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@D114Stanton
@D114Lotus
@FLGSD114
#District114proud
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I want to give kudos to Natalie Miller for meeting me at Stanton with work for our student!
and
Kudos to Colleen Hitzler for her flexibility with grouping on Friday.
and
Kudos to Rachelle Peters, David Roat, Kendra Wedl and Amanda Rash for all their help with MAPs last week.
and
Extra Kudos to Kendra Wedl for taking the time to test with students on Friday.
-from Greer Lally
To everyone who attended the Board of Education meeting last week. It was packed with proud families there to celebrate students. If you were able to attend, it's greatly appreciate!
and
To everyone who made the 8th grade trip to Chicago possible. I've heard such positive things and am thrilled that this idea got off the ground. WAY TO GO
-from Heather
Thanks to Jill Becmer and Michele Burgess for all of their help with our Parent Lunch day at Stanton!
and
Thank you to Michelle Serini for volunteering her time to work with the Student Council. We appreciate the early mornings and lunches that you've spent with the kids and us!
and
Thanks to Norm Fischer for picking up the Olive Garden lunch for our Pennies for Patients winners.
-from Beth Rendon and Liz Andersen
Thanks to Don Ukleja for picking up our Illinois Government Handbooks for next year's 7th grade!
-from Liz Andersen
To everyone in the office, for being so flexible, patient and kind to my little friends. They truly look forward to practicing their communication skills with you. It is also so great to celebrate their growth with you. The experience that you provide for them is so meaningful and motivating. You are all so appreciated.
-from 
Abbey Vraney
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
Supply Money
Thanks to the EAFL for considering a new way to provide the $200 in supply money to certified staff for next year. You'll have 3 options:
1. Amazon online account:
We'll set up an Amazon pre-funded account that you can access simply and shop online. Because this is within our District business account, purchases will have no taxes, no shipping, and will get you the lowest possible price available online. You also will not have to keep or submit receipts--we'll have the records within the account.
2. Imprest check:
As defined in the contract:
"Receive an Imprest check in the amount of $200 with the July 15 payroll check. Receipts shall be
turned in to the Business Office no later than December l. All employees under this contract agree
that any receipts not submitted by December 1st will result in the difference being deducted
from their December 15th paycheck."
3. Purchase order:
Use a purchase order to have an order processed by the Business Office team.
Please click here to access the form to indicate how you would like your supply funds to be managed.
Your form must be completed as part of your "check out" process.
If, by assignment, you are entitled to additional supply money, please complete this budget request form so we can generate purchase orders.
If you have a budget request for a specific need for your job/team, please complete the budget request form. Each request will be reviewed and you'll be told directly if your request is approved, if there are questions for clarification, or if the need can't be met at this time.
Questions? Please reach out to Heather, Becky, or Maureen. All this information will also be sent your way in a separate email so it's easy to find. :)
Coursework Pre-approval
Please note that all coursework for which you'd like reimbursement or for which you think you'll be entitled to a lane change MUST be pre-approved. The forms for this are available in both school offices, and they must be received prior to beginning coursework. Employees must serve notice of intent to change lanes by July 1.
Summer Professional Development
For all teams who have requested summer curriculum hours, you'll receive notification of status of your request this week if you haven't already. We have LOTS of amazing summer work happening!!!
Dates for district-led summer curriculum work will be shared this week as well...you have already gotten the dates for Math! :)
Speech and Language Tips from Abbey
Check out this week's tips from Abbey! She came up with the fabulous idea of putting each week's ideas on a slide, then adding the slides so all the info is in one place...you can go back and look at any time!
Click here to see her amazing ideas! Updated today!
FACILITIES UPDATES
Air Fresheners
In a recent visit by our property insurance provider, multiple violations were noted related to air fresheners. This included ALL varieties--diffusers, plug ins, Scentsy's, etc. Specifically, two major issues were identified:
1. Allergy concerns related to any and all scents/fresheners.
2. Plug in fresheners being left plugged in and on after school hours. Photos were sent to me of units plugged in and on over spring break--MAJOR risk!
I've discussed with our provider, and I have been informed that there are NO approved air fresheners at all.
To that end, please take all air fresheners home with you. Due to allergy and risk concern, we just cannot allow them to be used moving forward.
If you'd like to discuss, please talk with me directly.
Work Requests
Air Fresheners
In a recent visit by our property insurance provider, multiple violations were noted related to air fresheners. This included ALL varieties--diffusers, plug ins, Scentsy's, etc. Specifically, two major issues were identified:
1. Allergy concerns related to any and all scents/fresheners.
2. Plug in fresheners being left plugged in and on after school hours. Photos were sent to me of units plugged in and on over spring break--MAJOR risk!
I've discussed with our provider, and I have been informed that there are NO approved air fresheners at all.
To that end, please take all air fresheners home with you. Due to allergy and risk concern, we just cannot allow them to be used moving forward.
If you'd like to discuss, please talk with me directly.
Work Requests
Don't forget...if you have a maintenance request, please use the work request link to share it. Our team will take care of it ASAP!
As we head toward the end of the year, please be sure that you let David/Mike know of technology issues you may be having. We're currently building next year's budget so if there are issues--we need to know. THANKS!
Education Association of Fox Lake News and Updates
The 2018 Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) registration is now open! This is a great training opportunity for newly elected Presidents, Leaders and Officers as well as Building Reps, Executive Board members and any IEA member who has a desire to learn and lead the IEA and their local into the future. Here is the link to the registration: https://ieanea.
Building Trauma Sensitive Schools One Day Conference
NIU Hoffman Estates 5555 Trillium Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Join us at this conference as we hear from Susan Craig, one of the country's leading authorities on trauma-informed education and learn from the growing number of home-grown experts who are making a difference in our area's schools.
Registration link: http://www.cvent.com/d/
Cost: $30.00 per person includes a light breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available for individuals unable to afford the conference fee. Contact: Lindsay Powell at lindsay.powell@ieanea.org
Don't forget about the end of the year party on Thursday, May 24th at The Wave in Johnsburg! Appetizers will be provided by the EAFL!
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
Budget Request Form--ADDED 5/20/18
Link to D114 Friday Facts Blog--ADDED 3/11/18
LINK to Strategic Planning Presentations/Documents--ADDED 2/25/18
Link to D114 Friday Facts Blog--ADDED 3/11/18
LINK to Strategic Planning Presentations/Documents--ADDED 2/25/18
17-18 Payroll Schedule--UPDATED 10/22/17
Blue Cross Blue Shield:
Guardian:
Questions for thought as you read...
Whose champion are YOU?
We All Need a Champion
My dear friend, Jimmy Casas, wrote a fantastic book titled, “Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.“, meant for leading schools, not school leadership only. I haven’t read the book for awhile, but it reminded me of the leadership classic, “Good To Great,” because it acknowledges the excellent work already happening in schools, but helps to push them to become even better. I have written about Jimmy before and saw his work in practice. One of my favorite things from Jimmy’s work is that you could tell no difference in the position or role of any person in his school because he treated every single person amazingly well and understood their impact on the school community, both staff, and students.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Being a champion for all students means just that: all students. Not just ones who are likeable and want help but also the ones who might resist your efforts. Even then, your core values drive you to stay true to this belief. This unwavering hope and faith can be the model to inspire others to do the same for all students.”
Although I love this quote, I was reminded how important that the notion of having a “champion” is essential to staff, along with students, when I tweeted out the following Rita Pierson quote from one of my favorite Ted Talks ever:
Although I believe having one champion is not enough in our schools, I do think having at least one can change everything. Looking back at my career, I know that I had a few administrators that both pushed and supported me to grow, while always making sure they knew they had my back. I was able to do so much more because of their support, and it is one of the reasons that I am so passionate about the influence of leadership in education. Having one leader that believes in you and challenges you, from any position or role, can help you achieve things you couldn’t do without that support. It is crucial to believe in yourself, but it is way easier when you know someone else believes in you as well.
While we focus on being “champions” for our kids, remember that “championing” the adults in education IS serving the students. The impact on one educator can influence thousands (if not more) of students over a lifetime.
My dear friend, Jimmy Casas, wrote a fantastic book titled, “Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.“, meant for leading schools, not school leadership only. I haven’t read the book for awhile, but it reminded me of the leadership classic, “Good To Great,” because it acknowledges the excellent work already happening in schools, but helps to push them to become even better. I have written about Jimmy before and saw his work in practice. One of my favorite things from Jimmy’s work is that you could tell no difference in the position or role of any person in his school because he treated every single person amazingly well and understood their impact on the school community, both staff, and students.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Being a champion for all students means just that: all students. Not just ones who are likeable and want help but also the ones who might resist your efforts. Even then, your core values drive you to stay true to this belief. This unwavering hope and faith can be the model to inspire others to do the same for all students.”
Although I love this quote, I was reminded how important that the notion of having a “champion” is essential to staff, along with students, when I tweeted out the following Rita Pierson quote from one of my favorite Ted Talks ever:
Although I believe having one champion is not enough in our schools, I do think having at least one can change everything. Looking back at my career, I know that I had a few administrators that both pushed and supported me to grow, while always making sure they knew they had my back. I was able to do so much more because of their support, and it is one of the reasons that I am so passionate about the influence of leadership in education. Having one leader that believes in you and challenges you, from any position or role, can help you achieve things you couldn’t do without that support. It is crucial to believe in yourself, but it is way easier when you know someone else believes in you as well.
While we focus on being “champions” for our kids, remember that “championing” the adults in education IS serving the students. The impact on one educator can influence thousands (if not more) of students over a lifetime.
May 24--LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
End of year party...thanks to the EAFL for providing appetizers and for organizing this event!
End of year party...thanks to the EAFL for providing appetizers and for organizing this event!
Enjoy this last few days of the school year! I'm so honored to be part of D114---one team, all in!
Heather
