Dear South Loop Community,
The health and safety of our students, educators, and families remains our number one
priority. As we continue to plan for the coming 2021-2022 school year, we know there are
already questions about what approaches SLE will take to mitigate health and safety risks.
One major point in this discussion relates to mask wearing for students and so we want to
communicate now, in advance of the school year, in order to balance expectations, that
students at South Loop will wear masks during the 2021-2022 school year.
By now you are likely aware of the CDC guidelines for mask wearing and CPS district’s
potential 5 days reopening goal.
✅ CDC continues to recommend masking and physical distancing as key prevention
strategies.
✅ Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are
not fully vaccinated.
✅ Masking is universally required on buses and school-related transportation.
The CDC’s order requires that regardless of the mask policy at school,
passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses.
✅ Additionally, school administrators may opt to make mask use universally
required in school, based on the needs of the community
My view on this topic is similar to our “nut free” policy at South Loop Elementary. Please
see this policy below:
We are a peanut and nut free school. If your child has any dietary needs please inform the
main office during registration and the classroom on the first day of school. Please provide
any doctor’s form detailing the allergy. Our nut-free policy includes all* tree nuts. In order
to ensure the safety of all children, please adhere to this school-wide policy, refraining from
all nut products. Some nut alternatives in lieu of peanut butter or almond butter include
sunflower seed spread (sun butter) or soy nut butter, as neither contain nuts.
In much the same way that we protect our students with allergies, I want to ensure we are
likewise providing a safe return environment for everyone by mandating South Loop staff
and students will continue to wear masks during the 2021-2022 school year. As a school
community, we will support our staff and students who have underlying medical conditions,
those who can’t get vaccinated yet, and all students under 12 who are not vaccinated at this
time.
Thank you in advance for your continued partnership in keeping South Loop students, staff,
and families safe. I hope you are all enjoying a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break!
School Reminders:
What is South Loop School’s uniform policy?
The South Loop Elementary School uniform consists of solid navy-blue bottoms and
solid white tops:
✅ Bottoms: Solid Navy blue uniform pants, leggings, shorts, capris, skirts or dresses to
the knee. Jeans are not permitted.
✅ Tops: Solid white shirts with sleeves. Sweaters and sweatshirts may be white or
navy blue. The only permitted logo is the South Loop Elementary School logo or motto.
Tank tops, logos outside of SLES logo, stripes, polka-dots, etc. are not permitted.
✅ South Loop School’s spirit wear: Visit https://southloopshop.com to order school
spirit wear.
✅ Outerwear & Accessories: Outerwear (coats & jackets), tights, socks (no open toe
shoes), footwear and hair accessories are at your discretion. Shoes must be appropriate
for school activities, including recess. Flip flops, open toe shoes & skate shoes are not
permitted.
Where can I purchase uniforms?
✅ General uniform items can be found at Lands’ End, Target, Sears, JCPenney,
Zemsky’s, or Children’s Place.
✅ South Loop Elementary School receives 3% cash back from all uniform purchases
at Lands’ End. Preferred School Number: 900121088
✅ Uniform options with the South Loop Elementary School logo or motto can be
purchased from our school’s new spirit shop at southloopshop.com or gently used options
at our Resale Shop, opened periodically throughout the year.
Non-Compliance:
If a child is not complying with the dress code, the school will follow the Students Bill
of Rights and a parent will be called to bring the appropriate clothing. Extracurricular
activities, such as after-school sports-clubs, may be revoked as a result of consistently not
wearing the required school uniform.
What is South Loop School’s gym uniform policy?
✅ Students are assigned a specific day of the week for gym class. The mandatory
South Loop Elementary School Gym Uniform consists of solid navy- blue
shorts or sweatpants and solid gray top:
✅ Gym Uniform: A South Loop Elementary School gym uniform is required on the
student’s assigned gym day. Grey SLES shirts, Blue shorts, Grey sweatshirts, and
Blue pants can be purchased on the school’s spirit shop: southloopshop.com.
✅ Wearing a solid blue shirt and solid grey pants are not an approved gym uniform.
Gym/Tennis Shoes are required for gym. Students will not participate in gym
without the required gym uniform or gym shoes.
Housekeeping Reminders:
Please return the following items:
✅ Student desk and student chair
✅ Band instrument
✅ Tech device and charger- lost charger replacement $35- cash only
✅ Hardcover textbooks only
✅ 7th/8 th ELA Novels and 3 rd grade Chicago novel
✅ Algebra and Geometry books
SLES Parent Handbook
https://tinyurl.com/ParentFAQHandbook-21-22
2021-22 Supply LIsts
All PreK-8 supply lists are now available. Please note there is a supply list for “In-School” learning and a list for “Remote” learning. Wait for CPS guidance prior to purchasing supplies.
Transferring to a new school:
Any student not returning to South Loop School for the 2021-2022 school year, must complete a
transfer form. Please return the completed form
to amarandamendoza@cps.edu and kmwilson@cps.edu
Transfer form link:
https://forms.gle/ZGReumMFPwnLhZX56
Virtual Academy offered by CPS:
https://www.cps.edu/academics/virtual-academy/
Virtual Academy will be a fully remote learning option that serves a limited number of students
who qualify as medically fragile with documented health conditions or medical needs in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are details on eligibility and the application process.
Application Process:
✅ Students who meet the medical fragility requirements and want to enroll in the virtual academy
may apply by having a licensed medical provider [Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic
Medicine (DO), Physician Assistant (PA) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)]
submit the COVID-19 Health Eligibility form found at the bottom of this page.
✅ Forms should be emailed to virtualenrollment@cps.edu or faxed to 773-553-6563 to the attention
of Virtual Enrollment.
✅ COVID-19 Health Eligibility Form – [ ENGLISH ]
✅ Virtual Academy Guide – [ ENGLISH ]