April 26--The ABC Countdown Begins!

Kudos to the Preschool teachers - Amanda, Mary, and Tyler - for singing and moving through "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and "Pat-a-Cake" on this week's videos for their classes.  I know we are all stepping out of our element with these weekly videos, but full body dancing on camera was a HUGE leap this week and they all rocked it!  We know that the kids will LOVE having this video to get up and move to, just like we do at circle time!  Thank you team for all that you are doing with SeeSaw, videos, and parent/family relationships!

-From Michelle Magness 

Kudos to Gena Kvist for sharing your Knowledge/skills  to demo Jamboard during our Lotus Team meeting on Monday! Your demo sparked many ideas about how we can do elearning better and Thank you for showing real lesson applications for this tool! 

-From Lynn Smolen

Thank you so much to Cathy Jawnyj for always being available to help with any situation. I really appreciate you going out of your way to support me and our students!

-From Michelle Serini

Thank you to Mike for helping me set up Traversa so they can remotely access my computer!

and

I know Administrative Assistants Day has come and gone but I think they all

deserve another THANK YOU!!!!  Another show of - D114 All In - how these gals work together!

-From Andrea DeMatteo

To Amanda Lorenz for making Friday a MUCH needed HAT DAY!  

-From Theresa Kovach

Kudos to Stephanie Silverman and Lisa Werner for teaming up to provide a student services live together to make things more more doable for a busy family!! 

-From Tiffany Tardio

Thank you to the amazing Becky Vedder for making this e-learning manageable.  You do such a great job of making the expectations clear and Daven and I have really grown to enjoy the e-learning time together.  

and

Thank you Michelle Magness for your sweet text telling me I did great on my read aloud video.  12 takes later and overwhelming discomfort, I sent it Heather.  Thanks for making me feel good!  You are the best! 

-From Rachel Lundberg

Kudos to all the Lotus teachers for allowing specials teachers to join weekly meetings to connect with the kiddos. My cheeks hurt when I get done visiting. 

and

Kudos to Molly Goodsite for reaching and out connecting with me and making sure I am in the know with what's happening. 

and

I am so blessed to have amazing coworkers that have become friends. Many laughs, talks, pick me ups, and just supporting each other 110%. I am so thankful to work with you. Thank you for making a job not feel like a job.

-From Victoria Miller

To Karen Brnot for sharing her love and enthusiasm for Science with me.  I think we make a great team. 

and

To my 8th grade team--They are the best co workers to have especially during these crazy times.  They are always there to find the bright side and make me laugh.  

and

To Liz Andersen for being the best Co-leader for student Council. I had a blast collaborating with her. I can’t wait for what next year will bring.

-From Laura Livesay

Thank you Mike for being available to help with tech support at anytime of the day!! My most struggling student is getting on our live meetings because of him!!!  

and

Thank you to Mollie H for covering show and tell when I was unable to leave an IEP meeting to keep the structure for our kiddos!!

-From Sherry Tietjen

Thank you to the great special ed. teachers I work with for being so helpful during this crazy time communicating with me, sharing ideas, sending reminders, and cheering on our students. A big thanks to Gena , Lauren, Brittany, Becca, Chris, Sherry, Colleen, Kate, Lisa, Megan, and Mandy. 

-From Lisa Werner

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? 
Challenge--Email or call one student OR parent this week to tell them specifically what you like about the student. I will be calling a 2nd grader and a 3rd grader that I got to have lunch with weekly before all this...miss them very, very much!

Who will you reach out to?

ABC Countdown

REMOTE LEARNING UPDATE

I know Jeff shared this link with Stanton, and I loved it, too. Great quick read on feedback from my buddy (and middle school teacher) Bill Ferriter. 

AND---to our Paras...The book study continues, and I am so grateful to everyone reading the book and doing the work. As I shared, there will be SWAT team opportunities coming for direct connections with this, but please continue learning together through the book! 

I loved this comment in this week's posts:

"Just by looking around how many of us help and don’t judge our students with the help that they need.  If the first try doesn’t help then I see other solutions to get the right solution for that student."

Here's the link to the discussion board--it's updated for this week's section. 

COVID-19 UPDATE--Repeat Information

All superintendents have been asked by the Lake County Health Department to make sure the following are in place for all staff who come onsite:

• No one can come to work who is sick and/or has a temperature at or above 100.4.
• Staff must take their temperatures at home. 
• If you don't have a thermometer at home, let the administrator on site know and we'll take your temperature for you.
• All staff should wear gloves when handling materials at Grab and Go that will be given to families. 

Remember...what I want to see is as FEW people on site as possible to keep everyone 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. Thanks to those of you who have volunteered time so far and who signed up on the Volunteer Log to help with essential tasks...we still need help, so be sure to check it out if you are able!

If you positively need to come in, please notify Jeff/Matt to make a plan to do so. 💗

TOSA Corner
Please take care of YOU!!!

Thanks, Erica and Cathy, for the weekly blast of awesome!

Click here to access!

The 2020-2024 Contract was approved by our membership and the Board, and was signed by both parties at the BOE Meeting last Tuesday, 4/21. Thanks again to everyone who was a part of negotiations! 

The EAFL Executive Board will be meeting later this week. Please let us know if you have any concerns that you would like us to discuss. 

Don't forget to check-out the IEA Membership Center online. From here you can access your benefits, professional development, and lots of other great resources.!

IEA COVID-19 Information Page

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

We hope everyone enjoyed participating in the 2-week step challenge!

You can earn up to 10 tickets ... one for every item you declutter! Here is a link of some great ways to declutter: 75 Things to Declutter

Declutter Challenge

At the end of the challenge, "Make a Copy" of the challenge, add your name to your raffle tickets, and share with Melissa Jakstas by Friday, May 1st. 

Look for details on a meditation challenge coming in May!

Fostering Resilient Learners Discussion Board

D114 Daily Vitamin

D114 Daily Family Update

2/14/20 Institute Day Presentations

Classroom Management Links

MTSS Ongoing Q and A

D114 Curriculum Resources--

2019-20 Assessment Calendar

2019-20 Wednesday Early Release Plans

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!

Link to D114 Business Office Share Folder

*check here for documents most frequently used/requested

Please let Heather know of suggestions for any documents to add to this

folder!

Work Order Request

Technology Support Request

Blue Cross Blue Shield:

www.bcbsil.com

SEL Pacing Guides

Lotus

Stanton:

5th

6th-8th

May 19--Board of Education Meeting at 5:00 PM at Lotus

Thank you so much for all you are doing!
Heather

April 19, 2020---Keep On Keeping On!!!!

Thank you, Becky Vedder, for putting together the activities and slide shows for Camp Duncan from all the random ideas Jamie and I sent you.  There was a lot to muddle through, but you picked out what would work and presented it to the students in a way that was understandable!

and

Kudos to Mr. Mike Szotek for calling me to clear up some questions I had with Google Meet within Google Classroom.  He figured it would be easier than trying to write back and forth in emails.  He was correct! 

-From Pam Exon

I'd like to give  special thanks to Mike Szotek for helping me troubleshoot connectivity issues with the laptop!

I was up and "Meeting" on Google, in no time. I can only imagine how much you are making possible, sir.  'Couldn't tell by your calm demeanor though. Dist 114 is quite lucky to have such a capable tech team! 

-From Joseph Fernandez

Kudos to the first-grade team for using an iReady online comprehension check as a formative. Glad to see this great feature is being utilized! 

and

Kudos to the PreK team for launching SeeSaw for our youngest learners!  It is so much fun to see their video responses to the work you send out. Melts my heart! 

and

Thanks to the 6th-grade team for welcoming me into your grade level meetings! Love seeing your faces and collaborating with you! 

and

Thank you to Cathy Jawnyj for being so flexible with MTSS! Your flexibility and willingness to do what's best for teachers and students is so appreciated. 

and

Kudos to Abbey Kadera, mi contraparte, for spending hours with each and everyone of our ESOL families to make sure they are connected to all of their devices and platforms. You are such a blessing to our district and community. 

-From Erica Barraza

Kudos to Natalie Udstuen for putting together special TLC baskets for 8 of our most needy families--baskets full of fresh fruits, dry goods, and TLC!!! Thanks also to the PTA for funding this special effort!
and
Thank you to Erin Connolly-Jordt for the Sunday night lullabyes to send out to families!
-From Heather 

Kudos to Theresa Kovach and Kelly Roland for all that they do!!  Teaching from home and wrangling 3 kids would be impossible without them!  

and

Sherry Tietjen for making sure our student had everything he needed to get set up with Google Classroom.  And a HUGE thank you for taking over during our Classroom Live Chat when my internet was not cooperating. 
and
Kelly Roland ran 50 MILES (you read the correctly), 50 MILES on Saturday!!!  Congrats on setting your mind to something and making it happen!!  Kelly, you are the epitome of what dedication and perseverance looks like!!!  

-From Stephanie Brual

Thank you to Ellen Stirrat and Joe Fernandez for filling book bags with me every week to ensure that our aspiring readers have books to read at their reading levels while learning at home. Your dedication is appreciated! 

and

Thank you to Matt and Natalie for distributing  the reading book bags to our families every Thursday at the grab and go pickup.  You both are awesome! 

and

Thank you to Abbey Kadera for helping me communicate with my ELL students’ families to ensure they have books and can participate in live reading lessons. Your kindness is much appreciated!

and

Thank you to Cathy Jawnyj for teaching me how to create invites for my Google Meet lessons.  I couldn’t have done it without you!

-From Joan Kantenwein

A super duper thank you goes out to Mary, Michelle, and Lauren for always brainstorming with me, being flexible, and offering to help in any way possible. You guys are tremendous team players and I'm so grateful for you!

and

Thank you to Brittany Mason and Erica Barraza who both took time to show me how to do all things technology! I thought I was better at this stuff than I really am.

and

Speaking of technology, thank you Kelly Roland for continuing to muddle through PDFs and google classroom as we work to get things editable!

and

Thank you Theresa Kovach for always keeping me up to date on the students we share and sharing the load of getting in touch with families!

and

Thank you to admin for all the support. There are so many ways you are being supportive I cannot name them all. I really appreciate how much you are doing for our families!

and

Becky Vedder, THANK YOU so much for helping me to put together a comprehensive timeline for one of our students! The detail you maintained throughout the year is incredible and thank goodness for you and your notes!

and

Thank you kindergarten, 3rd grade, and ILPA for letting me be a co-teacher. I just love seeing what the kids say in response to the lessons! 

and

To all staff, thank you for continuing to do what you do. This has been hard on so many levels. I know many of us are working harder than we ever imagined while still trying to maintain a sense of calm. I cannot thank you enough for all that you do and for those who have been a great support to me as well. I'm a social worker so I often feel like I have to always have it together, but that is unrealistic. Thank you to those who have held me up when I needed it!!!

-From Jessica Urban

Thank you to Jeff who has reached out to some of our hardest to reach students who have not been connecting yet.

and

Thank you to Matt who delivers food to families on Mondays and Thursdays.

and

Thank you to Natalie for shopping for food and creating baskets of food for some of our families. (Thank you to the PTA for their donation to support these baskets.)

and

Thank you to our amazing kitchen staff who organizes and puts together meals for our families.

and

Thank you to Sue Pinkawa for making masks for us and keeping us safe!

and

Thank you to Norm Fischer for fixing our signs during grab and go after the wind destroyed them.

and

Thank you to all our volunteers that have prepared and served meals, organized and mailed remote learning packets, read a book, or created videos for our families.

and

Thank you to our amazing staff who connect to our students and families daily. I could not be more proud to be a part of D114!

-From Rachelle Peters

Congratulations to Kelly Roland for accomplishing quite a self care goal.  Yesterday she ran from sunrise to sunset running for a total of 50 miles.  

and

Thank you to everyone who has graciously donated supplies from their classrooms.  I know many of you have stated to go into your classes and take what we need.  Specifically, I would like to thank Jenn Wenc for all the pencils and markers, Theresa Kovach for the huge piles of spirals and notebook paper, Samantha Harshaw for the two large boxes of paper towel and other supplies, and the PreK team for all the boxes of crayons.  The families truly appreciate your help.

and

Thank you Abbey Kadera for all the translations you are doing for our ELL population.

and

A huge shoutout to our PTA for donating funds for food pantry items.  Thank you Georgette for ordering those items.  Also, I would like to thank Natalie Udstuen who went shopping with a portion of those funds and created food baskets for our families in need.

and

This Wednesday is Administrative Assistant's Day, so I would like to give a special thanks to Sue Pinkawa, Paula Kvacik, Colleen Robinson, Michelle Burgess and Jill Becmer for always going above and beyond for our staff and students in D114. 

-From Matt Peters

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? 

Sending this to families tomorrow, and I'm guessing you've seen this too, but it sure struck a chord with me after Friday's announcement...as an educator and as a parent. 

We WILL get through this, but I sure am sad this is now our reality. Thank you for all your support and for all you're doing!!!! 

Virtual Spirit Week!

REMOTE LEARNING UPDATE

We'll be mailing out new Choice Menus on Thursday this week. Thanks in advance to the volunteers who are helping put this together and to everyone who contributed to the menus!!!! 

I can't say enough positives about all you are doing for kids through this crazy time. Thank you for connecting, innovating, taking risks, collaborating, and giving 110%. You're the BEST!

AND---to our Paras...WOW on the Fostering Resilient Learners book study! Your comments are SO insightful and I love the connections you're making. 

Here's the link to the discussion board--it's updated for this week's section. 

COVID-19 UPDATE

All superintendents have been asked by the Lake County Health Department to make sure the following are in place for all staff who come onsite:

• No one can come to work who is sick and/or has a temperature at or above 100.4.
• Staff must take their temperatures at home. 
• If you don't have a thermometer at home, let the administrator on site know and we'll take your temperature for you.
• All staff should wear gloves when handling materials at Grab and Go that will be given to families. 

Remember...what I want to see is as FEW people on site as possible to keep everyone 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. Thanks to those of you who have volunteered time so far and who signed up on the Volunteer Log to help with essential tasks. 

THIS WILL BE UPDATED SOON SINCE THE CLOSURE IS NOW THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. 

If you positively need to come in, please notify Jeff/Matt to make a plan to do so. 💗

TOSA Corner
Please take care of YOU!!!

Thanks, Erica and Cathy, for the weekly blast of awesome!

Click here to access!

Voting for the proposed 2020-2024 contract will end Monday, 4/20 at noon, if you'd still like to vote, please use the link emailed to you last Thursday.  Thanks to everyone who already voted! Results will be announced by the end of the day Monday. 

Cathy Jawnyj and Melissa Jakstas attended a virtual Region 49 meeting on Wednesday. It is looking very probable that the NEA RA in Atlanta scheduled for July will be cancelled. Delegates elected to the RA would meet virtually on matters deemed essential and vote via mail in ballots. All other matters will be postponed to the 2021 NEA RA in Denver. 

Don't forget about all the free online professional development that is included with your IEA membership. You can see what is available here: https://ieanea.org/benefits/online-learning-portal/

IEA COVID-19 Information Page

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

We hope everyone enjoyed participating in the 2-week step challenge!

Don't forget to log your steps, and share your tickets with Melissa Jakstas by the end of the day Tuesday, April 21st. 

 D114 April Step Challenge Log

 D114 APRIL STEP CHALLENGE RAFFLE TICKETS

Starting Monday, we will be launching a 10-Day Declutter Challenge!

You can earn up to 10 tickets ... one for every item you declutter! Here is a link of some great ways to declutter: 75 Things to Declutter

Declutter Challenge

At the end of the challenge, "Make a Copy" of the challenge, add your name to your raffle tickets, and share with Melissa Jakstas by Friday, May 1st. 

Look for details on a meditation challenge coming in May!

Fostering Resilient Learners Discussion Board

D114 Daily Vitamin

D114 Daily Family Update

2/14/20 Institute Day Presentations

Classroom Management Links

MTSS Ongoing Q and A

D114 Curriculum Resources--

2019-20 Assessment Calendar

2019-20 Wednesday Early Release Plans

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!

Link to D114 Business Office Share Folder

*check here for documents most frequently used/requested

Please let Heather know of suggestions for any documents to add to this

folder!

Work Order Request

Technology Support Request

Blue Cross Blue Shield:

www.bcbsil.com

SEL Pacing Guides

Lotus

Stanton:

5th

6th-8th

April 21--Board of Education Meeting (will be a hybrid of live and virtual)

To add on to the SHOUT OUTS for Kelly Roland's 50 mile run, here are some pictures of her awesomeness. WAY TO GO, KELLY!!!!

  

Hugs to you all!
Heather