Sunday, March 16, 2025

Monday Morning Memo 3/17/25--The Gratitude Edition!

The February Wellness Challenge winners are:

Sami Lear--Kindergarten Teacher at Lotus

Lisa Zabratanski--Special Education Teacher at Stanton

Let me know your gift cards of choice!

☘

The March Wellness Challenge is a new spin on things! Check it out...it's linked here!

You're entered in the raffle if you complete 20 of the days...and March 23 and 30 are YOU CHOOSE days!

☘

March Focus--Relationship Routines

This Week's Wellness Invitation: Show Gratitude

This week, tell people in your life how grateful you are for them. That's it--just tell them.

💚💚💚💚

Thanks Russell, Russ, & Tim for moving & cleaning things!

Thanks Colleen for staying late to create and organizing things!

Thanks Mark for subbing in my class!

Thanks Pam for tape & Jackie and Donna for spots!

Thank you Erica, Amanda, and Kristie Paul for help with curriculum changes.

Thank you Lotus village for always checking on me and showing me grace!!

Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Big shout-out to Amber M. for working some magic in PE. Thanks for detangling my student who was in the unfortunate predicament of having their hair stuck in their scooter.

Nicole Mild Kindergarten Teacher

Kudos to Leah Falster for an awesome pep talk to a kid who was cooling off in the office.

Michele Burgess--Administrative Assistant at Stanton

I want to thank Russ for taking the time to try and fix my old electric pencil sharpener, and I want to thank Don for taking the time to fix it. It meant the world to me. It was the one I had in my house as a kid. They just don’t make pencil sharpeners like that anymore. We are so lucky to have both of you at Lotus. The sharpener works like a charm!

Joan Kantenwein--Literacy Interventionist at Lotus

Thanks everyone for all your patience last week while I didn't have a voice and was not feeling up to par. Sonia was a life saver with that slushie LOL, she just has that magic intuition and we are so lucky to have you and the Super Lunch Crew. Jillian, Nicole B, Ashley A, Megan M, and Adisyn I, MUCH THANKS for brainstorming Field Day ideas on Friday no less and what we can do to make it amazing this year. Don, thank for always thinking of the library, the students LOVE the 2 recliners;)

-Kim VanHoorelbeke--Library Paraprofessional at Lotus

Thank you to:

Whoever made sure there were flowers at my aunt's celebration of life on Saturday. I have no idea how you tracked it all down, but it meant the world to my dad, my family, and to me.

Thank you to Jill Becmer and Michele Burgess for all the laughs. You two are so fabulous!

From Heather 🧡💛🖤

Please send me your kudos for colleagues each week! I'll happily post them in this section!

ENGAGE students in Gratitude Prompts this week...here are some to get you started...

Summer School 2025

As you know, we used our ESSR funds to a large extent to build a phenomenal summer school program--including increasing salaries for staff to be more than the hourly curriculum rate. While we can't match the salary we've been able to offer for the last few years, we are budgeting above curriculum rate for certified staff.

So, the pay rates for this summer are:

Certified staff=$45/hour

Support staff=your 25-26 hourly rate

Knowing that, if you are interested in working summer school (July 7-August 7, Monday-Thursday mornings), please email me to let me know!

Mark Your Calendars!

April 22, 2025!!!

May 17, 2025!!!

Come celebrate our GOTR program AND Jeff Sefcik's retirement! There will be food, fun, music, and community! More info coming soon!!!!

Upcoming Events...

Remember the Employee Assistance Program!

The EAP is typically a great place to start when you need care and aren’t sure what support you or a family member might be needing. They can guide you to specific care and even set up the appointment for you. Take advantage of this confidential and supportive service to address any

personal or work-related challenges you may be facing by calling Perspectives at 800.456.6327.

Good morning, District 114!

Day of Service planning is underway! If you or someone you know owns a business and would like to sponsor this event, please visit our Givebacks (Memberhub) page here to learn more!

Don't forget to join our Facebook group to see the meeting highlights and more, and while you're at it, join the PTA here! Membership dues are only $6 for the whole year!

YOUR PTA Board

Key 2024-25 Dates

April 22

Day of Service

May 2

Rocket Launch (Stanton)

Possible Star Wars Theme

Rain date May 9

As the EAFL feels lucky to work with each and everyone of you! As a celebration of all your amazing work and as some encouragement to make it through the last week before spring break, we will be providing everyone with some breakfast goodies Monday morning. Stop by the Lounge in either building for bagels, fruit and other goodies!

5 more days! Enjoy and you’ve got this! ☘

Sincerely,

The EAFL board

Dates to Mark Down:

Tuesday, March 18 - Board of Education Meeting and EAFL Spirit Day

Wednesday, April 23rd- EAFL Articulation Meeting @ 2:00 PM at Stanton

Interested in getting more involved on the Union Board? We would love to have you. At the April Articulation meeting, we will be looking for nominations for some new board members. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to any current board member with questions. It is a great way to know what is going on with your district and your union and a great group of people to work with.

**Don't forget about your NEA no cost benefits! To check them out, you should go to Deals and Discounts: www.neamb.com/start

*Additional benefits and deals can be found at ieanea.org

Region News:

Want to know what is happening in the Region? Check out the Region 49 Newsletter!

**Get your SCORE GRANT applications in! Grants for up to $1,000 are available for IEA members & their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service/school projects APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN APRIL 1, 2025

PD Calendar: Take a look at all the PD training we lined up here at IEA by clicking here : The IEA is an ISBE approved provider for Professional Development Clock Hours. Clock hours are offered at trainings that meet the PD requirements set by ISBE. Events on the calendar are hosted by IEA or vetted by IEA

March 18--Board of Education Meeting at Lotus

March 24-28--SPRING BREAK!

April 22--Day of Service!

April 23--EAFL Articulation Meeting

May 17

District 114 CARES

At District 114 Fox Lake, the well-being of our students and families is our top priority. Understanding the critical role mental health plays in student success, we have launched District 114 CARES—a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving access to quality mental health services across our community.

Treatment Request

What is District 114 CARES?

District 114 CARES stands for Community, Advocacy, Resilience, Engagement, and Support. This program is specifically designed to provide essential mental health resources and support to students and families, with a focus on those facing financial challenges.

Our mission is to ensure that every student has the tools they need to thrive—both emotionally and academically. By addressing barriers to care, we aim to empower students to reach their full potential in and out of the classroom.

Our Commitment

Through District 114 CARES, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering a supportive, resilient community where every student has equitable access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

ICE and D114 Plans

Please see the document linked here, which outlines exactly how we will respond should ICE come onsite.

Paste the URL below into your browser:

For Primary, use: https://www.edtomorrow.com/439p

For Secondary, use: https://www.edtomorrow.com/439s

2024-25 Certified Staff Evaluation Documents

2024-25 Early Release Plans--DRAFT--always a work in progress

2024-25 Final Approved Calendar

2024-25 Assessment Calendar

2024-25 Stipend Documents

Social Emotional Learning Pacing Guide 2024-25

Work Order Request--please use this to ask for help with anything facilities, room, cleaning related!

Business Office Shared Drive

Heather 🧡

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Monday Morning Memo 3/10/25

The February Wellness Challenge winners will be announced this week! I still owe some winners their gift cards---sorry!!! Will hook you up this week!

☘

The March Wellness Challenge is a new spin on things! Check it out...it's linked here!

You're entered in the raffle if you complete 20 of the days...and March 23 and 30 are YOU CHOOSE days!

☘

March Focus--Relationship Routines

This Week's Wellness Invitation: Have Fun Together!

A friendship relationship routine for March could include: setting up a monthly "check-in" coffee date, planning a group activity around a seasonal event like St. Patrick's Day, sending thoughtful messages or small gifts for birthdays or milestones, making time for casual catch-ups, and offering support during potential March stress like tax season; tailoring the activities to your friend group's interests and schedules while ensuring consistent communication and quality time together.

Thank you Pam and Colleen for going with me to the Autism Presentation!

-Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

To the PBIS committee and everyone who contributed to the celebration. It was very well planned and was a fun concept!

To the 8th grade team and whomever was assigned as their sub for navigating 504 transition meetings like champs even thought it felt like a speed dating event! I appreciate you!

To Mr. Medrano for his impeccable support in the ILPB classroom for 10 years. It’s been such a pleasure to work along side you! Good Luck with your student teaching!

To the 6th grade team for always making time to meet! There isn’t a lot of free time and you always find it. Thank you!

-Meghan Reimers--Counselor at Stanton

I’d like to give a shout out to Liz Andersen for always checking to see how people’s days are going! She will listen and offer good advice that comes from years of experience. Her friendship and mentoring over the years have meant a lot.

Liz, I look forward to celebrating the time you’ve put in over the years and the time we have left with you!

-Matt Shannon--8th Grade ELA Teacher

Thank you to Sonia for staying late to clean our wing and for training Eliza as she steps in to help. Your hard work is very appreciated as I know it makes for very long days for you.

Thank you Russell for all that you have brought to the preschool team. You quickly formed such positive relationships with both the students and the staff and you were always willing to help out with anything and everything. You will be missed! We are sad to see you leave our team to move on to another grade level, but we know you will get to support your new team like you did ours!

-Michelle Magness--PreK Teacher/Parent Coordinator at Lotus

Kudos and a huge thank you to Lisa Zabratanski from the entire 8th grade team. Your communication with parents, students and staff has been consistent and incredibly appreciated and helpful. Thank you for always working so hard and giving your heart and dedication to everyone here.

The 8th Grade Team

To Tim and Russ for helping us with moving cubbies and getting goop off our floor.

Pam, Jackie and Brittany for offering and helping to make sure our transition with our new students will go smoothly

Pam and Sherry for going to dinner and seeing Kate Swenson with me.

Sami Lear for letting me make some great connections with her kiddos.

Mr. Mark from Stanton. Thank you for being in our room on Thursday. Our kids did so good with you.

Misty Madula and Russ for your help in the lunchroom this last week.

Sherry for keeping me on task to get through everything that needed to be done before Monday. We got this. (Squirrel!)

Michelle Magness for always an eventful lunch

-Colleen Robinson--Paraprofessional at Lotus

Kudos to the PBIS team for all their hard work in putting together the Trimester 2 reward on Thursday. We are so thankful for you guys.

To Conner Macko and Marla Walinski for joining me in the Art room to supervise the 6th graders. Thank you Kim Mack and Meghan Reimers for checking in.

To the 6th grade team for being flexible during the PBIS reward when last second changes were made.

To Marla for the continuous laughs, support, and advice.

To Ashley Arff for allowing me to make her room my home base while at Lotus.

To Oner Medrano for allowing me to step into his shoes during his time student teaching. I wish you nothing but the best. Good luck!

To Karen Skorup and Leah Falster for welcoming me to the ILPB room with open arms.

-From Calista Warmowski--Long Term Sub at Stanton

Caitlin, thank you for taking the time to share your math brain with our team. We appreciate you sharing how your team organizes everything. It gave us some great ideas!

Paula, thank you for being the Skyward wizard and helping fix all our standards this trimester.

Erica, thank you for helping us organize and figure out our ELA units. Also, a special shout out for being my voice (literally) Monday. I so appreciated being able to rest my voice a little.

-3rd grade team (Kelly Roland, Teri Valenziano, Mollie Crow)

Thank you to...

The 6th grade team for always giving time for the kids and each other...and me. You are so appreciated.

Lisa Zabratanski for asking my input on a case and...in the midst of that...being there for me when you didn't have to in a moment of intense "mom-ing". Thank you so very much.