-From Adisyn Illg (Paraprofessional at Lotus)
Thank you Sue Pinkawa for your above and beyond work this past week! You are truly a superhero in my book.
Thank you to those who were my sub on Monday. I heard there were many, so I appreciate it whoever you are!!
and
Kudos to Erin Donovan, Amia Bush, and Kristine Gumm for being so amazing. I was in their room this week and they work so well together and with the kids. Having so many different people coming and going, they are always welcoming to everyone, guiding, and helping them! Thank you! :)
and
Kudos to Sonia Miller and doing the work in the lunchroom with the kiddos. Sonia just steps in and helps out with the kids if they're being loud, lining them up, cleaning up, and more. Thank you for all you do.
-From Victoria Miller (STEM Teacher at Lotus)
Thank you Jeff and Rachelle for working with me being out unexpectedly for family and the "day by day" updates!! To the team that "took over" for me and working on day of lesson plans to connect the day before to the next, Meghan R and Kim H for checking in on my class and to Heather for her Thursday visit to help check in with students to see what they did complete and what they owed for work that week!! It's a huge help and low stress when you know you have people to count on!!! Appreciate you all!!!
-From Veronica Kretz (5th grade Teacher)
Shoutout to Ashley Arff for sharing your amazing resources for students! I love how you advocate for ALL kids!
Thank you Jeff Sefcik for sharing grant opportunities with me!
Amanda Lorenz for always being there for any National Board Questions I have and for the whole cohort for being a great support during this strenuous, but rewarding process!
- Amber Mysiwiec (P.E. Teacher at Lotus)
Don Ukleja for fixing the scoreboard in the Stanton gym prior to our double header sweep of the Alden-Hebron Giants Tuesday evening!!
and
All of our Community Building parcilitators for welcoming our students every morning and creating an environment that builds relationships while preparing each student for their day!
our kitchen staff and lunch supervisors for making a change in our practice to better serve our kids!
-From Jeff Sefcik (Principal at Stanton)
Shout out to Chris Brown for creating a Christmas riddle wreath in our hallway! Each day she puts out a new Christmas riddle for students to answer as they are waiting in the morning. Today is the first day and already the kids are excited! You're awesome Chris!
-From Cortnee Snell (SpEd Teacher at Lotus)
A BIG THANK to Colleen for helping me with some friends. Greatly appreciated!
-From Cheryl Schuck (Paraprofessional at Lotus)
Thank you to Gayle McManamon and Mary-Kate for helping me put my idea into action in the 4th grade hallway!
-From Chris Brown (Paraprofessional at Lotus)
Fox Lake D114 Emergency Closure Procedures
Updated12/5/23
Canceling school is a complicated decision that affects students, families, and school staff. Providing students with a safe place to learn is a top priority for Fox Lake Grade School District 114 and is the primary consideration in making a school closing decision.
Making the Decision to Close, Shift to Remote, or Use a Late Start Day
When severe weather is expected on a school day, we examine many factors, including the following:
What are the predictions of several local weather forecasts?What are the anticipated road conditions at the time students and staff will be traveling to school?
Will the actual temperature be -20° F or colder?
Will the wind chill temperature (“feels like”) be -35° F or colder? (Wind Chill Warning)
Are our building systems functioning properly? (e.g., power/heat/water)
Are our buses operating and do we have drivers?
Can our families and staff travel safely to school by car?
Will students be safe walking or waiting at bus stops in appropriate winter clothing?
What are the decisions of our neighboring districts?
We determine whether to use a late start, shift to remote, or close school no later than 5:30 AM. If we have enough information to make a decision the evening before, we will always try to do so.
If it becomes necessary to delay our start, shift to remote, or cancel school, we will notify parents and staff using the contact information in Skyward (e.g., home and cell phone numbers, and email addresses). If any of your information has changed, please login to Skyward and change or contact your school office.
We notify staff and families of a change via:
Email and automated phone callsThe District 114 website at www.d114.org
The District 114 Facebook and Twitter feeds
For the first closure day, we will use a “traditional” closure day and make the day up on Casimir Pulaski day, as indicated on the District calendar.
Should we use a late start schedule, the following is key information:
Late Start Schedule:
The schedule below applies to all days of the week. If a late start is called on a Wednesday, we will NOT do an Early Release and will follow the schedule below:
LOTUS:
9:00AM-2:20PM--K-4
No Morning PreK
10:15AM-2:20 PM--All day PreK
11:45AM-2:20 PM--Afternoon PreK
STANTON:
10AM-3:05PM—All students
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The 12Ks of Christmas (lots of choice on this one, but it ends at the end of the day on 12/25!--you can pick your "K", change it up each time, or just move for a total number of miles you set) December Full Body Challenge (this one is each day in December but rest days are built in) December BINGO (you have all of December to get 5 in a row)
The goal is fun, not more stress during this busy season!Medicaid Billing
You know who you are...please be sure to document your billable hours. This generates a TON of funding for our Special Education programming!
In addition, we will be sure to clearly allocate time so you can complete this documentation within the contract day!
"I remember when the dinosaurs died, the 1980’s”. ~Ms. Saranzak Class
Thanks for sharing, Kristiine Gumm!!!
. My grandma sends me cards, envelopes and stickers that we use at 'creation station'. The other day a student asked me how old my grandma is that gives us the cards, etc. I told her my grandma is 90. She got really excited and said, "That's how old my mom is!" I tried to explain to her how her mom isn't 90 and she said, "No. She really is. Call her and ask her."
(This story is from the beginning of the year but it's too good not to share!) I had a student tattle on another student for saying a bad word. In kindergarten, even "dumb" or "stupid" are "bad words" so I thanked the student for telling me, but wrote it off because the student he was telling on is SO sweet. This specific student is also receiving speech so I assumed it was a misunderstanding. Later that day we are listening to a story and that student blurts out, "What the f***!" (as clear as day). The student who tattled on him shouted, "See I told you!" I was so shocked, it was so hard not to laugh.
To make it better, the next week we are sitting in that student's IEP meeting and Alana (without knowing the story) says, "He is really making a lot of progress with his 'F' sound!"
GREAT stories--thanks, Sami Harshaw!!!
