Hello, our May newsletter is here!

In order to plan for professional development opportunities and assist ROE #21 with information regarding programs and services provided to our region, we ask you to please complete our 2024 Needs Assessment Survey. We appreciate and value your feedback. The survey link is listed below and will remain open until May 31, 2024.

https://forms.gle/7sciGemfen3yz4Kb8

Who is Eligible by Law?

All children and youth who don't have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living:

In an emergency or transitional shelter, with friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship (also known as doubled up)
In a motel, hotel, campground, car, bus or train station or other public place, an abandoned building
In inadequate accommodations, such as no utilities or running water, no working kitchen, infestations/mold/vermin, number of bodies vs. beds
As an Unaccompanied Youth, including youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

McKinney-Vento in the Summer

As we approach the summer break, it's essential to remember that for McKinney-Vento students, school encompasses far more than just classrooms. Our dedicated Homeless Education And Resource Teams, comprised of teachers, secretaries, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, librarians, social workers, nurses, coaches and the list goes on, are an invaluable support network for these students and their families.

However, with the school year ending, concerns arise about the continuousness of this support system. That's where resources like the Southern Illinois Resource Guide FY23-SI-Resource-Guide-Final-Draft-Final.pdf (whoiscpr.com) prove instrumental to our families’ year-round support. This living document offers a plethora of resources across our region, aiding parents in finding essential services, including health care, emergency housing, transportation programs, and other forms of support. The reliability of the two daily meals provided to students becomes uncertain as well. In response, No Kid Hungry stands ready to assist, connecting parents with nearby summer lunch programs. By simply texting "FOOD" to 304-304 or "COMIDA" for the Spanish version, families can access vital assistance. Find Food IL can also connect parents with food pantries and meal sites. | Eat. Move. Save. | UIUC (illinois.edu)

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of continued education throughout the summer months. That's why we encourage families to explore the various offerings available through local libraries, parks, colleges, and community agencies, which often provide special summer programming. If you’re unsure where to begin your search, SIFamilies Connect is a website full of FREE family activities throughout Southern Illinois. SI Families Connect - SI Families

Finally, if your McKinney-Vento students are attending summer school or require academic assistance during the summer break, please reach out to us. We remain committed to ensuring every child has the support they need to thrive, regardless of the season.

Students recently participated in a career fair at ECHO Alternative School. Special thank you to Williamson County 4-H representatives, Carrie Eldridge and Reed Capps, for organizing this successful event.

Additional thanks to the following businesses for exhibiting:

Starla Waters and Nancy Gardner (Banterra Bank), Genesis Thompson (Kroger), Kory Humphrey and Matthew Hesteness (Army), Jim Boles (Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 551 JATC), and Nicholas Gray and Wes Bayne (United Ambulance)

Area VI SEL Leader Retreat 2024!

What a fantastic day with Leaders from all 3 SEL Cohorts from Roe 12,13, 20, 21, & 30! We love seeing the positive impact SEL Leaders are making in our schools! Keep up the amazing work!

Phishing for Trouble: Part 3 - Phished! What to Do if You Take the Bait

We've learned all about how to identify phishing scams, but what happens if you accidentally click a suspicious link or attachment? Don't panic! Here's a quick guide to minimize the damage:

Act Swiftly:

Change Passwords: Immediately update passwords for potentially compromised accounts (school email, bank, etc.) Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Report the Incident: Inform your IT department as soon as possible. Follow their instructions, which might involve security scans on your devices.
Stay Alert: Monitor your accounts for unusual activity. Consider credit monitoring services to safeguard against potential identity theft.

Prevention is Key:

Remember, the best defense is a good offense! Here are some ongoing habits to cultivate:

Be Email Savvy: Practice good email hygiene. Don't share personal information via email or text, even if it seems urgent.
Strong Passwords Matter: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for all your accounts. If creating strong, unique passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication isn't readily available, please let your administration or IT staff know and encourage them to review password policies!
Report, Don't Ignore: If something seems fishy, report suspicious emails to your IT staff. Normalize open communication about potential threats.

Stay tuned for next month’s article:

Summer Tech Safety: Keeping Kids Secure Online

Have an Idea for a Future Tech Topic?

We'd love to hear your suggestions! Share your ideas for future technology articles in our newsletter using this quick Google Form: https://forms.gle/kCQnG4yjEK9vPivPA