Monday Morning Memo: Monday Morning Memo 12/16/24---Five Days to Go!!!!

The December Wellness Challenge is linked here. I changed it up a little bit for this month, but I'm guessing you'll still see the 4 domains of wellness reflected!

You'll have until we come back from break to work on this challenge, and I'll share a new one in the Monday Memo for January 6!

Paste the URL below into your browser:

For Primary, use: https://www.edtomorrow.com/439p

For Secondary, use: https://www.edtomorrow.com/439s

December Focus--Awareness Routines

This Week's Wellness Invitation: Share Pleasant Experiences

Notice how often you share strong, pleasant emotions such as happiness, joy, and tenderness with others this week. Be intentional about validating and celebrating other people!

Thank you Mr.Russ for raising the tables in our class for our growing boys!

Thanks Colleen for taking the boys to library time so I could get some things done in the classroom.

Thank you Kelly for the yummy Chocolate.

-Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Sonia - always brainstorming ideas for a positive environment for the cafeteria

Nicole and Ellie- helping navigate many moving parts with family situations this week

-Natalie Udstuen--Assistant Principal at Lotus

Thank you, Sonia, for helping to come up with a possible solution to our third grade lunchroom

-Cheryl Schuck-Paraprofessional at Lotus

Thank you to Amber M for helping me create visual schedules using her amazing format. My students have been loving the visual schedules are in place for our group, and I am so thankful that you shared your resources so students can have access to the same visuals in various areas around school. You have the best heart! Thank you!

Thank you to Eddie and Russ for cleaning our classroom rug. Russ, I also appreciate how you cleaned underneath the rug and made sure the rug was squeaky clean for our students. I appreciate the both of you!

Thank you to Fiona, Erica and Calista for subbing for me during meetings and times I have been out of the classroom. Knowing my students are with amazing educators made it easier to step away. I appreciate all of you.

Thank you to Sammi, Stephanie and Kim R for working as a team to create a new gross motor and fine motor skills group for my students in the ECSE classroom. Working as a team and sharing ideas is a beautiful way to work as One Team, All In. You all are so amazing!

Thank you to my amazing Paraprofessional staff, Lumi, Mary, Mandi and Monica. I have an endless to-do list, and you always assist me and tackle it head on. I appreciate your help every single day, and I am so thankful for the laughter and smiles we have while doing so. Thank you for helping get our glass ready for a new student by creating endless materials.

Thank you to Don for getting me allergy friendly gloves. I appreciate you going back and forth to get the gloves that I needed in my classroom setting. Thank you!

Thank you Ms. Lumi for creating amazing activities and FOOD to go with our Holidays around the world unit. It was so fun to learn about your home country of Romania! I appreciate how you put your heart in all that you do!

Erin Donovan--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

A HUGE thank you to Cary Scarpino for taking the time to help one of my club students track down his jacket!

Michelle Magness, your thoughtful effort to find gym shoes for a student in need, especially one facing language barriers, is beyond amazing. Thank you for going the extra mile to make a difference!

Matt Peters, thank you for resetting our bowling lanes after the choir concert! It was such an unexpected and generous gesture, and it’s deeply appreciated!

Amber Mysliwiec--PE Teacher at Lotus

Thank you Chris Brown for switching bus days with me so I could hold a last minute practice for cheer at Stanton last week!!

Thank you to all the staff who came to watch the cheerleaders perform at our final practice last week before competition day!! They were so excited to show you their performance and hear you cheer them on!

Thank you Mark Perlman for always cheering on the girls. They loved the jolly ranchers after every game we cheered for!

Special shout out to Georgette and kitchen staff at Stanton for organizing and putting together little snack/treat bags for our cheerleaders on competition day!! They even included a small note of encouragement in each bag. Thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement to them all!

Thank you so much to Calista Warmowski for helping to braid the girls hair for competion day!! They all looked great and were pumped to rock those mats!!

Thank you to Oner Medrano for coming to watch the cheerleaders at our competition at Park Campus on Thursday night!! The girls were so excited for you to be there!!

Thank you to everyone else who has helped us all along the way this season! From taking pictures, videos, altering uniforms, and all the moral support!! I’m so grateful to have an amazing village to work with. I’m so proud to say our amazing team took 2nd place in our first ever conference competition!!

-Gina Crosthwaite--Paraprofessional at Lotus

Kudos to Mr. Shannon for welcoming in my students who graduated from pull-out ELA into general education ELA. He has welcomed them without any hesitation and allowed the students to flourish on their own, yet supported as needed. The adjustment was flawless and we are seeing great educational and social emotional growth.

Kudos to Mrs. Husko for making me laugh Wednesday during the brain break-out games. I really hope they figured out what color the white house is across the street!

Kudos, as always, to the "family-like" 8th grade team. 2024 has been a blast with a ton of funny memories. I look forward to 2025!

-Lisa Zabratanski--Special Education Teacher at Stanton

To the ELF in CHARGE; Sue Pinkawa, for Always sharing her candy, and for completing her job in unbearable elements.

To Erin Donovan for being so incredibly GRACIOUS and making time to provide much needed information and resources!!!

Happy Holidays to one and all. May you be surrounded by everyone and everything which brings you the utmost Happiness and Joy!! Enjoy your Winter Break.

-Jackie Gorden-Platek--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Gina Crosthwaite – Thank you for going above and beyond to help with a special project!

Russ Xhemaili and Eddie Villareal – Thank you for your hard work in setting up the gym for the choir concert. Your efforts made the event possible.

Kent Jorgensen and Tim Douglas – A big thank you for taking everything down after the concert. Your support is truly appreciated!

Erin Connelly Jordt and Liz Plemmons – What an amazing choir concert! Thank you for your dedication and talent in putting on such a memorable event.

Sonia Miller – Thank you for organizing a special event this coming Friday to make the day extra special for everyone.

Amber Mysliwiec and Jillian Kilty – A heartfelt thank you for being so flexible with your gym space amidst all the activities.

-Matt Peters--Principal at Stanton

Huge shout out to Matt Peters for putting our bowling lanes back out after the Choir concert after school. We really appreciated this!

-Jillian Kilty and Amber Mysliwiec--PE Teachers at Lotus

The 6th grade team for their honesty and great support during a problem solving meeting. Also for great participation throwing the kids off last week during underground spirit week.

Renee Evans for subbing for my flex class so that I could attend a meeting.

Hunter Banker for always making my copies and for his help during my 5B class.

Al for the delicious soup on Friday! Thank you!!

-Dayja Wydzierzecki--6th Grade ELA Teacher

Thank you to Amber M. and Jillian K. For thinking outside of the box and making an amazing bowling ramp for a student so they could more easily participate in P.E.!!!

-Allie Mixson--Special Education Coordinator

Big thanks to Russell for everything this week while subbing in my room and prek as a whole! You have jumped right in to everything and we are all so appreciative!!

Thanks to Sharon and Addison for your love and collaboration with my friends; I truly appreciate how we really are one team, all in!

-Ben Landmesser--PreK Teacher

Thank you to Jeff Sefcik, Jill Becmer, Michele Burgess, Mollie Crow for running the first night of the boys 7th grade tournament!

Thank you to Kaitlyn Goorsky, Marla Walinski, Mark Perlman, and Oner Medrano for coaching the boys basketball teams this year. Thank you to Leah Falster and Connor Macko for supporting the team.

Thank you to Gina Crosthwaite for coaching the cheer team. They won 2nd place in the competition on Friday!

-Rachelle Peters--Assistant Principal at Lotus

I would like to thank Gina Crosthwaite for doing all the prep for our SEL lessons that we do after break. It was no small feat! You are the best!

Cary Scarpino--1st Grade Teacher

Thank you to...

Rachelle Peters, Natalie Udstuen, and Cheryl Carroll for making the Shop with a Cop event happen on Thursday night!

Our National Board of Certified Teachers cohort on finishing Year 1 and working to complete the program with Year 2!!!! SO proud of you! More info to come for others interested in forming a cohort!

Matt Peters for graduating with your EdS degree!!!!

To the entire team at Stanton who met to create a Behavior Support Plan for a Stanton 8th grader. I know it was pretty intense, but please know that was a reflection of our shared commitment to support this student.

To the 6th grade team for the coaching call with Kathy Hart on Friday to help figure out what's missing from our current systems and for your willingness to let me join in the process. Thanks to 7th grade for covering for 6th grade during Flex!

Thanks to Andrea for always making fliers for me (and dealing with my neurotic edits).

Thanks to Allie, Natalie, and Rachelle for baking for our cookie events and to Jeff for NOT cooking and donating toward the cause instead. 😂

From Heather 🧡💛🖤

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

Please know that some kids will show their worst selves this week because breaks from school can mean...

-A lack of safety

-No routine

-Instability of food

-Worries

-Stress

Just because we are excited about break doesn't mean our students are. Thanks in advance for showing the kids the TLC you do EVERY day!

Holiday Fun

Mark your calendars!!!

Please remember...Lotus paras, administrators will ride the buses on Friday afternoon so you can leave at dismissal!

Lotus Spirit Week

Craft and Cookies with Heather

Lotus--Monday, December 16 during lunches

Stanton--Stanton, December 17 during lunches

Holiday Lunch--Thursday, December 19

Holiday TLC

The holidays can be a difficult time for some. The EAP is typically a great place to start when you need care and aren’t sure what support you or a family member might be needing. They can guide you to specific care and even set

up the appointment for you. Take advantage of this confidential and supportive service to address any

personal or work-related challenges you may be facing by calling Perspectives at 800.456.6327.

Four-Tips-For-Self-care-and-Stress-Relief.pdf

Know Anyone Who...

If you know anyone who would be interested in being a Van Driver, Sub Van Driver, or Bus Driver, please have them reach out! We can TRAIN bus drivers ourselves if they don't have a CDL, and van drivers don't need the CDL!!!

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID...UPDATED INFO!!! (9/3/24)

Please:

1. Email or text (847-309-3921) Heather to let her know.

2. In the communication, include proof of a positive test.

You are expected to return to work as soon as you meet the following criteria:

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

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

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. If you are out more than 3 days--as with any illness--a physician's note is required.

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

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Monday, District 114!

We'd like to wish all our families and staff a wonderful winter break and the happiest of holidays!!

Mark your calendars for the first PTA meeting of the new year: Monday, January 13th at 6:00 pm in the Lotus library!

Don't have anyone to watch your kiddos? Bring them with you! Members of the National Junior Honor Society from Stanton will be with us to keep them entertained while you get caught up on what's happening this month.

Can't join in person? Join us on Google Meets!

Don't forget to join our Facebook group to see the meeting highlights and more, and while you're at it, join the PTA here! Membership dues are only $6 for the whole year!

YOUR PTA Board

Key 2024-25 Dates

February 22

Family Fun Fair (Lotus)

April 22

Day of Service

We'll be forming a committee of parents and staff to plan this event for the SPRING of 2025

May 2

Rocket Launch (Stanton)

Possible Star Wars Theme

Rain date May 9

*EAFL Spirit Day will be on Tuesday, December 17. Wear your EAFL shirt and then join us at the Board Meeting at 7 PM.

**Don't forget about your NEA no cost benefits! To check them out, you should go to Deals and Discounts: www.neamb.com/start

*Additional benefits and deals can be found at ieanea.org

Region News:

Want to know what is happening in the Region? Check out the Region 49 Newsletter!

**Get your SCORE GRANT applications in!! Grants for up to $1,000 are available for IEA members and their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service or school projects APPLY HERE

PD Calendar: Take a look at all the PD trainings we lined up here at IEA by clicking here : The IEA is an ISBE approved provider for Professional Development Clock Hours. Clock hours are offered at trainings that meet the PD requirements set by ISBE. Events on the calendar are hosted by IEA or vetted by IEA

Burroughs Education Scholarship - $2,500

Applicants must be graduating seniors heading to college and have at least one parent or legal guardian who is a school employee. Scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, character, career goals, and potential. Learn more and apply by Jan. 31. Share the flier.

IEA awards are presented each year at the IEA Representative Assembly (RA) in the spring. Online nomination forms for all IEA awards can be found on the IEA website: