Thank you Michelle Magness for all your guidance in helping me create a new versatile schedule for
library special AND for donating K-Nex. It's such a pleasure working with you and the entire Pre-K
Team!!
library special AND for donating K-Nex. It's such a pleasure working with you and the entire Pre-K
Team!!
-From Kim VanHoorlebeke
Thank you Jessica Lanners for always being so on the ball about contacting parents when we need
more information about our students' medical needs!
more information about our students' medical needs!
and
Thank you Michele Burgess for always helping me with my fax machine snafus!
-From Melissa Jakstas
HUGE KUDOS to Erica Barraza for your help, leadership, and support in our Math implementation.
Thank you for all you are doing to help our incredible teachers with the implementation of ReadyMath!
and
To our amazing custodians who are always willing to help and will do some serious work to help Lotus
be ready for the new insulation!
Thank you for all you are doing to help our incredible teachers with the implementation of ReadyMath!
and
To our amazing custodians who are always willing to help and will do some serious work to help Lotus
be ready for the new insulation!
-from Heather
Kudos to Michelle Magness for doing ALL the shopping and hours of prep for gingerbread night and baking week. The kids love this week's activities, and we couldn't do it without you! Thank you for being super organized!
-From the Preschool Team
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
You should now be receiving the Friday Facts (weekly family communication) each Friday afternoon,
usually at around 4:00PM. I’m so sorry this wasn’t getting forwarded to you--I assumed (and you know
what that does…) that you were all in the group when I selected all users. It will work moving forward,
and please know you’ll get this so you know the same information our families are receiving. Any input
or questions are always welcome!!!
usually at around 4:00PM. I’m so sorry this wasn’t getting forwarded to you--I assumed (and you know
what that does…) that you were all in the group when I selected all users. It will work moving forward,
and please know you’ll get this so you know the same information our families are receiving. Any input
or questions are always welcome!!!
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
3% Salary Limit Round table: January 16th from 5-8 p.m.
As you may be aware, the General Assembly passed a law that requires school boards and universities
to make an enhanced contribution to TRS or SURS if an employee’s creditable earnings increases
more than 3% from the prior year (limit was formerly 6%). This provision took effect on June 4, 2018
and will apply to all contracts entered into or renewed after this date.
to make an enhanced contribution to TRS or SURS if an employee’s creditable earnings increases
more than 3% from the prior year (limit was formerly 6%). This provision took effect on June 4, 2018
and will apply to all contracts entered into or renewed after this date.
We have a few EAFL executive board members attending, but it would be great to have some other
members as well, especially if you are interested in serving on the upcoming negotiations committee.
members as well, especially if you are interested in serving on the upcoming negotiations committee.
Join us to discuss and learn:
Major elements of the law
Implications for collective bargaining
Truths and Myths about the law
IEA’s efforts to repeal the law
This event will take place at: Palatine IEA 553 N. North Ct., Suite 201 Palatine, IL
Click HERE to view the event flier.
We hope everyone has a wonderful winter break! Thank you for all you do for our students and
each other everyday!
each other everyday!
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 will you take care of YOU this Winter Break?
How to Really Take Care of Yourself This Holiday Season
EASY WAYS TO PLAN FOR A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER CELEBRATION
Another holiday season is upon us. And along with gifts and nonstop seasonal soundtracks, it can also
bring stress, disappointment, emotional eating, and overindulgence. Between event planning, shopping,
cooking, managing relatives, and trying to complete the 300 other tasks "necessary" for a good holiday, it's
no wonder many people lose sight of what keeps them physically healthy and mentally grounded throughout
the rest of the year. But it doesn't have to be that way. With just a little thought and planning, you can
survive – and even thrive – during this holiday season.
bring stress, disappointment, emotional eating, and overindulgence. Between event planning, shopping,
cooking, managing relatives, and trying to complete the 300 other tasks "necessary" for a good holiday, it's
no wonder many people lose sight of what keeps them physically healthy and mentally grounded throughout
the rest of the year. But it doesn't have to be that way. With just a little thought and planning, you can
survive – and even thrive – during this holiday season.
Keep exercise essential. Physical activity is the number one thing I recommend to everyone I work with
because it reduces stress, improves mood and concentration, and combats depression. When it comes to
improving how you feel, getting regular exercise can be as effective as taking antidepressants. Decades
of research shows that even just ten minutes of challenging exercise daily triggers the same hormones in
your brain (serotonin and dopamine) targeted by anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications. Regular
exercise builds up levels of these important mood regulators, becoming a buffer for stress, anxiety, and
depression.
because it reduces stress, improves mood and concentration, and combats depression. When it comes to
improving how you feel, getting regular exercise can be as effective as taking antidepressants. Decades
of research shows that even just ten minutes of challenging exercise daily triggers the same hormones in
your brain (serotonin and dopamine) targeted by anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications. Regular
exercise builds up levels of these important mood regulators, becoming a buffer for stress, anxiety, and
depression.
During the holidays, most people skip their workout to make room for more seasonal activities. That's a
double whammy: You add potentially stressful situations and lose your stress reliever in one blow. Instead,
do what you can to maintain your exercise schedule. If you don't have time to go to the gym or take a long
run, simply scale back. Go for a 10-minute walk or do some light stretching, rather than skipping your
workout entirely because you don't have time for a five-mile run or hour-long spin class.
double whammy: You add potentially stressful situations and lose your stress reliever in one blow. Instead,
do what you can to maintain your exercise schedule. If you don't have time to go to the gym or take a long
run, simply scale back. Go for a 10-minute walk or do some light stretching, rather than skipping your
workout entirely because you don't have time for a five-mile run or hour-long spin class.
Get in touch with gratitude. Guess what else protects your brain from stress and depression? Gratitude.
Recent neuroscience research shows that simply pondering the question, "What am I grateful for?"
increases dopamine and serotonin, even if you can't actually think of an answer. That's because just
searching for things to be grateful about builds stronger positive emotional pathways in your brain.
Recent neuroscience research shows that simply pondering the question, "What am I grateful for?"
increases dopamine and serotonin, even if you can't actually think of an answer. That's because just
searching for things to be grateful about builds stronger positive emotional pathways in your brain.
Even though many holidays create a place for gratitude at the family table, it's often easier for people to
focus on how things could be better or on what feels off. Creating rituals that focus specifically on
responding to the question, "What am I grateful for?" can have lasting impact on the way you experience
your holiday.
focus on how things could be better or on what feels off. Creating rituals that focus specifically on
responding to the question, "What am I grateful for?" can have lasting impact on the way you experience
your holiday.
Protect your sleep. Very few things consistently screw up people's emotional and physical health like
chronic sleeplessness and poor sleep. It leads to weight gain, additional stress, and irritability. Of course,
most of us sleep less well this time of year whether from staying out late drinking at parties or leaving all
the gift-wrapping until the last minute. Losing sleep over the perfect meal or present will not make you or
your family happier or healthier over the holidays. But you know what will? Consistent quality sleep.
chronic sleeplessness and poor sleep. It leads to weight gain, additional stress, and irritability. Of course,
most of us sleep less well this time of year whether from staying out late drinking at parties or leaving all
the gift-wrapping until the last minute. Losing sleep over the perfect meal or present will not make you or
your family happier or healthier over the holidays. But you know what will? Consistent quality sleep.
Cut back on caffeine (and eliminate it entirely after 2 PM), and lay off the eggnog before bed. Skipping
naps, especially the ones that find you sprawled on the couch after a big meal, will improve your ability to
fall asleep at night. And though it's tempting, take a pass on the goodies in the cabinet or leftovers in the
fridge for at least three hours before bed. That way, heartburn, indigestion, or a sugar headache won't keep
you awake.
naps, especially the ones that find you sprawled on the couch after a big meal, will improve your ability to
fall asleep at night. And though it's tempting, take a pass on the goodies in the cabinet or leftovers in the
fridge for at least three hours before bed. That way, heartburn, indigestion, or a sugar headache won't keep
you awake.
Feel (don't eat or drink) your feelings. The holidays often bring up strong feelings for people around
everything from family losses, new relationships, to meeting the high expectations of visiting family. And
most of us would rather avoid those strong emotions – through the time-honored holiday traditions of eating
or drinking – rather than just accepting that it is natural to feel them this time of year.
everything from family losses, new relationships, to meeting the high expectations of visiting family. And
most of us would rather avoid those strong emotions – through the time-honored holiday traditions of eating
or drinking – rather than just accepting that it is natural to feel them this time of year.
In the short run, emotional eating and drinking can be an effective way to distract or disorient you from
strong and sometimes painful emotions. But it doesn't work in the long run, leaving you with the same
anxiety about difficult emotions, a potential dependence on alcohol or food to self-soothe, and (all too often)
5 or 10 extra pounds that won’t be easy to lose.
strong and sometimes painful emotions. But it doesn't work in the long run, leaving you with the same
anxiety about difficult emotions, a potential dependence on alcohol or food to self-soothe, and (all too often)
5 or 10 extra pounds that won’t be easy to lose.
Letting yourself experience a strong emotion and then adding a label or a context to it reduces not only
stress, but also the likelihood of emotional eating or drinking. So the next time you notice yourself reaching
for something to eat or drink in response to a difficult feeling, try to make sense of what's going on instead.
Are you angry with your partner? Are you grieving a departed relative or friend? Are you sad about a recent
break up? The more you try to make sense of your emotions, the less scary and dangerous they become.
And the easier it gets to sit with them rather than attempt to numb them.
stress, but also the likelihood of emotional eating or drinking. So the next time you notice yourself reaching
for something to eat or drink in response to a difficult feeling, try to make sense of what's going on instead.
Are you angry with your partner? Are you grieving a departed relative or friend? Are you sad about a recent
break up? The more you try to make sense of your emotions, the less scary and dangerous they become.
And the easier it gets to sit with them rather than attempt to numb them.
Give yourself the present. One of the top killers of holiday enjoyment is losing the ability to experience the
wonderful moments that happen in the present by becoming so wrapped up in planning the best holiday
experience. While you worry about whether everyone is happy with the meal, if anyone is fighting about
politics, or if the kids are eating too much sugar, you miss the powerful, gratifying moments that make the
holidays magical.
wonderful moments that happen in the present by becoming so wrapped up in planning the best holiday
experience. While you worry about whether everyone is happy with the meal, if anyone is fighting about
politics, or if the kids are eating too much sugar, you miss the powerful, gratifying moments that make the
holidays magical.
Whether it's the look of love and pride in your parents' eyes when you take over hosting the family event,
the excitement of reading a cherished holiday story to your child for the first time, or even the simple
comfort of snuggling with your partner after the last guests have left, there is the possibility to experience
so many beautiful feelings as your holiday unfolds. When you stop trying to make your holiday fit an ideal,
you open up space to savor the holiday as it is.
the excitement of reading a cherished holiday story to your child for the first time, or even the simple
comfort of snuggling with your partner after the last guests have left, there is the possibility to experience
so many beautiful feelings as your holiday unfolds. When you stop trying to make your holiday fit an ideal,
you open up space to savor the holiday as it is.
One great way to start embracing the present moment is by taking a few minutes to find one thing you feel
good about right now, and then lingering on that thought for as long as you can. Because there is no way
to overindulge in gratitude and good feelings.
good about right now, and then lingering on that thought for as long as you can. Because there is no way
to overindulge in gratitude and good feelings.
Save the Dates!
The Mobile Dentist is coming to Lotus on Monday February 11th, 2019 and Tuesday February 12th,
2019 and Stanton on Thursday February 14th, 2019. These clinics may be free of charge and will help
fulfill the necessary Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 6th grade dental requirement. Forms were sent home
with every student earlier this week. If you are in need of additional forms, please visit our website
www.d114.org or contact Mrs. Lanners, our district nurse. In order for your child to participate, the
forms must be returned to the health office no later than Friday January 18th, 2019.
2019 and Stanton on Thursday February 14th, 2019. These clinics may be free of charge and will help
fulfill the necessary Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 6th grade dental requirement. Forms were sent home
with every student earlier this week. If you are in need of additional forms, please visit our website
www.d114.org or contact Mrs. Lanners, our district nurse. In order for your child to participate, the
forms must be returned to the health office no later than Friday January 18th, 2019.
Ronald McDonald physical and immunization mobile clinic will also be coming to Lotus on Thursday,
February 21st, 2019 and to Stanton on Friday February 22nd, 2019. More information to follow!
December 18--Board of Education meeting at Lotus--7:00PM
May 14, 2019--Board of Education meeting--NEW DATE
Please know how very, very blessed I feel to get to work with each of you. You make a difference for our
students, each other, and for me every single day. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy
New Year, and a warm and wonderful Winter Break!
students, each other, and for me every single day. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy
New Year, and a warm and wonderful Winter Break!
Thank you sincerely for all you!
Heather
