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Mercer County School District News
Mercer County High School Graduation has been set for May 17, 2020 at 1:00PM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Quad City Arts' HS Art Invitational Online Gallery
Each spring, Quad City Arts shows works from top Quad City high school visual artists and their art teachers. The exhibit fills the walls of Quad City Arts’ downtown Rock Island gallery, the opening ceremony is attended by hundreds of Quad Citians supporting young artistic talent, and students receive thousands of dollars in awards from exhibition sponsors. The 43rd Annual High School Art Invitational is getting an unexpected update to the traditional gallery exhibit, because of COVID-19 precautions and Illinois’ stay-at-home order.
Even though the gallery is currently closed, Quad City Arts is committed to making this show happen, so the artwork will be available for public viewing through an online gallery, allowing students to show their artwork in a formal gallery setting and to compete for over $5,000 in scholarships and prizes.
Please click the link below to see works from our Mercer County Students!!
https://www.quadcityarts.com/high-school-art-invitational-2020
Mercer County Schools #404 Remote Learning Plan
Revised March 31, 2020
Mercer County Schools #404 continues to navigate the current shutdown related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our staff and community have rallied together to face this adversity and risen to the challenge to provide meals to our students and continue learning opportunities for all students across multiple methods.
Prior to closure, we began working on a Remote Learning Plan. Upon the closure of our schools, we asked our staff to do their best to provide their students with learning opportunities. Now that the Illinois State Board of Education has determined that Remote Learning Days will be required beginning March 31, 2020. We will implement our Remote Learning Plan beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2020. March 31st will be designated a Remote Learning Planning day. These days are considered attendance days by ISBE and will not require a make-up date. Our plan has been discussed and approved by the MCEA and MCEEA Union Leadership. This Plan has been shared on our District Website. We have modified this plan to provide support for an extended closure. The goal of the Mercer County Schools Remote Learning Plan is to provide valuable learning opportunities to our students during this COVID-19 Closure, while supporting our staff in the process.
CLICK HERE FOR REVISED REMOTE LEARNING PLAN
COMMUNITY FORUM POSTPONED
Reminder: As announced at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Mercer County Schools #404 Board of Education on March 18, the Community Forum originally scheduled for April 7, has been postponed. No make up date has been determined at this time. Please continue to practice social distancing and stay safe.
District Information
Welcome to our Website!
If you are a regular visitor to our school webpage, it's best to hit refresh after opening a page to ensure you are getting the most updated information.
Mercer County School District 404 Goals Update - 2019
Mercer County School District 404 is happy to present an update on our district goals for the 2019-2020 school year. Click the link below for the video.
Ask the Board
Community members desiring to ask the Board questions about the District can click on the link below. Questions and answers thought to be of interest to others will be posted publicly (person who asked question will not be identified).
SB 0550
SB 0550 was signed by Governor Bruce Rauner on January 16, 2017. It requires all schools (Pre-K through 5th grade) to test for lead in water used for drinking and cooking. Schools built after January 1, 2000 are not required to test at this time. Please click here for additional information and results for Mercer County Schools.
Mercer County Schools Excellence in Education Foundation
Mercer County Schools Excellence in Education Foundation is a non-profit group that was created to supplement funding to the school district in order to provide an excellent education for our students.
The mission of the Mercer County Schools Excellence in Education Foundation is to
provide its students with quality education that will develop the skills necessary to think critically, communicate effectively, prepare them for lifelong learning, and advocate
responsible citizenship through strong moral values, resulting in productivity and
healthy contributors to our modern society.
Donation opportunities are available.
Click Here for the Foundation Brochure
Click Here for the MCSEEF Boosters Facebook Page
MCSD #404 Mission Statement
MCSD #404, in an active partnership with family and community, will empower all students to be engaged learners and decision-makers, enabling them to become respectful, productive, and responsible citizens.
Phone Notification System
The automated phone notification calls from the district generate from the number (844) 223-9224. To ensure you are receiving the notifications, save this number to your phone.
Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals Needed!!
Mercer County School District is in need of Substitute Teachers. Please click the link below or call the ROE at 309-734-6822 for further information.
https://www.roe33.net/substitute-teaching.html
Mercer County School District is in need of Substitute Paraprofessionals. Please click the link below or call the ROE at 309-734-6822 for further information.
https://www.roe33.net/paraprofessional-information-and-test…
New Crime Stopper App - P3 Campus
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of Mercer County School District's commitment to students' safety and mental health, beginning today we are launching an anonymous reporting program, which will allow students and parents to make anonymous reports about concerns of safety or student wellness. Our program is student-focused, as opposed to crime focused, meaning it is a tool for alerting caring adults about students who need help-not snitching. This is part of our continuous effort to increase campus and student safety, and provide students with a safe, completely anonymous outlet to share concerns.
Students can use our new P3 Campus app to report: bullying, suicide concerns, depression, sexting, stealing, threats, cutting, abuse, dating and domestic violence, fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons or other types of dangerous situations that threaten their safety or the safety of others. Their reports will be addressed by a trained team of school officials and law enforcement, when necessary.
When you or your student have a concern, you can go to P3Campus.com on your computer, tablet, or laptop- or you can download the free P3 Campus mobile app-- and make a 100% anonymous report in less than five minutes.
The use of anonymous reporting apps in state programs like Safe2Tell Colorado have proven to be successful in providing the tools and information needed for school officials and to proactively address concerning behaviors, potential incidents of violence, and other harmful situations on campus before they develop. We look forward to working with you and your student to continue making the Mercer County Schools safe.
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
March 29, 2020
Dear Mercer County School District Students, Staff, and Families,
On Friday, March 27th, the Illinois State Board of Education directed districts to transition to Remote Learning Days beginning March 31st in anticipation of an extended school closure beyond the current April 7th executive order. We recognize that this development may raise questions about the impact on students, staff, and families as well as the school’s vital role of providing meals to students and families while schools are closed.
During this time, essential school personnel may still report to work as long as they are practicing social distancing. Mercer County Schools will be utilizing Tuesday, March 31st as a Remote Learning Planning Day in order to help staff prepare continuing content for students. We anticipate delivering new content either electronically or in print beginning Friday, April 3rd. Students should have received work sufficient to extend learning opportunities through this date. Meal service will continue as planned during this time.
Please use this opportunity to focus on staying safe and helping to slow the spread of the virus. As always, thank you for your patience and support as we all work through the COVID-19 Pandemic. As you have seen, this situation is evolving rapidly. As events unfold, we will continue to communicate in a timely and transparent manner.
Sincerely,
Scott Petrie
Superintendent
REMOTE LEARNING GUIDANCE
March 20, 2020
Dear Mercer County School District Students, Staff, and Families,
On Friday, March 20th, at his 3:00 pm update Governor Pritzker issued an executive order requiring residents to “stay at home” effective Saturday, March 21 at 5:00 pm, through the end of April 7. As part of the Governor’s order, he announced that school will remain closed, with a new tentative reopening date of April 8. We recognize that this development may raise questions about the impact on students, staff, and families as well as the school’s vital role of providing meals to students and families while schools are closed. We anticipate further guidance and details from the Illinois State Board of Education next week.
During this stay at home order, essential school personnel may still report to work as long as they are practicing social distancing. We want you to know the governor’s office has assured school districts that school personnel involved in providing meals will not be in violation of the governor’s executive order and that we can, and should, continue with our program, which has had a tremendous impact in making sure our students are not going hungry while school is closed.
In addition, the governor has made it clear that, while he’s serious about using social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, he wants residents to still be able to work, shop at grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and get medication from the pharmacy. Be assured, we are committed to doing our best to provide meals and deliver continuity of education.
Please use this opportunity to focus on staying safe and helping to slow the spread of the virus. As always, thank you for your patience and support as we all work through the COVID-19 Pandemic. As you have seen, this situation is evolving rapidly. As events unfold, we will continue to communicate in a timely and transparent manner.
Sincerely,
Scott Petrie
Superintendent
March 13, 2020
Today, to further safeguard our communities from the spread of the virus, Governor JB Pritzker has declared mandatory school closures for all schools, both public and private, serving Illinois pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students.
This mandatory closure takes effect Tuesday, March 17. Currently, we anticipate the closure to last through March 30.
Mercer County Schools will continue to provide continuous learning opportunities in any way that we are able through our recently developed e-learning plan. In addition we will make every effort to provide meals for all children who need them. Many questions are yet to be answered, and we will do our best under these extraordinary circumstances. More updates will be forthcoming.
Scott Petrie
Superintendent
March 13, 2020
Dear Mercer County School District Students, Staff, and Families,
Our national situation related to COVID-19 has changed rapidly in the past 72 hours, and that is expected to continue. However, there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Mercer County at this time, and our district is in the preparedness phase. All recommendations are for individual prevention (avoid/stay away from those experiencing illness, wash your hands with soap and water) family preparedness (limit gatherings, limit travel) and reducing the potential for community spread (social distancing, limitation of events over 250 people). At this time, schools will not close solely as a precaution if no specific, individual is at risk. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is not currently recommending closing schools, and we are in close contact with the Mercer County Health Department.
In an email to Regional and School Superintendents, State Superintendent (Dr. Carmen Ayala) requested school districts immediately begin working on emergency plans, including research-based e-learning plans (extended learning), in the event of a prolonged school closure. Mercer County School District has begun working on an e-learning plan for ROE approval this week.
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The purpose of an e-learning day is to provide educational opportunities for students in place of a traditional school day, necessitated by an emergency day or extended closure.
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E-Learning activities do not have to be on a computer.
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E-Learning days count as a day of regular student attendance and do not have to be made up at the end of the school year.
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Each activity should respect the extent to which student participation is within the students control as to the time, pace, and means of learning.
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Many schools across the state are already utilizing e-learning days with ISBE approved plans.
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Options for extended closure also include the use of remaining emergency days already built into the school calendar through May 29th.
We will continue to share updates and respond accordingly as we receive them from ISBE, the Mercer County Health Department, or the IL Department of Public Health.
Scott Petrie
Superintendent
March 15, 2020
Dear Mercer County School District Students, Staff, and Families,
Our national situation related to COVID-19 continues to change rapidly. On Friday Governor Pritzker ordered all schools closed beginning Tuesday March 17th through Monday March 30th, and last night State Superintendent (Dr. Carmen Ayala) provided additional guidance. Today statewide conference calls are taking place to answer further questions. At this time, we expect to resume classes on Tuesday March 31st. Due to the current public health landscape, school districts will not be required to use or make up emergency days related to COVID-19. All days missed due to COVID-19 shall be considered Act of God days and are not required to be made up.
Mercer County is working to provide free lunch and breakfast to all students during the closure. We are also intent on keeping students engaged in learning activities throughout this time. Some resources were provided Friday in this regard and additional materials will be available Monday. We are providing additional chromebooks for student use during this shutdown. You may have received a building level communication about your need or ability to participate in these opportunities. If you have not, they are available online or by calling your school’s office Monday. We plan to begin providing grab and go meals Wednesday at selected sites. Additional information will be available once we have more information on the needs of families and students.
We will continue to share updates and respond accordingly as we receive them from the Governor’s Office, ISBE, the Mercer County Health Department, or the IL Department of Public Health.
Scott Petrie
Superintendent
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY - RHUBARB FEST 2020
Aledo Rhubarb Festival has an opportunity for your children this coming summer. We are looking for volunteers to help with the Rhubarb Festival on June 4th, 5th, and 6th. Hours that the kids would be willing to work will go towards their 10 hours of community service that are required for high school graduation.
Volunteering for the Rhubarb Festival is not hard work. We need help baking on Thursday morning, June 4th at the Intermediate school from 8:00 to 12:00. Friday and Saturday, June 5th and 6th, we need workers from 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM at the festival in Central Park. For example, we need a set up crew for the souvenir booth, runners to get supplies for the tasting tent, food servers at the tasting tent, and keeping supplies in the bathrooms.
The kids are required to sign in at the beginning of their time helping and then to sign out when they are done. On Friday and Saturday, Annette Speer will be in the pink tent in Central Park. The kids should bring their required form to have Annette sign off on it for them. The form can be found on the High School’s website.
For any questions and to sign up, please contact me, Peggy Johnson, at 309-737-8441 or Annette Speer at 309-582-4679. Feel free to text. Please sign up ahead of time and tell us which day(s) work for you and you will be assign a spot. Please, don’t just show up and expect to get the hours. IT IS BEST TO SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME!