Last Friday we showed our appreciation for our food service workers in recognition of School Lunch Hero Day. We appreciate everything they do for our students!
Our food program was awarded a prize package worth $200 for participating in National School Breakfast week! Teachers in the elementary school were invited to participate in a milk drinking competition. They kept track of each carton and at the end of the week the winner was Darcy Gossett’s 1st grade class. Shout out to our Food Service Director Donna Lively and our kitchen staff for your work in providing student breakfasts!
At Du Quoin Community Unit School District 300 our motto is, "Working Together for All Students". We are asking for the help of former Du Quoin students to inspire and empower our current students by sharing your personal success story. We would like you to reflect on your years in Du Quoin schools to find at least one favorite memory. Perhaps that memory was one that inspired your current career, includes stories of your favorite teacher, coach, or mentor, or is made up of friendships that have lasted your lifetime. Whatever your success and favorite memory, we want to share your story!
To collect these stories, we have created a simple form which asks for some basic information along with the favorite memory and advice for current Du Quoin students.
The main objective is to share these success stories and advice with our students, but we will certainly utilize our means of communication to share them with the community at large as well. We know there is no shortage of positive stories to tell. You can access the Du Quoin Stories of Success form at this link:
https://forms.gle/JdQETG2VsuiAmVhY7
We are looking forward to hearing from our alumni!
The Du Quoin District #300 Educational Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of Foundation scholarship awards from the DHS Class of 2021. Check out the link below to view a slideshow of this year's recipients! Special thanks to DHS faculty member Mrs. Rebekah Dunavan, sponsor of The Magnavox and The Flashlight, for creating the slideshow!
https://www.canva.com/design/DAEclw7CWWg/LF6Rf3FuIqNxtWS9mko_Tg/watch?utm_content=DAEclw7CWWg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink
We are currently seeking applicants for a PE teaching position at Du Quoin Middle School for the 2021-2022 school year.
Applicants must be licensed to teach PE in Illinois schools or have a pending license to do so.
To apply, a District 300 Licensed Staff Application must be completed. This application may be requested by e-mailing Administrative Assistant Denise Hirsch at dhirsch@duquoinschools.org.
Applications must be turned in no later than 3:00 PM on Friday, May 14, 2021.
If you have any questions regarding the position, please call the Du Quoin CUSD 300 office at 542-3856.
Our 7th grade horticulture class will be giving plants away on April 27th and 28th. We will have broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, a variety of peppers (hot and sweet) and a variety of tomatoes. Please come to the back parking lot of DMS between 8:30am and 3:00pm.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PERRY COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.:
**Pfizer Walk-in clinic April 7**
9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Du Quoin American Legion. 16 & older are eligible for a Pfizer COVID Vaccination. Bring a valid ID. Anyone 16 or 17 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Walk-In at designated time no appointment needed. Limited Pfizer vaccine available for this day. 2nd dose will be scheduled after your get your first dose.
MEETING DATE CHANGE:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education for the month of April has been moved to Tuesday, April 20th, at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the Media Center in the K-8 building.
DHS Freshmen Football game at Mt. Carmel on March 25, 2021 has been canceled due to inclement weather.
As principal of Du Quoin Elementary School. I am honored to recognize two brilliant and creative students, Ashlyn Stroud and Tucker Wright., for the Illinois Principal Association Awards. They are outstanding scholars and models of character who have made both our school and their parents Papoose proud. Congratulations Ashlyn and Tucker!
Addison Pursell and Ethan Sargent were selected to receive the Illinois Prinicpals Association Student Recognition Award. Both of these 8th graders are top academic students but are also students with great character. Congratulations Addison and Ethan!
Congratulations to Hayden Arndt. Hayden was selected to receive the DAR Youth Citizen Award. Hayden is one of our top acdemic 8th grade students but is also an outsanding young man that represents honor, service, courage, leadership, and partriotism.
Parents & Community Members: The Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force invites you to participate in a free webinar series on commonly used apps. Use the links below to register for the first part of the series:
"Commonly Used Apps (Part I): Snapchat & YouTube" Wednesday, March 10, 2021 6:30 PM (Central Time)
https://ilattorneygeneral-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vWmoYaFNRPGinv6wT0G6iA
OR
Thursday, Mar 11, 2021 6:30 PM (Central Time) https://ilattorneygeneral-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yqkPDDcLQ2qS_2kcFDSH_A
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
District 300 Families,
In the recent weeks we have seen positive trends in the number of COVID-19 cases in Perry County and, as a result, in our schools. These improvements have been long-awaited and welcomed. Along with these trends, we also have six months of our own data and experience related to the impacts of COVID-19.
With these things in mind, our administration, faculty, and staff have been working on plans for adjustments to our existing schedules for in-person learning for the upcoming 4th quarter of the school year. As of today, we are prepared to inform everyone that we are planning on the following adjustments for the 2nd week of the 4th quarter (week of March 22):
1) Fridays will be used as in-person learning days following the existing schedules we are following for Monday-Thursday. The first Friday for regular in-person attendance will be March 26th for DES, DMS, and DHS.
2)The high school will end the use of the blended A/B schedule. All in-person high school students will begin attending together on March 22nd following the existing bell schedule.
For us to be able to implement these changes during the week of March 22, we need COVID-case numbers to be similar to what they are now or better. We know that we will still have cases occur in the community so it is important for everyone to be mindful of what we need to do to minimize the spread and impact of cases. If we are able to implement these changes on March 22, we will essentially have 9 weeks remaining in the school year. If we can be disciplined in our actions, both in and out of school, over those final two months of the school year, then we will be setting ourselves up for a good finish to a challenging year.
Full remote learning will continue to be an option for families. We understand that some families with high school students may want to make a change for the 4th quarter knowing the plan to bring all in-person high school students back together. If you are the parent/guardian of a high school student who is not currently a full remote student, but would now like to make this change for the 4th quarter to full remote learning, please follow this link to provide information: https://forms.gle/hVUi1L5TtfY8KcAMA
We very much appreciate the flexibility and cooperation that has been shown throughout this year. Families have been very good at keeping sick children home and communicating with our schools about close contacts or cases within households. This is an important part of the success we've had with in-person school.
Our schools will follow up with additional information as needed as well as reminders of changes as we move forward. As always, we appreciate your patience and support.
District 300 families: Free developmental screenings for pre-K programming are available. See the image for the options on how to get your child screened.
The Papoose News - Feb. 24, 2021 - is posted https://www.duquoinschools.org/article/408239. This week you will find our Kids Heart Challenge theme days and a special message from me. Also remember tomorrow, Feb. 25, is our spring picture day. No money - just smiles!
With Papoose Pride,
Diana Rea, Principal
Papoose News for Feb. 17, 2021 is posted https://www.duquoinschools.org/article/403654. This issue includes Remote Learning day for Feb. 18th, plans for in person attendance on Fri., Feb. 19th and spring picture details for next Thurs., Feb. 25th. Diana Rea, Principal
Due to ongoing conditions from the winter storm, Du Quoin District 300 schools will not be having school in-person on Thursday, Feb. 18th. Thursday will be a Remote Learning Day for all students. Students will need to check-in for attendance. More details will be shared by each school concerning remote learning on this day.
A decision about Friday will be made tomorrow. (This Friday was originally scheduled as an in-person day due to the holiday on Monday.)
A free grab and go breakfast/lunch package will be available from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Thursday. Meals may be picked up at the main Elementary School entrance or at the rear cafeteria doors at the High School.
Everyone stay safe.
This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb. 17) is a remote learning day.
Also, a free grab and go breakfast/lunch package will be available from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday. Meals may be picked up at the main DES entrance or at the rear cafeteria doors at DHS.
Over the weekend District 300 lost one of our recent retirees, John Campbell, to cancer. Mr. Campbell began working in our District in 1994 and retired three years ago in 2018. He served our students as a counselor, a physical education teacher, and high school athletic director. He served his colleagues as a sincere and honest man with integrity. To me, he was a good friend and as a brother. He will be missed here by many and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.