Monday Morning Memo: 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