May Focus--Purpose Routines

This Week's Wellness Invitation: Identify Your Purpose as and Educator

Building on your reflections from the past two weeks, this week's invitation is to identify your PURPOSE. Why did you choose this profession? What is your deepest WHY? How would you describe your calling?

A HUGE shout-out to Mary, Rachelle, Lynn, Betty, Norm, Don, Russ, Georgette, Al, Sue, Connor, Jack, Matt, Michele, Kendra, Kelly, Lindsay, and Taylor:

I truly can't thank you enough for all the time, effort, and heart you put into making Jeff's Retirement Celebration a fantastic success. From the first planning meeting to set-up, clean-up, and all the personal touches, every part of the celebration was made better because of YOU.

It was an incredible day—one that I know Jeff (and all of us) will not forget—and it couldn't have happened without your support. I am beyond grateful for your help in honoring Jeff in such a meaningful way.

Thank you again for being part of this unforgettable send off!

Jill Becmer Administrative Assistant at Stanton

Thank you to Dayja Wydzierzecki who was our scholastic bowl coach this year. Thank you to Jill Becmer who read all of the questions for the meet and Katy Gardner who learned how to keep score with the new buzzer system.

Thank you to Jessica Lieber, Matt Shannon, Laura Livesay, Bryan Bailey, and Oner Medrano who were our track and field coaches this year. Thank you to Bryan Bailey and Oner Medrano who took the two state qualifiers to the state meet to compete.

Thank you to Jill Becmer for organizing the amazing retirement party for Jeff Sefcik. What a fun morning!

Thank you to Karen Lobodzinski & Kaitlyn Goorsky for stepping up as our Girls on the Run coaches!

Rachelle Peters--Assistant Principal at Stanton

8th Grade Team: Shannon, Nickles, Livesay, Matthews, Olson, Medrano: As our team moves in different career directions, I thank you for the fun adventure of 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for all you have done for students and families at Stanton. I am truly grateful to be part of such a wonderful team, and I look forward to a lifetime of friendship with each of you.

7th grade team: Culbertson, Anderson, Evans, Earl, and Brnot:You are a great group of educators and I thank you for your guidance this school year. Each of you are a room away from me for great advice, laughter, or an eye roll and I thank each of you for your wisdom, guidance and friendship.

Exploratory Friends: Bryan Bailey, Amber Raymond, and Allison Schiavone. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! I have heard some of the crazy moments, some funny and shocking, a bit of not so shocking student stories, and many kudos for your resilience and love for teaching. Thank you for all the laughter as we pass through the hallways, each of you are amazing.

Norm Fischer: Thank you for everything you do to keep our school clean and happy. You are always a nice breath of fresh air to say hello to during the day. I admire your work ethic and the ability to take on any task, including bathroom art.

Becmer and Burgess: Thank you for being the friendly first contact for everyone, the fronlines if you will for everything. Grateful for wonderful, kind individuals to set the tone the moment visitors call or come to our building. Both of you handle stress with a smile and no one would ever know if there was ever a hot mess behind the scenes, always seamless transitions.

Building Subs: Liz, Mark and Marla: You are all amazing with a great sense of humor. Great job taking over our classrooms, and giving our students a quality education. Our students appreciate you all!

-Lisa Zabratanski--Special Education Teacher at Stanton

Thank you Melissa McCart for all your support with our shared student! I really appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this new plan we have started.

-Caitlyn Fenton--4th Grade Teacher

Shout out to students Naomi Weaver (2nd grade) Wren Romashko-Bush (k) Neva Pfau (2nd grade) Effy Pfau (2nd grade) on winning their first flag football game of the season against a team of all boys!
-Tasha Pfau--Paraprofessional at Lotus (and Flag Football Coach!)

There aren't THANK YOUS big enough to celebrate everyone who made Saturday the amazing experience it was!!! I am not going to do individual shout outs, because I know I'll miss someone, and so many people helped make the GOTR/Jeff Sefcik Retirement Party happen. The smiles and community pride made my heart so happy!

However, I DO have to give major PROPS to Jill Becmer and Kelly Roland. I love you both to the moon and am so grateful to you for all you do day in and day out...but especially for the love, care, effort, and 110% it took to make Saturday happen.

From Heather 💙

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

We're down to days, so please remember...

Summer Tutor Needed!!!!

Please see the posting linked here and let me know if you are interested or have questions.

Thanks

Last Day of School

The last day of school is a FULL WORK DAY for staff but an early release for students. Please use the time to complete all check out processes. If you are unable to check out on 5/29, please turn in your check out sheet when you are finished. Remember, we'll be getting the parking lots sealcoated and striped the next week, so I'd encourage everyone to check out as soon as you are able and get your summer started!

Since the End of the Year party will happen on 5/29 (invite below), you are welcome to leave in time to be there for the start of the party at 2:00 if you wish to do so. This means all staff should plan to be onsite until at least 1:45PM.

Get Involved!

The PTA is in need of a Secretary for the 2025-26 school year!!!! Please email pta@foxlake114.org if you have questions or would like information. We LOVE having a D114 staff member on the PTA Board to help inform decision making!

STILL NEEDED--Summer School Teacher and Paraprofessionals!

Please let me know if you are interested in teaching summer school or working as a paraprofessional! You can also share this with others outside D114 who may be looking for summer work! Please have anyone interested reach out to me ASAP! THANKS!

Surveys

I sent out three surveys last week--can you please be sure to provide your input on or before May 23 on all that are applicable to you? THANKS! Please reach out with any questions!

25-26 Supply Money

Special Education Input

Paraprofessional Input for 25-26

Road to the PEL

If you are interested in getting your PEL (teaching certificate) through a potential grant/District partnership, please check out any of these sessions:

Dates/Zoom links

Tuesday, May 13th at 5:00 pm - https://zoom.us/j/95016265060?jst=3

Monday, May 19th at 3:30pm -https://zoom.us/j/99753591245?jst=3

Tuesday, May 20th at 4:00pm - https://zoom.us/j/94741982393?jst=3

Much more info to come, and please send questions my way if you're not sure what this means!

Next National Board of Certified Teachers Cohort

I'm so proud of our staff wrapping up their National Board Certification after two years of hard work!!!!

Congrats to:

Maureen DeVoss

Amanda Lorenz

Amber Amber Mysliwiec

Emily Reczek

Sherry Tietjen

If you're interested in working toward your National Board Certification, please talk to any of these amazing educators to get more information and then let me know if you are interested!

Summer Sealcoating

Our lots will be patched, sealcoated, and striped this summer:

Stanton - Monday June 2nd sealcoat and Tuesday June 3rd for striping.

Lotus - Wednesday June 4th for sealcoat and Thursday June 5th for striping.

Friday June 6th will be a rain date.

Summer Curriculum Work

Hello!!! It's that time of year...when I ask for your ideas and proposals for summer curriculum work! THANK YOU to the teams who have already sent in ideas!

Here's WHAT:

Summer Curriculum Writing:
What do YOU want to work on this summer?

Example Projects:
*Planning for new resources as applicable
*SST Planning
*Fencepost work, including 3-2-1 unit designs and 15 day challenge plans
*Stuff YOU want to work on!
Here's How:

Email Heather:
Name(s)
Purpose of the work/intended outcomes
Proposed number of hours
Proposed schedule and plan for work

Notes:
Work must be completed onsite.
Artifacts of the work must be shared with Heather.
Timesheets must be completed, and pay rate is the curriculum rate/hour.

Looking forward to seeing your great ideas! Please send any questions my way!

Open Enrollment for 25-26

Our annual open enrollment period will begin on May 5, 2025 and end on May 31, 2025. Benefits will be effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. All benefit eligible employees returning for the 2025-26 school year must complete the open enrollment process, even if you are not changing any elections or waiving coverage.

During open enrollment you can enroll, waive coverage, add family members or make necessary changes. It's also a great time to review beneficiary, address and other personal information for accuracy. Note: You must re-enroll into your Flexible Spending Plan every plan year.

Dental/Vision Coverage:

Employees are no longer required to take Dental/Vision Insurance through the district. If you do not use our Dental and/or Vision insurance plan, feel free to waive coverage.

I've attached the following Open Enrollment materials for 2025-26:

Benefit Summary Booklet
Self-Service Guide
Health Insurance Rates

Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Maddie

Injury Reporting

If you are injured on the job, you MUST IMMEDIATELY do the following:

1. Report this injury to an administrator.

2. Report the injury to Company Nurse.

Thanks in advance!

Remember the Employee Assistance Program!

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.

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

Dates to Mark Down:

**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 & their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service/school projects APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN APRIL 1, 2025

PD Calendar: Take a look at all the PD training 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

May 20--Board of Education meeting at Lotus at 7PM or via Meet

Retiree Recognition!!!!

May 23--Preschool Graduation

May 26--District Closed--Memorial Day

May 28--8th Grade Promotion Ceremony--7:00 PM at Grant, doors will open for staff at 6:15

May 29--LAST DAY OF SCHOOL--Early Release

District 114 CARES

At District 114 Fox Lake, the well-being of our students and families is our top priority. Understanding the critical role mental health plays in student success, we have launched District 114 CARES—a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving access to quality mental health services across our community.

Treatment Request

What is District 114 CARES?

District 114 CARES stands for Community, Advocacy, Resilience, Engagement, and Support. This program is specifically designed to provide essential mental health resources and support to students and families, with a focus on those facing financial challenges.

Our mission is to ensure that every student has the tools they need to thrive—both emotionally and academically. By addressing barriers to care, we aim to empower students to reach their full potential in and out of the classroom.

Our Commitment

Through District 114 CARES, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering a supportive, resilient community where every student has equitable access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

ICE and D114 Plans

Please see the document linked here, which outlines exactly how we will respond should ICE come onsite.