Monday Morning Memo--the 20-21 Finale!

 

As I'm writing this last Monday Memo of the year, trying to be articulate and somehow able to describe how I'm feeling, it really boils down to two words:

THANK YOU. 

I look back on the last 14 months and am amazed at what we've done. YOU are incredible. The role you played made it possible. I wouldn't have wanted to live this crazy year anywhere else. So, simply put...

THANK YOU. 

I hope your summer is so full of fun, relaxation, and happiness!

-From Heather

Jill Becmer for coordinating a great 8th grade movie night and all the staff that helped make the event a memorable one! 

-From Jeff Sefcik

Thank you to our amazing Lotus Lunch Bunch. Georgette,  Sonia, Penny and Yesinia. You guys are always on top of our ever changing numbers in Pre K. Always making sure snacks and lunches are ready for me to pickup. 

-From Colleen Robinson

Mr.Russ,

Thank you for always going above and beyond. Bringing up my doordash without a tip :-) and getting me a large box to get ready to move my classroom!! You are the best.

Thank you to the lunch ladies for getting the watermelons cut up and passed out for the 3rd graders to celebrate for field day when we had to change plans and eat inside.

Thank you to the 3rd grade team for celebrating my birthday with a morning surprise since we will be out of school for my actual birthday. It was a great surprise and I felt extra love and appreciation!! It really meant a lot to me! 

Ms.Sherry <3

I would like to thank the staff at Lotus for all of their help with making Field Day a success this year. Without being able to have volunteers, everyone jumped in to help at stations and the day was awesome! Our staff made each station so much fun for our students!  It was nice to hear the excitement and team spirit in the hallways. 

I need to give a special thank you to some of our staff members:

• Amber Mysliwiec for all of her help in creating and setting up the Field Day events, and for making the Virtual Field Day so much fun for our remote students. She went above and beyond and was an integral part of the success of the day. We couldn't have done this without you!
• I also want to thank Amanda Lorenz for making the schedule so that the events flowed smoothly.
• Georgette and the kitchen staff, thank you so much for providing the snacks and wonderful lunches for our staff and students. 
• Russ Xhemaili, thank you for getting us the proper sanitizing equipment to make sure everyone was safe. 
• Sue Pinkawa, thank you for dressing up as "Rocky" for our students. They were so excited to see you!
• And to everyone else that was on the Field Day committee (Natalie Udstuen, Sami Harshaw, Tiffany Tardio, Tiffany McGranahan, Cathy Jawnyj, Kimberly Jacobs-Leable, Michelle Jessop, and Natalie Molidor), you are all awesome! Everyone contributed in many ways to make this day so special for our students. I was lucky to have you join me this year!
• I would also like to thank Ellen Stirrat for helping me finish end of the year tasks in the classroom so that I could focus on Field Day. You are always willing to jump in and help whenever needed. I am very grateful for you!

From Joan Kantenwein

Field Day was soooooooo much fun! Thanks to the amazing team who made it all happen! It's been a long time since I've seen so much excitement and heard so many squeals. My heart is full

~from Erica Barraza

A HUGE shout-out to the AMAZING team that has made Camp Curiosity come to life. From schedules, curricular resources, and records keeping, to data walls, school supplies, and transportation! The amount of detail, care, strategy, and love that has gone into this program is extraordinary. Every single person involved has truly been pivotal. Looking forward to getting offline and doing what we do best!

~Stephanie K., Amanda L., Cathy J., Erica B. 

Summer PD Opportunities

Please click here to see the running list of TONS of professional development opportunities.

Two additions that are super exciting:

PLC at Work Institute--live stream (with all breakout sessions available)

August 2 and 3 (all day) and 4 (morning only)

At Lotus

ALL are invited!

Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies--onsite 2 day training

August 9 and 10 OR 10 and 11 (dates getting finalized this week)

ALL are invited!

2021-22 Reporting Expectations

It is expected that all staff report on site next year. If you have a medical situation that may

require you to take a leave, please contact Maddie Mercado ASAP so she can let you know

what you'll need to do.

Coursework Pre-Approval

Please remember that all coursework for reimbursement and/or lane changes must be pre-approved by me. If you are requesting reimbursement for a course, this approval MUST happen before July 1 for budgeting purposes. Please see the Business Office Share File for the forms you need, and reach out to Maddie with any questions. 

 

• 
  

  A sincere thank you goes out to Chris Brown and Betty Cwiak as they finish their time on the EAFL board.  Your time and dedication to the Union board is so appreciated. 

  
  

  A huge EAFL board congratulations goes out to our retirees Pam Exon and Sabi Hasani!  We are so proud to have you on our team and the students of District 114 have forever been changed by your work.  Best wishes in all that lies ahead!  

  
  

  As we head into summer, your EAFL board would like to say thank you for all of your hard work in a crazy and unbelievable year.  We are so proud of all that was accomplished and the love, care and lessons that you provided for our students.  Your amazing work will stretch far beyond the classroom!

  
  

  And finally, thank you for all of your support this year for the board.  Our District 114 staff is one of a kind.  Enjoy summer everyone!  

Maureen DeVoss, President

Melissa Jakstas, 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

Approved 2021-22 school year calendar

SEL COMMITTEE HUB

D114 Virtual Toolbox

D114 Family Update

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

*Upcoming Events: 

Tuesday, June 1--Last day of school--Early Release and Staff End of Year/Retirement Party!-details coming soon

MONDAY, June 14--Board of Education Meeting and Board Training Session with IASB. 

             

Have a great last day of school and a bucket-filling, happiness-bringing, full of fun summer!!!

Heather

Monday Morning Memo 5/24/21---One More to Go!!!!!

 

Kudos & congrats to the Lotus & Stanton Lunch Ladies. We’ve been working SO hard since March 2020, making sure the kiddos (and families) were being fed throughout this pandemic. I know you are all exhausted but our hearts are full. You are all Angels in aprons. Love y’all! 

-From Penny Brown

Thank you to Georgette Franco for making sure Josie Castro's family could hear all the wonderful things shared about her at Board Recognition...and hear them in Spanish! 💖

-From Heather

A huge shout out to Cheryl, Maria, and Deb for all their assistance in helping to copy and organize summer school math curriculum.  I can't imagine getting it done without you.  I truly appreciate you both.

- From Amanda Lorenz

Shout Out to all of our bus and van drivers for filling in where needed.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks!  Thanks for all you do!

-From Andrea De Matteo

Shout out to EVERYONE at Lotus for being so flexible so that Abbey and I could do our ACCESS testing!  Thank you for bringing students to us, getting students for us, and keeping students occupied until we or a parent could come and get them:)  All of you ROCK!

-From Kim Leable

Thank you to everyone who assisted with IAR testing. Your patience and flexibility are very much appreciated. Couldn't do it without you. 

and

Thank you Kim for sharing a piece of your library with me so a small group could use my room for testing. 

and

Thank you to all teachers for allowing us to come in everyday take over your smartboard, plug our computers in bring our carts and take over your classroom for specials. I know it's easy but thank you!!

-From Victoria Miller

Summer PD Opportunities

Please click here to see the running list of TONS of professional development opportunities.

Two additions that are super exciting:

PLC at Work Institute--live stream (with all breakout sessions available)

August 2 and 3 (all day) and 4 (morning only)

At Lotus

ALL are invited!

Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies--onsite 2 day training

August 9 and 10 OR 10 and 11 (dates getting finalized this week)

ALL are invited!

BOE Recognition

If you'd like to view the recognition portion of last week's Board meeting, it's linked here.

Thanks to David Roat for trimming this so it works as a YouTube clip.

2021-22 Reporting Expectations

It is expected that all staff report on site next year. If you have a medical situation that may

require you to take a leave, please contact Maddie Mercado ASAP so she can let you know

what you'll need to do.

Coursework Pre-Approval

Please remember that all coursework for reimbursement and/or lane changes must be pre-approved by me. If you are requesting reimbursement for a course, this approval MUST happen before July 1 for budgeting purposes. Please see the Business Office Share File for the forms you need, and reach out to Maddie with any questions. 

Masking

Please see below for the latest information from the Lake County Health Department:

Whereas, the CDC advises that schools continue to use the COVID-19 prevention strategies outlined in the CDC’s Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools for at least the remainder of the 2020-2021 academic school year”; and, from the Executive Order 2021-10.

 

If you review the Executive Order 2021-10 you will find that it directly references the Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools:

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/revised-public-health-guidance-for-schools.pdf

 

Please review pages 3-7 in detail for specifics on school events and masking.  

All school students, faculty and staff are required to mask while on school grounds, vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Vaccine Pod at Grant

Please click here to see our site for the Grant feeders districts’ free student vaccination pod. Remember, our D114 staff are WELCOME to vaccinate your 12+ children at this pod.

Vaccine Survey

Thank you to everyone who has logged data in this survey. Please KEEP THIS UPDATED. This means I'd ask you to complete the survey again when you have updated information. So, when you get shot #1 if you haven't yet, please complete the survey again. Same for getting shot #2. I'll clean that data--you just please keep it updated. 

THANKS!

 

Updated dashboard data 5/24/21:

Best data we've seen yet! 

Coaching Corner: 

May is Asian-American and Pacific Heritage Month. Click here for some
resources to share with your students! 
Celebrate Memorial Day with some simple and thoughtful writing activities
from Teacher Vision:
We Remember You
Draw or print a picture of a red poppy. Underneath the poppy, write a
free verse poem that describes why we remember those who have died in wars and

conflicts.
Thank a Veteran
Write a letter to a veteran in order to thank them for their service. Be sure to include

all parts of a friendly letter.
Soldier Similes
In a writing journal, write at least 5 similes that use the following words to make

comparisons about a soldier: Brave, strong, smart, fast, and kind.

Lotus PBIS

*  PBIS 3rd Trimester Raffle will be drawn May 21st.  (2 winners)  Tickets can be purchased everyday in the PBIS Store.  PRIZE:  Spike-Ball Game Set.

* Image below for PBIS points given to students in the month of April.  Great job on bringing up the number  :) Please remember to keep giving those SAFETY POINTS,  they should be SKY HIGH. 

Matrix for remote behavior expectations

Matrix for in person behavior expectations

Discipline T-chart

Stanton

*Q4 Celebration - either Field Day or a PBIS Rotation -  is Tuesday, June 1. 

*5/19 is the LAST DAY the PBIS store will be open for purchases.

*Q4 Raffle is set for 5/27. Items are posted and students can purchase at any time up until 5/26!!!

*Let’s continue to finish out the year strong with giving out points for positive behavior!

COVID-19 SAFETY PROCEDURES

Decision Making Tree for Post-Vaccine Symptoms

Safety Protocols

*If you have any COVID-10 like symptoms at all or are not feeling well, please DO NOT

come onsite UNLESS you have just gotten the vaccine (please see guidance above).

If coming onsite:

*You must continue to self-certify (updated with the new symptom guide) using Skyward.

*All staff must enter through the main entrance at each site.

*You must sign in using the sign in sheet, mark that you self-certified, and take and record your temperature. IF YOU HAVE A FEVER ABOVE 100.4 YOU ARE ASKED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AND REACH OUT TO YOUR PRINCIPAL AND HEATHER.

*Once Sharon/Marc are onsite, they will review the sign in sheet and cross check with the

self-certification report. If anyone is NOT cleared or did NOT self-certify, they will meet with them to ensure they are safe to be onsite. If not, they'll refer that employee to Heather. 

*If you arrive after Sharon/Marc are onsite, please will report to the Health Office to check in so we know you have self-certified. Your temperature will also be taken and recorded. Employees will know to do this because, when Sharon/Marc arrive, they will pick up the sign

in log and put out a sign that says "Please come to the Health Office to check in". 

 

When you come onsite, you can work in your classroom/workspace.  Please feel free to use it as your own. I'd just ask that you work in that space as much as possible and not travel out much. You can,  of course you can use the bathroom, lounge, copiers, etc. as needed. Please do not congregate in the hallways or in other spaces. We simply want to keep you safe.

 

If you are alone in your workspace and the door is closed, you may remove your mask. If anyone enters that space, everyone in the space MUST wear a mask and stay 6 ft apart at all times. 

 

When you DO leave your room, I'd ask that you strictly follow the 4 W's to help keep yourself and others around you safe:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Wear your mask.

3. Watch your space.

4. Wait your turn.

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, 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. 

 

• Thank you to all of the members who attended the Board of Education meeting.  It has been so wonderful seeing our students highlighted and supported.

  
  

  There are many PD opportunities this summer being offered up.  Check out any that you may be interested in.  

  
  

  Summer PD: Earn clock hours with an online book study, courses and a variety of content specific opportunities. Check out the Professional Development Summer Newsletter.

   

  Micro-credential Opportunity: In partnership with NEA, IEA is offering its members an opportunity to participate, AT NO COST, in a virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support successful completion of a NEA Micro-credential.  Educators who participate in a PLC to complete a micro-credential are more likely to earn their badge the first time! The 2021 IEA Micro-credential PLC: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy will meet on TUESDAY mornings, June 22 – August 3, at 10 a.m., for 30-60 minutes.  Register here! Registration closes Friday, May 28.

   

  Summer Leadership Academy (SLA)  July 19-22 and July 26-29:  We are happy to announce that the SLA registration is now open with over 70 session choices for members. Session offerings include trainings on equity, trauma responsiveness, restorative practices, communications, school finance, health insurance, organizing, and grievance to name a few. SLA will also contain additional sessions designed for local association presidents, association representatives, local treasurers, and those seeking a National Board Certification.  Many sessions at SLA will also provide PD clock hours to attendees.

  
  

  ShopIEA.org OPEN NOW!!! The IEA Store will be open again May 17 – May 30 with items shipping to region chairs on June 18th. Shop IEA

Maureen DeVoss, President

Melissa Jakstas, 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

SELF CARE STATION

SEL COMMITTEE HUB

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.

The Final Challenge

Now that we've spent this ENTIRE year learning more about self care and what works (and

what doesn't!), the final challenge is to create a list of your commitments, intentions, and

promises to yourself. The list can be as long or as short as you need...create what

serves you. You might even want to choose a theme for your list list--perhaps it starts with your

word for 2021! I BELIEVE you can do it!

Ongoing LCHD Call/Update Notes

Approved 2021-22 school year calendar

2020-21 Wednesday CTT Planning Calendar

SEL COMMITTEE HUB

D114 Virtual Toolbox

D114 Family Update

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

*Upcoming Events: 

Tuesday, June 1--Last day of school--Early Release and Staff End of Year/Retirement Party!-details coming soon

MONDAY, June 14--Board of Education Meeting and Board Training Session with IASB. 

             

Please enjoy this last full week!

Heather