Monday Memo 10/19--Hybrid Model Wave 1 Begins Today---Welcome back, Kinder and 4th Graders!!!

                                                                 

Thank you Natalie Udstuen for helping us get some prizes for the All Star Cart/PBIS REWARDS and for all your support on the committee.  :)  

and

Thank you Deb Marienau for all your help on Friday with organizing PBIS Rewards.

From Kim VanHoorelbeke

Stephanie Kaye for delivering an engaging mini lesson on engagement during our Collaborative Team Time!

and

To the Stanton Custodial staff for all their work prepping for the return to hybrid!

and

To the entire Stanton TEAM for a tremendous effort over the two Institute Days.  I feel more confident in our plan every day - and that's because of YOU!!

and

To Shar Wade for being a Super Sub!!!!!

and

To Melissa for going above and beyond connecting to a student that seemed down and angry.  She connected with Grant who provided great guidance.  The student joined Melissa during her office hours and they made a wonderful connection!!!   

-From Jeff Sefcik

To the second grade teachers for embracing all challenges so gracefully and for creating such a collaborative environment. Your ability to keep things as simple as possible while keeping a laser focus on your students is inspiring! 

and

To Stephanie Kaye for being my ride or die! I love that we are so collaborative and have each other to bounce ideas off of. You are brilliant, kind, eager, and always see the best in everyone. Thanks for being you! 

-From Erica Barraza

To Lemar Wilson--You did a great mini-engagement riddle game in art. The students were constantly guessing answers, and he had a lot of student participation!

and

To Molly  Goodsite for continuously supporting me by attending my sessions all the time. I really appreciate it! 

and

To Karen Brnot, who has no fear when it comes to trying something new! She jumps at opportunities to try new methods of teaching and using new technology platforms!

-From Stephanie Kaye

Mike Szotek,

The stress of technology glitches can drive a person crazy, yet you handle it all with such grace and guidance.  THANK YOU for tackling allllll the things allll the time.  You are so very appreciated!

&

Thank you to everyone handling e.v.e.r.y. detail of transition to hybrid/remote/ in person- One Team, ALLLLL in for our students is so evident in every single soul of this district!

&

Thank you PreK teachers for sharing your knowledge about in person and all those tiny details for our littles that we needed to learn- you paved the way for us!

&

WELCOME to Kinder Bridget and CONGRATULATIONS on your first "official" teaching position!!  We are SOO grateful to have you, as are our students-- thank you PreK for sharing her. ;-)

-From Tiffany Tardio-Weber

Thank you Kim Husko and Jamie Smeigh for your hard work to get the gym and health room ready for in person learning! 

-From Melissa Jakstas

Thank you Cheryl Schuck and Deb Marienau for unpacking and organizing all of the ARC materials.

and

Thank you Sue Pinkawa, Paula Kvacik and Andrea DeMatteo for all your behind the scenes prep work for transition to hybrid and to everyone that pitched in to make phone calls to families informing them of their bus routes.

and

Thank you Kim Mack for staying connected with our families that need support.

and

Thank you to all of our grade level teams for the hard work you have put in to transition our students to hybrid learning.  Especially to our Kindergarten and 4th grade team for being the first grades to welcome back students this Monday.  

and

Kudos to the specials team for being flexible and always coming to the table with solutions/ideas whenever a problem/conflict arises. 

-From Matt Peters

Huge thank yous to:

The Kindergarten and 4th grade teams for leading the next wave of the Hybrid plan. Your hard work, planning, time, and commitment are truly appreciated. I know I can't WAIT to see more kids on site on Monday!

and

To our Kitchen and Transportation teams for your constant flexibility and willingness to make it work for our kids. 

and

To Jill Becmer, Michele Burgess, Paula Kvacik and Sue Pinkawa for all the behind the scenes work to make all the changes to make the Hybrid model launch. 

and

To Andrea DeMatteo for working 12 hour+ days all last week to get bus routes set. 

and

To every single team member helping us navigate a really complex student/family situation that impacts both schools. I'm so proud to work with each of you and am blown away by every single person's commitment to do whatever it takes for the kids. 

and

To Rusty Lofgren for driving back and forth to Oswego to make sure two of our students have what they need. 

and

To everyone for the incredibly kind words and treats on Friday for Boss's Day. It's ME who is lucky to work with you! 

and finally...

To our PRINCIPALS for all you do every day!!! This week is Principal Appreciation Week--and Friday is Principal ApprecIation Day in Illinois..but we are all sure grateful for you EVERY SINGLE DAY!

-Heather 💗

 

YES! We launch this week! I sincerely appreciate all the work that EVERYONE is putting into this effort!!!

We'll capture process updates in the  Hybrid Fast Facts document, which is will be living and breathing. It's linked here. Also, the principals are hosting Q and A sessions for families this week to field their logistic questions. 

As with anything, we will do our best, work together to problem solve issues as they happen, and constantly collaborate to make things the best we can for our students, staff, and families. 

Updated dashboard data 10/18/20:

The dashboard with our most current data looks like this:

Using the parameters of this data for the county and for our zip codes, we are still clear to implement our Hybrid plan. Big Hollow, Gavin, and Grant also are continuing forward as planned. 

How does this work?

1. Consider the top 2 indicators (red line around them). Where do they place us in combination? 

2. Then, apply local zip code data. Does local data look at least as good as county data? If yes, proceed. If no, call Health Department for guidance. 

HOWEVER, given the data trends--particularly at the county level--we have a special call with the Lake County Health Department on Monday morning at 8AM. I'll keep you all updated as always. 

I can't reiterate this enough--please remain ready to pivot back to full remote at any point. Keep a remote teaching mindset at all times. 👍

 

Materials Organization

Starting this week, we will offer materials distribution using Grab and  Go at Lotus on Fridays per the plan below. Since we won't run the materials out by bus, we only need them organized ALPHA BY GRADE LEVEL until/unless we have to shift back to full remote.

Mindful Movement for Caregivers

The link for each Tuesday's 3:15-4:00 session with Roni is below:

https://meet.google.com/asm-wbnq-okb

It was also shared via Google calendar invite. We'll continue through December and then revisit to see if we want to continue. If yes, then we will! If we want to explore another self-care idea, we can do that! I appreciate your input SOOOOO much! 

From Roni--

For Tuesday and future meetings: 

- Dress for comfort and ease of movement, bare feet with socks within reach. 

- Please join the meeting seated on the floor, on a mat if you have one. 

- Grab the following props or makeshift props: yoga strap (necktie or bathrobe tie), bolster (firm cushion or folded towel), eye pillow (folded washcloth), and a thin blanket and or quilt. 

Remember---Roni will host weekly sessions each Tuesday at 3:15, and they are FREE to you!

Seeking a Social Worker

Unfortunately, our part time social worker for Lotus has resigned. We are actively seeking a replacement, and Jessica Urban will reach out to the families impacted by this to help us bridge services. She will also fulfill any IEP meeting requirements for these students until we find a replacement. When we DO find a replacement, we will work to make up missed social work minutes for the students. I'm sorry about this. 😢

REPEAT REMINDERS...

Travel Guidelines

As you may know, the Lake Co Superintendents meet each week with the Lake County Health Department. Yesterday, the topic of out of state travel came up. I asked for more clarification on travel, especially as we head into breaks...especially Thanksgiving...and here is guidance based on the directions from the Health Department:

AS OF RIGHT NOW--KNOWING THIS MAY CHANGE:

*Avoid travel if at all possible. 
*No matter where you are, strictly follow the 3 W's:

• Wear a mask
• Wash your hands...A LOT
• Watch your space---stay 6 ft apart

*Continue to use our self-certification protocol daily upon your return. 

*Notify your principal and me of any COVID contacts or new symptoms immediately. 

All this means that--as of today--we will NOT have to ask you to quarantine if you travel out of state BUT within the US. However, please CAREFULLY consider out of state travel and, as or more importantly, be sure you are following safety precautions no matter where you are!!!! 

Clocking In and Out

Hourly employees should clock in and out each day you are onsite. This helps us know who is in and also is used to confirm payroll. THANK YOU!

If You Are Sick/Need to Be Out

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let your principals know ASAP if you are ill/know you need to be out. This means that--if you have a fever on a Friday--DO NOT WAIT UNTIL MONDAY to inform us. We have to plan for you, and knowing as soon as possible allows us to do so. The same is true if you know you have to be out. It's more complicated than EVER to plan for absences, so advance notification is key. We are reaching out to our subs and trying to get really creative on this as well, but we are also counting on YOU to communicate with us. 

Remember, we expect staff to be onsite on the days you've indicated. We are counting on you on this. 

Wednesday Calendar

I'm sharing the Wednesday CTT calendar with you here. It's a work in progress, but you can check back in to see how times are added. Please note that there will almost always be a mini-lesson and then time for your teams to work.

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. 

All staff MUST wear masks AT ALL TIMES

when onsite and in public spaces. 

If you are working in an office/classroom

with the door closed, you may remove your

mask. It must be worn when anyone enters

that space with you. 

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:

You MUST complete the daily self-certification in Skyward. 

Social distancing of 6 feet and following handwashing

procedures--inside and outside--remain expectations and

a priority for your safety and the safety of those around

you. 

$2,500 College Scholarship Opportunity for Children of School Employees

Scholarship Flier

Scholarship Application Link 

EAFL President Transition Plan

On Thursday, October 8th the EAFL Executive Board met to discuss the resignation of Melissa Jakstas as President of the EAFL effective 12/18/20. Per our association bylaws Maureen DeVoss will fill the vacancy for the duration of the term. Over the next few months Melissa and Maureen will be working together to help ensure a smooth transition of leadership. When Maureen moves into the President role, this will create a vacancy for the position of Vice President of Certified Staff. Per our bylaws Maureen will be responsible for appointing a member to fill the position; the plan currently is for Maureen to appoint Melissa to fill this role. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know! 

IL Educator Well-Being Survey

The Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the University of Illinois Springfield invites you to participate in the Illinois Educator Well-Being Survey. The purpose of this survey is to examine how the climate and culture of your workplace impacts the quality of your life. The IEA will use the results of this survey to support educator’s well-being in the workplace through improved programs and services. For more information, or to take the survey, click here.  The survey will close on December 1, 2020. 

The IEA and EAFL encourage all members to VOTE! 

Be sure you are registered for the upcoming November election. You can find more information using the links below. 

If you would like to see where the IEA stands on issues affecting education and what candidates they are endorsing, click here. 

Link to IEA COVID Resources and 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

Michelle Serini, Stanton School Representative

Tiffany Tardio Weber, Lotus School Representative

Finish the sentence stem for yourself:

"I am..." 

TREAT YO SELF TO SELF CARE

I'm going to use the book 180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators by my friend Tina Boogren to

share weekly nuggets of self-care ideas

for all of us.

Week 9: Mindfulness

Consider this:

Mindfulness is "awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment,

non-judgmentally...It's about knowing what is on your mind" (Zinn, 2003, p. 145). There are incredible

benefits--increased self-esteem, self-control, and immunity. It also decreases stress and depression.

Mindfulness is a way to combat stress and feel more calm, centered, and capable.

This week's invitation: Try at least one (new) mindfulness technique:

*Mindful walking (search this term...VERY cool stuff!)

*Guided meditation using a tool like Headspace or free tools from the UCLA Mindful Research

Awareness Research Center

*Deep breathing

*Silence

*Yoga (like Mindful Movement with Roni on Tuesday!!!!)

 2020-21 Wednesday CTT Planning Calendar

D114 Virtual Toolbox

PreK-8 Flash Back Standards

Exploratories Flash Back Standards

Case Manager Flash Back Reflections

D114 Family Update

Classroom Management Links

MTSS Ongoing Q and A

D114 Curriculum Resources

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

 

IF DATA HOLDS:

10/19--Launch K and 4th grade Hybrid

10/19--All Lotus certified staff report at least 4 days per week unless approved by Heather

10/20--Board of Education Meeting Hybrid meeting at 6:00 PM in the Lotus Gym and also via Meet at:

https://meet.google.com/zcc-gdza-fgf

10/23--PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION DAY!!!!

10/26--Launch 5th and 8th grade Hybrid, 1st day of 2nd quarter

10/26--All Stanton certified staff report at least 4 days per week unless approved by Heather

10/26--All Support Staff report 5 days per week for regular hours unless approved by Heather

11/2--Launch 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Hybrid

11/3--CLOSED for Election Day

11/9--Launch 6th and 7th Hybrid

             

ONE TEAM...ALL IN...ALWAYS!

Have a great week!
Heather