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@D114Stanton
@D114Lotus
@FLGSD114
#District114proud
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Kudos to Tiffany Tardio for researching and helping us jump start our Writer's Workshop in Kindergarten!
-from Tiffany Mihovilovich
I would like to thank Jamie Smeigh and Maddie Kerr for stepping up to mentor students who will really benefit from your support!
-from Betty Cwiak
A HUGE thank you to Paula Kvacik for helping us resolve our Skyward gradebook issue!!!!!
-from Michele Burgess
Kudos to Fiona Wisniewski for being so flexible with our team, working around all our schedules to make sure the needs of EACH student are being met! You are truly an asset to our team! :)
-from the Kindergarten team
Kudos to Joan Kantenwein! We asked her (very) last minute to complete an F&P record (that wasn't scheduled to be done for 3 more days) so we could have the information for a parent meeting. Like the rock star she is, she did it within minutes of us asking! THANK YOU!
and
Kudos to Russ for helping a student of mine get her desk to the right height to help her with her posture! THANK YOU!
-from Kelly Roland
Thanks to Kim VanHoorelbeke for helping us all work on our CPR skills and cardiac safety!
-from Heather
Shout out to the Pre-K team for donating supplies to our STEM club! You gals ROCK!
-from Sue Marker & Erica Barraza
I'd like to send out a awesome job done to the Lotus & Stanton kitchen staff for their hard work during the 16-17 school year.Lotus served 21,400 Breakfasts and 55,280 lunches. Stanton served 7,861 Breakfasts and 31,199 lunches. That's a total of of 115,740 Meals!
-from Andrea DeMatteo
When you have a kudo to share for someone, please just email me and I'll include it here! The goal is to create system celebrations--so your input is truly welcome!
News from the Business Office
Holiday Pay
It seems that the interpretation of taking days off around a district holiday has been unclear in the past. This has, then, led to inconsistent application of holiday pay deductions.
Please note that, moving forward and in alignment with 11.18 in the contract, the following will apply:
Staff members may not take the day before and/or after a holiday off using personal or vacation time and also be paid for the holiday. If a staff member takes the day before and/or after the holiday off, they will not be paid for the holiday. Should a staff member use sick time, the contract requirements for sick leave must be met.
The only exception to this is if the staff member is taking a vacation that extends at least one day beyond the days immediately before or after the holiday.
If you have any questions about this, please let me know!
Name Changes
If your name changes for any reason, please contact Sandy Popp so that we can adjust all records accordingly.
Supply Reimbursement
In order to be reimbursed for the $200 classroom allotment, please purchase your classroom aligned materials and submit your receipts with a check request for reimbursement.
Illinois Funding
Given the fact that we've FINALLY gotten an agreement on school funding in Illinois, I want to share information on you as it comes to be. If you'd like to learn a lot more, here's a link to a very good webinar that describes the basics of the new model. I'll also attach the slides of the webinar to this week's blog email.
The question I get most often is, "Will we lose money in this new model?" The answer is a resounding NO! There is a hold harmless clause to the entire bill, ensuring that no district will get less that current funding. All districts will get more, with the "more" determined using an adequacy model.
For us in D114, I do not think we'll see a huge influx of additional funds, but the numbers are not yet in for me to confirm a final estimate. As I learn more, so will you! :)
Flex Benefits
Please see attached for a required notice regarding your 403(b) access. Additionally, please remember that Sandy Popp and David Rutkowski will be available to answer any questions you have about flexible benefits this Wednesday at Lotus in the morning and at Stanton in the afternoon!
Professional Development
Earlier this week, Maureen DeVoss sent out a survey developed to better understand training needs for staff. If you haven't yet had a chance to complete this survey, PLEASE do so. Your input will drive our planning!
Thank you!
ESSA--Every Student Succeeds Act
Now that our funding is approved, so is the aligned accountability plan! We will now, as a system, start working to learn about and implement the expectations of ESSA. Believe me...much more to come on this. To "prime the pump", here's a one-pager to illustrate the key elements...
FACILITIES UPDATES
As we continue to streamline processes, Don and I have worked to help clarify how to get custodial and maintenance assistance when needed...take a peek below! :)
Please use the work request link to let our team know what you need. The link can be found in the list below...
Keep watching for technology updates and news you can use!
Education Association of Fox Lake News and Updates
The executive board had a great time meeting with our new members on Wednesday after school. We hope they enjoyed learning more about our association! If anyone who was unable to attend still needs an association t-shirt, please let Melissa know what size you would like by the end of the school day Monday.
On Wednesday, September 20th we will be meeting as an entire association for our 1st semester articulation. The meeting will be in the Stanton cafeteria at 1:45 p.m. Please mark your calendar, looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Upcoming IEA Sponsored Events
- Developing Computational Literacy in the Classroom Workshop on 9/16/17 from 9-11:30 (https://www.cvent.com/c/expre
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Presentation on 10/2/17 from 5-6:30 (https://www.cvent.com/c/expre
- Resilience: The Biology of Stress and The Science of Hope documentary viewing and panel discussion on 10/4/17 from 4:30-7:00(https://www.cvent.com/c/expre
Melissa Williams, President
Maureen DeVoss, Vice President for Certified Staff
Chris Brown, Vice President for Non-Certified Staff
Katy Gardner, Treasurer
Betty Cwiak, Secretary
Barb Brown, Region Representative
Matt Shannon, Stanton School Representative
Tiffany Tardio, Lotus School Representative
Questions for thought as you read...
Which of these habits come easily for you?
Which are habits that are more of a "stretch"?
If you asked your students/our learners, which habits would THEY say you show? WE show?
11 Habits of an Effective Teacher
By Carrie Lam
I really appreciate teachers who are truly passionate about teaching. The teacher who wants to be an inspiration to others. The teacher who is happy with his/her job at all times. The teacher who every child in the school would love to have. The teacher kids remember for the rest of their lives. Are you that teacher? Read on and learn 11 effective habits of an effective teacher.
1. ENJOYS TEACHING
Teaching is meant to be a very enjoyable and rewarding career field (although demanding and exhausting at times!). You should only become a teacher if you love children and intend on caring for them with your heart. You cannot expect the kids to have fun if you are not having fun with them! If you only read the instructions out of a textbook, it's ineffective. Instead, make your lessons come alive by making it as interactive and engaging as possible. Let your passion for teaching shine through each and everyday. Enjoy every teaching moment to the fullest.
2. MAKES A DIFFERENCE
There is a saying, "With great power, comes great responsibility". As a teacher, you need to be aware and remember the great responsibility that comes with your profession. One of your goals ought to be: Make a difference in their lives. How? Make them feel special, safe and secure when they are in your classroom. Be the positive influence in their lives. Why? You never know what your students went through before entering your classroom on a particular day or what conditions they are going home to after your class. So, just in case they are not getting enough support from home, at least you will make a difference and provide that to them.
3. SPREADS POSITIVITY.
Bring positive energy into the classroom every single day. You have a beautiful smile so don't forget to flash it as much as possible throughout the day. I know that you face battles of your own in your personal life but once you enter that classroom, you should leave all of it behind before you step foot in the door. Your students deserve more than for you to take your frustration out on them. No matter how you are feeling, how much sleep you've gotten or how frustrated you are, never let that show. Even if you are having a bad day, learn to put on a mask in front of the students and let them think of you as a superhero (it will make your day too)! Be someone who is always positive, happy and smiling. Always remember that positive energy is contagious and it is up to you to spread it. Don't let other people's negativity bring you down with them.
4. GETS PERSONAL
This is the fun part and absolutely important for being an effective teacher! Get to know your students and their interests so that you can find ways to connect with them. Don't forget to also tell them about yours! Also, it is important to get to know their learning styles so that you can cater to each of them as an individual. In addition, make an effort to get to know their parents as well. Speaking to the parents should not be looked at as an obligation but rather, an honour. In the beginning of the school year, make it known that they can come to you about anything at anytime of the year. In addition, try to get to know your colleagues on a personal level as well. You will be much happier if you can find a strong support network in and outside of school.
5. GIVES 100%
Whether you are delivering a lesson, writing report cards or offering support to a colleague - give 100%. Do your job for the love of teaching and not because you feel obligated to do it. Do it for self-growth. Do it to inspire others. Do it so that your students will get the most out of what you are teaching them. Give 100% for yourself, students, parents, school and everyone who believes in you. Never give up and try your best - that's all that you can do. (That's what I tell the kids anyway!)
6. STAYS ORGANIZED
Never fall behind on the marking or filing of students' work. Try your best to be on top of it and not let the pile grow past your head! It will save you a lot of time in the long run. It is also important to keep an organized planner and plan ahead! The likelihood of last minute lesson plans being effective are slim. Lastly, keep a journal handy and jot down your ideas as soon as an inspired idea forms in your mind. Then, make a plan to put those ideas in action.
7. IS OPEN-MINDED
As a teacher, there are going to be times where you will be observed formally or informally (that's also why you should give 100% at all times). You are constantly being evaluated and criticized by your boss, teachers, parents and even children. Instead of feeling bitter when somebody has something to say about your teaching, be open-minded when receiving constructive criticism and form a plan of action. Prove that you are the effective teacher that you want to be. Nobody is perfect and there is always room for improvement. Sometimes, others see what you fail to see.
8. HAS STANDARDS
Create standards for your students and for yourself. From the beginning, make sure that they know what is acceptable versus what isn't. For example, remind the students how you would like work to be completed. Are you the teacher who wants your students to try their best and hand in their best and neatest work? Or are you the teacher who couldn't care less? Now remember, you can only expect a lot if you give a lot. As the saying goes, "Practice what you preach".
9. FINDS INSPIRATION
An effective teacher is one who is creative but that doesn't mean that you have to create everything from scratch! Find inspiration from as many sources as you can. Whether it comes from books, education, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, blogs, TpT or what have you, keep finding it!
10. EMBRACES CHANGE
In life, things don't always go according to plan. This is particularly true when it comes to teaching. Be flexible and go with the flow when change occurs. An effective teacher does not complain about changes when a new principal arrives. They do not feel the need to mention how good they had it at their last school or with their last group of students compared to their current circumstances. Instead of stressing about change, embrace it with both hands and show that you are capable of hitting every curve ball that comes your way!
11. CREATES REFLECTIONS
An effective teacher reflects on their teaching to evolve as a teacher. Think about what went well and what you would do differently next time. You need to remember that we all have "failed" lessons from time to time. Instead of looking at it as a failure, think about it as a lesson and learn from it. As teachers, your education and learning is ongoing. There is always more to learn and know about in order to strengthen your teaching skills. Keep reflecting on your work and educating yourself on what you find are your "weaknesses" as we all have them! The most important part is recognizing them and being able to work on them to improve your teaching skills.
There are, indeed, several other habits that make an effective teacher but these are the ones that I find most important. Many other character traits can be tied into these ones as well.
LAST WORD: There is always something positive to be found in every situation but it is up to you to find it. Keep your head up and teach happily for the love of education!
Source: https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/11-habits-effective-teacher?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc
September 6--EAFL Meet and Greet, 3:20 at Stanton
September 12--PTA meeting at 6:30 at Lotus
September 19--Board of Education Meeting at Lotus, 7PM
September 23--TRIVIA NIGHT! We only have 3 seats left! HURRY, HURRY, HURRY!
September 29--D114 Day of Service
I'll be out on Monday to take care of Braden, our 8 year old. He spiked a high fever this weekend, but is such a tough little guy...
As evidenced below...
Not sure where he gets it...
(Yep, that's Braden with my hubby Shaun!) 😍
I'll be on email and available by cell (847-309-3921 call or text) if you need anything.
Let's make it a terrific week!
Heather ❤
Heather ❤
