Kudos to Rusty Lofgren who rented a car when his truck broke down, to get to work and drive his route!
-From Maureen Koenig
Kudos to Heather Pear for her research on dominant hand. I was struggling with a student who
constantly switched hands. Heather came in multiple times to try to see him writing, read a chapter of
a book and wrote a summary of the chapter for me! I am SO grateful!
constantly switched hands. Heather came in multiple times to try to see him writing, read a chapter of
a book and wrote a summary of the chapter for me! I am SO grateful!
-From Samantha Harshaw
Thank you to Renee Kanari and Oner Medrano for organizing the PE hoodie and sweatpant orders
that came in... I appreciate the help!!!
that came in... I appreciate the help!!!
-From Melissa Jakstas
Thanks so much to Linda for helping me more than she knows!! I appreciate you so much!
-From Christina Martorano
Thank you to all the staff members who participated in the Lotus Staff Talent Show. This was a great
reward for the students on their DOS efforts and they all got a kick out of it. We have a very talented
staff!
reward for the students on their DOS efforts and they all got a kick out of it. We have a very talented
staff!
and
I would like to recognize and thank Cheryl Schuck for loading the elevator with the laptop cart every
morning and taking it down to 1st grade. She then gets all the laptops set up so the students can work
on iReady.
morning and taking it down to 1st grade. She then gets all the laptops set up so the students can work
on iReady.
and
Thank you to everyone who volunteered for Santa's Breakfast. The event turned out great and the kids had a blast meeting Santa.
and
Thank Rachelle Peters and Natalie Udstuen for organizing the Ray's Chevrolet Christmas Party for
some of our students in need.
some of our students in need.
and
Thank you Cari Miller, Sue Kartman, Natalie Udstuen, Sue Pinkawa, Paula Kvacik, Lisa Huck,
Jeff Sefcik, and Colleen Robinson for doing all the behind the scenes work for the Rotary Christmas
Party.
Jeff Sefcik, and Colleen Robinson for doing all the behind the scenes work for the Rotary Christmas
Party.
-From Matt Peters
Thank you to Erica, Christina, Christine, and Chris for all your extreme hard work on the ILP program
and to related services for all the support. The changes will really impact the students in the program.
The team work has been amazing!!
and to related services for all the support. The changes will really impact the students in the program.
The team work has been amazing!!
and
Thank you Mike Z. for helping the ILP classroom, your quick response helped the team move forward
with the needed changes to the classroom environment.
with the needed changes to the classroom environment.
and
Thank you to Natalie and Matt for always showing everyday what "all in" means. Your immediate
support covering classrooms and supporting behavior interventions for our high needs students this past
week is greatly appreciated.
support covering classrooms and supporting behavior interventions for our high needs students this past
week is greatly appreciated.
and
Kudos to the ECSE team! I am seeing some great things as a result of all the program changes! Thanks
for all you give to our littles.
for all you give to our littles.
and
Thank you to Erica Barraza for supporting our EL family needs at the last minute!
-From Lynn Smolen
Kudos to Erica Barraza, Cathy Jawnyj, and Stanton team members who put together an amazing
presentation on Ready Math for our parents for our first ever Stanton Math Night. You did an amazing
job!
presentation on Ready Math for our parents for our first ever Stanton Math Night. You did an amazing
job!
-From Rachelle Peters
I would like to express my gratitude to all who volunteered time with our yearly Santa's breakfast.
Without your continued help this would not be possible. You truly are my “work family".
Without your continued help this would not be possible. You truly are my “work family".
and
A SPECIAL thank you to Jamie & Kendra Smeigh for coming to my rescue in the kitchen, cooking,
panning, serving, and anything else I needed to make our annual Santa's breakfast a success.
panning, serving, and anything else I needed to make our annual Santa's breakfast a success.
and
Thank you, I truly appreciate All of you for donating your time!
Happy Holidays,
-From Chris Katuzny
To EVERYONE who helped with Santa’s Breakfast and the Rotary event---thank you! You made a
difference for our kids and families, and I am truly grateful. Seeing the happy faces on Saturday was
so fun! My favorite story from the Rotary event was having a little one from Lotus ask, “Wait, Mrs. Friz--
do we get to keep all this stuff?” When I told her that she did, she said, “WHAT?!?!? This is the best day
EVER!” Our district is amazing because of events like this and people like YOU!
-From Heather, with sincere gratitude
difference for our kids and families, and I am truly grateful. Seeing the happy faces on Saturday was
so fun! My favorite story from the Rotary event was having a little one from Lotus ask, “Wait, Mrs. Friz--
do we get to keep all this stuff?” When I told her that she did, she said, “WHAT?!?!? This is the best day
EVER!” Our district is amazing because of events like this and people like YOU!
-From Heather, with sincere gratitude
Student Council gave a FOX to Norm Fisher! This year, like every year, he goes above and beyond to
assist us with anything we need to make the food drive a success from start to finish! We are truly
THANKFUL for your help, Norm!
assist us with anything we need to make the food drive a success from start to finish! We are truly
THANKFUL for your help, Norm!
Liz Andersen is giving a FOX to Jill Becmer! Your newsletter for December looks fantastic as usual!
Thanks for the great coverage of our Future Quest field trip and a few Student Council events!
Thanks for the great coverage of our Future Quest field trip and a few Student Council events!
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!
to create system celebrations--so your input is truly welcome!
Business Office Updates
Snow Day Notice
Moving forward, all staff will receive an email and phone call to notify of a closing. I’m sorry this didn’t
happen last Monday---I thought that Blackboard sent out to parents and staff in both ways, so this is
being fixed. Thanks!
happen last Monday---I thought that Blackboard sent out to parents and staff in both ways, so this is
being fixed. Thanks!
Go To Information
Moving forward, the Skyward Employee portal will be the source system to house employee data
including email(s) and phone number(s). Staff is responsible to keep their own information up to date
in this system. This will stop discrepancies between Skyward Finance, Skyward Student/Staff,
Blackboard Connect or the need for paper data collection.
including email(s) and phone number(s). Staff is responsible to keep their own information up to date
in this system. This will stop discrepancies between Skyward Finance, Skyward Student/Staff,
Blackboard Connect or the need for paper data collection.
Skyward Student/Staff data can no longer be independently changed as it will be view only.
Moving forward, please:
- Use Skyward Employee access for address, phone number and email changes.
- Contact Maddie Espinoza for name changes and any assistance in Skyward Finance.
Maddie and Maureen will be responsible for keeping the databases in sync. Thanks!!
Curriculum Updates
Math
Goal=45 minutes per week, per student. Let’s make it happen!
PIZZA PARTY CHALLENGE---pizza for all staff when we reach 80% of students meeting the 45
minute goal!
minute goal!
SEL
Second Step: On-Demand FREE Webinars
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 2018 AND JANUARY 2019
Click here to view our newsletter on our ELC Assistive Technology Website. Cheat sheets for
apps/software and ELC made (upcoming) training videos are available online.
apps/software and ELC made (upcoming) training videos are available online.
Infinitec is an Special Education and Assistive Technology Initiative that provides webinars, workshops,
resources and other services to member districts. Their website not only includes a calendar of events
of one day webinars and workshops, but also free archived webinars of a variety of topics for staff with
any level of knowledge. Please contact Brandt Rosen (brosen@elced.org) for more information of what
Infinitec has to offer.
resources and other services to member districts. Their website not only includes a calendar of events
of one day webinars and workshops, but also free archived webinars of a variety of topics for staff with
any level of knowledge. Please contact Brandt Rosen (brosen@elced.org) for more information of what
Infinitec has to offer.
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 educational resources, live webinars, and
archived training videos for a variety of tools and topics. Please visit the MyInfinitec Online
Classroom for 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 educational resources, live webinars, and
archived training videos for a variety of tools and topics. Please visit the MyInfinitec Online
Classroom for archived webinars and earn CEUs.
Boardmaker Online Update: Are you looking for pre-made resources and lessons for Social
Studies, Reading, Writing, and Core Vocab/Language/Communication? Boardmaker Online
now has their Boardmaker Expedition Education, Boardmaker Book Bridge, and Core First
Learning lessons available via Boardmaker Online. Click on the "Curriculum" tab to access
these resources. You will have to sign in with a valid Boardmaker Online account to access
these resources.
Studies, Reading, Writing, and Core Vocab/Language/Communication? Boardmaker Online
now has their Boardmaker Expedition Education, Boardmaker Book Bridge, and Core First
Learning lessons available via Boardmaker Online. Click on the "Curriculum" tab to access
these resources. You will have to sign in with a valid Boardmaker Online account to access
these resources.
FREE DECEMBER INFINITEC WEBINARS and ONLINE TRAININGS: (click here to view all
available archived webinars)
available archived webinars)
Full Steam Ahead! - STEM/STEAM Curriculum for Students with Significant Disabilities
(Archived)(Beginner/Intermediate)
(Archived)(Beginner/Intermediate)
By Presented By Meghan Cassidy, Special Education Teacher, NSSEO and Joan Obial, Innovative
Learning & Autism Coach, NSSEO
Learning & Autism Coach, NSSEO
-December 4th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
Mental Health Challenges in Autism: Depression and Suicide(Archived)(Beginner/Intermediate)
Presented by Dr. Ruth Aspy, Psychologist, Author & National Speaker
-December 6th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
Positive Strategies for Supporting Self-Regulation: Addressing Anxiety, ADHD & Emotional
Processing for Students with Autism (Archived)(Beginner/Intermediate)
Processing for Students with Autism (Archived)(Beginner/Intermediate)
Presented by Dr. Ruth Aspy, Psychologist, Author & National Speaker
-December 11th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
Catatonia & Autism: Hidden in Plain Sight (Archived)(Beginner/Intermediate)
Presented by Dr. Ruth Aspy, Psychologist, Author & National Speaker
-December 13th - 3:30-4:30 - Click here to register
Resources for All Learners: A Guided Tour of myinfinitec.org
By Jenn Skalitzky, Assistive Technology Facilitator, Infinitec
Multisensory Math: Strategies for Teaching All Kinds of Learners at the Secondary Level by
Marilyn Zecher, 12/6/18 at Infinitec Southwest
Marilyn Zecher, 12/6/18 at Infinitec Southwest
Multisensory Math: Strategies for Teaching All Kinds of Learners at the Secondary Level by
Marilyn Zecher, 12/7/18 at Days Inn Conference Center, Rock Falls, IL
Marilyn Zecher, 12/7/18 at Days Inn Conference Center, Rock Falls, IL
Classroom Interventions for Students with CVI by Aileen Arai and Tike Demarco, 12/12/18 at
Infinitec Southwest
Infinitec Southwest
FREE ISBE SPONSORED WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES
ISBE in Partnership with Infinitec Trainings: Click here to see flyer and schedule a your own
training now!
training now!
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
www.Startnet.org- Northern Region 2 website, and Chicago Region Website, With
StarNet, one can attend a variety of trainings related to special education for
professionals and families. Take a look!
StarNet, one can attend a variety of trainings related to special education for
professionals and families. Take a look!
PLEASE CONTACT BRANDT ROSEN brosen@elced.org or (224)513-6455 FOR ANY QUESTIONS
OR ISSUES.
OR ISSUES.
IEA - RA Delegate Election
Thank you to everyone who voted on Friday in the IEA-RA election, and especially to Tiffany Tardio
and Kendra Smeigh for running our elections! Cathy Jawnjy and Melissa Jakstas will be attending the
monthly Region 49 meeting on Tuesday to help count ballots and determine who has been elected from
our Region to represent us at the Regional Assembly in April.
and Kendra Smeigh for running our elections! Cathy Jawnjy and Melissa Jakstas will be attending the
monthly Region 49 meeting on Tuesday to help count ballots and determine who has been elected from
our Region to represent us at the Regional Assembly in April.
New Awesome IEA Podcast
Don't forget to take advantage of discounts and deals available to you as an IEA member!
Go to http://ieanea.org and log into your member dashboard. From there, look for the a blue button
"Discounts & Deals" on the right side of the screen that will take you to a listing of all the discount
opportunities available to you as and IEA member. There are discounts on almost anything you can
imagine... movies, meals, shopping, classes, car rentals, cruises, and more!
"Discounts & Deals" on the right side of the screen that will take you to a listing of all the discount
opportunities available to you as and IEA member. There are discounts on almost anything you can
imagine... movies, meals, shopping, classes, car rentals, cruises, and more!
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
How can you change how you say what you say to get an even more positive outcome?
December 18--Board of Education meeting at Lotus--7:00PM
May 14, 2019--Board of Education meeting--NEW DATE
Thanks to everyone who made Taylor feel like a member of the D114 family at Santa’s Breakfast!
She was all smiles all day...even for the 4 hours we spent at Braden’s basketball tourney!
She was all smiles all day...even for the 4 hours we spent at Braden’s basketball tourney!
Have a great, great week!
Heather
