Monday Morning Memo: Monday Morning Memo, August 25, 2025

Here come our PRESCHOOLERS!!!!! Today is the day!!!!!

Tip of the Week

Check your mailboxes...I'm dropping a yellow paper copy of what I think is a SUPER helpful tool to say "Let Me" when students start communicating unmet needs/unlearned skills by showing unexpected behaviors. 💛

Huge thanks to Lotus Nurse Anna Rivera for allllllll your help!

-Nicole Mild--Kindergarten Teacher

Kudos to our amazing interventionists—Joan, Joseph, and Caitlyn—for jumping right in without wasting a second! They’ve been busy screening students while also building strong relationships along the way.

Kudos to Adisyn Illg for stepping away to connect with a student going through a tough home situation—and for trusting me to take her class so she could give that student the time and care they needed.

Kudos to McCart for jumping in on all things scheduling, creating visuals, and providing one-on-one support for new students. She even volunteered to ride the bus three days in a row—not only to make sure a student felt safe, but also to support our bus paras in using visuals to help that student succeed.

Kudos to everyone for a great first week, and for all you do each and every day!

-Erica Barraza--Associate Principal at Lotus

To my Zen Den partner Kim Mack we've had some large tasks and new adventures, I am thankful to have you to problem solve, collaborate and laugh with.

To Matt Shannon and Tom Cardamone the first week is done! Lots of NEW while you have to DO.. You are learning while leading which is not an easy task, but you have been doing it with grace and humility. Keep up the amazing work.

To Melissa Rattner thank you for being such a go-getter and jumping right in to make sure we are on the same page about our shared students. I appreciate you!

To the 5th Grade Team for being flexible as I got to know the students on my caseload, for being proactive with things they see and for coming up with creative solutions to help our students feel loved and supported!

To the 7th Grade Team for making me laugh! I’m looking forward to partnering with you all again this year!

To Cathy Jawnyj for jumping right in to support a student and keep them safe and supervised until I got there.

To Lynn Smolen for always being there to support, provide valuable information on some of our most vulnerable kiddos and making sure we eat lunch

And to Oakley for greeting all of us with such exuberance and love every day!

-Meghan Reimers--Counselor at Stanton

Shout out to Michelle Magness and Tasha for using their super powers to get our team to the finish line. Go Pre-K!!!

-Carmen Dean--PreK Teacher

Nicole, Jillian, Sarah, Gayle, Erin, and Kim for all their help and amazing job with the PBIS assembly!!

Adisyn - Great job building relationships with your kiddos and being open minded to trying new things!

Amanda Lorenz - Always willing to jump in and help students across the building.

Sammy Geenen - You have been everywhere this week to support the students that need it!

-From Matt, Erica, and Chad

Thank you Mary Honea, Misty Madula, Gina Crosthwaite, and Courtney Maas for being so wonderful and helping us cut out our center materials for UFLI. We truly appreciate all the help!

-The First Grade Team

Thank you Eddie for going above and beyond and taking my kids' chairs down after cleaning the floors. It was so nice to come in and have one less thing to do.

-Cary Scarpino--1st Grade Teacher

Kudos to the Life Skills Team!
We made it through the first week — and what a week it was! Your teamwork, grace, and eagerness to learn were evident in everything you did. I’ve seen how hard each of you has worked, and it’s already made a tremendous impact on our students. Thank you for being you. I’m so proud to be part of this team!

- Amanda Lorenz--Instructional Specialist at Lotus

Thank you to Nicole Brinkman who graciously made a master schedule for individual student services! We love and appreciate you!!!!!!!! and everyone who came out to make sure schedules worked out "right now"!

Welcome to our new team members Sam G. (counselor) and Ashley B. (social worker)! We are happy you are here ! Looking forward to working with you this year :)

Thank you to Michelle Magnus for being YOU! I love working with you and can't wait to see what great things we get up to this year!!!!

Sammie, Stephanie and Kim - I'm grateful to you for your knowledge and shared passion for our kids! I love working with you guys!

Thank you to my speech therapist teammates Alana and Karen - I love our chats about all the speech related stuff and that we like to get matching shirts!!! I'm truly grateful to get to work with you not only as colleagues but friends

Thank you to Erica B. for sitting in with me on a parent call! You are hitting the ground running in your new role and I look forward to what the year brings !!!!

Thank you to Sue for saving my school ID and getting me a new holder :))))))

I just want to take a moment to say that we really do have the best people here at Lotus! from our administration, teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals, custodial staff, food service, to our office staff - Kindness goes a long way

Thank you to our new preschool teachers Carmen, Corinne and Laura for letting me go on and on about visuals and executive functioning!

-Fiona Wisniewski--Speech Language Pathologist at Lotus

Jillian, Sarah, Nicole, Erin,Gayle, Sonia, Emily & STAFF - thanks for your help & support on the first day of school. From the bus, Assembly, Cafeteria, morning line up, halls and classrooms; it was great to see we could get it all in. TEAMWORK :)

-Kim VanHoorelbeke--Library Paraprofessional at Lotus

KUDOS to the entire Stanton Staff! Whether it's your first year here at Stanton, or you are a Cagey Veteran like Matt Shannon, the joy and commitment that all of you have brought to our students, and one another, during this first week has been incredible!

Thank you for welcoming me and for your kindness, patience, and openness to doing things that we haven't done before! It's clear that Stanton is a place filled with love and care for students and one another, and I am beyond thrilled to share and celebrate with all of you on a daily basis.

-Tom Cardamone--Principal at Stanton

I'd like to recognize how pristine Lotus looks and feels. It is a blessing to be able to attend school in a clean, comfortable and engaging environment. I don't remember our CPS ever feeling like Lotus does. I am most appreciative of the dedicated team that maintains our safe haven. It is no small task!

Thank you all!

-Joseph Fernandez--Literacy Interventionist at Lotus

Thank you prek team, Carmen, Corinne, Candace, Michelle, Fran, Lumi and Tasha! I can tell you all have amazing knowledge to share and give to our incoming kiddos. A special kudos to Michelle and Tasha for your patience with the new team- you've led with a lot of grace!

-Laura Faro--Blended PreK Co-Teacher

Jill Becmer for helping out with volleyball tryouts and giving advice.

Mark Perlman for coaching with me once again. It is going to be a great and fun season.

Cynthia Tsarpalas for being an amazing addition to the team already. Looking forward to an amazing year.

Amy McKendry for all the help back and forth getting kids physicals in so that they could make it for tryouts. It is much appreciated.

Christina Gardner for the help and vibes that you already bring to ELA. Can't wait to dive into things with you this year.

-Dayja Wydzierzecki--6th Grade ELA Teacher

Kudos to all that have played a big role in helping one of my kids successfully get through his day. I wouldn't be able to do it without you!

Adisyn Illg--Permanent Sub at Lotus (Currently SHINING BRIGHT in Kindergarten!)

Kudos to Teri Valenziano and Lili Tosado. Voluntarily leaving a team you work amazingly with is scary, but you two have been amazing and are great examples of what a teammate should be! I've already learned so much from both of you!

Lili, you've crushed your first week of teaching and are already handling obstacles with such grace!

-Emily Reczek--2nd Grade Teacher

Sonia, thanks for helping me tie magic bracelets even though you meant to just pop in for a quick sec!

Misty, Gina, Courtney and Mary Honea for helping 1st grade cut new center materials!

-Kendra Logar--1st Grade Teacher

Shoutout to my amazing team, Emily Reczek and Teri Valenziano, for being a continuous helping hand and getting me through the first week. Couldn't have done it without you two!!

-Lili Tosado--3rd Grade Teacher

Thanks to Kyle, Kayti, AJ, Connor, Jack, Niall, Niccole, Walter, Dan 1 and Dan 2, Jackie, both Karens, Husko, Kendra and Mr. Mark for making the start of the year such a good one. I really appreciate the support, teamwork, and laughs. Let’s keep it going and keep finding the light.

-Bryan Bailey--Code and Construct Teacher at Stanton

Shout out to the best kitchen staff for a flawless first week back to school. You girls are AMAZING!!!

Gayle, Thank you for taking the time to touch up the painted stars in the hallway. I love that it is just as important to you as it is to me. :)

Kim, Thank you for stopping in to check in with me all week. Your continued support is truly appreciated.

Matt, Erica, Chad, Thank you for having a strong presence in the cafeteria helping to make the first week back run smoothly.

-Sonia Miller--Kitchen Lead at Lotus

Thank you Don for fixing our blinds.

Thank you Colleen, Mary MP, Ashley, Misty, Courtney, Brittany, Dina, & Gina for the collaboration on Wednesday!

Thank you Spittler for accommodating us and taking another student for second step lessons.

Thank you Ashley for my new shirt!

Thanks Mary MP & Colleen for matching me this week!! I'm glad I can be myself and you accept my crazy outfits!

Thank you Stephanie, Sammie G, Ashley Brown, & Alana for communicating the schedule planning so quickly!

-Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

Mary MP for putting up with Sherry and myself

All the paras for a great start to the year. Even with all the bus situations you all are rock stars

Lumi and Brittany for lunchroom help

Lotus kitchen staff for making lunches run smoothly

Sherry for just being you and making sure our kids are getting what they need and adding to my wardrobe.

-Colleen Robinson--Paraprofessional at Lotus

A huge shout-out to Sue, who wears many hats and manages to do it all with a smile. She's a true multitasking superstar and handles everything with grace. You are SO appreciated!

-Jenny Sundell--Administrative Assistant at Lotus

I would like to give a BIG shout out to Nicole for creating the master SST schedule. Nicole has shown great leadership, kindness, and support; as she continues to go out of her way to help and support me as a new counselor in the district. Setting the foundation and tone for a great team.

-Sam Gatyas--Counselor at Lotus

Kudos to Caitlyn Fenton and Kelly Roland for helping us put away all of the supplies we received at Meet the Teacher! Thanks for being team players and taking initiative!

-Anna Morris--4th Grade Teacher

- Sonia your are a lifesaver for letting us use your cordless hot glue gun! Thanks for always being willing to share it with us! You’re the GOAT!

- Don, thank you for taking time out of your day to go get materials to fix the leak in the gym ceiling! This really helped to make the gym safe!

-Sarah Gallivan and Jillian Kilty--PE Teachers at Lotus

- Gayle, thank you for your wizardry skills with my lock. I would have never figured out how to reset the combination without you. Also, my sanity thanks you for gluing the magnetic back on my marker so I don’t have to hunt for it behind my self every time it falls!

-Jillian Kilty--PE Teacher at Lotus

- Russ, beyond thankful for your hard work in getting the cafeteria ready for me to be able to run APE in there. I really appreciate it!

-Sarah Gallivan--PE Teacher at Lotus

A huge Kuddos out to Nicole Brinkman for giving up her time and creating a wonderful scheduling document! It’s is greatly appreciated!

-Alana Carlson--Speech Language Pathologist at Lotus

Welcome Niall to the 7th grade team! We are so happy you are here! Also to my Math team, Dan and Katy. We got this!

-Renee Evans--7th Grade Math Teacher

Kudos to Jill Becmer, who is promoting Stanton every day on Facebook with all the things that make our school a great place to be. Please follow the updated Facebook page to see all the excitement on our kids' faces!

-Michele Burgess--Administrative Assistant at Stanton

I just wanted to send out a really big Kudos shout out to Fran one of our preschool aids she went above and beyond helping me out today and I'm not sure how to do the kudos call but I figured I share it through here because this is the only way I knew how lol and I was really appreciative of all her hard work today!

-Corinne Corona--Blended PreK Co-Teacher

A huge thank you to Mary H., Courtney,Misty and Gina for your help with cutting! First grade loves you the most

Thank you Eddie for going above and beyond to make our rooms the cleanest.

A big kudos to Fran for always offering her help and support whenever she has time. You are so appreciated!

Finally, thank you to Sonia for her wonderful renovation of our staff lounge. It looks amazing!

Jen Groot- First Grade Teacher

THANK YOU, Don, for all your help with the updates to the sensory room. The swing is going to be such a valuable addition, and I truly appreciate all the steps you took to make sure we got the perfect setup—you rock!

Thank you to Nicole for your undivided attention and support with coordinating all the service provider schedules. You dedicated your time to ensuring everything ran smoothly, and we couldn’t have done it as seamlessly and efficiently without you

Thank you, Russ and Don, for setting me up with an extra shelf. You always seem to know exactly where to find what we need, and it’s such a big help.

Thank you, Erica, Chad, and Matt for all your support in making sure we have a smooth and successful start to the new school year!!

-Sammie Geenen--District Occupational Therapist

To...

SERIOUSLY EVERYONE for an amazing first week with students!!!!

Our amazing facilities teams for making the buildings look AMAZING as we welcomed everyone back.

Kristie, Maddie, and Natalie for allllllll the things.

Anna Rivera for caring so deeply about the health and safety of kids at Lotus.

Heather

NEW INFO

We need your input!!! We try to provide fun staff meals and pick me ups through the year. We're considering changing things up a little so we...

-spend less

-minimize amount of food waste

-minimize time commitment for kitchen staff but still...

-ADD SPIRIT THROUGH THE YEAR! 🎉

Please share your thoughts using THIS SURVEY LINK by FRIDAY, AUGUST 29!

REPEAT INFO

Absence Reporting

Please refer to this document for all things absence reporting. I'll put hard copy in your mailbox and will send in email as well. Please send any questions to Maddie Mercado or me.

THANKS!

Communication with Families

For your protection and for the protection of the District, please DO NOT use your personal cell phone to text or call families. You CAN block your number if using a personal cell to make a call.

Google Voice is a GREAT way to communicate while maintaining a separate line. I'll send directions in an email and put hard copy in your mailboxes. You'll need to set up a Gmail account for this, and we cannot do this using your D114 account, as it would cost $10/month/person to do so, and we just can't swing that.

Using things like Dojo or other tools is absolutely ok!

If your habit has been or you have already sent communication using a personal cell phone, an appropriate communication could sound like,

"Dear _______. I'm so sorry, but D114 has informed me that I can't use my personal cell for communication anymore. However, I can communicate with you using (name how you'll communicate) and look forward to staying connected with you!"

Any questions--please reach out to me.

Transportation Q and A

In the spirit of "clear is kind", we have drafted this Transportation Q and A document to help get ahead of some questions. Please review and let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement!

Classroom Set Up Guidelines

Please check out this document for stuff that CANNOT be in your classrooms. 😕

NOTE: ANY type of light (LED, lamp, string lights) MUST have this label to be used:

These come directly from our Compliance Checklist from the Regional Office...and they are things that we get dinged on in the site visit that happens early each Fall. Thanks in advance, and please direct any questions to Natalie Udstuen, Director of Business Services.

Used Devices

I had a few staff ask if they can pay for their old devices because they have gotten new ones. Unfortunately, we cannot do that. Thanks in advance for understanding.

Staff Lunch Prices

As the costs of literally everything go up, please know that we have had to increase our price for staff lunches to $5/day. Sorry, but we just have to go up to be able to keep up with costs. 😢

Tight Budget and Extra Time

Speaking of finances, we are in a VERY tight budget this year, as federal funds have not yet come through and it looks like our Evidence Based Funding from the state may be lower than anticipated, too. This means we have to tighten up all the funds, but especially the Education Fund (people, time, benefits, materials). So...please know that any and all extra time MUST be preapproved by your administrator. There are NOT exceptions to this. If you have any questions about the budget or our finances, please reach out to Natalie Udstuen.

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.

In this section, you'll find updates from our AWESOME association, the EAFL! Info coming soon!

Good morning!!

Our FIRST Eat out to help out event is coming soon! With this one we do need teacher/staff help!

It will be hosted at the McDonalds on Rte 12 from 4-7 on Tuesday, September 9th! I have included a link to sign up and to also add your t-shirt size! McDonalds sends us over t-shirts to wear for the night! If you volunteered last year and still have your shirt you are all set to go, since they didn't change it! Please let me know if the link below doesn't work and I will re-send!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nLH318li_PqgwOf11LbV7IVFt51Di8DjmTGeE0cf4zw/edit?usp=sharing

This event was our BIGGEST EOTHO last year! We managed to raise over a thousand dollars for the PTA!!!!! I am hopeful that this year will be just as big if not bigger! The kiddos love to see the teachers and staff outside of school so our success was mainly due to everyone that volunteered!

Thank you,
Sylvia Queen