March is here and so is the March newsletter! The third quarter will be over on Friday March 19th and will be here before you know it!

Athletics

Sports are in swing right now, with Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball competing. Football and Volleyball will be right around the corner and we appreciate all the hard work to make this happen for our kids! Soccer will also be kicking off for the boys and girls soon and before you know it track, baseball, and softball will be here too!

Here are the updated COVID guidelines for home sports for your review.

Chromebooks

Chromebooks are here and we will distribute to anyone who makes the request and signs the SVHS Chromebook Acceptable Use Agreement.. If you have not seen the email for a request, you can contact the high school office for details. All chromebooks will be collected at the end of the year to provide for inspection, updates, cleaning, etc. and Seniors will have the option of purchasing their device after that time.

National Honor Society Special Olympics Fundraiser

The National Honor Society is looking for donations to benefit Special Olympics and will be participating in a Polar Plunge on May 13! The SV Chapter has set a goal of raising $2,200 this year and are well on the way to meeting it! I will also be participating in the plunge and if you would like to donate to seeing me freeze you can follow this link. Freezing Field representing the Shivering Storm. Of course, if you would like to donate to a student in NHS, or our Sponsor Mr. Dan Boynton, dboynton@sangamonvalley.org, it all goes to the same great cause!

Tutoring

The Principal’s Advisory Council has been working to build a pool of student tutors who will be available to assist students at various grade levels and schools. The tutors will be responsible for scheduling with the prospective student/families who are looking for academic assistance. A list will be provided on the website with contact information. Tutors can be pre approved by student services to log community service hours for graduation, or can be hired privately by parents. You can access our list of tutors here: SV Tutor List

If you are a Sangamon Valley High School Student and interested in becoming an SV student tutor you can sign up here: SV Tutor Sign Up

Attendance Reminder

Students and parents have been doing a great job of attendance and COVID Screenings, but we need to keep it up for the time being. Students and parents are reminded to follow these steps:

Attendance-

• Log into TeacherEase by 8:10A.M. to complete the check in. This module will pop up for BOTH the student and/or parent.

• Attendance is important and communication with the office and teachers is required for excused absences. Unexcused students will be considered truant without a valid excuse for missing class. Contact the office if your student is absent, or plans on being absent for any reason. Doctor’s excuses can be faxed or emailed to us. Call 217-668-2392, or email rmoore@sangamonvalley.org to report absences.

COVID Screening for in-person learners and Remote Attendance

• It is important to remember that students who will be in-person need to be certified by a parent that they are symptom free using the COVID-19 Screener on TeacherEase daily. On days when students are remote, they can simply do check-in themselves on TeacherEase. This is important for our attendance records which we must submit to the State of Illinois.

Work Completion-

• Students and Parents please make sure that you are staying up to date with assignment completion and getting things turned in in a timely manner. We all understand that given the circumstance we are facing that things happen, but please don't take advantage of the grace granted by the teachers. They are working very hard and it is difficult to keep track of everyone's late work. Be mindful of assignment due dates on Google Classroom and also of any missing work or zeroes that are listed in Teacherease by checking early and often. Above all else, communicate when something is going on so that teachers can assist you in finding a solution. It's much easier on everyone to be proactive than it is to play catch-up later.

Driver Safety-

Just a reminder to students and community members driving in front of the school in the mornings, afternoons, and over the course of the school day to slow down! The speed limit on Illinois St. is 20 miles per hour during the school day from 7a.m.-4p.m. Outside of those times the speed limit is 30 miles per hour. We have students walking, inexperienced drivers, and school bus drivers who would appreciate everyone keeping it safe around our school!

Important Dates:

March 13: National Honor Society Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

March 19: 3rd Quarter Ends

Report Cards available: March 26

April 1-5: Spring Break

April 13: PSAT/SAT Day, Seniors not in attendance