Sunday, April 28, 2019

Happy Monday!!!






Kudos to Chris Carvell, Melissa Jakstas, Oner Medrano, and Matt Shannon for all you do for Stanton
Track---including being there Monday night after the rainy meet until at least 8:30 PM to follow up after
the meet. The kids are lucky to have you!
-From Heather
Thank you to Becky Vedder and Theresa Kovach for sharing their Chromebook carts so our students
could take the iReady diagnostic together!
-From The Second Grade Team
Awesome job to everyone who was involved with the 5th grade thank you book for the Historical
Society! I have it on good authority that everyone LOVED it and really appreciated all the work that
went into putting it together!
and
THANK YOU to Rachelle Peters for running back to Stanton (twice) to print out heat sheets during
our track meet Monday... you are a lifesaver!
and
HUGE thank you to Jill Becmer, Betty Cwiak, Michele Burgess and Kendra Smeigh for helping to keep
our meet running smooth at the finish line despite the rain... you ladies are troopers!
-From Melissa Jakstas
Thank you to everyone  who had anything at all to do with Kindergarten Registration on Wednesday!
Amber Mysliwiec, Cari Miller, Fiona Wisniewski, Alana Carlson, Sami Harshaw, Samantha
Rusciolelli, Nicole Mild, Tardio Tardio, Brittany Mason, Abbey Vraney, Paula Kvacik,
Kristine Gumm, Colleen Robinson, Tyler Lam, Michelle Magness, Sue Pinkawa, Linda
Rasmussen, Natalie Udstuden, and Matt Peters.
To Karen Brnot for making sure the NJHS night at Culver’s happened! The kids raising $500 for
Feed My Starving Children is an amazing testament to the power of service!
-From Heather
A huge thank you to Joseph Fernandez, for helping me communicate with a parent.
-From Sue Kartman
Huge, gigantic, immense thank you to everyone who helped the drama club! I literally would not have
been able to do it without each and every one of you. Thank you to those who helped on our club
days, those who helped with sets and costumes, those who did crowd control with the kiddos when I
was working with a group, and those supporting each child who got up on that stage.
and
A special shout out to Laurie for being at both performances with the kids, keeping them calm and
ready to go and to Paige for taking my kids on the morning of the show and at the end of the day on
Mondays and Thursdays so I could set up.
A million thanks to everyone!!
-From Kally Kibitlewski
Thank YOU, Kally, for all your efforts and making this happen for our Lotus students!!!!
A huge thank you goes out to David Roat, Rachelle Peters, Norm Fischer and  Natalie Miller for
helping out this year at the 2019 Stanton School's Variety Show. The students had a successful show
and I thank you for your work and participation in making it happen.
-From Walter Nickles
Thank you Cheryl Schuck for an awesome staff Easter egg hunt! It was so nice for my girl to get to
see some new faces and everyone really had a wonderful time!
-From Samantha Rusciolelli
Thank you to Cheryl Schuck for making the staff Easter Egg Hunt happen! This is so special and such
a testament to your wonderful-ness! Take a peek at all the D114 babies who were part of the day…
From Your D114 Family
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!
 
Business Office Updates
2019-20 Open Enrollment
Please remember that, as part of our NIHIP membership, open enrollment for next school
year will be happening this MAY. It will be your only chance (outside a change of life situation)
to determine/change your coverage. Maddie will be sending out information--including the
new rates--this week so you have plenty time to review all the details. NIHIP will be onsite at
Lotus on May 8 and at Stanton on May 15 (during early release) to help everyone complete
the online process and to answer any and all questions.


Curriculum Updates
AIMSWeb progress monitoring--remains in place for all students who have this as part of
their plan/data collection.


Math
No Time on Task data or Proficiency data because all students were testing last week.
When we meet the 80% pass rate goal, we’ll do a yummy dessert bar!!!



SEL

Applications are now being accepted for 2019-2020 IEA Score Grants!
Applications are due July 15, 2019
For more information, visit: https://ieanea.org/score/
Voting for the TRS 2019 Teacher Trustee Election is open now through May 1, 2019 at 10
a.m.
Click HERE for more information and a link to your TRS account to vote.
The IL House and Senate are on Spring Break until Monday, April 30th; both are scheduled
to remain in session through May 31st.


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
The D114 April Hydration Challenge is in its final days!
We've received some great feedback about the challenge regarding what employees have
learned about their personal hydration habits. Don't forget to return your RAFFLE TICKETS  
for the $20 gift card to Melissa Jakstas by Friday, May 3rd. You may turn in a hard (paper) copy
of raffle tickets or "make a copy" to type your name into the raffle tickets you earned, and
share them.
Salad Bar Potluck Lunch
The Wellness Committee is teaming up with the Spirit Committees at both buildings! Look for
information coming soon from your building Spirit Committee about a Salad Bar Potluck for
lunch on Tuesday, May 14th. Thanks to the building Spirit Committee leaders for your
willingness to partner on this!


Let's Get Creative at Blazin' Ceramics!


D114 May Sleep Challenge Starts May 1st!
During the month of May (since we are done with school May 29th, the challenge will run
May 1-May 24 in order to give people time to get their raffle tickets in), you have the opportunity
to earn 1 raffle ticket for each day that you meet your personal sleep goal. Generally speaking,
8 hours of sleep a night is recommended, but maybe your personal needs are slightly higher
or lower based on age, activity level, medical needs, etc. (You do not need to share your goal.)
For each day you reach your personal sleep goal, mark a "1" for that date on the D114 May
Sleep Challenge Google Sheet (see example in the sheet). Each time you log a "1" the number
of days you reach your goal in May will be calculated for you. At the end of the month, turn in
one raffle ticket per day you reached your goal for a chance to win a $20 gift card! Sign-up for
the challenge by adding your name to the D114 May Sleep Challenge Google Sheet!





*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:
Who is “that kid” for you?
What in this article makes you think about him/her a little differently?

A Letter to Teachers or anyone

working in a school district From

“That Kid”

Thank you, Katy Gardner, for sharing this one! GREAT READ!



May 14, 2019--Board of Education meeting
May 22, 2019--8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
May 29, 2019--Last Day of School (Early Release) and RETIREMENT PARTY at the Wave!

Have a really wonderful week! I’m out Monday and Tuesday at a conference but am always
reachable by email or cell/text (847-309-3921).

Heather

at

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Spring has sprung!




Thank you to Joan Kantenwein for her helpful guidance and advice with my reading interventions.  
-From Gena Kvist
We had so much fun putting the bags together. Please put a huge kudos out to the staff that donated
and helped put the bags together. We have such an amazing staff !!! I couldn’t have done this without
their help! Also a very special thank you to Linda Rasmussen for remembering things I forgot!!!
-From Cheryl Schuck
To Ashley Palmer--WELCOME TO THE D114 FAMILY! Thank you for being an outstanding
student teacher. We are so excited you'll be part of the Stanton and D114 team next year!
and
To EVERYONE who played a part in getting registration for 2019-20 ready to open on Monday!
It's taken a ton of collaboration, and all your insights and talent have made it possible. SOOOO
lucky to work with you!
-From Heather
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!
 


Business Office Updates
Board of Education Elections
We’ll be holding a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday (4/23) evening at Lotus at
6:30 PM. By law, we must seat the newly elected Board by May 1 (30 days from election).
We couldn’t do this at Tuesday night’s meeting because the results weren’t yet final. We’ll be
seating 3 members to four-year terms (Nannette Kiesgen, Andy Martin, and Kimberly Sherwin).
Nannette and Denise Kelley both ran as write in candidates in the four-year term category,
but neither declared for the two-year term that was open. They both received 18 write in
votes, so had to go to the Clerk’s office for a coin toss to determine the winner (Nannette).
We now have to post, interview, and appoint a member to the two-year position. That will
happen AFTER this Tuesday’s meeting where we seat the 6 elected positions and identify
officers. It’s been a very wild ride, so if you have questions, please let me know.


2019-20 Open Enrollment
Please remember that, as part of our NIHIP membership, open enrollment for next school
year will be happening this MAY. It will be your only chance (outside a change of life situation)
to determine/change your coverage. Maddie will be sending out information--including the
new rates--this week so you have plenty time to review all the details. NIHIP will be onsite at
Lotus on May 8 and at Stanton on May 15 (during early release) to help everyone complete
the online process and to answer any and all questions.


Curriculum Updates
iReady diagnostic--week of April 22
AIMSWeb progress monitoring--remains in place for all students who have this as part of
their plan/data collection.


Math
When we meet the 80% pass rate goal, we’ll do a yummy dessert bar!!!




SEL

New Awesome IEA Podcast!
IEA Instructional Resource and Professional Development Director Kristine Argue-Mason on Adverse
Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Voting for the TRS 2019 Teacher Trustee Election is open now through May 1, 2019 at 10 a.m.
Click HERE for more information and a link to your TRS account to vote.


If you are interested in voting in the 2019 IEA Spring Elections, you may vote HERE. You should
have, or should be, receiving an Election Code and Voting Pin via USPS mail. Please call IEA
Connect at 1-844-IEA-1800 if you need additional support. The election closes at 4:00 pm Central
time on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.


Legislators are currently on spring break, no new updates this week.
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
The D114 April Hydration Challenge is underway! You may join the challenge anytime this
month and will earn one raffle ticket for a chance to win a $20 gift card for everyday you meet
your personal hydration goal. Don't forget to return your RAFFLE TICKETS to Melissa Jakstas
by Friday, May 3rd. You may turn in a hard (paper) copy of raffle tickets or "make a copy" to
type your name into the raffle tickets you earned, and share them.
The Wellness Committee is teaming up with the Spirit Committees at both buildings! Look for
information coming soon from your building Spirit Committee about a Salad Bar Potluck for
lunch on Tuesday, May 14th. Thanks to the building Spirit Committee leaders for your
willingness to partner on this!


Coming soon...
Information on the D114 May Sleep Challenge
Information on a staff outing to Blazin' Ceramics
Information on an end of the year, start of summer get together



*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:
Knowing that we are ALL teachers because we work with our students--no matter what
role we are in--which of these attributes do you know are your strengths? What’s one
goal you might set to get even better?

What makes a great teacher?

Study after study shows the single most important factor determining the
quality of the education a child receives is the quality of his teacher.
by: GreatSchools Staff | August 29, 2018
What makes a great teacher? Teaching is one of the most complicated jobs today. It
demands broad knowledge of subject matter, curriculum, and standards; enthusiasm,
a caring attitude, and a love of learning; knowledge of discipline and classroom
management techniques; and a desire to make a difference in the lives of young
people. With all these qualities required, it’s no wonder that it’s hard to find great
teachers.

Here are some characteristics of great teachers

Great teachers set high expectations for all students. They expect that all students can and will achieve in their classroom, and they don’t give up on underachievers.
Great teachers have clear, written-out objectives. Effective teachers have lesson plans that give students a clear idea of what they will be learning, what the assignments are and what the grading policy is. Assignments have learning goals and give students ample opportunity to practice new skills. The teacher is consistent in grading and returns work in a timely manner.

 Great teachers are prepared and organized. They are in their classrooms early and ready to teach. They present lessons in a clear and structured way. Their classrooms are organized in such a way as to minimize distractions.

 Great teachers engage students and get them to look at issues in a variety of ways. Effective teachers use facts as a starting point, not an end point; they ask “why” questions, look at all sides and encourage students to predict what will happen next. They ask questions frequently to make sure students are following along. They try to engage the whole class, and they don’t allow a few students to dominate the class. They keep students motivated with varied, lively approaches.

 Great teachers form strong relationships with their students and show that they care about them as people. Great teachers are warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. Teachers with these qualities are known to stay after school and make themselves available to students and parents who need them. They are involved in school-wide committees and activities, and they demonstrate a commitment to the school.
Great teachers are masters of their subject matter. They exhibit expertise in the subjects they are teaching and spend time continuing to gain new knowledge in their field. They present material in an enthusiastic manner and instill a hunger in their students to learn more on their own.

 Great teachers communicate frequently with parents. They reach parents through conferences and frequent written reports home. They don’t hesitate to pick up the telephone to call a parent if they are concerned about a student.


April 23, 2019--Special Board of Education meeting at Lotus at 6:30 PM
April 23, 2019--Coffee Cart comes to Lotus!
May 14, 2019--Board of Education meeting
Have a really wonderful week!
Heather

at
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