Monday Morning Memo

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Monday Morning Memo 5/20/24---THE LAST ONE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Here are the May Happiness Challenges !!!

And...here are the April Challenge WINNERS:

Anna Morris

Kim VanHoorelbeke

Jamie Smeigh

Thank you Amanda for helping me format my national boards paperwork! Thank you Colleen, Courtney, & Adisyn for watching Eliana for me to go to class and get paperwork done!

Thank you Courtney, Colleen, & Sienna for retesting grades so I could complete report cards!

Thank you Erica & Amanda for getting MAPs testing done for my class since Eliana decided to come early!

Thank you Sonia, Erica, & Amanda for snuggling Ellie so I could eat with two hands!

Thanks to everyone who reached out and checked on me! I’m so thankful for this D114 family

-From Sherry Tietjen (Special Education Teacher at Lotus)

Kudos to Kelly Roland, Mo DeVoss, Christine Spittler, Natalie Udstuen and Adisyn Illg for truly saving the day on Wednesday when I had an emergency situation come up. It definitely confirmed to me that I'm working at the right place. You are all angels on this earth and I'm so lucky to get to work with you!

-From Emily Reczek (2nd grade Teacher)

Thank you Al Giandonato for helping me cook for the PTA Rocket Launch Family Night, you always volunteer and help in any way you can, YOU are very appreciated!

Thank you to the Food Service Staff Lotus and Stanton, for another wonderful school year!

From teacher lunches to kids meals, special events and daily accommodations, you are AMAZING and I appreciate all you do every day.

One more week! Enjoy your Summer :)

Thank you to the amazing Secretaries Sue, Paula, Jill and Michele, your help and support during the school year makes life easier for us, you are appreciated and loved!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!

Thank you Andrea for all your hard work, you Rock on all you do!!

Your work makes things run smoothly.

Thank you for dealing with my supplier's statements, they can be a nightmare. I appreciate you very much!

To all my custodian friends, BIG Thank you for all you do for the food service, you help us every day in so many ways. THAN YOU!

To all the TEACHERS: KUDOS to you!!! Thank you for all you do for the kids every day, it doesn't matter how bad things can get, you will always pivot back and give the best of you. One more week, hang in there!!

Have a great Summer!

-From Georgette Franco (Food Services Coordinator)

The ILP-A squad for doing a great job on the beautification project weeding and mulching our front entrance area around the flag pole.

David Roat for being the best “tech guy” Stanton has ever had! I’m not going to admit this to him but I’m going to miss my boy!!

To all our staff starting a new journey - thanks for everything and good luck

-From Jeff Sefcik (Principal at Stanton)

We want to thank every single person that helped, participated, and cheered on our girls for the Girls on the Run 5K this past Saturday! We appreciate you all for the support and sharing in the joys of the event! We couldn’t have done this without all of you and we are so grateful!

Thank you to: Heather, Matt, Jeff, Natalie U, Amber, Russ, Renee, Teri, Nicole B, Kim V, Gayle, Colleen, Karen, Alana, Megan, Sonia, Penny, Hilda, Yesenia, Tasha, Kendra, Maureen, CJ, Erica

-From Kelly Roland and Mollie Crow (Third grade Teachers and GIRLS ON THE RUN COACHES!!!)

I want to give a big shout out to all the staff at Lotus! I am truly thankful to work with such a caring, supportive group of people. Our Lotus staff really is like a family. Hugs and kind words flow freely on a daily basis! Everyone is willing to step up and help out whenever needed. You all deserve a big round of applause and a pat on the back for being truly awesome!

To my fellow Kinder Teachers and Paras

Ashley Wydra, Donna Saranzak and Sami Harshaw

Gina C and Cheryl S

I feel blessed to work with such an amazing team. You all are such unbelievably talented educators who truly make me a better teacher ( and human) just being in your orbit. Your ideas, insight and creativity inspire me daily. A recent visit from another school, truly highlighted how strong of a team we are and how well we support each other and our students. I am proud of the way in which we advocate for our students and use data to drive instruction.

Thanks ladies for being you!!

Thanks to all the CICO coaches, Ben L. Ashley A., Gina C and Amanda L for their unwavering support helping my littles navigate their day.

Sue P., a belated, thank you for coming down to Kinder and teaching our littles about bees and beekeeping. It was an amazing presentation and we all learned so much! Whenever my students see a photograph of anyone dressed in beekeeping gear, they say "it is just like Ms. Sue". You made quite impression and some great memories!

Thank you to Monica and Courtney for bringing sunshine to our classroom each morning. Thanks for helping myself and the students get started on a positive note each morning.

Brittany L. bless you for coming down and helping out with sensory breaks. I know I have expressed my thanks many times---but I want you to know how appreciative I am.

Special shout out to Amanda Lorenz. In case you all haven't noticed but Amanda is a multi-tasking rock-star. She has been so very supportive of the Kindergarten team and students. She has been going the extra mile to offer sensory breaks to students. She is an amazing CICO Coach and interventionist who is always willing to listen and offer her insight when requested. Words cannot express my thanks to you and all your efforts!

Lisa Huck

I don't know what we are going to do without you! Thanks for always being willing to help out with sensory breaks for our wiggly friends and for rounding up the ducks at the end of each day. Seriously, thanks for all the insight and the humor. I want you to know that because of your influence I tell my students everyday (weather permitting) "ask your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, babysitter, whomever is with you after school if you can GO OUTSIDE and play". As for the shoe tying-----I am hanging my head in shame!

Okay, I am running out of tissues so I need to stop myself!!!

-From Nicole Mild (Kindergarten Teacher)

Amber and Victoria, thanks for all your hard work and dedication on preparing for the Field Day Event. I could not have done it without you.

Russ thanks for stepping in and responding so quickly on Friday to fix a situation. You are always there when we need you.

-From Kim VanHoorelbeke (Para in the Library at Lotus)

Holy moly! My whole heart was full on Saturday at the Girls on the Run 5K! I know there are lots of pictures we can share, but here are a few that I got that summed up the spirit of the event...

Our event--the first one we've done on our own site--was the BIGGEST 5k held at any local GOTR site this spring (info shared by the GOTR on site coordinator)! WOWOW!

THANK YOU to everyone who made this happen...I won't name names because I will for sure leave someone out. I am so grateful to all the staff who supported this effort on Saturday and in all ways to get ready for Saturday. I do want to thank Dan and Elizabeth Olsen for donating the balloon pillars for the photo booth. And, THANK YOU isn't big enough for Mollie Crow and Kelly Roland, who poured their hearts and souls into this effort. They have truly changed our girls' lives for the better!

-From Heather 💓

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

Just a Reminder...

This is your last week to connect personally with the kids! Let's make this week special for our kids and for each other!!!!

✅Complete check out process

✅Finish Open Enrollment for 24-25 insurance

✅Certified Staff--Complete Supply Money Survey

✅Instructional Paras--Complete 24-25 Input Survey

✅Plan to celebrate Lisa Huck's retirement and the end of year at Pug Mahones starting at 2:00 on Friday

✅Email Heather if you'd like to request summer curriculum work hours

✅Turn in your May Happiness Challenges

Come Celebrate Lisa Huck's Retirement at the Board Meeting!

24-25 Insurance

Our annual open enrollment period will begin on May 6, 2024 and end on May 31, 2024. Benefits will be effective September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025. All benefit eligible employees 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.

Please reach out to Maddie Mercado with any questions or concerns, and please check your email for all needed links/materials.

Summer Curriculum Work
Hello!!! Just reminding you that 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! WOW....amazing!!!!!

Here's WHAT:

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

Example Projects:
*Using Flash Back (will be created during upcoming CTT time) to plan to Flash Forward for next year
*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!

Save the date: The next EAFL Spirit Day will be on Tuesday, May 21st. Join us that evening for a Board Meeting at Lotus!

What is YOUR passion project? Do you have one? Do you need money to get it going? IEA is here to help you get that project off the ground. Click below to start the application process

Click here for application:

All applications submitted January 16th to July 15th will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of their funding status by August 15th from score@ieanea.org.

Benefit Highlight - CustomGuide Interactive Training Courses for IEA Members & Staff

Did you know IEA members and staff have access to the interactive online CustomGuide training library for free? Brush up your Business Communication Skills with the Business Writing, Effective Presentations, or Email Etiquette courses!

Self-register for an account then login to access these courses and more. Questions? Reach out to Kelsey.Harms@ieanea.org

Cubs-Padres game at Wrigley Field - Special Ticket Offer for all Educators

Tuesday, May 7, 6:40 p.m. Learn more here.

Tuesday, May 21--Board of Education Meeting at 7PM at Lotus or via Meet

Wednesday, May 22--8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Grant

Friday, May 24--Early Release and Last Day of School and Staff End of Year Party!

Heather 💙

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Monday Morning Memo--5/13/24--ONE MORE TO GO!!!

Here are the May Happiness Challenges !!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who took time out of their day to help us with skating week!! From skating with your class to helping us tie! HUGE shoutout to Chris Brown and Gayle McManamon for your consistent support and help with skating week making sure everything went smoothly!

Shoutout to Russ for helping me cut PVC Pipe and Donny for helping me put my skate trainers together! The kids LOVED them and you were a huge part in making that happen!

- Amber Mysliwiec (PE Teacher at Lotus)

I just want to give a BIG thank you to the fourth grade team for being such awesome teammates and collaborating with me each day. You have been such a huge help to me and my first year. Thanks for all you do!

and

Brittany Luther, I don't know what I would do without you. You have such a BIG heart and I can't thank you enough for everything that you do day in and day out. You are such a great teammate and we rock together. You have totally made this year a year to remember. Sending you some much deserved appreciation for all you’ve taught me. Thanks for becoming such a dear friend to me. Much love my girl!

and

Colleen, thank you for your communication and always being on the same page with me to ensure our students are being safe and successful in all environments. You have such a devotion to your work and I appreciate you.

-From Ashley Arff (Special Education Teacher at Lotus)

Thank you Sue Pinkawa! We loved having you present to our class about Bees! The kids had such a wonderful time and loved the dance! You are a special person! Thanks again!

-From The Dream Team (ILP at Lotus)

Chris Carvell, Kendra Smeigh, and Kim Husko thank you for sharing your PE supplies and space with the NJHS for the the knockout tournament and Parents' Night Out. You always enthusiastically support any event they plan.

Sue, Karen, and Yvette, thanks so much for sharing your freezer for the 7th-grade ice pops, providing snacks for our NJHS Parents' Night Out, and supplying the Staff Pride Cookies. Your willingness to help is amazing!

Thank you David Roat and Jeff Sefcik for getting the NJHS new recording equipment for their WNJHS-TV project.

A million thanks to those of you who donated so generously to the Fox's Closet this year! Every day I see kids at Stanton wearing things that they have gotten from it. Thank you, Georgette Franco, for being my Fox's Closet partner, and to Norm Fischer for always helping us with setting up tables.

Cassie Curtis, Liz Andersen, and Niccole Culbertson, thanks for being the best teammates and making this year awesome!

-From Karen Brnot (7th grade Science Teacher)

Averie Schultz was 1 of 2 recipients of the Fox Lake Grade School District 114 scholarship presented on May 8th. Each candidate writes a personal essay and answers an additional prompt about their experiences while attending Lotus and Stanton School.

Kudos to the following staff members mentioned by name in Averie's response.

Mr. Bresset for challenging me to get out of my comfort zone.

Mrs. Husko for making me feel like I could do anything and that I am amazing.

Mrs. Smeigh for being my #1 supporter in and out of school

Averie finishes with - I love Stanton School - every aspect - she lists several examples concluding with even the lunch ladies!

-From Jeff Sefcik (Principal at Stanton)

Thank you to the 6-8 ELA team at Stanton for welcoming our colleagues from Lake Forest into their classrooms and participating in a rich Q&A session!

-From Natalie Molidor (Instructional Coach at Stanton)

Thanks to everyone who contributed and helped us celebrate the staff last week! I know I'll forget someone if I try to name everyone, so just please know that I appreciate you!

-From Heather 💓

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

Just a Reminder...

Come Celebrate Lisa Huck's Retirement!!!

Chromebook Pilot

Please find linked here a What, Why, and How document about student device and staff device replacement. I know much of this was shared with you at the EAFL articulation meeting (thank you!) because I've already gotten emails from certified staff who are interested in piloting the Chrome devices next year as their main device.

David Roat put together an awesome slide deck to list out the pros and cons of Chromebooks and Laptops---if you're looking for more information, please check it out.

I'd ask that you:

1. Please do a read through of the document--any questions, send them to me.

2. Email me if you're interested in being part of our learning pilot next year of certified staff trying out Chrome devices instead of laptops.

Support staff--please read through, but the plan would be for you to continue using Chrome devices!

24-25 Insurance

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.

Please reach out to Maddie Mercado with any questions or concerns, and please check your email for all needed links/materials.

Company Nurse

Please know that our nurses are required, when staff report injuries, to have the staff member:
1. Complete an injury report
2. Contact Company Nurse

Our district insurance policy requires this. If we don't consistently follow this practice, we put the District in a place of liability, and I can't let that happen. That's why I get a copy of every injury summary report of injury---part of my job responsibility is to monitor for these, follow up with staff, and ensure that we are in compliance.

I know it can be a pain, but I really need everyone to follow the protocol. Thanks in advance!

24-25 Student Registration

FYI, registration for next year is open ! If families pose any questions that you can't answer or need assistance, please just direct them to the office. We got this!

Let's Get Running!!!!!

We are so excited that our Girls on the Run/D114 Community Run/Walk 5K is approaching on Saturday, May 18th!

Here is the link for the 5K event waiver that all participants will need to complete:

https://forms.gle/aVhCSGi36wGjEue3A

When you arrive at the event, all participants must check in at the check in table. Participants will receive a wristband they need to participate in the event.

*Every participant on the course has to have a completed waiver on file.

Here are some important reminders about this event:

Race starts at 8:30am
This is a FREE event
You must check in before the race starts to receive your wristband
Parking is available in the Stanton School Parking Lot
Volunteers will be helping direct runners. Runners MUST STAY on the designated course
This is a rain or shine event
This is NOT a drop off event. Parents/guardians must be present at the event at all times

Please reach out to us with any questions. Thank you for supporting the Girls on the Run program and participating in this community event!

Coach Kelly & Coach Mollie (3rd Grade Teachers at Lotus)

Kelly Roland (kelly.roland@foxlake114.org)

Mollie Crow (mollie.crow@foxlake114.org)

Field Trips

FYI--field trips are already booked on the following dates. No additional trips can be booked on these dates:

May 14th - 4th Grade - Camp Duncan - End of year class trip

May 20th - 8th Grade Class Trip

May 23rd - 1st Grade - Chicago Botanic Gardens

Family Rocket Launch--CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER!

Thursday, May 16th 5-8pm (Rain Date: Friday, May 17th)

Lotus School -Use the Events Entrance

Dinner will be served!!

*Bring a 2 liter bottle for your rocket!!

You will decorate and launch your rocket!! Enjoy some dinner and snacks to celebrate the end of the year!!

Save the date: The next EAFL Spirit Day will be on Tuesday, May 21st. Join us that evening for a Board Meeting at Lotus!

What is YOUR passion project? Do you have one? Do you need money to get it going? IEA is here to help you get that project off the ground. Click below to start the application process

Click here for application:

All applications submitted January 16th to July 15th will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of their funding status by August 15th from score@ieanea.org.

Benefit Highlight - CustomGuide Interactive Training Courses for IEA Members & Staff

Self-register for an account then login to access these courses and more. Questions? Reach out to Kelsey.Harms@ieanea.org

Cubs-Padres game at Wrigley Field - Special Ticket Offer for all Educators

Tuesday, May 7, 6:40 p.m. Learn more here.

Thursday, May 16 5-8pm (Rain Date: Friday, May 17th)--PTA Family Rocket Launch

Saturday, May 18--GOTR/D114 Community 5K Walk/Run

Tuesday, May 21--Board of Education Meeting

Wednesday, May 22--8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Grant

Friday, May 24--Early Release and Last Day of School---staff party details coming soon!