I’d like to send kudos to the first grade teachers for helping with the noise level with suggestions.
Love knowing they are so willing to help out the paras. Thanks so much ladies!!!
Love knowing they are so willing to help out the paras. Thanks so much ladies!!!
-From Cheryl Schuck
Thank you Chris Carvell for organizing and setting up the "Fox Lake Fitness Frenzy" for our PE
classes... I think the kids enjoyed the challenge and got a great workout!
classes... I think the kids enjoyed the challenge and got a great workout!
-From Melissa Jakstas
BIG KUDOS to Jill Becmer for arranging the Day of Service activities at Stanton.
She does a great job every year!
-From Michele Burgess
To Sami Harshaw for always replacing the water in the office. Even if she isn’t the last one who
used it!!
used it!!
-From Colleen Robinson
Thank you Heather Pear for joining the Fox Lake team. I am so grateful to have an Occupational
Therapist with your expertise join us. Thank you for your collaboration on our mutual students and
thank you for all the extra time you have been putting in on the weekends to start the year off in
the right direction. You are making a difference!
Therapist with your expertise join us. Thank you for your collaboration on our mutual students and
thank you for all the extra time you have been putting in on the weekends to start the year off in
the right direction. You are making a difference!
-From Stephanie SIlverman
Kudos to Erica Barraza and Mo DeVossfor hearing what concerns teachers have about the new
math and implementing guided help for us. We truly appreciate all of the hard work you have put
into helping our students become successful mathematicians!
math and implementing guided help for us. We truly appreciate all of the hard work you have put
into helping our students become successful mathematicians!
and
Kudos to my 4th grade team for keeping me laughing and sane when trying to make it through each
day. Your support and knowledge has made me a much better teacher than I could have ever
imagined.
day. Your support and knowledge has made me a much better teacher than I could have ever
imagined.
Thank you!
-From Kally Kibetlewski
Thank you Kim VanHoorelbeke & Victoria Miller for coming to help Kinder lunch run smoothly not once, but twice!!
And
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH to Sonia Miller and ALL of our incredible Cafeteria staff for all your help with Kindergarten's Day of Service Project!!
-The very grateful Kinder Teachers
To Michelle Magness for covering Parent Pick up for us on Friday
Paula and Colleen
To all staff members who attended Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. It is so nice to have
so many of you there. To everyone who attended specifically for student recognition---it is truly
appreciated.
so many of you there. To everyone who attended specifically for student recognition---it is truly
appreciated.
-From Heather
Ms. Mary - thanks for having such a great, calm demeanor, even when working with challenging
students! I love how you are always so positive when speaking to your students. And kudos to
you for being so open to suggestions!
students! I love how you are always so positive when speaking to your students. And kudos to
you for being so open to suggestions!
and
Stephanie Brual for being awesome and going above and beyond to problem solve for one of
your students!
your students!
and
Abbey - Thanks for doing a great training on the iPad and always answering my many, many
questions!
questions!
-From Christina Martorano
Thank you Jessica Lanners for always sharing your extra Epi-pen trainers with me for 8th grade
health!
health!
and
Thank you Kim Husko for sorting out the PE hoodies and sweat pant orders!
and
Thank you Beth Rendon for always being so willing to work together to help our students!
-From Melissa Jakstas
-From Melissa Jakstas
I want to give a kudos to my fourth grade team for supporting me throughout my donorschoose
process, and especially to Jamie for donating! I was able to get my project funded thanks to their
support.
process, and especially to Jamie for donating! I was able to get my project funded thanks to their
support.
-From Paige Shaffer
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!
The goal is to create system celebrations--so your input is truly welcome!
Business Office Updates
At Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, the presentation linked here was shared to inform
the Board and audience of our preliminary PARCC performance along with LOTS of other data.
Please take a look and let me know if you have any questions!
the Board and audience of our preliminary PARCC performance along with LOTS of other data.
Please take a look and let me know if you have any questions!
Curriculum Updates
Thanks to our fabulous social workers for creating This Week in SEL. This week’s update is linked
here and will also be emailed directly to you!
here and will also be emailed directly to you!
Be on the lookout for Friday’s Institute Day schedule early this week! We’re putting the final details
together, but please know that the plan is for everyone to have TIME to do the work that’s naturally
occurring and to use on required trainings. Thanks in advance to our awesome Kitchen Staff for the
yummy eats! We really appreciate the TLC!
together, but please know that the plan is for everyone to have TIME to do the work that’s naturally
occurring and to use on required trainings. Thanks in advance to our awesome Kitchen Staff for the
yummy eats! We really appreciate the TLC!
Facilities Updates
As shared with the Board, we are working on a timeline in which, over Winter Break, the insulation
around the pipes in the ceiling is insulated is removed along with changing out needed ceiling tiles.
The insulation will be then replaced during after school hours in the winter so that we are all set for
spring when we have to turn the AC back on again. This will mean that Lotus will likely be closed to
staff over Winter Break. Once this is confirmed, I’ll let everyone know, but please start planning for
this as it’s our hope that this will be the plan.
around the pipes in the ceiling is insulated is removed along with changing out needed ceiling tiles.
The insulation will be then replaced during after school hours in the winter so that we are all set for
spring when we have to turn the AC back on again. This will mean that Lotus will likely be closed to
staff over Winter Break. Once this is confirmed, I’ll let everyone know, but please start planning for
this as it’s our hope that this will be the plan.
Technology Updates
ELC Assistive Technology Updates--October/November
Click here to view our full newsletter and cheat sheets for apps/software on our ELC
Assistive Technology Website.
Assistive Technology Website.
FREE WEBINARS:
Click here to register for a free account. For ELC member district staff and parents ONLY.
When signing up, under "District/coop," be sure to type in the "Exceptional Learners'
Collaborative." With an account, you can access live webinars and archived training videos
for a variety of tools and topics. Please visit the MyInfinitec Online Classroom for
free archived webinars and earn CEUs.
When signing up, under "District/coop," be sure to type in the "Exceptional Learners'
Collaborative." With an account, you can access live webinars and archived training videos
for a variety of tools and topics. Please visit the MyInfinitec Online Classroom for
free archived webinars and earn CEUs.
-Chrome Apps and Extensions for ALL Learners (Recorded)(Beginner)
By Megan Mkrtschjan, Instructional Support Coach & Google for Education Certified Trainer,
St. Charles School District 303
St. Charles School District 303
-Use Google Slides to Create Visual Supports (Recorded)(Beginner)
By Lynda Hartman, M.A., M.L.S.; Educator/Consultant on the Integrated Technology Support
Team at Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED)
Team at Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED)
October 9th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
-I Hate to Write! - How Executive Function Differences Affect Achievement and Behavior
(Recorded until 12/15 (Beginner/Intermediate)
(Recorded until 12/15 (Beginner/Intermediate)
By Kathy Oehler - MS, CCC-SLP & Cheryl Boucher - MSEd, OTR, National Speakers
October 10th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
By Jenn Skalitzky, Assistive Technology Facilitator, Infinitec
October 15th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
-What is the Difference Between Assistive Technology & Instructional Technology & How do I
in the IEP? (Recorded)(Beginner/Intermediate)
in the IEP? (Recorded)(Beginner/Intermediate)
By Mike Marotta, ATP, Assistive Technology Specialist
October 17th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
-Augmenting Success: AT/AAC for Speech Unintelligibility (Recorded)(Beginner/Intermediate)
By Kristy Gibson, SLP, AAC Provider, Kids Communicate, Two Techie Mamas
October 22nd - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
-School Technology: Moving Beyond Assistive (Recorded)(Beginner/Intermediate)
By Carol M. Michels, Ed.D, MS, OTR/L, Northern Suburban Special Education District, Director
of District Services
of District Services
October 24th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
-DynamAAC Data Collection: Data-Driven Decisions in AAC (Recorded) (Intermediate)
By Matt Baud, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Niles Township District for Special Education &
Kristin Smith, Coordinator, Niles Township District for Special Education
Kristin Smith, Coordinator, Niles Township District for Special Education
-I Hate to Write! - Helping Kids with Executive Function Differences be More Successful Writers
(Recorded until 12/15)(Beginner/Intermediate)
(Recorded until 12/15)(Beginner/Intermediate)
By Kathy Oehler - MS, CCC-SLP & Cheryl Boucher - MSEd, OTR, National Speakers
October 30th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
-How to lead ethically in a demanding environment, it isn’t easy! (Recorded)(Beginner) By Jerry W.
Robicheau, PhD Administrative Credentialing, Studies in Doctorate in Educational Leadership
Concordia University Part 1 – November 7th – 3:30-4:30 Part 2 – November 8th – 3:30-4:30
Robicheau, PhD Administrative Credentialing, Studies in Doctorate in Educational Leadership
Concordia University Part 1 – November 7th – 3:30-4:30 Part 2 – November 8th – 3:30-4:30
-When Helping isn't Helping: The Importance of Prompt Awareness in AAC Instruction (Recorded)
(Beginner/Intermediate) By Rachael Langley, MA, CCC-SLP, Reach Language, LLC November 14th - 3:30-4:30
(Beginner/Intermediate) By Rachael Langley, MA, CCC-SLP, Reach Language, LLC November 14th - 3:30-4:30
Free Workshops:
Paid Workshops:
FUN APPS, SOFTWARE OR RESOURCES:
- Infinitec Resource Section of Website- access printable and online resources for a variety of subjects and areas of special education/assistive technology
- Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers- fillable online worksheets for organizing thoughts and ideas
- Check123 Video Encyclopedia- online videos for education and learning
- Assignment Calculator of Minnesota- the Assignment Calculator breaks down research and writing projects into manageable steps based on your due dates. Each step includes hints and "how-to" links. You can also sign up to get text reminders for each step.
Contact Brandt Rosen, brosen@elced.org, with any questions or concerns.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our Day of Service Celebration, what a great turnout! We
hope everyone will be able to make it to at least one outing this year... they are a fun way to get to
know your colleagues!
hope everyone will be able to make it to at least one outing this year... they are a fun way to get to
know your colleagues!
Lake County Educational Association Resilience Network (LEARN) Workshop
You are invited to the first annual LEARN workshop! The topics of this workshop are: SB 100:
Student Discipline and State Code (presented by Rachel Clark, I.E.A. Legal Counsel) Restorative
Practices: A Systematic Overview (presented by Kristine Argue I.E.A. Resilience Trainer).
October 24 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Libertyville Civic Center. Dinner will be provided and
CPDUs are available for attending this event! Melissa will be attending... hoping to have a few
more EAFL members join in on the learning as well!
Student Discipline and State Code (presented by Rachel Clark, I.E.A. Legal Counsel) Restorative
Practices: A Systematic Overview (presented by Kristine Argue I.E.A. Resilience Trainer).
October 24 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Libertyville Civic Center. Dinner will be provided and
CPDUs are available for attending this event! Melissa will be attending... hoping to have a few
more EAFL members join in on the learning as well!
Stay informed about IEA offerings and issues by subscribing tho the "Awesome IEA Podcast." There
are currently 9 episodes covering topics ranging from professional development, to grants, to
legislative issues.
are currently 9 episodes covering topics ranging from professional development, to grants, to
legislative issues.
Melissa Jakstas, President
Maureen DeVoss, Vice President for Certified Staff
Chris Brown, Vice President for Non-Certified Staff
Katy Gardner, Treasurer
Betty Cwiak, Secretary
Cathy Jawnyj, Region Representative
Kendra Smeigh, Stanton School Representative
Tiffany Tardio, Lotus School Representative
*check here for documents most frequently used/requested
Please let Heather know of suggestions for any documents to add to this folder!
Blue Cross Blue Shield:
SEL Pacing Guides
Stanton:
Questions to Consider
Take a look at the Inclusion infographic below.
When you think about your classroom and/or the students you work with...
What’s going well?
What are opportunities for growth?
Anything you need help with? Who could help?
October 20: Rotary Trivia Night---funds raised pay for the December Neediest Children event as
well as funding Rotary scholarships.
well as funding Rotary scholarships.
October 26: RD Sayles Foundation event--Thanks, Erin Connolly-Jordt, for being part of the
Foundation. Information on the event from Erin----
Foundation. Information on the event from Erin----
The Village of Fox Lake is hosting a preview/input meeting regarding plans and ideas. Please see
below for more information...
below for more information...
I hope it was a really wonderful weekend! Looking forward to a great week!
Thank you for all you do!
Heather
Thank you for all you do!
Heather
