For those that truly know me, my calm corner is half funny ( I have five boys at home) and half sarcasm (I married a firefighter, the only way to survive is through stupid humor). I left you a few kudos of appreciation and much gratitude..

Stay fabulous, Stanton.

Kudos to the 5th and 6th grade team!

Reading all the posts throughout the year, I can truly hear the love and dedication you've poured into your students and into supporting one another. Stanton is incredibly lucky to have such committed, caring educators. Thank you for all you do!

Kudos to the 7th and 8th grade team!

It’s been an absolute pleasure working with all of you this year and by “pleasure,” I mean the kind that comes with caffeine dependency, group therapy-level venting, and more belly laughs than I thought were legally allowed during staff meetings.

Each of you supported me in your own meaningful, slightly chaotic, and deeply appreciated ways whether it was: Talking me off a ledge (figuratively, don’t worry... mostly). Making me laugh when I was one coffee short of a breakdown. Offering advice that was surprisingly not from a TikTok therapist, and sharing teaching strategies that actually worked (who knew?!) Let me witness your epic teacher voices (seriously, some of you could part clouds). Or just taking time for me, no questions asked, even when you were running on fumes and copier toner. Thank you for making this year unforgettable for all the right reasons (and a few hilarious wrong ones). Wishing you all the very best, always and may your coffee be strong, your emails be few, and your students know where the pencil sharpener is without asking. With love, laughter, and possibly a mild case of burnout.

Kudos to the Explorations, PE, and Health teams!

First, my sincerest apologies for the caseload chaos, no need to name the 8th graders, you know the crew. Thank you for your patience, and for the second, third, fourth, and even fifth chances you gave them before things landed on my desk. By April, nothing could really shock me anymore, though I definitely had a few “why?” moments (some of which may have slipped out of my inside voice).Thank you for your commitment, flexibility, and the fun you brought throughout the year. You’re an incredible group of educators, and it’s been a pleasure working with you!

To the Student Services Dream Team (aka The Calm in the Chaos),

IEPs, benchmarks, meltdown management, parent calls that start with “I’m not trying to be difficult but…” you handle it all like the seasoned pros (and low-key superheroes) you are.

You’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “Did that really just happen at 8:03 a.m.?” of student services. From last-minute behavior plans to those fun surprise meetings on Friday afternoons, you manage it all with grace, grit, and a healthy sense of humor (because let’s be real, sometimes that’s the only thing keeping us upright).

You are the ones who speak fluent acronym under pressure (IEP, FBA, BIP, OMG). We answer emails that could have been emotional novels, talk a parent and a teacher off the ledge before lunch, calm meltdowns with nothing but your voice, a sticky note, and unmatched empathy. And still somehow remember where a student left their shoes, jacket, Chromebook, and dignity. Thank you for showing up every day with big hearts, sharp minds, and endless patience. You advocate, support, troubleshoot, and carry emotional loads most people don’t see. The work is hard. The impact? Huge.The kids (and the rest of us) are better because of you. With appreciation, admiration, and maybe a spare noise-canceling headset, I thank you!

To Heroic Sub Team

Whoever woke up one day and said, “You know what sounds fun? I think I’ll be a substitute teacher!” deserves either a medal… or a wellness check.You all walk into chaos, literal fire sometimes (or at least the emotional kind), armed with nothing but a smile, zero background on what’s happening, and a class full of kids who immediately sense your fresh scent of vulnerability.

What you do is CRAZY to me in the most heroic, mildly unhinged kind of way. I tried subbing a few classes and let me tell you… those kids knew this would be a fun class. I walked out of there like I’d just survived a WWE match, minus the entrance music and with far more glitter on my clothes.

There are truly no words big enough to say how grateful I am for each and every one of you. You show up, you dive in, and somehow you manage to keep it together (or at least make it look like you are). That’s talent. That’s bravery. That’s caffeine and divine intervention.Thank you for being the unsung heroes of the school, the calm in the storm, and the masters of the poker face. Forever in awe.

Shout out to the lunch crew!

You were always the first in line to greet our students, right after they made it through the security team of Lynn, Oakley, and Rachelle. Thank you for all the nutrition, preparation, generosity, and love you’ve poured into our school community.Your hilarious one-liners could easily fuel a whole comedy skit, and your presence brought warmth and joy to every day. Wishing each of you nothing but the best, you are truly appreciated!

Big love to the Front Office and Nurse Team!

You’re always smiling, even when I’m pretty sure there’s circus music playing in the background (maybe that’s the secret). I know I don’t even understand a third of what your roles truly entail, but what I do know is that you handle everything with incredible love, patience, and grace. From juggling nonstop phone calls, teachers, students, admin, security, and probably a few dogs, you take on one challenge at a time like pros. And to the nurse: Thank you for indulging me in our impromptu drama skits when I bring down students we both know are just fine. Your gentle reassurance makes all the difference. Cheers to an amazing 2024–2025! We are so lucky to have all of you.

To Security,
Thank you for handling the dysregulated with patience, professionalism, and the kind of calm that deserves hazard pay. You deal with the drama, the yelling, and the "frequent flyers" like a pro. Somehow, you manage to keep a straight face even when students are yelling their favorite four-letter words at you like it's karaoke night. You help create safer spaces and better choices. I’m grateful.

To the Custodians,

Thank you for all you do. You deal with spills, smells, mystery stains, and things I wouldn’t touch with a hazmat suit, all while keeping the school looking great and somehow not running away screaming. I’m convinced you have superpowers for surviving middle school restrooms. You show up early, stay late, and always seem to be in five places at once.Thank you for keeping our home away from home at Stanton clean and the school running.

To Technology,

Technology and I? We’ve been in a toxic relationship since the dial-up days. It just doesn’t speak my love language. Thank you for translating my chaotic descriptions like, “The spinny thing won’t stop spinning,” and “I clicked the thing and everything disappeared!” Working with me was probably like playing charades.with someone who’s never played charades. Your quick responses, bottomless patience, and behind-the-scenes wizardry keep everything running and you keep me from throwing my laptop out the window. Truly, thank you.

To the Instructional Coaches,
Your knowledge blows me away. From i-Ready and Amplify to state testing prep, you’ve helped me more times than I can count (and yes, I lost count around the 12th panicked email). You always had the resources, the answers, and somehow the time even on weekends. You’ve been lifesavers, and I appreciate you more than you know.Thank you all for your support, your humor, and your patience. You make education a whole lot better.

To the Fearless Administration Team,

First off, let me say: thank you. For your leadership, humor, your teaching tools, your mysteriously disappearing snacks, and most of all your ability to survive another school year without starting a reality show called “When Emails Attack.”

You each bring a unique glow to Stanton, like three wildly different light bulbs sharing the same chandelier. It’s chaotic, but it works. Remember that lesson with the quiet mouse (too little), the golden retriever (peacemaker, just right) and the lion roar ( too much) I’ve seen each of you morph into all three at various points and yes, I watched in awe, with popcorn.

The Mouse – Quiet, observant, maybe hiding in the copy room pretending to fix the printer just to get 30 seconds of peace.
The Golden Retriever – Tail-wagging, team-cheering, “you got this!” vibes even when everything is on fire and someone’s trying to microwave fish in the lounge.
The Lion – The “Oh no they didn’t” energy. The “Did someone break the BS meter again?” presence. A full “Simba meets HR” moment.

Let's break down when lions come out to play:

Rachelle – Your lion is refined. Think: lion with a latte and color-coded tabs. You roar… but with grace. Like if Oprah and Mufasa had a baby.
Jeff – Your lion comes with sneakers, a calm corner with a pause, restorative practice and a look that says, “I’ve already solved this, and also, I have questions.”
Lynn – You’re a mystery box lion. One second Simba with a smile and snacks, the next—bam! Stealth lion with laser focus and a whiteboard marker ready to tackle the problem.

Seriously though: thank you. For leading through chaos, for letting me laugh through the weird days, for somehow knowing exactly when to be a mouse, a retriever, or a lion even when I was just trying to remember what day it was. With gratitude and giggles,

-Lisa Zabratanski--Special Education Teacher at Stanton

Thank you Georgette Betty and Jamie for everything you have done for me this week in the kitchen and I would like to thank Al for keeping an eye on us and helping out when we needed him.

-Sue Giandonato--Kitchen Lead at Stanton

Big thanks to Kaitlyn Goorsky for collaborating with me on the last full week of school on our Zombie Apocalypse activities.

Shout out to Hunter Banker, Connor Macko, and Marla Walinski for participating in Zombies vs. Humans on Thursday, it was a really fun day!

Thank you Natalie Molidor, for all the support over the last two years. I know you are going to be amazing in your new role!

Thank you 6th grade team: Katy Gardner, Dayja Wydzierzecki, Cathy Jawnyj, and Kaitlyn Goorsky for making this crazy year the best it could be. I am glad to have had the opportunity to work with you in my final year at Stanton.

Thank you Kim Husko, for all the laughs and REAL conversations in the mornings. You are the best and I am going to miss you! (Hit me up about organizing, I was so serious about that!!!)

Thank you Matt Shannon, for the check ins and support. I am so excited for you and know you will be an awesome leader at Stanton.

Additionally, thank you to Lisa Shannon, Leah Falster, and Karen Brnot. This year had a lot of ups and down, though I always knew I could come to you when I needed it.

-Katie Jalove Filippelli--Instructional Coach at Stanton

Thank you to the entire pre-K team for all your extra time and energy put into creating a successful graduation celebration! It was a fantastic event!

Thank you to the custodial staff, Amber and Jillian and Erin CJ for the detailed cleanup so that ECSE could have extra practice time to prepare for graduation.

Thank you to Erin CJ for sharing your classroom with us and your SmartBoard. Your generosity and kindness are so appreciated!

Thank you to Fiona, Stephanie, Kim, and Sammi G for assisting in frequent practices for pre-K graduation with the ECSE students. Your time and details to prepare a successful event are so appreciated!

Thank you you too Mandi, Monica, Mary, Lumi for staying after for graduation and working through numerous practices, social stories and Google slides presentations-All the attention to detail was exactly what our students needed. I am incredibly thankful for your time, patience and Support. Thankful for all of you everyday!

Erin Donovan-ECSE Teacher at Lotus

Huge KUDOS to the staff that helped take 3rd grade on a field trip to Legoland with minimal issues. Thank you, Sue Pinkawa, for calling to let us know we forgot the lunches . Thank you to the kitchen staff for preparing those lunches! Thank you Hallie (bus 10) for driving, turning around to grab the lunches, and get Ellie . Thank you to Cheryl (bus 8) and Alexis (bus 7) for driving, especially in the rain. Thank you Abbey Kadera, Ellie Seyfert, and Erica Barraza for joining and helping make the trip successful and fun for all 3rd graders!

- 3rd Grade Teachers (Mollie Crow, Kelly Roland, and Teri Valenziano)

Kudos to everyone that has encouraged me on the journey of being a paraprofessional, then teaching 3rd grade, and now the new journey of working in special education. It is a full circle moment, as I was a student that was helped by many special education teachers. Now back to working with Melissa whom I started my Lotus journey with 9 years ago! I truly appreciate each and everyone of you :)

-Mollie Crow--3rd Grade Teacher

A big thank you to Cheryl Schuck for getting all of my new UFLI boards done for next year. You are amazing and I am going to miss you next year!

Another huge thank you to Fran. You are so wonderful with my first graders and I appreciate you always checking in when you have time to support us!

Thank you to Cary Scarpino and Serene Madison for the math test help. What a fantastic surprise that was!

-Jen Groot-First Grade Teacher

I would like to give a huge kudos to my mentor Dan Olson! Thank you for showing me the ropes and giving me ideas how to teach my first year. I couldn’t have done it without you. To Katy Gardner: thank you for everything you taught me this year as well. I had the best guidance from my math team! You sure helped teach this old dog new tricks!

To my seventh grade team: you have all been absolutely amazing. I have loved every single minute of our meetings. I have loved all the laughs, the tears, and the hard work and dedication that the three of you have put in and all the questions you’ve answered that I have asked. I appreciate each and everyone of you. You’ve all meant the world to me. Thank you for helping me survive and thrive through my first year teaching!

To my work, Bestie: Lisa I will to miss you like crazy. Thank you for all our fun times, our workouts, and getting to know you. I am going to miss you most of all and I hope you have an amazing time wherever you go. You deserve nothing but the best!

And lastly, to Liz: I told you before how much you’ve helped me this year and I have meant every word. Thank you for teaching me and leading through example how to be an amazing teacher! I will miss you!

To my Stanton family: I couldn’t have done it this year without each and everyone of you and I appreciate all of you for helping me through my first year! This has been a dream come true and I can’t wait till next year.

Renee Evans--7th Grade Math Teacher

Gayle for always having a positive thought, hug, and a smile, even when she is going thru her own difficulties.

Erica thank you for covering my lunch room duty so I could watch my grandson's graduation.

Mr. Russ for helping move stuff from one room to another.

Teri, Ellie, Kelly for helping me out on the field trip. It means a lot to me.

Adi, Russell, Sherry, Courtney, Megan and anyone else that pitched in so I could spend some much needed time with my family.

Cheryl for just being you. I will be lost next year.

Becky and Andy for making sure I get kids home safe and I'm back to Lotus quicker

Sonia and crew for helping with our kids and their finicky palettes.

Ms Hallie and Ms Tammy for being so patient on the "Ms. HALLIE EXPRESS" our kids love you

-Colleen Robinson--Paraprofessional at Lotus

Kudos to our PBIS team; Kim, Kendra, and Chris for a great year developing ways to recognize and reward our students. Because of your creative ideas, our students have learned valuable lessons that will impact their character and development for the rest of their lives.

Thank you Liz for being an amazing Social Studies teacher to not just my own kids but to the hundreds of other students that you've taught the past 35 years! Congratulations on your well deserved retirement!

To our amazing kitchen staff – thank you for making sure our students always have full bellies and nourished bodies. Sue and Al, your hard work and care never go unnoticed, and we appreciate you more than words can express.

And finally, to Jeff and Rachelle – thank you for your years of dedication and service. You have touched so many lives with your kindness and commitment. We love you and will truly miss you!

Betty Cwiak--Soon to be retired, Stanton paraprofessional

I can’t thank the Stanton community enough for making my year so enjoyable. In particular, our teachers provided me the opportunity to learn so many fascinating things about an array of subjects. Wishing one and all a wonderful summer. I’ll try to muddle through by playing golf, tennis and seeing my granddaughter (not in that order). Even so, I’ll miss interacting with all of you.

-Mark Perlman--Long Term Sub at Stanton

Thank you Illg for decorating my new classroom window for summer school!

Thank you Mr.Russ for moving some heavy things from old class to new! Early thank you for getting the floors pretty!

Thanks Nicole Brinkman for watching the class for a little while Friday!

Thanks Ellie for taking my 4th grader to see his new class/ school

Thank you DeVoss for a new board game shelf!

Thanks Colleen for matching containers!!

Huge thanks to my kids, Colleen, Russell, & Illg for helping me move ALL the stuff so I can be home with Ellie most of June!!!

Thank you Mary for allowing me into your classroom to meet a new friend! Plus including me to mom.

Congratulations Pre-k teachers Friday night was beautiful!

Sherry Tietjen-Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Thank you to everyone at Stanton for making my first year a great one, with all of the support and guidance! I appreciate all of you!

I will forever be grateful for my 5th grade team, the memories that we have shared and always being in each other's corners. Thank you for all you girls do! I can't wait to see what next year brings!

~Danielle Donelli - 5th Grade Team

Lisa Shannon

Thank you for being the best support system for the 5th grade team. We couldn’t have finished the year strong without your guidance, laughs, and a shoulder to cry on. You are the best (work) Mom in the world the basement will not be the same without you. We love you!!!!

-Your work daughters

This Kudos goes out to Jeff and Rachelle! You have created and fostered something incredible at Stanton, and it is a joy and an honor to step into your shoes July 1st!

Thank you for your patience, partnership, and support during this transition. I will do everything I can to continue the awesomeness and to build off of it!

A huge thank you to all of the staff members who have given so much time in interviews the last few weeks. As a result of everyone’s care and efforts, Stanton Middle School is super close to being fully staffed for the upcoming school year! This includes the approval of five new Stanton Foxes at the most recent Board of Education meeting!!!

An additional special thanks to Jill and Michele for all of the coordination for our teams and candidates.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

-Tom Cardamone--Incoming Stanton Principal

Kudos to Mary Taylor and Jeff Sefcik for your assistance in helping a family in need this week. Your time and efforts brought peace of mind, knowing a crucial need was met.

Thank you, Cathy Jawnyj, for your continued dedication in supporting our mutual student—your work in helping them take accountability and meet personal goals is truly appreciated.

To Rachelle, thank you for stepping in to support a challenging student this week—your presence made a difference.

Appreciation to the Karen Brnot, Liz Andersen, Niccole Culbertson, Renee Evans and Kim Husko for promptly forwarding assignments for a student in need.

A heartfelt thank you to Jacqueline Matthews — your kindness and patience in supporting a student was monumental and deeply appreciated.

And to the entire Stanton Staff thank you all for partnering with me this year to support our amazing kiddos. It’s been a true privilege to work alongside such dedicated, compassionate, and talented individuals. I’m so grateful for each of you and will carry the memories of this year with great fondness.

-Kim Mack--Social Worker at Stanton

Natalie, from college classmates to student teaching partners, teammates in the classroom, and now colleagues in leadership—what a journey it’s been. It’s rare to have someone by your side for over 20 years, and I feel incredibly lucky that it’s been you. You’ve been a loyal friend, a trusted mentor, and a fierce advocate for kids and families. Your heart for this work, your efficiency and drive, your kindness, and your deep commitment to our community inspire me every day. As you transition into your new role in the business office and I take on new responsibilities here at Lotus, I’m so grateful for all the ways you’ve led with strength, clarity, and purpose. Our journey together is still unfolding, and I’m excited for how we’ll continue to grow side by side. So proud of you, and so excited for what’s ahead!

Teri, Mollie, and Kelly — this year has been one of my most memorable as a coach, and that’s because of the opportunity I’ve had to work so closely with the three of you. From co-teaching to deep planning, CERs to Inky Quill, and all the cries, laughs, and everything in between, thank you! Thank you for welcoming me with open arms, for your vulnerability, and for choosing to grow alongside me. It’s been a joy and a privilege to be part of your journey this year.

Chris Brown has been a bright light in our building this year and every year. From leading enrichment groups to designing fun, meaningful community-building activities for students to enjoy in the hallways, she always goes above and beyond. Chris is sunshine in human form, warm, positive, and full of joy. As she heads into her much-deserved retirement, she will be deeply missed by students and staff. Thank you, Chris, for everything you’ve poured into our school. You’ve left your mark in all the best ways.

Cheryl Schuck is hands down one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known. They truly don’t make them like her anymore. Cheryl is endlessly flexible, never complains, and has a true gift for working with students who need a little extra love and support. As she heads into retirement, it’s hard to imagine this place without her. Cheryl, you will be so missed, not just for all you’ve done, but for who you are. You can never be replaced, and your legacy will live on in the lives you’ve touched.

Amanda, my work wife and the person I share a brain with (she definitely has the smarter half). I always joke that she must be AI because she can literally do ALL the things, and do them extraordinarily well. Sharing a space with you has been one of the most rewarding gifts of my career. You’ve helped me grow as a leader, educator, coach, and friend. Your ability to hold the big-picture vision while managing every little detail in between is truly unmatched. You’re patient, thoughtful, and incredible with our kiddos who need the most support. Let’s be honest — YOU are the reason some of our students come to school every day. And I’m beyond lucky to do this work alongside you!

McCart is the best kind of “new” addition because she’s also an old one. After taking time to raise her kids, she came back this year and it feels like she never left. From day one, she’s been a valuable asset to our school community. She’s hilarious, brings so much joy to those around her, and makes even the busiest days brighter. We’re so lucky to have her back, and I can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make as she moves into a full-time role helping us grow students and strengthen our team.

Jeff, it’s been a true privilege to work alongside you over the years, especially through our shared commitment to equity and inclusion for all students. Collaborating on meaningful initiatives, publishing together, and having deep (and sometimes challenging!) conversations has pushed me to grow in all the right ways. You’ve been a thought partner I’ve deeply valued, someone who challenges me to think bigger, dig deeper, and step outside the box. I’m better for it, and I’m grateful. As you head into retirement, I hope you get to fully enjoy this next chapter, doing whatever brings you the most joy. You’ve earned every moment. Wishing you all the best, my friend!

-Erica Barraza-Instructional Coach at Lotus

• Katy Gardner for always being there as not only a colleague but as a friend.

• Lisa Shannon for always making me laugh and smile.

• Katie Jalove-Filippelli for always telling it like it is and being real in all situations.

• Cathy Jawnyj for being an awesome community building partner.

• Kaitlyn Goorsky for always being ready with activities for unstructured days like testing and end of the year FLEX

• Michele Burgess & Jill Becmer for keeping everyone afloat and just always going above and beyond.

• Hunter Banker for always making copies and having morning conversations with me. They make the mornings better. Surely will be missed.

•Connor Macko for teaching a lesson on poetry for his class and doing a fabulous job engaging the students, you had their full attention (in the last full week of school I might add).

• Niccole Culbertson for always being there when I need you and just being you

-Dayja Wydzierzecki--6th Grade ELA Teacher

To my 5th grade tribe -- where the drama is high and the deodorant is low, may we survive this last hormonal week 'bro'! In all seriousness, it has been my absolute pleasure to work with you. You survived your first year at Stanton and were AMAZING to say the least! The LAUGHS, spiders and other creepy crawlers, unexplained happenings, blood, sweat and tears of the dungeon have bonded us for life.

To everyone I have crossed paths with -- you have touched my soul in many ways and I will cherish our moments.

Huge shoutout to Norm for always going above and beyond. To Sue, Al and Georgette for making sure our bellies are full. Al for checking in with me to see if he can help or do anything and for graciously helping during our Day of Service. Jeff, Rachelle and Lynn for your dedication and guidance throughout the years. Jill and Michele, you handle that office with grace and are the unsung heroes of it all.

Lisa Shannon--Special Education Teacher at Stanton

I’d like to give a proper shout out of appreciation to Jeff and Rachelle!

Rachelle, thank you for all you have done for the Stanton family! You never cease to amaze me with your patience, wisdom and ability to do it ALL!!!! Your heart is like no other and you will be missed more than you know!

Jeff, thank you for EVERYTHING you have done to make this school, community and our world a better place!! The impact that your integrity and leadership has made will live on forever in the lives you’ve touched! To say you’ll be missed is an understatement! Whose car we gonna take?

And I can’t let the school year end without saying Thank YOU to my partner in crime, my work bestie who ALWAYS has my back and I would be COMPLETELY lost without…. Kendra Smeigh! Couldn’t do this without you!

-Kim Husko--Health Teacher at Stanton

Kudos to my 6th grade teammates (Kaitlyn, Katie, Dayja, Cathy, Connor, and Hunter) for the impact that you made on our kids. They have made such growth this year and it's because of you.

Congrats to Jeff, Liz, and Betty on your retirement! Stanton will not be the same without you. Kudos to your dedication and support of our kids!

Katy Gardner-6th Grade Math Teacher

Jeff and Rachelle - I've never worked for a better admin team than the two of you. You're both thoughtful, caring, kind, Rachelle is patient (), and I've learned a ton working for and with you. I will miss both of you hugely. Thank you for everything and I wish you both many happy years in your next adventures!

Jill and Michele - You are the best secretarial team out there, hands down. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do, and thank you for answering the same questions over and over again with patience and understanding!

Amber - thank you for being the sunniest sunbeam, no matter how dark the night. You are the best work wife and next year won't be the same without you. We'll always be a package deal!

Lunch team - I adore every single one of you. You have been the delight of many of my days, and the way you love and take care of these kids is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for all the amazing meals, and everything else you do!

Norm - I hope you're enjoying your vacation because you've definitely earned it! Thank you for taking care of us in all the ways!

Dan Olson - thank you for letting me infiltrate your Community Building in the mornings, and for showing me what a true Snake Eyes master looks like. Thank you for also introducing me to "Goose Time." I will be sending you vibes every time a goose gets in the way of my new industrial laser pointer.

Mark Perlman - Thank you for showing me how good I can be at reminding you where your stuff is, and that bribery with candy is never a bad choice. You and I are a fabulous team of old people and I will miss you immensely. Coffee at Hansa, my friend!

Lisa Z - thank you for being the best turd a girl could ask for. There are more than a few days I couldn't have gotten through without you there making me laugh or lending unfailing support. Bored Teachers would be stupid not to hire us. Best turds for life!

Erin CJ - Thank you for absolutely everything. You can't know how much it meant to have another music colleague to chat with about all the things, particularly one who truly understands the "how" and "why" of what we do as music educators. Your help and support has been invaluable. The babies are lucky to have you, and so am I. Let me know when you're ready to come sing with us in Gurnee!

-Liz Plemmons-Permanent Sub at Stanton

Thank you to anyone and everyone who has wished me a happy retirement! Thanks to everyone involved in the celebration at the board meeting. I appreciate all of the thoughtfulness and good wishes!

Some of you have heard this already, but I can't say it enough...and, I want everyone to know how amazing you all are! One of the reasons that all 35 years of my career have been spent here at Stanton is because of the people I have worked with. I want to give a special shout-out to Walter Nickles, Katy Gardner, Niccole Culbertson, Rachelle Peters, Lynn Smolen, Betty Cwiak, Jeff Sefcik, Norm Fischer, Jill Becmer, Dan Olsen, Matt Shannon and Chris Carvell. I'll forever be grateful for all of the good memories I have of those of you I have worked with the longest!! Thank you for years and years and years of being my Stanton family.

Huge amounts of thank yous to my teammates, Niccole Culbertson, Karen Brnot, Renee Evans, Jack Resnick and Aidan Earl for being the best team ever! We've survived...I mean kicked a** for another year!!! You are always there to collaborate, support, listen, brainstorm, share, laugh, make coffee and eat snacks! What more could any person ask for!? Thanks to Jackie Mathews and Collette deOliveira, too, for your commitment to the kids in our class every day...even the days when they are driving us crazy!!

It's freeeezing in my room. Can I get 4 more chairs from the garage by tomorrow? Thank you to Donnie Ukleja and Norm Fischer. You are always nothing but accommodating, helpful and patient. Thank you to Carie Ayala for our quick chats as you clean in my classroom each week. A million thanks to Jill and Michele in the office. Thank you for your kindness, helpfulness and patience. Finally, Sue, Karen and Yvette in the kitchen. Thank you for your friendly hellos in the morning, your hard work every single day and your extra hard work on the days when you're feeding the staff, too! It was a pleasure to teach your kids/grandkid, Yvette and Sue, and so much fun watching a bunch of Grant volleyball games with you, Karen...jazz hands!

Thanks to Natalie Molidor for being an awesome Community Building partner. You've been a big help to me and the 7th grade team this year, always willing to lend a hand when you can.

Thanks to Kim Mack and Meghan Reimers for supporting our students and supporting us. You both encourage making connections, empathy and patience and are also realistic. That's appreciated more than you know.

Thanks to Cathy Jawnyj, Laura Livesay, Kim Husko, Kendra Smeigh, Jamie Smeigh, Oner Medrano, Katie Jalove-Filippelli...you all don't fit into the "veterans" category yet necessarily, but I cannot NOT thank you all by name. As we've worked in the classroom, been on committees, run Student Council, etc. together over the years, thanks for your dedication, hard work, the laughs and your friendship.

Last but not least, thank you to everyone who may not be a veteran in the building or on the 7th grade team or thanked by me already above. What you ALL have done this year, (and even longer) everyone in their own way, is make the Stanton family complete. Thanks for bringing your talent, your knowledge, your dedication, your sense of humor, your empathy, your creativity, etc. and making Stanton a wonderful place to be!!

Liz Andersen--7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

I think the best way to share my Kudos to end the year is to show you the dedication I wrote in my latest book to get published...in fact, I just got my copies last week. Not surprisingly, we titled it All Means All, because nothing could be more true about our fierce D114 family...

To my ride or dies--the Business Office team! Andrea, Kristie, Maddie, and Mary--I can't imagine trying to do this job without you. I appreciate you so very much and don't tell you often enough how grateful I am for you.

I can't end the year without thanking and congratulating our 2025 retirees:

Liz Andersen, Chris Brown, Cheryl Carroll, Betty Cwiak, Paula Kvacik, Kim Leable, Jeff Sefcik, Cheryl Schuck, and Mary Taylor. It's been an honor and privilege to work alongside you.

From Heather 💙

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

Summer Tutor Needed!!!!

Please see the posting linked here and let me know if you are interested or have questions.

Thanks

Last Day of School

The last day of school is a FULL WORK DAY for staff but an early release for students. Please use the time to complete all check out processes. If you are unable to check out on 5/29, please turn in your check out sheet when you are finished. Remember, we'll be getting the parking lots sealcoated and striped the next week, so I'd encourage everyone to check out as soon as you are able and get your summer started!

Since the End of the Year party will happen on 5/29 (invite below), you are welcome to leave in time to be there for the start of the party at 2:00 if you wish to do so. This means all staff should plan to be onsite until at least 1:45PM.

Get Involved!

The PTA is in need of a Secretary for the 2025-26 school year!!!! Please email pta@foxlake114.org if you have questions or would like information. We LOVE having a D114 staff member on the PTA Board to help inform decision making!

STILL NEEDED--Summer School Teacher and Paraprofessionals!

Please let me know if you are interested in teaching summer school or working as a paraprofessional! You can also share this with others outside D114 who may be looking for summer work! Please have anyone interested reach out to me ASAP! THANKS!

Stipend Requests!!!!

Please be sure to submit any stipend applications ASAP! The folder of alllllll the forms is linked here!

Surveys

I sent out three surveys recently--can you please be sure to provide your input ASAP on all that are applicable to you? THANKS! Please reach out with any questions!

25-26 Supply Money

Special Education Input

Paraprofessional Input for 25-26

Summer Sealcoating

Our lots will be patched, sealcoated, and striped this summer:

Stanton - Monday June 2nd sealcoat and Tuesday June 3rd for striping.

Lotus - Wednesday June 4th for sealcoat and Thursday June 5th for striping.

Friday June 6th will be a rain date.

Summer Curriculum Work

Hello!!! It's that time of year...when I ask for your ideas and proposals for summer curriculum work! THANK YOU to the teams who have already sent in ideas!

Here's WHAT:

Summer Curriculum Writing:
What do YOU want to work on this summer?

Example Projects:
*Planning for new resources as applicable
*SST Planning
*Fencepost work, including 3-2-1 unit designs and 15 day challenge plans
*Stuff YOU want to work on!
Here's How:

Email Heather:
Name(s)
Purpose of the work/intended outcomes
Proposed number of hours
Proposed schedule and plan for work

Notes:
Work must be completed onsite.
Artifacts of the work must be shared with Heather.
Timesheets must be completed, and pay rate is the curriculum rate/hour.

Looking forward to seeing your great ideas! Please send any questions my way!

Open Enrollment for 25-26

Our annual open enrollment period will begin on May 5, 2025 and end on May 31, 2025. Benefits will be effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. All benefit eligible employees returning for the 2025-26 school year must complete the open enrollment process, even if you are not changing any elections or waiving coverage.

During open enrollment you can enroll, waive coverage, add family members or make necessary changes. It's also a great time to review beneficiary, address and other personal information for accuracy. Note: You must re-enroll into your Flexible Spending Plan every plan year.

Dental/Vision Coverage:

Employees are no longer required to take Dental/Vision Insurance through the district. If you do not use our Dental and/or Vision insurance plan, feel free to waive coverage.

I've attached the following Open Enrollment materials for 2025-26:

Benefit Summary Booklet
Self-Service Guide
Health Insurance Rates

Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Maddie

Injury Reporting

If you are injured on the job, you MUST IMMEDIATELY do the following:

1. Report this injury to an administrator.

2. Report the injury to Company Nurse.

Thanks in advance!

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.

Wishing all our D114 colleagues a great last week and a very happy summer break!

Dates to Mark Down:

**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

May 26--District Closed--Memorial Day

May 28--8th Grade Promotion Ceremony--7:00 PM at Grant, doors will open for staff at 6:15

May 29--LAST DAY OF SCHOOL--Early Release

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.