April 1, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As our member districts, along with all other districts throughout the state, begin to operate remotely due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, I wanted to reassure you that our teachers and related service personnel are working diligently to plan and prepare curriculum, lessons, and activities that continue to support and meet your child’s needs. As we navigate through these uncharted waters, I ask for your patience and partnership while we move forward.
Over the next few days, you will be receiving communication from staff members that work with and maintain your child’s educational program. This may feel overwhelming at first, but please know that staff will be available to support you via email and phone (and possibly teleconferencing), during the posted school hours. During this time, teams will continue to hold and schedule IEP meetings and manage your child’s program remotely utilizing various internet platforms, such as Zoom, or by phone. Case managers will be contacting parents to notify them of meetings. If, for whatever reason, you, as the parent or guardian wish to postpone a meeting to a future date, please contact your child's case manager. Please note, we have not received any guidance from the state releasing schools from the mandated timelines associated with IEP meeting dates; therefore, we strongly encourage all parents to continue to participate in meetings as scheduled, whenever possible.
As this situation is new for all, we will do our best to support you and your family. As a parent myself, I understand the difficulties that this new, but temporary, normal can present and the possible frustrations and worry that may come along with it. Your health and well-being are a high priority during this time. Please know that our staff members are here to assist you, and our goals are to continue to support you and your family.
As always, I thank you for all your efforts and support while we move forward. I, as well as Mrs. Eddinger, will also be available to support you should you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Corena Steinmeyer, Director
Important Contact Information
Building/Person Phone Email
Lee County Special Education Assoc. (815)284-6651
Corena Steinmeyer, Director (815)284-6651 csteinmeyer@dps170.org
Shari Eddinger, Student Services (815)284-6651 seddinger@dps170.org
Jackie Turffs, Executive Secretary (815)284-6651 jturffs@dps170.org
Dixon Public School District (815)373-4966
Margo Empen, Superintendent (815)373-4966 mempen@dps170.org
Dan Rick, Asst. Superintendent (815)373-4966 drick@dps170.org
Washington Elementary School (815)934-9660
Jefferson Elementary School (815)934-9661
Madison Elementary School (815)934-9662
Reagan Middle School (815)253-4966
Dixon High School (815)453-4966
Paw Paw School District (815)627-2841
Lynn Gibson, Superintendent (815)627-2841 lgibson@2paws.net
Steve Epperson, Superintendent (815)627-2841 sepperson@2paws.net
Eve Phillips, Principal (815)627-2841 ephillips@2paws.net
*Specific staff members may be contacted by calling the school where your child attends, or by email. Please understand that staff are working remotely, so if you call the school you may need to leave a voice message.
Dixon staff email addresses are the staff members’ first initial and last name, followed by @dps170.org. A list of Dixon staff names and email addresses may also be found on the Dixon School District’s website:
Go to www.dps170.org
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on your child’s school under schools
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Staff under heading Menu.
Paw Paw staff email addresses are the staff members’ first initial and last name, followed by @2paws.net. A list of Paw Paw staff names and email addresses may also be found on the Paw Paw School District’s website:
Go to www.2paws.net
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Staff under the heading Menu.