I would like to thank Mike Szotek for all his help with a family that has not gotten on to Seesaw yet. He has called, emailed and even waited to meet for over an hour for a no-show. Thank you so much for going above and beyond!
-From Cary Scarpino
Thank you do David for always being so prompt and posting our Specials Choice Boards to the websites.
and
Thank you Paula for helping with last-minute questions on Skyward or questions about teachers and district info for the PTA. You are amazing and no matter what time it is, you are willing to check. Yes, even at 830 at night, when I tell she can wait until the next day, she checks into it. :) THANK YOU
and
Thank you to my amazing specials team for collaborating on grids together! For being so flexible and prompt with it all. You guys rock.
and
Thank you again to all the teachers for allowing in your google meets to see the kiddos and being so flexible and understanding of our schedules as well trying to jump from class to class. You are a prime example of amazing All-Stars!
and
Thank you to Kim VanHoorelbeke and others who have printed off Specials Grids and placed in home packets. The team appreciates it.
and
Thank you Erin Connolly-Jordt for always answering my questions for my additional advancement courses.
and
Thank you, Lisa and Amber, for putting together Virtual Field Day! You ladies make a great team together!
-From Victoria Miller
Huge thank you to Sue Pinkawa, Ellen Stirrat, Deb Marienau and Sonia Miller for donating their time on Tuesday evening to help with the student belonging pickup for Lotus parents. (And a double bonus thank you for working in the rain)
️
-From Natalie Udstuen
And thank YOU, Natalie, for working right alongside them!!!!!
and
Thank you to Lisa Huck, Amber Mysliwiec, and Chris Powers for coordinating the fun Friday events for Lotus!
-From Heather
Thank you Natalie Molidor for helping me with Google docs and all the technology behind that. I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you to the teachers who shared pictures of their families completing some activities!
Huge thank you to Sue Pinkawa, Ellen Stirrat, Deb Marienau and Sonia Miller for donating their time on Tuesday evening to help with the student belonging pickup for Lotus parents. (And a double bonus thank you for working in the rain)
-From Natalie Udstuen
And thank YOU, Natalie, for working right alongside them!!!!!
and
Thank you to Lisa Huck, Amber Mysliwiec, and Chris Powers for coordinating the fun Friday events for Lotus!
-From Heather
Thank you Natalie Molidor for helping me with Google docs and all the technology behind that. I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you to the teachers who shared pictures of their families completing some activities!
-From Amber Mysliwiec
Shout out to the Kinder team for making my first week and last week back amazing. Here’s to hoping for a more normal school year next year.
-From Kristine Gumm
Anyone can give a SHOUT OUT to anyone, so please send those positive notes to me and I'll publish each Monday!
ABC Countdown
STIPEND COMMITTEE
On Wednesday, you received a full explanation of the new stipend process. Thanks to
everyone who submitted proposals already, and thanks for all the great questions, too!!!
On Tuesday, I'll send out a formal posting for all the ANNUAL HOURLY STIPENDS as
well as an updated posting for 2020-21 POSITIONS. Please be on the lookout.
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
In addition to the slides from last week that are shared here to help plan for logistics for next
year, please know a couple other things are in the works. I'll send out an email on Tuesday
with more details/sign ups and you'll discuss stuff in team meetings next week as well. But,
to preview, here's what coming:
*The Flash Back/Flash Forward protocol to be used to help us plan for gaps in learning
we'll need to think about for the kids for next year (to be done in team meetings--Loom
explanation coming).
*"SUMMER SUMMITS", where we'll come together as small groups (maybe virtual, maybe
face to face if you're willing) to finish the Flash Back, Flash Forward as well as to plan for
system Curricular and SEL needs given the closure/remote learning.
*Summer Writing request process.
Your input in all these things is KEY! You're the smartest people I know, and it's going to take
all of us to be ready for the new normal of 20-21...whatever it looks like!!!
Supply Money--Input Needed by MAY 29!!!
In accordance with the new contract, there are 3 options for certified staff to access the
$200 in supply money for next year:
As defined in the contract:
"Teachers may request reimbursement for instructional supplies purchased for the classroom up to $200 per year. For the PE Department and each Exploratory class at each building, this amount shall be $1000 per year. Expenditures must be pre approved by the Building principal. Such approval shall be at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or designee. If approval is denied, the teacher shall be provided with a reason for the denial. Materials purchased under this provision shall remain the property of the District. Except for arrangements pre-approved by the District in accordance with Board policies, employees are expected to use the equipment, computers, phones, fax, office/workspace, supplies, software and network/email access provided by, made accessible by or purchased by the District in the performance of their duties. Certified staff members may access this benefit in one of the three methods listed below;
A. Use online ordering processes as defined by the District.
Note: This will be a pre-funded Amazon account, just like that last few years.
B. Submit receipts for reimbursement with reimbursement approval given by the Building Principal. Receipts must be approved by December 1 of each school year to qualify for reimbursement.
C. Complete a purchase order, receive approval from the Building Principal and order material from a single venor; (e.g., School Specialty). The approved purchase order must be submitted to the Business no later than October 1 - where it is matched with the vendor invoice and paid."
Later this week, Andrea will send out a survey where you can indicate which of the three options you choose. Please let Andrea know if you have any questions.
SUMMER SCHOOL UPDATE/REQUEST
While we can't yet say what summer school will look like, we do know a few things:
*It will happen from July 13-August 7.
*ALL IEP-entitled students will be eligible and got letters inviting them to join us.
*We will offer "summer bridge" (name of it may change) for our kids identified as
benefitting from more time and support. These are likely the students getting help from
the SWAT efforts, but should be identified during MTSS so we can invite them once we
hear back from our IEP-entitled students.
*We will still offer programming to PreK, EL, and bilingual students.
So...please email me if you are interested in being considered for summer school
in any role. We'll put the plan together as soon as we know how many kids plan to
attend and have more details on what we are permitted to safely do.
TOSA Corner
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING!!!!
The IEA has provided two electronic sessions "Mindfulness in the Classroom and Beyond." Check them out!
The IEA is asking members to sign a petition asking lawmakers to pass a stimulus package to aid public education during the time of COVID-19. Sign the petition here: https://ieanea.org/we-
You can now earn CPDUs for licensure recertification for hours put in to train and prepare for remote learning. Here is a link to a video on the topic from IEA President Kathi Griffin.
The IEA is asking members to complete a survey on how they can support educators at this time. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and can be accessed here. Please complete the survey by 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 Weber, Lotus School Representative
MINDFUL MAY
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
June 1 from 12:00-1:00PM--D114 Staff Virtual End of Year Picnic---"Simply the Best"
June 16--Board of Education Meeting @ TBD
Thanks to Gizelle Wells for sharing this super cute video of the 8th graders during Greasers vs. Soc day. The kids read The Outsiders, and this was part of their end of book celebration!
