Tip of the Week
Look for JOY!
In the last few days, please...
Look for the happy,
Try not to be sappy,
Enjoy one moment at a time, and
Remember how much we all SHINE.
One Team, All In!
And since we are ALL teachers, I thought this just made sense...
Kudos to Sonia, Hilda & Elizabeth for an amazing year! You all put your whole heart into our job. Great team!!
Kudos to EVERYONE! It’s been a long but great year! You are all making a difference in the kiddos lives!!
-Penny Brown--Kitchen Team at Lotus
6th Grade Team (Katy G, Dayja W, Leah F, and Cynthia T)- I just wanted to give a huge kudos to all of you for the hard work, support, and positivity you bring every day. Being able to work alongside such a dedicated and caring team has truly made this school year special. I appreciate each and every one of you more than you know! It has been amazing working with all of you this year.
Social Studies Team (Niall and Walter)- I just wanted to thank both of you for such an amazing school year. I truly appreciate all of the support, teamwork, laughs, and collaboration throughout the year. It has been so great working alongside both of you, and I’m grateful for everything we accomplished together. Thank you for always being there and making this year such a positive experience. I appreciate you both!
Jamie Smeigh, Oner Medrano, and Becky Hiles- Thank you all for everything you have done for our students each and every day this school year. I appreciate having you all in Social Studies class!
Kyle Altick- Thanks for being such a great community-building partner! Sharing all the laughs in the morning is such a great way to start the day.
Sam Mock- Thank you for always printing things for me and helping out whenever I need it. You have been such a huge help this year, and I truly appreciate everything you do!
-Kaitlyn Goorsky--6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Kudos to everybody in d114 who's made my first 2 years of teaching feel like home. 
Jenny and Danielle, you guys have been my rock and I am so thankful for our forever friendships. Regina and Jackie thank you for being the best support system EVER!!!
Tom and Mat thank you for your support, guidance, and strong leadership. We appreciate all that you guys do!!!
Oner, I've learned so much from you! Thank you for teaching me how to be a better coach each and every practice. Bailey thanks for the laughs and talks during state this past weekend.
Kim and Meghan, speaking for 5th grade, we wouldn't have survived this year without your support and love for our kids. You guys are amazing times a million.
-Jessica Lieber--5th Grade Teacher
Thank you to my village of family and friends!! I’m going to miss Fox Lake but I have memories to last a lifetime from all the good people here over the last 7 years!
-Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus
Kudos to Danielle Donelli, Jessica Lieber, and Regina Abizaid Vega! I truly couldn't ask for a better team. Whether it's lending a listening ear or just truly making me laugh, you all make coming to work so fun! Jess, we will miss you like crazy next year!!
Kudos to Oner Medrano for all your help this year, but especially this week for opening your classroom up to a student that truly just needed a space to help him make it through the day. You are amazing!
-Jenny Reiff--5th Grade Teacher
elly R. Thank you for your uplifting email this week. You always know what to say!
Jillian R. Thank you for having such responsible students. One of your students came to me and said he missed school on Monday and would like to meet with you today.
Emily, Sue, and Yvette- A big thank you for the treat and support the other day!
Fiona and Alana-Thank you for all your support throughout the year.
Kim R.-you’re the best!
Karen B. Thank you for our talk the other day.
Sammie and Alana- Its been fun doing the Lotus Snack Cart this year! I loved seeing the students grow!
Bryan B.- I appreciate you! It is a pleasure to have you next to my office. You Rock! You rock both as a teacher and person.
Nicole C.- I so appreciate your ability to make every situation seem effortless and always with humor.
-Karen Lobo--Speech/Language Pathologist
A huge thank you to Leah and Regina for stepping into your case manager and special educator roles like absolute bosses! Your incredible skills shine every day, and the Fox Lake family is so lucky to have you.
Karen, Jillian, and Cathy—thank you for being the rock-solid core of our special education team. Your positive, "can-do" attitude and handling every student's needs with grace. We always know we can count on you to put students first.
Kim and Meghan, thank you for wearing countless hats to support our students, staff, and families. It is an exhausting job to be there for everyone, and I truly value your teamwork in finding solutions. You are officially lifetime members of the "extra mile club!"
Matt and Tom, what a fantastic ride it has been working with you both! You’ve accomplished so much in your first year, and I can't wait to see all the amazing things this next year will bring.
To Karen Lobo: It was so nice to have you around the building more this year. It is so great to see and hear the growth the students you work with make such great progress! You are a rock star, and you make a massive difference every single day. Thank you for pouring so much heart into our students!
-Lynn Smolen--Student Support Coordinator
A huge thank‑you to Mike Szotek for jumping in so quickly when my computer went down. Your speed, skill, and willingness to help made all the difference. You really are the best.
Thank you, Joseph Fernandez, for being such a supportive friend and colleague. I truly appreciate how you’ve been there to listen when I needed someone to talk to, and how you stepped in to take on extra responsibilities while I was out sick. Your kindness and reliability mean a lot.
Thank you, Cary Scarpino, for being such a great study buddy and friend. You’ve kept me motivated throughout the year, and I’m so glad I get to work with you. I also really appreciate the supplies you donated to the reading room. It was very generous!
I want to thank Abbey and Kelly for the joy, warmth, and positivity you bring into our school every day. You make such a meaningful impact on both students and staff. Your kindness in taking on the after‑school van lines this year meant more than you know, and I appreciate you both!
Thank you, Sue Pinkawa, for everything you do. You are truly amazing, and I can’t imagine how we’d manage without you. You make a meaningful difference at Lotus every day!
And...My heartfelt thanks to the entire Lotus staff for your check‑ins, prayers, support, and kind words throughout this school year. I am grateful to be part of such a caring district. I hope each of you enjoys a restful and joyful summer.
-Joan Kantenwein--Literacy Interventionist at Lotus
Dayja, Leah, Kaitlyn, and Katy for making me feel welcomed into the sixth grade team, answering my many, MANY questions, and always having a listening ear. I am so grateful to have been a part of such a supportive and caring team.
Brian Dungan for adding extra support in my room, acquiring pencils to restock my supply, and offering aid to me and the students.
Kim Husko for bringing your expertise into community building and digging into deep topics with our kids.
Karen Brnot for being my science guide and convincing me that I in fact sometimes know what to do.
Matt and Tom for supporting our students in monumental ways, always checking in, and building relationships with everyone you meet.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
-Cynthia Tsarpalas--6th Grade Science Teacher
Thank you to everyone that had the great idea to share kind words with each other at the end of the school year. What a privilege to work with people who keep coming up with ways to build everyone up.
-Carmen Dean--PreK Teacher
Thank you to my amazing 8th grade team! Walter, Dan, Hailey, Josie, and Jack — I truly appreciate all of the support, teamwork, and encouragement we have shared throughout this year. I’m grateful for everything we have done to help one another and make this year a success!
Thank you Karen and Cynthia for the science conversations, laughs, and advice this year!
Thank you to EVERYONE at Stanton for helping and guiding me through my daily questions about anything and everything! Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
-Cindy Hamilton-8th Grade Science Teacher
Kudos to my 4th grade team for all of the love, laughs, support, encouragement, and guidance this year. You all truly made my first year of teaching so special, and I'll always be grateful to have collaborated on the same team together. It's so sweet to call you all coworkers AND friends. :)
Kudos to Kelly Roland for being such a shining light at Lotus and taking me under your wing this year. I really appreciate all of the encouragement and love, and I'll miss our conversations together!
Kudos to Caitlyn Fenton for serving as my mentor this year. I'm so glad I could learn from you in my first year of teaching, and I'm so grateful for all of your help and support all year long!
Kudos to Lili Tosado for becoming one of my teacher besties this year. It's been so great getting to know you and share in our first year of teaching together. I'm going to miss you so much!
Kudos to Melissa McCart, Sammi G, Abbey Kadera, Nicole Brinkman, Gina, Brooke, and all other staff who supported my students this year! It is so appreciated and I am so glad I got to collaborate with you all.
Kudos to Michelle, Colleen, Courtney, and the rest of the lunch crew! It's been so nice sharing my mid-day break with you all this year. :)
Kudos to the Lotus admin for all of the support, ideas, and guidance this year. I am so grateful to have started my career with such incredible people to look up to and learn from!
- Adalia Tate--4th Grade Teacher
Thank you, Sue Pinkawa, for carving out time from your already very busy schedule each year to share your bee presentation with us. The kids absolutely light up when you’re here, and it means so much for them to see the real honeycomb, the tools you use, and the passion you bring to your work. You teach all of us—children and adults alike—something new every time. We’re truly grateful for the care, joy, and knowledge you bring to our school.
Thank you, Erin Connolly‑Jordt, for putting on such a wonderful music concert. The kids shined on stage, and it was clear how much heart and guidance you poured into helping them get there. Their families absolutely loved it, and your dedication made the whole evening feel truly special.
-The First Grade Team
Thank you, Sherry Tietjen and Colleen Robinson, for being so wonderfully helpful and accommodating as I work on moving everything into your room. Your patience, flexibility, and willingness to make space—both literally and figuratively—have made this transition feel easy and supported. I truly appreciate all you’ve done to help me settle in.
Thank you, Eddie Villarreal, for continuously emptying countless garbage cans as I purge a decade’s worth of things I no longer need. Your help has made this process so much easier, and I truly appreciate your patience and hard work.
Thank you, Don Ukleja, for handling my many work‑order requests with such patience and positivity. I’m grateful for all the work you’ll be doing to help make this transition smooth.
-Cary Scarpino--1st Grade Teacher
Huge thank you to Oner Medrano for helping me with reports!
~Cynthia Cook--Health Tech at Stanton
Kudos to Kaitlyn May for holding the fort down for me when I had to be out yesterday! I know my class was in good hands!
-Janene Leicht--2nd Grade Teacher
wanted to take a moment to recognize Jessica Lieber, Niall Schoenfelder, and especially Bryan Bailey for their commitment to the Stanton Track and Field team. From the early morning practices and 6am Saturday meetups at Stanton to the late-night meet finishes, this season was one for the books, and it simply wouldn't have been a success without your tireless dedication.
Thanks to your guidance and expertise, we had 11 athletes compete at East Peoria, 6 of which placed at state! The most Stanton has had in 10 years! I am grateful to have worked with coaches always willing to go the extra mile for our student-athletes.
-Oner Medrano--Bilingual Teacher at Stanton
Thanks to Donnie Ukleja for replacing my classroom's hand sanitizer.
Thank you to my 6th grade teammates (Leah Falster, Kaitlyn Goorsky, Cynthia Tsarpalas, and Dayja Wiedzierzecki) for a great year. I've enjoyed the work and the laughs we've had this year!
Kudos To Kayti Hoepner for being my Community Building partner. I appreciate you!
Kudos to Sam Mock for all of your hard work supporting our 6th graders in class... and all of the treats this school year that you brought us.
A long overdue thank you to Kim Husko for, once again, making your delicious pancakes for my Community Building class to celebrate their Courageous Cash goal.
Another long overdue thank you to Leah Falster for putting together the presentation to our 6th graders to help them stay focused these last few weeks of school.
-Katy Gardner--6th and 7th Grade Math Teacher
Mo, S. Lear, A. Morris, Kim R., Kelly R. Sonia, Natalie and anyone else I may have forgotten. THANK YOU so much for always thinking of the store for the students. There will be lotus of smiles in the Fall. 
Nicole M.- it was so kind of you to check on me to see how it was going :)
Jillian- you are are the Queen Master of Scheduling/Map/ideas, etc. etc. for Field Day. You are so much appreciated and ugh we will so miss you next year :( but happy for you on your new adventures as you will thrive wherever you are!
PreK - thanks for allowing library to borrow your dinos and other creatures for some fun enrichment centers.
Don - thanks for keeping us comfortable all year and for the cool nest we got to investigate at the bird center in library.
Anna - thanks for all your help in collaborating with the First Aid and all you have done this year for us and our students.
Nicole B, Sonia, Chad - it has been a pleasure working with you this year in the PBIS world.
-Kim VanHoorelbeke--Library Paraprofessional at Lotus
Kudos to Al for doing a great job cleaning up the school these past few days, especially the paint messes on wednesday, you're so appreciated! AND for being my flag folding partner!
Kudos to the 7th grade team for making this such a fun first year for me, it's been such a fun full circle moment for me 
Kudos to Jill and Burgess, thanks for all you do and for the advice, perspectives, and words you offered up throughout the year, I'm so greatful to have you guys to talk to when I need.
Kudos to Kendra and Jamie Smeigh, thanks for always being in my corner and making this first year so great, I love working with you guys!
Kudos to Jillian R, you make every day so much better and I so appreciate you doing my hair all the time LOL.
Kudos to the kitchen staff, I love all of our talks and the countless times you've offered up goodies throughout the year, this place wouldn't run without you!
Kudos Niccole Culbertson, I just love ya! I don't think there's been a day this year that we haven't laughed about something and I wouldn't want it any other way!
-Averie Schultz--Paraprofessional at Stanton
Kudos to the entire Lotus staff for being so welcoming and flexible during our first ever Walk of Scholars on Wednesday morning! Hoping this becomes a long running tradition!
Kudos to Bryan Bailey for representing all of the things and groups at the BOE meeting this past week!
Kudos to the ENTIRE Stanton and D114 family for making this first year at Stanton to amazing! The support, patience, care, and partnership is appreciated beyond words! Thank you!!! #ProudToBeAFox!
-Tom Cardamone--Principal at Stanton
Taking a moment to reflect and celebrate the year behind, I wanted to say thank you to the following teams. Jessica, Oner and Eric (our amazing bus driver) for all the effort and sacrifice it took to make the track season a success. We did it! Kyle, Kayti, and AJ for the creativity, cooperation, and therapy sessions that made this a year to remember. I will be forever grateful for our time together.
-Bryan Bailey--Code and Construct Teacher at Stanton
Kudos to my amazing co-workers. I have enjoyed working with you this year.
Niccole-thank you for being the one I can come to when I need help with anything.
Karen-thank you for being the one to make us laugh during team time.
Niall-thank you for being a great contributor to the 7th grade team. I know wherever you go you will be doing great things.
Cathy-thank you for all the support you gave me in class this year. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Averie-thank you for being an awesome community building partner and a great attribute to the seventh grade team. We were lucky to have you!
Kaitlyn-thanks for being a great friend. I can’t wait to see where you go with your new adventure.
Kim Mack-thank you for being an amazing walking partner this year. Our conversations have truly meant a lot to me!
-Renee Evans--7th and 8th Grade Math Teacher
To Karen Brnot and NJHS for redoing the back beds at Stanton. Can't wait to see the new crop of sunflowers.
To Joseph Fernandez and everyone who made the Rocket Launch a success!
To everyone who made the 8th grade Walk of Scholars on Wednesday, trip to Action Territory on Thursday, and the Dance on Friday happen!
To everyone who helped make our PreK Graduation magical!
To everyone who was part of Tuesday's monumental recognition at the Board meeting!!!! That. Was. Amazing!
Heather 💙
2026-27 Insurance
Our annual open enrollment period will begin on May 4, 2026 and end on May 31, 2026. Benefits will be effective September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. All benefit eligible employees returning for the 2026-27 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.
Please reach out to Madeline Mercado with any questions and please check your email for specific information from her about rates.
Please Share!!!!
Last Day Details!!!!
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 5/28, please turn in your check out sheet when you are finished.
Since the End of the Year party will happen on 5/28 (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.
END OF YEAR CHECK OUT
You will get info from your home site on check out forms/processes. Please note--if you have an outstanding lunch balance, you will not be permitted to check out until you talk with Natalie to make a plan for paying off your balance.
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES
We're still in need of the positions below--please let me know if you're interested. If someone you know is interested, please have them reach out to me directly via email.
*Summer School Paraprofessional
Also--if you're working summer school and are interested in adding some hours to your day by riding the bus, let me know!
Lotus Spirit Countdown!
Budget Requests for 26-27
FYI, Spending for this school year is now CLOSED. Please reach out to me directly ASAP if you have items of need for this school year.
With that said, we are working on next year's budget!!! We are going to build a very, very LEAN budget for all discretionary items. As always, we'll do our best to meet the students' needs in the most fiscally responsible ways.
Here's how:
2. Save it as "(Your Name) Request for Funds 26-27"
3. Put all requests on ONE TAB, with each request and its information on one line. If you have multiple requests/vendors, put each on its own line on the same tab.
4. Share the document with Natalie Udstuen.
If you have already submitted a request, you DO NOT NEED TO RESUBMIT.
This DOES NOT include supply money--that's a whole different thing, and I just sent an email on that. 
Please direct any questions about fund requests to Natalie. Any questions about supply money should come to me.
Coursework Hours!!!
Please remember that any and all coursework reimbursement requests or lane changes for 26-27 MUST be submitted by June 30!
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!!!!!
Looking forward to seeing your great ideas! Please send any questions my way!
Employee Assistance Program---AVAILABLE DURING SUMMER, TOO!
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner, AllOne Health, has launched a new Member Portal.
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner, AllOne Health, has launched a new Member Portal.
The updated portal is easier to use and aligned with the AllOne Health App, making it simple to access counseling, mental health resources, and well-being support.
What’s new:
- A refreshed, user-friendly portal
- Easier access to EAP and well-being services
- One login for both the app and the portal
You can access services at AllOneHealth.com/portal.
You may notice that new materials reference updated landing pages. If employees use an existing or bookmarked link, it will automatically redirect to AllOneHealth.com/portal—no action needed.
If you already use the AllOne Health App, log in with the same credentials. If not, create an account—your login will work for both the app and the portal.
Please review the attached flyer for sign-up instructions and watch the short orientation video here:
Orientation Video
Confidential support remains available 24/7 for employees and their household members.
If you have questions, please contact me.
Thanks,
Maddie
Stay informed by reading the Region 49 Newsletter
See what your membership has to offer! Go to ieanea.org to see all of the happenings and most up to date information on union matters. Go to ieanea.org/benefits/ to explore discounts and deals that are offered to you with your membership. 
Good morning, District 114!
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our last event of the year, the Family Rocket Launch!! We had a great turnout, and it was so much fun watching families build and launch rockets together while enjoying pizza, lemonade, and Kona Ice!!
Make sure to join our Facebook Group Page to see some photos and videos of the Family Rocket Launch!
Thank you for all your support this year! We hope everyone has a super summer, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the ice cream socials during Meet and Greet in August!
Have fun and be safe!!!
THIS WEEK
May 26--8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
May 28--Last Day of School and Staff CELEBRATION!!!! 🥳
Looking Ahead...
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Proud to be...
