Monday Morning Memo: January 2025

As has become D114 tradition, as we start a new calendar year, I ask us to consider a word for the year. It was even a prompt in the First 5...

While I don't love the word "resolutions" (that's typically set me and many others up for a perfect or fail mentality), I love this for setting an INTENTION for the year. For 2024, my word was RUN. It held literal meaning, as I set and met the goal of running the Chicago Marathon. It also meant running TOWARD things that helped me and AWAY from things that made me unhappy or didn't fill my bucket. I can happily report that, for the most part, I met this intention!!!

For 2025, my word is STRONG. Doing reading on getting older has helped me learn the importance of literally working on strength building for my bones, muscles, and joints. I also have some stuff I gotta face this year that I have put off that will take strength to tackle...and a plan for them. Nothing dramatic...just lots of stuff I should regularly do that I hate to do and therefore don't prioritize (mostly my own medical care).

So--what's your word? If you've already thought of one...GREAT! If you haven't yet...GREAT--here's your prompt. If this isn't your jam--GREAT--so glad you're choosing what works/doesn't work for you!

If you're willing to share your word with me, please do so--I'll be your biggest cheerleader!

Welcome back, D114! Let's make the this a great year!

Heather

The December Wellness Challenge is linked here. You can still turn it in until Friday, January 10 and I'll announce winners next Monday.

January's Wellness Challenge is linked here! Don't worry--you still have PLENTY of time even if you're getting in on 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

January Focus--Understanding Routines

This Week's Wellness Invitation: Identify Pleasant and Unpleasant Emotion Triggers

Identify work-life experiences that trigger your happier and more excited emotions. Track these moments, the emotion you felt, and describe what happened just before the positive emotion. Do the same for unpleasant emotions. This will help you become more informed of times/tasks/scenarios that trigger you...for better or worse!

Please send kudos to Erica for all of her guidance, support, and encouragement to the new staff this year!

-Stephanie Thiel--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Thank you to Al & Sue Giandonato that have stepped it up huge with running concessions this year. Thank you so much for all of your help!

-Rachelle Peters--Assistant Principal at Stanton

Cheryl Schuck, Colleen Robinson, Megan Reimers, Misty Madula, Erik Lindquist and Cheryl Carroll for helping with the Ray Holiday Event! I couldn’t have done it without you all!

Thank you to Sonia Miller for helping us coordinate the elf on the roof event!! What a fun morning!

Natalie Udstuen--Assistant Principal at Lotus

Thank you Courtney and Colleen for building my new paper shelf!

Thank you Ashley for letting us join your class for the Polar Express and eat all your snacks.

Thanks Alana for the cookie activity and figuring out the gingerbread house; the boys sure love sugar!

Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Kudos to Carthy Jawnyj for teaching a group of students during lunch about her grandparents' lives and struggles in Ukraine during World War 2. It was a great learning experience for all of us.

Kudos to my 6th grade team (Kaitlyn Goorsky, Katie Jalove-Filippelli, Cathy Jawnyj, and Dayja Wydzierecki) for planning a new schedule for Flex to help meet our students' needs.

-Katy Gardner--6th Grade Math Teacher

Thanks to Ellie Seyfert, Matt Shannon, and Natalie Udstuen for joining me on a site visit for a potential reunification site.

Thanks to Natalie again for playing "elf" with me to help a needy family.

From Heather 🧡💛🖤

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

If this...

then this makes a LOT of sense...

Winter Weather

Winter Weather Procedures

Let's be ready for when winter weather comes our way! Please review our procedures below.

Remember, for the first snow/cold day, our three options are:

1. Regular day

2. Late start

3. Snow day, makeup on March 4 (Casimir Pulaski Day)

Once we use/get past Pulaski Day on the calendar, we do the best we can to switch to a virtual day should we need to close. PLEASE be ready for this just in case and make sure kids are ready, too.

As always, I'll let you know any changes just as soon as I can!

Here are the details I'll share with families this week and what will be posted on our website.

Lotus Nurse

For now, we will have sub coverage for the Lotus Health Office. When a permanent assignment is made, I will inform you. Please see me with any questions.

Remember the Employee Assistance Program!

The new year 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!

Welcome back!! We hope everyone had a lovely winter break!

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

Along with regular updates, we'll be discussing the upcoming Family Fun Fair and our big fundraiser of the year: Day of Service! Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to be involved in the planning for both of these events.

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 PMThe next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21 please feel free to join either in person or virtually to stay up to date on happenings in our district.

**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. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, character, career goals, and potential. Learn more and apply by Jan. 31.