To Kendra Smeigh for stopping in to chat and check in. Much appreciated!
and
Kim Husko for letting me do a Quiz, Quiz Trade activity with her Health students. I love getting time with students!
and
Emily Armbrecht for inviting me in to watch students PLAY MUSIC IN REAL LIFE!!!
and
Cathy Jawnyj for always lending an ear...and endless laughs!!
and
Ana Smith, Makaila House, and Cassie Curtis for sharing their lunch time with me!!
and
To Karen Brnot - she gave her students a choice to read their online textbook in either English or Spanish, and watched as one student scored 20% on the practice when reading in English, but then scored 100% on the practice when reading it in Spanish!!! Way to be culturally responsive and kudos to you for allowing that option in class!!!!
-From Stephanie Kaye
Kudos to Walter Nickels for being so encouraging and providing praise to students on task during after school detention/ineligible program. You could really see how much it meant to individual students when he would tell them that he is proud of them and impressed with their hard work to turn things around.
-From Grant Chapman
Thank you to Michelle Magness, Paula Kvacik, Russ Xhemaili, Abbey Kadera, Mary Foersterling, and Rachel Lundberg for helping prepare for the preschool compliance review and to showcase our wonderful program! Your hard work daily does not go unnoticed!
and
Thank you to Morgan Figel for inviting Mr. Peters and I to join the well deserved ice cream party celebration for your students.
and
Thank you to Gina Crosthwaite for being so flexible this week with your schedule. Thank you to all of 4th Grade for letting us use Gina when and where needed!
-From Natalie Udstuen
BIG shout out to the best kitchen staff! You girls are rock stars and I appreciate all your hard work and dedication to always getting the job done! Thank you for all you do, you are appreciated! 
-From Sonia Miller
Walter Nickles, Bryan Bailey, and Grant Chapman for working together to make our HW Club, Study Hall, and DT meaningful for our students!
and
Rich and Dan, Emily and Trina, and Laura and Chris for keeping our athletes practicing and playing while following all Covid protocols. And for Rachelle’s leadership!
and
The 6th grade team for really being on top of our struggling kids. Great MTSS mtg on Friday! Way to go CJ, GC, FM, AS, SD, LS, and KG.
-From Jeff Sefcik
Thank you to Gina Crosthwaite and Brittany Miller for being flexible during MAP testing. Despite all the minor setbacks, you both kept doing what you could to best support our students. You are both appreciated!
and
Thanks also to Mike Szotek. When I realized shortly before the MAP testing that I had no internet connection, I called Mike. I didn't leave a message when I heard his voicemail as students were arriving. Moments later, Mike appeared at my door, ready to assist. By then, of course, my connection was restored. Thank you, Mike, for your intuition.
-From Mary Santi
To our amazing front office gals, THANKS for all you do from answering questions, constant interruptions and going above and beyond tracking orders and everything else A-Z. :)
-From Kim VanHoorelbeke
To Erica Barraza--Thank you so much for coming into the class and having the kids read to you! They were arguing about who would go first because they all wanted to read. They also kept asking where the reading visitor(Amie from ARC) was so they could show off that they are reading and loving books!! Because of your amazing help and getting them leveled they want to read all the time and even during MAPS I didn’t hear the Echo of I can’t read over and over like I have the past 2 years!! We are blessed to have you!
-From Sherry Tietjen
Shout out to Matt Shannon and Makaila House: Thank you so very much for your collaboration and hard work as we navigate
this school year " One team all In!"
-From Lynn Smolen
Kudos to Matt Peters for having lunch with a student on the fly because the student was literally so excited about his positive office referral that he set up his own appointment for lunch with the office
That was AWESOME of you to accommodate him so quickly and meant the world to him & me. Thank you!
and
Kudos to Christine Spittler. WOW! You have been absolutely amazing with jumping in anywhere possible. You are incredible with the students and I appreciate how much you helped out to make sure testing got done over these last two weeks. Thank you!
and
Kudos to Victoria Miller for helping us with MAPS testing. You were extremely helpful and accommodating with us all week. I appreciate your guidance before the test and your assistance during and after! You ROCK!
and
Kudos to Erica and Amanda for assisting with IRLA testing. Erica jumped in to sub my classroom last minute to make sure I could still get trained and test my kiddos. Thank you! Thank you Amanda for walking me through the training and sitting with me multiple times after! Thank you to both of you for helping me better understand the program, answer my million questions, and properly assess a student that I was unsure of the right level. You both are fantastic and I love getting to work with you two!
-From Kelly Roland
Please send me KUDOS to give shout outs to colleagues! I LOVE to put them in the Monday Memo! 🎉
Furniture--Planning AheadWe are planning for the move out of our old furniture and the move in of the new furniture at both sites over Winter Break. As you can imagine, this will be a BIG task and we'll need some help!
When: Monday, December 20
Time: 7:00AM-appx 3:00 PM
Our fabulous custodial crew will be onsite, but if you're willing to be part of this effort, we will pay $15/hour to those who are willing to help make the plan happen.
Let me know if you are interested!
Surveillance Testing Logistics--effective 9/21/21
UPDATE: If you are opting in for testing but have tested COVID+ in the last 90 days, you may want to consider NOT testing at this time, as results may still indicate the presence of COVID-19. If you are a mandated tester, you still must test but, if needed, we will partner with you to review prior positive results with the Health Department to see what next steps will be.
Students
Students are given their pre-labeled kit each Tuesday.
Students return the samples on Wednesday upon arrival.
Staff
Staff come to the Nurse’s Office to pick up their kit and label each Tuesday starting THIS TUESDAY, September 21, 2021.
Staff can leave their sample on Tuesday or can take it home and return it on Wednesday. NOTE: a few staff members have requested spit tests instead of swab tests. We have met these requests, and the nurses know who has requested the saliva test. WE CAN NO LONGER MEET REQUESTS FOR SALIVA TESTS.
Any employee who must test and who doesn’t pick up their label and kit OR provide an outside negative test will be contacted individually by the nurses to remind them to test each Tuesday at the end of the day.
If any unvaccinated employee (mandated tester) don’t submit a sample time/negative test by the time the samples are picked up on Wednesday (appx 9:00 AM), the nurse notifies Maddie Mercado and she will follow up with the employee individually to notify them that they must take a Binex test OR submit an outside test result by that Friday (or the last attendance day of that same school week) at the end of the day.
If any employee does not comply, due process will be followed and disciplinary action may be taken in compliance with the EAFL/D114 contract.
Grant Vaccination Pod
In partnership with Passport Health, Grant Community High School District 124, Gavin School District 37, Big Hollow School District 38, Lake Villa Community Consolidated School District 41 and Fox Lake Grade School District 114 will be offering a vaccination opportunity for those aged 12 and older. The vaccinations will take place at Grant Community High School District 124 in the Commons (enter at door #1). Vaccination dates are as follows:
Dose 1
Wednesday, September 22 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Dose 2
Wednesday, October 13 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Parents must accompany students aged 12-17 to the event. Students 18 or older do not need to have a parent present.
The vaccine is free to all students and there is no cost to the districts to provide this service. You can register and find all the necessary paperwork, including an electronic consent form, by clicking here. Parents are asked to bring health insurance information, if applicable. School districts are not requiring vaccination, however; staff and students who are fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine when in close contact at school with a positive or presumed positive case of COVID-19.
Participants will receive the Pfizer vaccine. Any questions should be directed to Heather.
Current Local COVID Data
D114 Internal Data
Date | COVID + Staff | Staff in Quarantine | COVID + Students | Students in Quarantine |
9/19/21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
9/16/21 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 24 |
9/15/21 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 24 |
9/14/21 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 24 |
9/13/21 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 24 |
9/12/21 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 25 |
9/9/21 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 20 |
9/8/21 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 |
9/7/21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
9/3/21 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 |
9/2/21 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
9/17/21 Data Update
CDC thresholds and local data for Lake County
Indicator | Low Transmission | Moderate Transmission | Substantial Transmission | High Transmission | Current Status
|
Incidence Rate: Total new cases per 100K persons in the last 7 days | 0-9 | 10-49 | 50-99 | 100 or greater | 159.50 |
7 Day Average Test Positivity Rate | Less than 5% | 5.0%-7.9% | 8.0%-9.9% | Greater than 10% | 4.08 |
D114 Local Zip Codes Data from Northwestern University COVID Dashboard--ALL DATA INCLUDES ACTUAL AND PROBABLE CASES!
Indicator | Low Transmission | Moderate Transmission | Substantial Transmission | High Transmission | Current Status
|
Incidence Rate: Total new cases per 100K persons in the last 7 days | 0-9 | 10-49 | 50-99 | 100 or greater | 229.2 |
7 Day Average Test Positivity Rate | Less than 5% | 5.0%-7.9% | 8.0%-9.9% | Greater than 10% | 7.15% |
Teaching & Learning
-September’s iReady Goals
Be thinking about how you can encourage your students to create goals around
proficiency rather than time on task. I.E. Color a square in a ten frame when you pass
a lesson & celebrate when you fill the ten frame! (Thanks for the idea, Kinder!)
Be present and walk around when students are working on iReady paths. Check their
lessons and time on task. If you see yellow or red flags, check in with students on
these lessons. Flags are an indication that they need some reteaching with a teacher.
-September’s Formative Assessment (updated bi-weekly)
60 Second Strategy: A quick formative assessment tool that encourages all students to
participate in discussions and gives the teacher instant feedback.
Video on how this works Cards are linked here
Relationships Matter
-Building Relationships
Building relationships with students is by far the most important thing a teacher can do.
Check out this section weekly for community/team builders and tips on how to create a
trauma informed, culturally
responsive environment that is equitable for all.
- This Week’s Tip:
CLASSROOM DECOR – Look at the quotations, art work, and pictures you have
hanging on the wall. Do they truly represent the students in your classroom, or
peoples of the world? Celebrate color and diversity on your walls. Show your
students the beauty of a diverse and rich color palette.
-Community Builder:
Try using some of these questions as an icebreaker with your
students: 
-Weekly Cheer/Silly Sport/Brain Break:
We are looking forward to our Union Articulation which will take place at Stanton on Wednesday, September 29th. An agenda will be sent out later this week, as well as some reminders about time and parking.
Professional Development opportunities:
All online PD courses and book groups are asynchronous learning opportunities that use discussion boards to connect members from across the state. As usual, all professional development opportunities are a benefit of membership to IEA so there are no additional costs. Download the Fall PD Newsletter.
Grants available
Also, the Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program is back and will award $1,000 grants for school athletics programs. Application deadline is Jan. 15.
Learn more and apply today →
Lotus Updates!How do students redeem their PBIS points? By logging into Clever and clicking on Lotus Store, their Teachers Store or BOTH!!!
September 29--EAFL Articulation Meeting--agenda coming soon!
I.
Take FIVE. The moment you notice you are feeling high stress or overwhelm, take a step out of your classroom, step away from your computer, and change your environment. This does not need to be a long break - just 5 to 15 minutes can do wonders. If you are at home, consider taking a walk outside or reading a book for pleasure. If you are in the classroom, ask for support from coworkers, if possible, to cover your class for a moment so you are able to step away (and return the favor when they need it!). If you cannot take a break in the moment, make a mental note to take time to calm your mind and body down at your next available break.
II.
Breathe deep. Breath-work is commonly listed as a stress reliever for good reason. Take 3-5 deep breaths, trying to breathe into your lower abdomen. You may choose to focus on any muscles that are intense and imagine them relaxing on the exhale. You can also focus on the feeling of the breath coming in and leaving the body. Just 3 deep breaths can help your body out of that fight or flight stage and get back to a place of centered calm. This is a great exercise you can do quickly in or out of the classroom - you can also get your students involved with a quick breath break for all.
III.
Speak to yourself with comforting, kind words. When we get stressed, our body is in a state of distress. Speaking to ourselves with comforting words can help us get out of that state and calm the body back down. You might say something like, “I’m safe now”, or “It’s all going to be okay”, or “You can get through this”. You might place a comforting hand over your heart as you say these things. This calming act of self-compassion can be said aloud or thought silently. This subtle form of support for ourselves is a strategy we can use to relieve stress at any moment during the school day.
Let's make it a really great week!
Heather
