Mt. Carmel, Ill.— As of today, across the district, students have access to a new tutoring and e-learning platform developed by Brainfuse called TutorMatch. TutorMatch allows students to schedule their own tutoring appointments through Canvas. Tutors and students can communicate via a chat function or with audio. The program enables tutors and students to exchange files and share their screen while they work. Students will simply need to enter a class in Canvas, scroll down and click on the blue tutoring link on the bottom left of the screen. Students can choose the time and subject when scheduling a tutoring session. Then, when it is time for the session, they will go back into Brainfuse the same way, hover over their username in the top right corner, and under the dropdown menu choose My Calendar to enter the tutoring session. For further assistance with accessing tutoring sessions on TutorMatch, this brief video tutorial walks through how to access the platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ejPKEi540. Along with TutorMatch students will have access to several other learning tools through the Brainfuse platform, such as SkillSurfer, a comprehensive library of captioned video lessons and practice tests prepared by the Brainfuse Academic Team in a variety of core academic skills, and Flashbulb, a versatile, comprehensive learning tool that features an extensive library of flashcards and easy tools for students to create their own flashcards and games. Brainfuse also has two unique collaborative tools: MEET and Brainwave. With MEET, students use an online classroom as a personal virtual study session to work together with peers. Students use Brainwave to record their activity on the Brainfuse whiteboard for later playback. Brainwave is an ideal note-taking tool for recording solutions to math or science problems, class projects, or any other concept involving motion, sequence, or animation. For more information about Brainwave and the many tools the platform offers, visit www.brainfuse.com. The implementation of this platform and all of its tools is part of Wabash Valley College’s ongoing mission to deliver exceptional education and services to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our communities. The employment of the Brainfuse platform is one way WVC is reaching out to empower students during these uncertain times.
18 COVID-19 Cases At Newton Nursing Home
Press Release From Newton Care Center:
Skilled Nursing Facilities are home to many Residents who are vulnerable and at risk of contracting the Coronavirus and ultimately COVID-19. Despite taking all precautions prescribed by the CDC and the Illinois State Department of Health, it is inevitable Residents living in Skilled Nursing Facilities may come in contact with and contract the Coronavirus from screened caregivers (who show no symptoms) in their Skilled Nursing Homes, through contact with first responders, or at hospitals where they must be sent for acute care needs.
Newton Care Center is a Skilled Nursing Facility and a home, where despite taking all advised precautions, our Residents have been impacted. On April 3 , we were contacted by our local
health department, and one (1) of our worst fears became a reality: one (1) of our Residents was exposed to the Coronavirus while outside of our facility for acute care. Our Resident was immediately tested, as was the roommate, and the tests came back positive for the Coronavirus.
Prior to receiving the positive COVID-19 test, Newton Care Center was already operating under strict CDC and local health department guidance with visitor restrictions, a fourteen (14)-day quarantine of all new admissions, the screening and monitoring of all employees for symptoms, and the use of masks/personal protective equipment required for all staff. Our home was prepared with a COVID-19 isolated care unit in waiting with staff willing, skilled, and educated to care for COVID-19 Residents.
To date, Newton Care Center has 18 confirmed COVID-19 Residents. “We’ve been doing everything with the guidance from our local and state departments of health and the CDC. We cannot be any more grateful and thankful for the support and resources provided to us by our local health department,” stated Paula Schoonover, Administrator. Schoonover indicated: “We are following strict isolation protocols. We have very skilled and dedicated staff working our COVID- 19 unit. Our staff have worked tirelessly and selflessly to provide compassionate care to those affected. We are working directly with our extremely supportive, local health department to meet our need for Resident and staff testing.”
“We are operating ‘all hands-on deck’ to ensure not only our COVID-19 positive Residents are cared for while continuing to care for our Residents not impacted by the virus,” stated Schoonover. “Despite being prepared, this situation feels surreal and seems to change minute-by-minute” said Schoonover. “We are doing everything we can to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible through screening, isolation, and lock down protocols.”
Newton Care Center remains committed to caring for all Residents, regardless of their COVID-19 status. “We will only transfer Residents from our home if their condition requires them to go to the hospital,” Schoonover said. “Just like any other virus, if someone gets symptomatic and must go to the hospital, then they will go. Otherwise, this is their home and we are going to take care of them in their home.”
“We remain so appreciative of the support our Residents’ families, our local community, and our local health department,” said Schoonover. “My staff is working extremely long hours, and they are working very hard and pulling together in this very difficult time. The positive and generous support and understanding from our community is what we need now more than even. Newton Care Center will remain committed to our mission of Residents First, Employees Always.”
The Jasper County Health Department (JCHD) is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Jasper County. Through the advice of the IDPH Long Term Care Infection Control Consultant, Jasper County Health Department has been working closely with Newton Care Center providing guidance according to IDPH and CDC.
IL Public Health Officials Announce 1,197 New Cases of Coronavirus
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,197 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 33 additional deaths.
Cook County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 60s, 5 males 60s, 4 females 80s, 2 males 80s, 2 females 90s, 3 males 90s, 1 unknown 90s
DuPage County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
Kane County: 1 female 90s
Madison County: 1 male 50s
Monroe County: 1 female 90s
Sangamon County: 1 male 90s
St. Clair County: 1 male 60s
Will County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 30,357 cases, including 1,290 deaths, in 93 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years.
For all personal protective equipment (PPE) donations, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered.
White County Toddler Is County’s 1st COVID-19 Case
White County toddler is County’s 1st COVID-19 Case
Alert Trooper Helps Unconscious Driver at Vincennes Car Wash
Knox County – Last night at approximately 8:00, Trooper Hatfield was on-duty and waiting to wash his patrol car at Dirt Buster Car Wash located at 6th Street and Saint Clair Street in Vincennes when he noticed a driver in a nearby wash bay falling over while behind the wheel. Hatfield noticed the front seat passenger would push him back up only for the driver to fall over again. There was another female outside washing the vehicle. Trooper Hatfield approached the vehicle and noticed the 39-year-old Bicknell man was unconscious and appeared to not be breathing. Hatfield requested an ambulance and then placed the male outside the vehicle on the ground. Trooper Hatfield believed the driver was experiencing an overdose and requested an ambulance. When Vincennes Police arrived they administered Narcan to the unconscious male. Knox County EMS arrived and transported the male to Good Samaritan Hospital. According to EMS personnel, the Narcan took effect while en route to the hospital and the male regained consciousness. The male was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, but his current status in unknown.
Allendale School Board Notes
At the April 2020 Allendale School Board meeting held Wednesday at the main office of Allendale School, the board:
Authorized Superintendent Bob Bowser to prepare a tentative 2020-2021 School Budget.
Set school fees for the 2020-2021 school year.
Approved May 13, 2020 as the tentative final day of school for 2019-2020.
Approved the FY21 Consolidated District Plan.
Approved the resignation of Brooklynn Lezon, Special Education Teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Texas Trucker Injured In Friday Night I-57 Crash
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police
District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 57 Southbound Milepost 153, Effingham County
WHEN: April 17, 2020 at 10:30 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2001 Purple Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi Trailer Combination
DRIVER: Unit 1- Farhaan Hirsi, 36 year old male from Fort Worth, TX. - transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on Interstate 57 near milepost 153 in Effingham County. Unit 1 was in the left lane and ran off the roadway to the left, striking a bridge support structure in the median. Unit 1 came to rest in the median. The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The roadway remained open during the crash investigation.
CHARGES: Unit 1 driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and for improper lane usage.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Update From Allendale School On End Of School Plans
From Allendale Superintendent Bob Bowser:
District #348 Releases Statement Regarding End Of School Year
Statement from Wabash District #348:
Pritzker Announces Remote Learning Days Will Continue Through End of School Year
Chicago –Following careful consideration of the science and close consultation with public health leaders and experts in Illinois and across the nation, Governor JB Pritzker announced that in-person learning in schools will not resume during the 2019-2020 school year, with remote learning days to continue for all pre-k through 12th grade students.
“I’ve said time and time again, our decisions must follow the science and the science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine this school year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Over the last month, Illinois’ schools have stepped up and faced the many challenges of COVID-19 with generosity, creativity, and a resolute focus on caring for students, parents and communities. I am confident that our schools will manage and expand the learning opportunities for all our children who will be working from home over the coming weeks.”
Governor Pritzker has continued to work with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to identify and provide the flexibility that school districts need to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois will receive approximately $569 million in federal funding for prek-12 schools, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funding can help equip students with technology and internet access to enhance remote learning, support teachers in developing their remote instruction skills, and assist schools in continuing to provide meals to children and communities.
Each public school district will receive CARES Act funding proportional to the number of low-income students they serve. ISBE also will receive CARES Act dollars as the state education agency. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala has committed to directing CARES Act resources toward tackling the digital divide in Illinois’ least-resourced districts, as part of a strategic effort that will continue beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illinois has taken advantage of other federal waivers and opportunities to help schools meet the need of Illinois’ families. ISBE secured the waiver early on to allow schools to serve meals in creative ways outside of school. ISBE has worked with the Illinois Department of Human Services to prepare for the implementation of the Pandemic-EBT, which will supply families with additional funds for purchasing food during the crisis. ISBE also secured waivers to allow schools to carryover federal funds for low-income students to support their transition back to classroom this fall.
“Our school buildings may be closed, but the hearts and minds of our teachers and students are wide open,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “This pandemic has altered the fabric of how we teach, learn, and connect, but it has not shaken the core of what our schools do, which is take care of Illinois’ children and prepare them for what’s next. Our schools focus on social and emotional skills, like resilience and empathy, for this very reason: so that when the unpredictable events in life knock us down, we get right back up. The Illinois State Board of Education is addressing the digital divide head on and planning for the transition back to school in the fall to help our students and educators face and overcome the challenges ahead.”
“Students and families are experiencing loss and grief right now. Their lives have been completely upended, and schools are a valuable resource to help students and their families cope with this sudden transition into the unknown,” said Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chairperson of the Illinois State Board of Education and Superintendent of Community Consolidated Schools District 168. “Throughout this process, I have spent time collaborating with fellow superintendents to share thoughts, ideas, and provide support to one another as we navigate unchartered waters. We will all be prepared to meet the demands of our communities with today’s announcement and continue to find creative and innovative solutions to support our families into the future.”
Each public school district in Illinois has developed and implemented a plan to ensure all students have access to instruction and to their teachers during Remote Learning Days. ISBE convened an advisory group of teachers, superintendents, and students to develop comprehensive Remote Learning Recommendations for all grade levels, including suggestions on grading, content selection and delivery, social-emotional development, and communication with families. The recommendations are available in English, Spanish, Polish, and Arabic at www.isbe.net/covid19.
ISBE has encouraged each school to determine a local method of taking attendance or checking student engagement. Daily virtual contact with students helps teachers understand when students may need additional support with assignments, meals, mental health, or other needs. ISBE also will release recommendations to schools to address learning loss and students’ social-emotional needs when students transition back to in-person instruction.
The governor also waived the edTPA and student teaching requirement for educator candidates who have completed all other requirements for licensure. These and other emergency changes to educator licensure will ensure that the COVID-19 does not impact local school district’s ability to hire qualified educators they need to support students.
Lastly, the governor and his administration amended graduation requirements for high school seniors, in recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their final semester. For example, current high school seniors may graduate without the normally required participation in consumer education and physical fitness assessment.