Please see below for a community message that will be sent out to our families tomorrow in the Family Update. It's my greatest hope that we can all, as a D114 family, support, lean into, and grow from this point forward to be better for the students and families we serve as well as for each other and the world around us.
District 114...
Stands for love.
Stands for hope.
Stands for peace.
Stands for unity.
Stands for diversity.
Stands for acceptance.
Stands for change.
Stands AGAINST racism and injustice.
The entire country, and in fact, the world, is experiencing collective grief and rightful outrage over the
killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police officers. Mr. Floyd’s death follows countless
other wrongful deaths and acts of police brutality against people of color in our country. We, as a
District, stand with all efforts committed to speaking out against racial injustice and calling for change.
killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by police officers. Mr. Floyd’s death follows countless
other wrongful deaths and acts of police brutality against people of color in our country. We, as a
District, stand with all efforts committed to speaking out against racial injustice and calling for change.
The District 114 mission is “Maximize and foster learning and growth for all through continuous
improvement.” Educators must play a role in combating racism to ensure learning and growth for all
in our schools. There is no neutrality when it comes to racism and unjust behavior. We will
focus upon improving ourselves and our knowledge of systemic racism and implicit bias through
research and continuous conversation. We will learn more, understand more, do more, and speak
up against what we know is wrong.
improvement.” Educators must play a role in combating racism to ensure learning and growth for all
in our schools. There is no neutrality when it comes to racism and unjust behavior. We will
focus upon improving ourselves and our knowledge of systemic racism and implicit bias through
research and continuous conversation. We will learn more, understand more, do more, and speak
up against what we know is wrong.
As a District, we must explore and dig deeper into the issues surrounding racial inequality so that we can
provide an equitable education for every child.
provide an equitable education for every child.
If you are searching for age-appropriate educational resources for your family to learn more about
the topics of racism, inequity and injustice, here are few sources to start with:
the topics of racism, inequity and injustice, here are few sources to start with:
- CNN/Sesame Street: “Coming Together to Talk About Racism”
- New York Times: “Talking to Kids About Racism”
If you as an adult are looking for a resource to help you learn and grow on the topic of racism,
click here for some powerful titles.
click here for some powerful titles.
We will continue to share our plans to do and be better, and we will share resources with you so that
you can continue the conversation, as well.
you can continue the conversation, as well.
The diverse voices, perspectives, and talents of our D114 students and their families fill me with hope
in this challenging moment. You have our commitment that our schools will be places of belonging,
acceptance, learning, and understanding.
in this challenging moment. You have our commitment that our schools will be places of belonging,
acceptance, learning, and understanding.
With commitment to our students, families, and community-
Heather Friziellie, Superintendent of Schools
Matt Peters, Lotus Principal
Natalie Udstuen, Lotus Assistant Principal
Lynn Smolen, Lotus Special Education Coordinator
Natalie Udstuen, Lotus Assistant Principal
Lynn Smolen, Lotus Special Education Coordinator
Jeff Sefcik, Stanton Principal
Rachelle Peters, Stanton Assistant Principal
We have much work to do as a District to learn and do more to truly be a system where all students have equal opportunities. If you are interested in being a part of a core team to lead our work, please add your name to this document. Summer work will be done to get clear on where to start and to set our first steps of many to grow.
Thank you Molly Goodsite for volunteering to make the fun Hot In the Kitchen video (see below). You are always so willing to help and so sweet about it. We are lucky to have you!
-From Renee Kanari
Thank you, Emily Armbrecht, for creating a sharing this video of the 2020 Stanton Virtual Choir. Amazing work!!!!
UPDATES ON REOPENING PLANS
Late last week, we received guidance on summer programming and what we can/can’t do from ISBE. In summary:
“Accordingly, effective June 4, 2020, "[a]ll public and nonpublic schools in Illinois serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students may open for limited in-person educational purposes, such as summer school, following the completion of the regular 2019-2020 school term. All public and nonpublic schools may continue to provide food and other non-educational services." Executive Order 2020-40 supersedes any contrary provisions in any previous Executive Order; any provisions of previous Executive Orders that are not contrary remain in full effect.
Importantly, schools that choose to reopen must follow IDPH guidance during Phase 3 and take proactive measures to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors, including, but not limited to:
- Limit the number of people in one space to 10 or fewer, consistent with public health guidance.
- Ensure compliance with social distancing requirements to the greatest extent possible. For purposes of the Executive Order, social distancing includes maintaining at least six-foot distance from other individuals and discouraging physical contact between individuals.
- Ensure appropriate hygienic practices, including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), discouraging the sharing of personal items, and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
- Require the use of appropriate PPE, including the use of face coverings (e.g., masks) by students, staff, and visitors who are over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering. Schools must provide face coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain a minimum six-foot social distance at all times and, to the extent possible, make disposable face coverings available for all students.
ISBE emphasizes that while schools now have the option to provide in-person instruction in Phase 3, it is not required. School leaders continue to have the flexibility and autonomy to continue with remote summer programming and transition back to in-person instruction based on local circumstances. Decisions regarding whether to provide in-person instruction and conduct allowable school activities during Phase 3 remain at the discretion of local school authorities, in consultation with local public health departments."
With all that said, we are now working to determine how summer school can work, as it starts July 13, giving us time to consider an in-person plan. As things stand, there are three basic models that MAY be in place for fall. At this point, we are planning for all 3 models so we are ready no matter what.
THANK YOU to those who have signed up for the Planning for the Unknown core team. I'll be sending out meeting dates early this week so we can start the work. At this point, there are NO decisions, but as they are made, we will make sure you are informed.
STIPENDS AND PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
Summer Bucket Fillers document linked here with more details. Please be sure you've signed up if you're interested in working on Fall planning for SEL and/or Planning for the Unknown.
SUMMER SCHOOL UPDATE
Thanks to eveyrone who has let us know that you're willing to help with Summer School, and thanks for the names of students for summer "Bridge" programming. We'll be working over the next couple weeks to finalize plan based on the facts as we have them. Details to come ASAP!!!
COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES
if you are concerned that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 and have been or are scheduled to be onsite, please let your principal, Maddie Espinoza, and/or me know immediately so we can partner with you for your safety and for the safety of others. You can trust that we will keep all this information confidential, balancing staff privacy and system safety needs. In addition, the steps below (from the CDC website) MUST be taken if you have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19:
COMING 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.
Wash your hands regularly!
All staff should wear masks when onsite.
All staff should wear gloves when handling materials that others will also use.
In partnership with Region 49, the EAFL will be donating $100 to help support the Grant Township Food Pantry. We are happy to be able to help in this small way!
IEA Summer Book Study worth 8 CPDUs starts tomorrow, June 8th. The book is "Educated" by Tara Westover. Click HERE for more information.
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
*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
