DuQuoin CUSD #300

This message is for District 300 families. We want to pass along an update related to student transportation for Tuesday. At this time Durham Transportation has informed us that all bus routes are covered at this time. We are thankful for the work of the bus drivers today and we appreciate the help of families who made arrangements to find an alternative for today and those who helped get children to school today. Small towns have their pros and cons, but today was an example of a pro. Many people worked together, even if they didn't agree, to do what was best for the students. We will pass along any updates as needed. Thank you

Elementary News for the week of April 11th. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XM6PhmU6IgsZ9Fpfp-N5C78NWWPG5Hl2/view?usp=sharing DES/DMS Art Flyer Attachment https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RJtPmyPxBJ4lqCauUci2JHxdOIEOZG2E/view?usp=sharing

This is a message for District 300 families. We want to share more details about transportation impacts for tomorrow in District 300. The following bus routes will be directly impacted: Chicken bus, Lion bus. Durham plans to still run these routes, but at a later pick-up time. Parents of students who ride the Chicken bus or Lion bus should plan for a delay of approximately 30 minutes. We also have impacts on our Pre-K route as well as the route which transports students to other facilities. We appreciate the help and cooperation of SIU Pre-K and Tri-County for contacting those impacted families directly. Through modifications of schedules and cooperation of other districts (thank you Anna-Jonesboro) along with the willingness of our coaching staff to transport students via activity bus, all extra-curricular activities have been covered for Monday. We appreciate the teamwork which is occurring in order to do what is best for our students. We will continue to share information as needed regarding impacts later in the week. Thank you

April 10, 2022 At an emergency meeting of the Du Quoin CUSD 300 Board of Education, the Board awarded the new student transportation bid, in a 5-2 vote, to First Student Inc. The Board had already removed the bid from Durham Transportation and considered two proposals - one from First Student and one from Robinson Transport. Following lengthy deliberation, First Student was awarded the bid and the following resolution was adopted by the Board: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DUQUOIN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 300 The Board of Education for DuQuoin Community School District 300 (hereinafter “The Board”) resolves the following: That in February 2022, the Board solicited sealed bids for Student Transportation Contracts for the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 school years. That on March 9, bids were unsealed from three bidders, all of which fell within the bid specifications: Durham School Services submitted a bid in the amount of $2,511,663.48; Robinson Transport, Inc. submitted a bid in the amount of $2,857,206.23; and First Student Inc. submitted a bid in the amount of $2,883,955.56. The Board initially accepted the lowest bid, from Durham School Services. However, the Board subsequently concluded that Durham would be unable to reliably provide a sufficient number of drivers. Accordingly, the Board no longer considers Durham to be a qualified bidder, and rescinded their acceptance of the Durham bid on 4/8/2022. The Board then considered the bid from Robinson Transport, Inc. However, Robinson has failed to adhere to the terms of their bid submission. Accordingly, the Board no longer considers Robinson Transport Inc. to be a qualified bidder. The Board has considered the concerns of the community, including concerns of the current drivers who would likely be employed by the student transportation vendor. The Board has concluded that First Student, Inc. has submitted the lowest qualified bid. First Student, Inc. has agreed to supply a daily bus fleet no older than five years old for the length of the contract, and their backup bus fleet will be no older than eight years old. This will ensure reliable bus service for the District and its students. First Student Inc. has agreed to offer wage rates and terms of employment that are superior to that of the competing proposals and far superior to the terms and wage rates currently available to student transportation employees. This will ensure that drivers, mechanics, and bus monitors are readily available. The Board hereby accepts the student transportation bid of First Student Inc. in the amount of $2,883,955.56. SO RESOLVED, The Board of Education for Du Quoin Community School District 300.

As many of you know, Du Quoin CUSD 300 is dealing with a situation involving the awarding of a new bid for the providing of student transportation and our current student transportation provider, Durham Transportation, and their employees. At an emergency meeting of the Board of Education held on Friday, April 8, 2022, the Board of Education rescinded previous action which had awarded the student transportation bid to Durham Transportation for three years starting with the 2022-2023 school year. While they remain our current provider, Durham Transportation is no longer being considered for the new transportation bid. At an emergency meeting of the Board to be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 10, the Board will now be considering the two remaining bid proposals which include First Student Inc. and Robinson Transport Inc. as the potential providers of student transportation beginning with the new school year. We are hopeful that this matter will now come to a full resolution as we prepare for the start of a new week of school. We will share more information following the emergency meeting.

This is a message for District 300 families. On Thursday, April 14, District 300 schools will be dismissing at 2:00 PM in advance of the extended Easter weekend. District 300 schools will not be in session on Friday, April 15 or Monday, April 18. Everyone have a good weekend!

Elementary News for the week of April 4th. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y0rx85WzaPWi647ywff6Mvy_RXlW6jyt/view?usp=sharing

The DHS Theatre Department has put together an entertaining production of scenes from Almost, Maine and Check, Please. The cast and crew involves a lot of kids and they’re great! The show starts at 7 PM tonight in historic R.P. Hibbs auditorium. Check these kids out! As an additional note, with Mrs. Lisa Coleman’s retirement at the end of this school year, this is the end of an era for the DHS Theatre Department. Mrs. Coleman has provided many years of hard work and dedication to student productions and each of them have been a team effort involving her family. We know it has been a labor of love. Thank you for all you’ve done!

Elementary News for the Week of March 28th https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SzzQc5QpoPGD35Pk3beRYSP05BlHKR7A/view?usp=sharing One School One Book https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tRt8xOq1LNBoYUtx4BobEyrRgnOOySa/view?usp=sharing Girl Scouts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NvhfYiGdN_9_cWs_P4D6qGu_i3dcWyVP/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102155161693232667537&rtpof=true&sd=true

Elementary News for the Week of March 21st https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hEO2l_H_XFYEpL4rKAbYN7trwH2K2ATm/view?usp=sharing Pre-K Screenings https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xgqaWNn5He10PrT5_Dbv3HOoxrWzcIZf/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102155161693232667537&rtpof=true&sd=true https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ny9QlDuXJWZ9UDAslgIPvcYTmiKsSVyI/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102155161693232667537&rtpof=true&sd=true https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SDJeCo6m8U6ODCU-i5iuevdqxZjUilWZ/view?usp=sharing

We are seeking feedback from families for an application to extend our 21st Century Arrow Academy program for students in elementary and middle school beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The survey is available here https://forms.gle/4YsweEtxZxRDKbbd9 until Tuesday, March 22 to participate.

Congratulations to DHS seniors Grace Alongi and Lucas Wright who each won a $1,000 scholarship for their respective scores at the Chemistry Olympiad yesterday at SIUC!

Congratulations to Cealum Bishop on achieving the Million Words Club membership! Cealum is the third Du Quoin High school student and 1st senior to earn this level of success. Pictured with the student is Mrs. Coleman, senior English teacher who presented the award and t-shirt.

This is a message for District 300 families. Due to the effects of the winter storm, District 300 schools will not be in session on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Everyone be careful and stay warm.

For the past 29 years the Illinois High School Association has recognized the top academic student-athletes in IHSA member schools across the state. They do so through their IHSA All-State Academic Team. Just 26 students are named to the All-State Academic Team with an additional 50 students named to an Honorable Mention List. Looking back at previous years, Du Quoin High School has had five student-athletes named to the Honorable Mention Team. They included: Brian Reaves, 1996-97 Caleb Campanella, 2005-06 Neil Patel, 2009-10 Marisa Ferguson, 2014-2015 Gabrielle Alongi, 2019-2020 We're thrilled to now have our first student-athlete to represent Du Quoin on the 26-member All-State Academic Team! Congratulations Grace Alongi! This is an excellent accomplishment and we're proud to have you representing Du Quoin.

Due to the winter storm, District 300 schools will not be in session on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Everyone be careful and stay warm.

The 21st Century program after school will dismiss as regularly scheduled at 5:15. Please be aware that the buses may run later than usual given the current winter weather precipitation. If able to come pick up your child, we encourage you to do so anytime before 5:00 PM. Check out is located in the elementary office.

Congratulations Kayla Thomas! Kayla is a sophomore at DHS, and newest awardee into the Million Words Club. She is pictured with her teacher, Mrs. Heisner, certificate of achievement and t-shirt award from the club.

We are currently seeking applicants for the following positions: Support Staff Position - Custodian/Janitor - Applications currently being accepted Support Staff Position - High School Secretary - Deadline to apply Feb. 25, 2022 Licensed Staff Position - High School English Teacher for 2022-2023 - Deadline to apply Feb. 25, 2022 Licensed Staff Position - High School Math Teacher for 2022-2023 - Deadline to apply Feb. 25, 2022 COMING SOON Licensed Staff Position - Elementary Teacher for 2022-2023 Full job listings for licensed positions are posted on the IASA Job Bank and also shared through the Handshake app to participating colleges and universities. To apply for a position in our school district, please complete an application. A District 300 Licensed Staff Application or Support Staff Application can be accessed and downloaded from our website here or picked up from the District Office. Applications may be returned by e-mail to Administrative Assistant Denise Hirsch at dhirsch@duquoinschools.org or turned in at the District Office at 845 E. Jackson St. Applications should be turned in by 3:00 PM on the date of the deadline listed above for the position. If you have any questions regarding the position, please call the Du Quoin CUSD 300 office at 542-3856.

Dental Safari will be coming to District #300 on April 25th and 26th this year for all students enrolled in Pre-K thru 12th grade! They provide a super convenient dental service that provides cleanings, examinations, and fluoride treatments. When needed, they will also call you and set up return dates for other needed dental procedures like fillings and repairs. If you register your child for a cleaning and exam, Dental Safari will see your child during the school day and provide the required dental exam form for students in kindergarten, 2nd grade, 6th grade, and 9th grade. It will also meet those grade level requirements for next year! The link below will take you directly to the Dental Safari registration page. Feel free to call the District #300 Nursing Office at (618) 542-2646 ext 1060 with any questions. To register, please go to www.dentalsafariforms.com.