Monday Morning Memo 2/26/24

  

The 4 February Happiness Challenges are linked here! I hope you have some fun with them!!!! 

Lisa Huck, THANK YOU for being a fantastic collaborator. Being part of your team and Lotus Family is absolutely a joy! You are always thinking about students first and taking the time to check in and ensure that our Dream Team members are getting the most of inclusion as they can to aid in their individual success. I appreciate you and your big heart! You truly are a wonderful person inside and out! 

Brittany Luther, our amazing artist and teammate. I just want to thank you for all the fun activities and art projects you planned for our Dream Team. The students had a blast and without you we wouldn't have made such great memories to capture! Each day you come with a smile and make it easy! I am so happy to be working with you! 

Matt Peters, Natalie Udstuen, and Allison Mixon, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You are such team players and support me whenever needed. You are open to ideas and ensure that plans are followed for our Dream Team students. It is such a great feeling to have the support from each of you in making set plans for our students! Just can't thank you enough! Rock stars! 

Erica Barraza, you are a jack of trades woman! Thank you for always having the answers or finding them for me! You are always willing to help and make sure that I have what I need. Thank you for all the sharing and activities you have put together to help our students get ready for IAR. You are fabulous!!

-From Ashley Arff (ILP teacher at Lotus)

Thanks Kim Husko for allowing the 5th grade team to use her room during IAR prep! The extra space has been so helpful for small groups.

-From Katie Jalove Filippelli (Instructional Coach at Stanton)

Thank you Eddie for looking through the trash for a student’s reading bracelet, cleaning it up and returning it to the student. You’re so amazing with our lunchroom kiddos. 

-From Cheryl Schuck (Paraprofessional at Lotus)

Thank you Ashley Arf and Brittany Luther... I enjoyed your Pete the Cat interactive walk!!!

and

Thank you Yesenia for such an amazing presentation on Thursday for BPAC.  I really enjoyed myself!!!

-From Karen Lobodzinski (Speech Language Pathologist)

To Cortnee Snell-

This is the first year and I have had the opportunity to work with you! I have loved partnering with you on a few tricky littles. Thanks again got all you do!

and

Allie Mixon

I appreciate how hard you work, and quick you are to solve problems/ handle situations. You are a great asset to our school.

and

Erin, Mia, Christine, Monica-

Thank you for doing your best everyday for our most complex learners. It takes an incredibly empathetic, loving, and dedicated person to do what you do every single day.

and

Sammi Harshaw,

Thanks for being such a clear and kind communicator when expressing the behavior needs of your whole class while we reworked a behavior plan for 1 student. When I know better, I do better! thanks!

-From Ellie Seyfert (Social Worker at Lotus)

Thank you to everyone who had a part in helping with the PTA fun fair! All of your help before, during, and after is truly appreciated!! We couldn't have pulled off such a successful event. 

and

Thank Erin CJ and Don and anyone else for cleaning off the stage to hold the book fair on! 

and

Thank you Amber and Lisa for being flexible with your space.  

and

 Thank you Paula and Sharon for manning the office. Paula for all things report card related and being anywhere and everywhere. 

-From Victoria Miller (STEM teacher at Lotus and PTA President)

To Rachelle, Lynn, Jill and Michele for holding down the fort while I was out!!

-From Jeff Sefcik (Principal at Stanton)

To Emily Reczek and Amber Mysliwiec for a fabulous calendar presentation to the Board of Ed on Tuesday night!

-From Heather 💓

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

Why Personal Greetings and Connections Matter

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read it straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies.
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money ... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

Source: Weird and Amazing Stuff

Summer School----We're still taking names!!! 

We are still planning for summer school. We will be building the enrollment lists via SST in the next couple of weeks and then will assign staffing after the class lists are built. To ensure that we meet the goal of CLOSING LEARNING GAPS, we will NOT open this up to the full community. Rather, we will limit to only the students you recommend as the most in need based on their benchmark data. 

HOWEVER, I do want to know who will be interested in teaching/working as a paraprofessional, so here are the details:

PreK-8 Program

July 8-August 8

Monday-Thursday

8-11 am daily (plus one hour of plan)

Certified rate: $52/hour

Para rate: TBD

We are blessed to have unexpected grant funding to allow us to keep the hourly pay rate for this summer! 

Note: We cannot start the bulk of summer school until after July 4 so that much of the construction work can be completed. 

My goal is to have the class lists and staffing plan complete by Spring Break!

Questions--let me know!

Staff Illnesses

If you test positive for COVID, please let me know immediately. You may return to work as soon as you meet all the criteria above. I am not asking for a 5 or 10 day window at this point; rather, you must meet the return to school criteria listed below. You are STRONGLY encouraged to wear a mask upon your return to prevent the spread of illness to others. Please alert me as to your date of return. Any days out are sick days. 

Masks are available in the office for all staff who wish to wear one. 

All staff MUST follow the same sick guidelines we apply to students. These days are counted as sick days. The guidelines are as follows (linked here and copy/pasted below):

Sick Day Guidelines: Making the right choice!  

Dear Parents:  To help prevent the spread of illness, we would like to give you some guidelines to help with your decision on whether or not to send your child to school.  We ask that you keep your child home if he or she:  

• Has a fever of 100.4 (oral) degrees or higher 

• Has cramps and or vomiting • Has a sore throat with fever (see below) 

• Has a persistent cough (dry or productive) 

• Has diarrhea (three or more episodes in 24 hrs) 

• Has a rash or open and draining sores 

• Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:  

o Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite 

o Headaches, body aches, earaches 

o Severe sore throat (could be strep-throat even without fever.  Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache & stomach upset.  Contact your pediatrician to assess or diagnose strep throat).   

If your child has recently been ill, please be aware of the following guidelines before having your child return to school, athletic or social activities:  

• They should feel fit for at least 24 hours. 

• Be free of fever for at least 24 hours (without medication) 

• Be free of vomiting and or diarrhea for at least 24 hours. 

• If strep throat, they must be on the appropriate antibiotic for at least 24 hours. 

• If conjunctivitis, they must be on the appropriate eye drops for at least 24 hours or cleared by a physician.  

• Rash illnesses should be assessed by a doctor.  If chicken Pox is suspected, keep home for at least 5 days after the appearance of the rash or until all blisters have scabbed over. 

Please reach out to me with any questions, for clarification, or for support. Your safety and the safety of our students remains our utmost priority! 

Reporting Absences

All employees are expected to enter all absences in Frontline, even if you text/call/email others to let them know you will be out. This is a professional responsibility! 

In Case You're Interested...

Lotus Book Fair

Saturday, Feb 24th-During the funfair

And during the school week of Feb 26- March 1st

*We are looking for parent volunteers to help out during the day, the week of the bookfair. 

If you are interested in helping, please email Katelyn at pta@foxlake114.org

CHIPOTLE Eat Out 2 Help Out

Tuesday, March 12th, 5-9 pm

Rt 120 Lakemoor, IL

*Mention D114 at time of purchase to get credit! This is a MUST for this establishment. 

March PTA Meeting

Thursday, Mar 14th, 2024

6:00 pm @ Lotus Library or Virtual

Use the link to join: https://meet.google.com/rps-xjos-qnn

 

Some opportunities: 

• IEA Member Planning Time Survey

The Illinois Education Association is collecting information from members on planning time. The goal is to use the collected data to support advocacy for increasing uninterrupted individual planning time each day. Please complete the survey by Feb. 18.

• Educators Rising Conference

March 4 at ISU, Normal. Learn more at EducatorsRisingIL.org and register by Feb. 9.

Share the flier.

Monday, March 4--SCHOOL IN SESSION--Emergency Day Make Up

Second Step Pacing Guide 23-24--updated 1/16/24

Work Order Request--please use this to ask for help with anything facilities, room, cleaning related!

2023-24 Certified Staff Evaluation Documents 

2023-24 D114 Calendar

Business Office Shared Drive

  

(OR GREAT STUFF WE HEARD OR SAW LAST WEEK!)

Please be sure to pass along funny moments!

Please email me to share your funny stories, moments, and quotes (from kids or adults) so I can include them!!! (Ask permission first, please!) 

You're doing GREAT!!! Let's make this a happy week!!!

Heather

Monday/Tuesday Morning Memo February 19/20, 2024

              

The 4 February Happiness Challenges are linked here! I hope you have some fun with them!!!! 

Thank you to Sharon Brown and Brian Crask for all of their organization and support getting the Access test completed. Thank you to Kimberly and Abbey for being so willing to help us!

and

Thank you to all of the staff that helped to pull audit documents together for me. You know who you are! 

and

Thank you to David Roat for helping organize the 5 Essentials survey.

and

Thank you to Kim Mack and Meghan Reimers for leading out mini lesson this week!

-From Rachelle Peters (Assistant Principal at Stanton)

Thanks to everyone for making a GREAT Institute Day happen! A special thank you to Katy Gardner,

Kim Mack, Meghan Reimers, Jeff Sefcik, and Lisa Shannon for doing a road trip to learn from a school

in Michigan!!!

and

OMG!!! Thank you to EVERYONE who helped us successfully get through the 3 year Compliance Audit.

It was SOMETHING!!!! But we did it...thanks to you!!!!

-From Heather 💓

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

Remember...LANGUAGE MATTERS!!!!

2024-25 Calendar Recommendation

We'll be sharing these slides with the Board on Tuesday to make our calendar recommendation. Thanks to everyone who provided input and a HUGE THANK YOU to the Calendar Committee!!!

February 16 Institute Day Follow Ups

I've had a few requests for the slides I used in the scaffolding session. If you are interested, they are linked here. If you have questions or would like to talk about this stuff, I'm always happy to!!!

Also, please find the input from the feedback exit slip linked here. Thanks to everyone who shared your thoughts!

Thanks to all for making the absolute most of the time. We hope it was a day that you felt accomplished and productive!!!!

Summer School----We're still taking names!!! 

We are still planning for summer school. We will be building the enrollment lists via SST in the next couple of weeks and then will assign staffing after the class lists are built. To ensure that we meet the goal of CLOSING LEARNING GAPS, we will NOT open this up to the full community. Rather, we will limit to only the students you recommend as the most in need based on their benchmark data. 

HOWEVER, I do want to know who will be interested in teaching/working as a paraprofessional, so here are the details:

PreK-8 Program

July 8-August 8

Monday-Thursday

8-11 am daily (plus one hour of plan)

Certified rate: $52/hour

Para rate: TBD

We are blessed to have unexpected grant funding to allow us to keep the hourly pay rate for this summer! 

Note: We cannot start the bulk of summer school until after July 4 so that much of the construction work can be completed. 

My goal is to have the class lists and staffing plan complete by Spring Break!

Questions--let me know!

Staff Illnesses

If you test positive for COVID, please let me know immediately. You may return to work as soon as you meet all the criteria above. I am not asking for a 5 or 10 day window at this point; rather, you must meet the return to school criteria listed above. You are STRONGLY encouraged to wear a mask upon your return to prevent the spread of illness to others. Please alert me as to your date of return. Any days out are sick days. 

Masks are available in the office for all staff who wish to wear one. 

All staff MUST follow the same sick guidelines we apply to students. These days are counted as sick days. The guidelines are as follows (linked here and copy/pasted below):

Sick Day Guidelines: Making the right choice!  

Dear Parents:  To help prevent the spread of illness, we would like to give you some guidelines to help with your decision on whether or not to send your child to school.  We ask that you keep your child home if he or she:  

• Has a fever of 100.4 (oral) degrees or higher 

• Has cramps and or vomiting • Has a sore throat with fever (see below) 

• Has a persistent cough (dry or productive) 

• Has diarrhea (three or more episodes in 24 hrs) 

• Has a rash or open and draining sores 

• Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:  

o Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite 

o Headaches, body aches, earaches 

o Severe sore throat (could be strep-throat even without fever.  Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache & stomach upset.  Contact your pediatrician to assess or diagnose strep throat).   

If your child has recently been ill, please be aware of the following guidelines before having your child return to school, athletic or social activities:  

• They should feel fit for at least 24 hours. 

• Be free of fever for at least 24 hours (without medication) 

• Be free of vomiting and or diarrhea for at least 24 hours. 

• If strep throat, they must be on the appropriate antibiotic for at least 24 hours. 

• If conjunctivitis, they must be on the appropriate eye drops for at least 24 hours or cleared by a physician.  

• Rash illnesses should be assessed by a doctor.  If chicken Pox is suspected, keep home for at least 5 days after the appearance of the rash or until all blisters have scabbed over. 

Please reach out to me with any questions, for clarification, or for support. Your safety and the safety of our students remains our utmost priority! 

Reporting Absences

All employees are expected to enter all absences in Frontline, even if you text/call/email others to let them know you will be out. This is a professional responsibility! 

In Case You're Interested...

Family Fun Fair

Saturday, February 24th,2024 

11am-3pm

Lotus Gymnasium & Cafeteria

*This event is  FREE and FUN for the whole family! Come and stay as long or little as you like!! 

Lotus Book Fair

Saturday, Feb 24th-During the funfair

And during the school week of Feb 26- March 1st

*We are looking for parent volunteers to help out during the day, the week of the bookfair. 

If you are interested in helping, please email Katelyn at pta@foxlake114.org

CHIPOTLE Eat Out 2 Help Out

Tuesday, March 12th, 5-9 pm

Rt 120 Lakemoor, IL

*Mention D114 at time of purchase to get credit! This is a MUST for this establishment. 

March PTA Meeting

Thursday, Mar 14th, 2024

6:00 pm @ Lotus Library or Virtual

Use the link to join: https://meet.google.com/rps-xjos-qnn

Our next EAFL spirit day will be Tuesday, February 20. Join us in wearing your EAFL shirt and then join us at the school board meeting that evening. 

Some opportunities: 

• IEA Member Planning Time Survey

The Illinois Education Association is collecting information from members on planning time. The goal is to use the collected data to support advocacy for increasing uninterrupted individual planning time each day. Please complete the survey by Feb. 18.

• Educators Rising Conference

March 4 at ISU, Normal. Learn more at EducatorsRisingIL.org and register by Feb. 9.

Share the flier.

Monday, February 19--School Closed--Presidents' Day

Tuesday, February 20--Board of Education Meeting at Lotus--7PM or via Meet

Monday, March 4--SCHOOL IN SESSION--Emergency Day Make Up

Second Step Pacing Guide 23-24--updated 1/16/24

Work Order Request--please use this to ask for help with anything facilities, room, cleaning related!

2023-24 Certified Staff Evaluation Documents 

2023-24 D114 Calendar

Business Office Shared Drive

  

(OR GREAT STUFF WE HEARD OR SAW LAST WEEK!)

I challenged my 8th grade CB class this morning to send a text to the "1st person they ever loved" ( i.e. Mom, Dad, Grandma....)  Once they showed me they sent text I gave them a Hershey Kiss!!  An 8th grade boy received a response from their person that said "This phone has been hacked"

Thank you, Kim Husko, for the share!!!!

Please email me to share your funny stories, moments, and quotes (from kids or adults) so I can include them!!! (Ask permission first, please!) 

Have a great week!!!
Heather