Communication & Participation

Occasionally, school or district information may be sent home with children. Parents should be alert to such mailings, since students may not bring them to parents’ attention. District information as well as non-district material of interest is posted on E-Backpack, an electronic posting board on the District website for a variety of information, such as scouts, camp, and sports opportunities. Submissions for Backpack Mail and E-Backpack postings should conform to Board Policy and be sent to the Superintendent’s Office for approval. (8:25)

District 41 uses ParentSquare as our primary platform for school communication. Families receive messages through email, app, voice, or text, helping everyone stay informed and involved. An account is automatically created for each parent or guardian using the contact information in our student information system. We encourage you to activate your account to download the free mobile app, set your language preferences, and choose how and when you’d like to receive messages.

The district endeavors to provide timely, accurate and complete information to parents and the community, and supports a variety of ways for the community to provide input, feedback and to get their questions answered.  In addition, information is posted on the district website and on official district social media pages. For urgent and emergency communication, a robo call voice message alert and text message are sent out when necessary via ParentSquare. Parents are urged to provide the district with up-to-date contact information.

Parents are scheduled for a parent-teacher conference at least once annually in the Fall. To request a conference with a staff member, please call to make an appointment. Conferences with teachers are held outside school hours or during the teacher’s conference/preparation period.

The decision to close school is made by evaluating the forecast, the road conditions, the bus company’s status, the ability of staff to get into work, and other factors. • In the event that school is closed or must close early due to emergency or severe weather, every reasonable effort is made to notify parents by our automated phone notification system, via email, through the media, text and on www.d41.org and www.emergencyclosingcenter.com.
Children may only be signed out by a parent or authorized adult.
• In case of school closure or delayed dismissal, parents will be notified as above.
• If severe weather is imminent near dismissal time, the district will assess whether there is sufficient time for all children to arrive home safely; if not, children will be held at the buildings until conditions are determined to be safe.
• During an emergency or a delayed dismissal, we will release children only to a parent, guardian, or to another adult who has been authorized by the parent, unless the principal feels conditions are too hazardous for any release. However, we value your safety and urge you to stay home until conditions clear. To give us permission to release your child to a person other than a parent or guardian, please send a note stating the name and phone number of the person(s) to school with your child, or email this information to your child’s teacher no later than 9 a.m. the morning of the day in question. Once we receive this permission, we will place it in your child’s file for reference. We will not release children to persons for whom we have not received permission.
• Emergency days may be made up at the end of the school year; the school calendar allows for up to five emergency days.
• An e-learning plan has been approved for District 41 and may be used in the event of a school closure as determined by the superintendent.

Parent involvement is a key part of student success, and there are many opportunities for parent involvement at the district, school and classroom level. Outreach efforts are made to ensure that all parents have the opportunity, access and invitation to become involved with their child’s education in the home, at school and at special events. Important components include keeping parents and/ or guardians informed, encouraging involvement, establishing two-way communication between families and the teacher, seeking input and educating parents on how they can help their child succeed in school. Principals shall advocate effective, comprehensive family involvement in education that will promote parents/guardians becoming active partners in education. Parent volunteers are expected to respect the confidentiality of students and staff and are subject to the Volunteer Handbook. The district maintains programs, activities and procedures for the involvement of parents/guardians of students receiving services or enrolled in Title I programs, which pertain to academic achievement of disadvantaged students. (6:170, 8:95)

The Board of Education recognizes that parent organizations are invaluable resources to the schools and supports their formation and vitality. While parent organizations have no administrative authority and cannot determine district policy, their suggestions and assistance are welcome. Membership is expected to be unrestricted to those who meet eligibility requirements. (8:90)

The Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee annually reviews discipline policies and implementation and other factors related to student safety. (2:150)

Social events and class parties may require the principal’s approval. Birthday celebrations and classroom parties at school must be celebrated without student-provided food. Party invitations may not be distributed at school. Please mail or deliver them directly to each guest’s home to prevent hurting the feelings of children who are not invited. Locker and cubby decorations are prohibited. (6:50AP) PERSONAL

Parents are asked to grant permission when they first enroll their child in school indicating their preference of sharing information. If parents change their mind in later years, they should contact the school office to request updated information. While the school limits access to school buildings by outside photographers, it has no control over news media or other entities that may publish a picture of a named or unnamed student. 
Students with proper permission may occasionally appear in photographs and videos taken by school or district staff members, other students or other individuals authorized by the principal. The school or district may use these pictures without identifying the student in various print or electronic publications, including the school yearbook, school/district website, and District social media.

Parents and community members are welcome on school property, provided their presence will not be disruptive. Contact the principal to schedule special visits or a conference with a teacher. Requests to access a school building, facility and/or educational program, or to interview personnel or a student for purposes of assessing the student’s special education needs must be approved in advance of the visit as outlined in Board Policy. Visitors must initially report to the principal’s office and wear a visitor’s badge as provided. School staff will request identification of any person on school property. All visitors must report to the office with identification and participate in a screening process in the office and sign out when they leave the building. Bringing friends/relatives to class for a day is not allowed. Junior high school or high school students coming to visit must do so outside the regular school day. No loitering is allowed on school grounds. (8:30)

In order to facilitate communication between parents and teachers, teachers have email and phones in their classrooms with voicemail. Teachers generally turn off the phone during class but will return calls as soon as possible. We encourage parents to call the school whenever they have questions. Calls from parents requesting that messages from parents be delivered to students should be restricted to emergencies.

Volunteers are a vital part of District 41 and their involvement is actively supported and encouraged. All volunteers will be required to annually complete the application to volunteer, abide by the Volunteer Handbook and participate in the District screening process for all visitors in school buildings. For some activities, the district may require a background check. Please contact your school for more information (8:30)