Monday Morning Memo: Monday Morning Memo 12/5/22

For all those who do Medicaid billing, this is your reminder to do it! We need you to please stay on top of this!!! THANK YOU!!!! 😁

If you have no idea what this means...you don't have to do it! YAY!!!!

The Guiding Coalition for our work on the Friz 5 and 7 Principles of Culturally Responsive Practices

and

Andrea Sekulich and Vivian Hernandez for their focus on our Hispanic students’ attendance

and

Rachelle for her efforts in working with our chronically absent students and their families

and

Lynn, Rachelle, Lora, Meghan, and Kim for their work assisting a student in crisis

and

Bryan “Saint Nick” Bailey!!

and

Yvette Stauner for recognizing a student in need and making it a Happy Holiday!!!

-From Jeff Sefcik (Stanton Principal)

Many thanks to Mike for always being so responsive and taking care of technology issues quickly. You are so appreciated!

and

Specials Team - thank you for stepping up to help out on Wednesday so the students who missed Art Class on Monday and Tuesday could catch up, and not fall behind on their 3D sculptures. I really appreciate you all!

and

Russ - thanks for always coming through to take care of what is needed to keep our Art room running smoothly. Your help is so appreciated!

and

Gina - you are a master snowflake maker- thanks for helping me help Amber! You rock!

and

Big thanks to Andrea who always makes time to help with ordering supplies - you're a true gem!

Blessed to work with such good people.

-From Gayle McManamon (Art teacher at Lotus)

Kudos to Mary Santi for always being willing to step in and help kids in any way even if they aren't on your caseload. It is much appreciated!

and

Kudos to Kelly Welsh (new para at Lotus) for jumping into completely unfamiliar territory and handling it so well with a positive attitude!

-From Emily Welsh (2nd grade Teacher)

Third Grade Teachers and Students- Thank you for the wonderful surprise on Friday. The cards were the highlight of our week! We appreciate the extra thought.

-From Natalie Udstuen (Assistant Principal at Lotus)

A big thank you to our preschool aide Mary M.P. for taking on cleaning and prepping all 3 classrooms on Friday after school. It was GREATLY appreciated!

-The Preschool Team

A shout out to Erica B. for stepping in and lending a helping hand on Friday at the end of the day with sad little kiddos in preschool.

and

To Ellie and Natalie- Thank you for the quick brainstorming and parent meeting to get a preschool friend the support and consistency he needs.

and

To Michelle for doing everything, being everywhere and supporting the needs of your 35 preschool students! You are an incredible teacher who cares so deeply about your students, our program and our school!

-Mary Foersterling (PreK teacher)

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Santa Breakfast a reality again! It was awesome! A HUGE shout out to Bryan Bailey who played a very special role for all 4 hours of the event!!!

Thanks to Natalie Udstuen and Cheryl Carroll for all your help with Sunday's Holiday Rotary Event. That was amazing!

-From Heather 😘

Please send me your kudos for colleagues each week! I'll happily post them in this section!

Here's a link to all the ideas gathered for the HOW and WHY of the Friz 5...I'll keep adding as great ideas come forward.

A reflection...

So, I wanted to make sure I embedded the Friz 5 in a virtual session I led on Thursday. I greeted each participant at the "door", and some I knew well and some I was meeting for the first time. We reviewed learning targets and set norms to help us meet the SEL side of learning. I embedded at least one engagement task every 10 minutes, and used most of these tasks as a check for understanding. It was the BEST virtual day I've ever had, and I can't wait to see what happens on day 2 of the training this week. It was so fun to put these into practice and SEE THEM WORK!!!!!

Thank YOU for making me a smarter, better teacher!

Great Opportunity!

Please see below for a great learning opportunity, provided by an amazing, former D114 teacher!

Another Great Opportunity!
Check out the December Wellness Calendar! Thanks to Laura Livesay and Matt Shannon for doing this!

Holiday Lunch for All

Oh wow! Be ready for an AMAZING holiday staff lunch for 12/16!!!! Thanks to the incredible Al Giandonato and family for making this happen for all our staff. Bring an empty tummy and be ready to eat!!!!

Student Council

Not only did the Stanton Student Council march in the Fox Lake parade, but they also got the 2nd Place Spirit Award!!!!!

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Attached to this week's Monday Memo email, you'll find an updated access flyer for the EAP program. Remember that this is FREE to all employees to provide a whole bunch of different supports (examples: mental health, finances, quitting smoking, etc.). ANY access of EAP is completely confidential. If you need any assistance or have questions, please reach out to Maddie Mercado.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback! Erica and Stephanie are sending out Lotus- and Stanton-specific supports, but I'll also post the link to a folder containing them all here so they are easy to find, everyone can see everything, and you're reminded to check them out!

We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and stayed warm!

EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

Proactive Behavior Strategies for ESPs with 321 Insight: This Proactive Behavior Strategies for ESP session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Presenter Sue Lyons from 321 Insight will host. The session will provide strategies for IEA ESP members allowing them to implement the strategies to address the challenging behaviors and often preventing the behaviors from happening. For further information and to register, please click here. Please contact Mary Jane Morris with any questions.

Applications are open for ISBE’s 2023 Those Who Excel and IL Teacher of the Year Awards! You can nominate an educator for:

IL Teacher of the Year

Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year

Outstanding Community Volunteers

Outstanding Teams

Applications can be submitted here! Deadline is Dec. 2

IEA Awards nomination deadline is Dec. 15.

Online nomination forms can be found on the IEA website under Members/Benefits/Awards:

· Bob Haisman Student of the Year Award: This award honors an undergraduate IEA Student Program member working toward a degree in education who has shown outstanding accomplishments in several areas.

· Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year Award: This award, named in honor of former IEA President Bob Haisman, recognizes the individual contributions of a new teacher (a teacher with at least one year’s experience and not more than five).

· Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Retiree Award: Given in honor of the late Mary Lou Hauge, first chair of the IEA Council of Retirees, and her late husband Keith, former editor of the IEA-R Informer, this award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the IEA as a retired member.

· ESP of The Year Award: This award is meant to emphasize the contributions of education support professionals to their association, their schools and their communities.

· Higher Ed Program Educator of the Year Award: This award recognizes an active higher education member who has shown outstanding accomplishments while promoting the association, publishing research, participating in community organizing or taking other actions that go above and beyond.

· Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award: Named after former IEA President and NEA President Reg Weaver, an individual IEA-NEA member or an IEA-NEA group may be nominated for this award, which recognizes those who have performed an outstanding humanitarian/civil rights activity or community service above and beyond normal association endeavors.

· Friend of Education Award: This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated commitment to the success of public education and to the ideals and mission of the IEA-NEA. The nominee, proposed by IEA members or IEA staff members, will be an external candidate who is not an IEA member or an employee of IEA-NEA.

Presentation Opportunities

Aspiring Educator’s Spring Conference will be held in Oakbrook on April 28-29, 2023. If you would like to present on the 29th, please submit an RFP by Jan. 15.

Educator Rising will be having their Annual Conference on March 6, 2023 in Bloomington. If you would like to present on the 6th, please submit an RPF by Jan. 15.