this pandemic, District 19 has followed school code, the governor’s executive orders, state and local health mandates, and now court rulings. Our goals have been two-fold: 1) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools so we can keep schools open and maintain in-person learning; and 2) to protect the health and safety of our students, staff and their families. Despite the challenges of the past two years, we have not wavered in our commitment to your children.
We are not all the same nor do we all have the same life circumstances; however, we are in this together. Despite the challenges and differing views over the past two years regarding the pandemic, we share the common goal of advocating for the children and that will continue. We appreciate your support as we continue to navigate the pandemic and the ever-changing legal situation.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Elswick
District 19 Superintendent
Dear District 19 Staff and Families,
Yesterday, February 4 the judge granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) on lawsuit, Austin v. Pritzker that could impact our current COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Today we are reviewing the ruling document with our legal teams.
We anticipate sending out another update tomorrow, Sunday, February 6 and Monday, February 7.
Thank you for your patience as we work through what this ruling means for our school community.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Elswick
District 19 Superintendent
Don't Miss Out!
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER DISCOVERY SERIES
The MCC Career Discovery Series for middle school students will be returning on February 22-24, 2022. This virtual event allows middle school students to explore career interests.
The activity guides students in the exploration of career interests, future earning potential, and helps to narrow down the career clusters they will investigate at the Career Discovery Series event.
Then, during February 22-24 from 6:00-7:15 pm, four career clusters will be highlighted each evening. Students will participate in breakout rooms and meet virtually with local business professionals and MCC instructors during a deep-dive exploration of each career area. Families can participate in as many evenings as they like, interacting with these professionals and beginning to think about the next steps in their educational journey.
Spirit Wear is HERE! Sale ends 2/13!!
https://www.ontargetsalesspiritshop.com/shop/95
AH ELEM: The 4th grade class is working together as a team participating in the human version of “Hungry Hungry Hippos.”
Two upcoming vaccination clinics being held at McHenry County College- Saturday 2/12/22 and Saturday 3/12/22 form 9:00 am-12:00 pm. These are open to anyone 5 and older- people are encouraged to register in advance using the link on the flyer, but walk-ins will be accepted.
Alden-Hebron Alumni: We want to hear your success stories!!!
Fill out our Google form if interested: https://bit.ly/2UZYzo1
Don't forget to like & share this post!
AHHS: US History classes built Hoovervilles demonstrating the difficulties of the Stock Market Crash in 1929, resulting in the homelessness of millions.
*** High School Girls Basketball tonight vs. Richmond-Burton 6:00. ***
*** No Middle School Wrestling practice until next Monday, Feb. 7th 3:00-5:00. Picture forms will be sent home on Monday as we will be doing team pictures on Tuesday. Please make sure the boys bring back their forms and have their meet warm ups and singlets on Tuesday. Thanks, Coach Lalor***
ISBE: REGISTERING TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS
If you are 17 years old you can register and vote in a primary as long as you will be 18 years old by the following regular election.
-You must be a United States Citizen.
-You must be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and
turn 18 on or before the date of the General or Consolidated Election.
-You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
-You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
-You must have a valid driver’s license or state ID to register online.
AHHS: Some highlights from tonight's game vs. Rockford Christian Life & Ladies Basketball Senior Night!
🖤💚🏀💚🖤
#LadyGiants
AHMS: In 6th grade science class, Mr. Stewart gave an informative presentation on land resources. He also had a chance to speak to the students about various career options within our Mchenry county conservation district.
Congratulations to our Middle School wrestling team. Last night the guys did a great job for their first meet winning 7 matches wrestling against Genoa-Kingston, Oregon & Rochelle. The Giants were led by Ulysses Johnson who went 3-0 and won every one of his matches by a pin, Caleb Linneman went 2-1 and won both of his by pin too. Camden Spiniolas and Jack Stewart had to wrestle some pretty though kids but both ended up getting a win. Kyle Linneman, Logan Klein and Georg Loftis-Longfield all had hard fought matches and did a great job. Proud of you guys!!
Let's Celebrate CTE Month!
Career and Technical Education Month is a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE.
What is CTE?
Career and technical education, or CTE, is education that directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. CTE covers many different fields, including health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and management and many more. Through CTE, learners gain real-world skills that prepare them to succeed in college and a career that they are passionate about.
Share with the us how much you love CTE in the comments below!
*** Tuesday Feb. 1st High School Girls and Boys Basketball home vs. Christian Life 6:00 start. We will be honoring our High School Girl Senior Players and Parents at 5:50 prior to their game. ***
AHHS: McHenry County College hosted two informational presentations for 11th and 12th grade students. MCC reps answered student questions, shared valuable resources/materials, and offered MCC swag!
