To Jeff Sefcik for boldly going into the world of Tik Tok and fearlessly making a fool of yourself to entertain and connect with our students.
To everyone who's had a hand in making "Grab and Go" a success. I am stunned by what we've been able to do that's far more than food...and our families tell me every day how much they appreciate it.
Anyone can give a SHOUT OUT to anyone, so please send those positive notes to me and I'll publish each Monday!
How can we stay connected with our students and each other?
Virtual Spirit Week!
Virtual Spirit Week!
D114 Parade
We have decided to plan a parade for our D114 kids!
Wednesday, April 1
Meet at Stanton at 2:15
Parade starts at 2:30
Parade ends at Lotus
*Route is coming---thank you, Becky Laverdure, for organizing this! 😄
You can decorate your car and make a poster yourselves before hand or we will supply pre-made posters. You'll pick them up "Grab and Go" style at Stanton.
Please remember that we need be practicing social distancing during this parade.
Click here for more details and to sign up. We need a full count of participants by Monday, March 31 to make the plan with the local police department.
Please contact Megan Dulen or Michelle Serini with any questions.
REMOTE LEARNING UPDATE
I'll be sending out links to some virtual trainings from me that give
very clear direction on what our next steps are. For Monday, I'll have them set for
certified staff at Lotus and Stanton. I'll do the same for paraprofessionals and our
families mid-week. Please watch MONDAY. The rest of this week will
be spent supporting families on the Choice Menus mailed home before break and
planning for next week's Remote Learning 2.0! This is new for all of us, so please ask
questions, be flexible, and let's all support each other.
This is what will be sent to families in tomorrow morning's Update:
Remote Learning--This Week's Expectations
As we start to think about next week and getting back to Remote Learning (although I know LOTS of learning happened over Spring Break!), I wanted to confirm what we are expecting from students/families:
Week of March 30
Please focus the Remote Learning choice menu you got in the mail last week.
Teachers are available to give feedback, answer questions, and connect with you and your children.
Teachers may also push out other things to try...please take advantage of these if you can!
We are here to help...and please DO NOT put too much pressure on yourself or your children. This is new for all of us! 💓
Week of April 6
For now, we remain closed on April 6 and 7. Later this week, I'll share with you plans for Remote Learning 2.0, which will give everyone much more structure in addition to choice menu tasks.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Given the plans above, I know you're likely going to need to come on site to get materials. When you do:
1. Please contact Jeff/Matt to let them know you'll be in the building.
2. Stay for as short as time as possible.
3. Please DO NOT treat this as a social event. I know you'll want to see each other and hang out, but it's not safe. I'll be Mama Bear here...ISBE is directing me to make sure we have as few people on site as is possible AND practice social distancing.
4. Remember, we are under a "stay at home" order--the ONLY reason we can let staff in the building is to 1) maintain feeding our kids and 2) prepare for and implement Remote Learning.
1. Please contact Jeff/Matt to let them know you'll be in the building.
2. Stay for as short as time as possible.
3. Please DO NOT treat this as a social event. I know you'll want to see each other and hang out, but it's not safe. I'll be Mama Bear here...ISBE is directing me to make sure we have as few people on site as is possible AND practice social distancing.
4. Remember, we are under a "stay at home" order--the ONLY reason we can let staff in the building is to 1) maintain feeding our kids and 2) prepare for and implement Remote Learning.
What I want to see is as FEW people on site as possible to keep you safe.
For all others, please stay home until/unless there's something you can't do/absolutely need in order to continue supporting student learning. If you positively need to come in, please notify Jeff/Matt to make a plan to do so. 💗
TOSA Corner
Focus on FEEDBACK!
As we now learn to function in a "new normal", let's all choose to prioritize FEEDBACK to students over GRADES. More to come in the slides coming to you, but here are some tools to focus on FEEDBACK to students.
They will need feedback and this will keep you emotionally connected with the kids who are missing their teachers SO much!
As we now learn to function in a "new normal", let's all choose to prioritize FEEDBACK to students over GRADES. More to come in the slides coming to you, but here are some tools to focus on FEEDBACK to students.
They will need feedback and this will keep you emotionally connected with the kids who are missing their teachers SO much!
As we are setting out into uncharted waters regarding remote learning, I want you to know the IEA has been working with decision makers every step of the way to ensure we are doing the best we can for our students while still protecting the rights of our members. New Emergency Rules set forth by the ISBE require that remote learning plans be agreed upon between employers and collective bargaining units, luckily in District 114, collaboration between parties is already a part of how we normally operate. That being said, there is A TON of information to go through pertaining to the new "rules" while information on certain aspects of our new reality is still forthcoming. We are all doing our very best to digest and implement the new requirements in a way that is best for our students and staff. As we are wading through the logistics of all of this together, please be sure to bring questions and concerns to our attention.
As you may remember, we were originally scheduled to present the proposed new contract at our spring articulation on Wednesday, April 1st, however this meeting now cannot take place. With the passing of the referendum, we are working with district on putting together a final draft document. Additionally, we are exploring options as to how to best disseminate this information to all our members, in a clear and concise way, that also allows the opportunity for group "discussion". We are also working with the IEA on the logistics of voting on the proposed contract. We hope to have a plan to you within the next week and appreciate your patience as we work to get over this hurdle.
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 Weber, Lotus School Representative
D114 Friday Facts--Blog sent to all families each Friday--let me know if you ever have something you'd like added. Thanks to Sue Pinkawa and Jill Becmer for helping me with this each week!
*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
