Big THANKS to Cary Scarpino and Kendra Logar for going above and beyond in being helpful! I so appreciated your help in getting the slides up and running on the promethean board, making sure I had the latest and greatest bus listing, and checking in to make sure things were going well when I was filling in for Ms. Groot.
Thanks again!
-From Gayle McManamon (Art Teacher at Lotus)
Lynn Smolen and our ILP-B Team for collaborating on how to handle some inappropriate/difficult behaviors. Early and intentional interventions applied (successfully - in brackets so I don't jinx it) thanks to Lynn and her TEAM!!!!!!
and
Veronica Kretz, Jen Leazer, Bryan Bailey, Kathleen Winkiel and Ally Bachara for working together to problem solve around the struggles of a new student with an IEP and BIP. Great work TEAM!!!!
and
Kaitlyn Goorsky for meeting with me and a student during her lunch on Tuesday. The student used inappropriate language on Monday. That student could have been assigned a DT and sat for 30 minutes in a room with a teacher she doesn't know. Instead we had a restorative conversation and the student explained how she had a "bumpy" morning and she was sorry for her behavior. The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel the warmth - african proverb. Kaitlyn did a great job embracing her student!
and
Kaitlyn Goorsky for starting a 2 x 10 with a student that was mentioned in our MTSS meeting!!
and
The 5th grade team and their students for helping out with the recycling throughout the school.
-From Jeff Sefcik (Principal at Stanton)
To Lynn Smolen for giving me a ride back to Lotus after the bus run. Because of this act of kindness, I was able to get to see my grandkids.
and
Sherry Tietjen for being a great teacher and role model. Our kids are doing amazing.
-From Colleen Robinson (Paraprofessional at Lotus)
Thank you to Donna Saranzak for walking the Kiddie Kottage kiddos to their van for me. She stepped right in without hesitation while I caught up with a former student from my very first class. It was so nice of Donna to notice I was distracted!
-From Joan Kantenwein (Reading Recovery/Reading Specialist at Lotus)
Wow. Words cannot describe how grateful and lucky I am to work with such amazing colleagues. Thank you to my first grade teammates Cary, Kendra and Cheryl for stepping in while I have been out recovering from surgery, you are truly the definition of one team all in. Adisyn Illg, we are so lucky to have you in our district. Thank you for being me while I am out and taking care of my first grade babies, I know my class is in great hands! Gayle, Victoria and CJ I know I owe you a big thank you as well. Natalie Udstuen, I appreciate your kindness always. Lastly, just a huge thank you to all of my D114 family and the Board for the beautiful flowers I received, they absolutely brightened my day. Missing you all and looking forward to being back soon!
All My Love- Jenny Groot (First Grade Teacher Lotus)
Fiona, Alanna, Ellie, Victoria, Kristine, Linda, Kate and Mia: Thank you for all of your support this week with our new students. Your calming presence is just what the ECSE students needed to welcome them into our classroom community. I am beyond thankful for your loving hearts, your time and your positivity for week one!
and,
Victoria for donating toy gears to the ECSE classroom. Your generous heart is so appreciated! Thank you for seeing a need, and sharing! The students will love playing with the gears at our gear table.
and,
The entire Pre-K team-WE DID IT! It may have been a wild week-but we beat the heat and made opportunities for learning in various areas of the school to get some wiggles out! I am looking forward to a successful school year with all of you!
and, Matt, Natalie and Allie- Thank you for your check in's, support, guidance and kind words to assure that a new student had a successful transition. You are a wonderful example of One Team, All In, and I am so thankful for your care and concern during the new transition.
and,
Sue, Paula and Andrea- Thank you for your open communication this week with so many transitions on top of one another. Every question I asked (and there were many) were always answered with a smile and kindness. You ladies are amazing at all you do, and you are so wonderful to work with! Thank you for being YOU!
-From Erin Donovan (ECSE Teacher at Lotus)
Kudos to Nicole Brinkman for promptly making changes to a student's accommodation so it could be used to its best potential for 2nd grade.
and
Kudos to Kim Rauchfuss for stepping in and assisting with a student reward when you probably had many other things to do!
and
Kudos to Natalie Udstuen for coming and reading to my class, they loved it!
-From Emily Reczek (2nd Grade Teacher at Lotus)
Kudos to our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers who welcomed the ARC coach into their classrooms to engage in a fishbowl style observation of Read Write Discuss. It's not easy to hand over your students to someone else and create sub plans on DAY SIX of school!! Thanks for a great learning opportunity and for the meaningful debrief!
and
Thank you Rachelle and Natalie for finding subs and thank you to all the subs for your willingness to jump in!!
-From Erica Barraza and Natalie Molidor (Instructional Coaches)
To Andrea DeMatteo and Hallie Romanelli for working over, and over, and over again on timing for Bus 10. THANK YOU for doing all you can to make a complicated route work and to get all our kids to school on time!
A few friendly reminders:
You can use your membership for savings and discounts on a variety of different things! go to https://www.neamb.com/ and set up an account if you don't already have one!
We would love to see you (in person or virtually) at the next school board meeting on September 19 @ 7:00 PM. We will be rededicating the Lotus Library, so the meeting will take place there.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any union board member!
Have a wonderful week!
- Tuesday, August 29: Curriculum Night
- PreK--6:00-7:00
- Kindergarten--6:30-7:15
- 1st Grade--6:45-7:30
- Thursday, August 31: Curriculum Night
- 2nd Grade--6:00-7:00
- 3rd Grade--6:30-7:15
- 4th Grade--6:45-7:30
- Thursday, September 7: Curriculum Night 6:00-7:00
