Monday Morning Memo: Monday Morning Memo 2/9/26

Tip of the Week

Lean on Each Other

February always tends to be the longest, shortest month. As we head into Institute Day (agendas below), let's all remember to lean on each other. Here are a few strategies I'm digging in on...

How can we help each other demonstrate:

Best Case Scenario Thinking

What is it?

“The deliberate practice of envisioning a positive, attainable future and aligning actions to increase the likelihood of that outcome (Bandura, 1997; Seligman, 1991; King, 2001).”

Why does it matter?

What are strategies for how to be better at Best Case Scenario Thinking?

1. Envision the Best Possible Outcome

2. Pair Optimism with Action Planning

3. Reframe Uncertainty as Opportunity

4. Shift from Avoiding Failure to Creating Success

5. Focus on Controllable Effort, Not Outcomes Alone

6. Normalize Risk While Maintaining Forward Motion

What will you try or cheer others on to try this week?

And...get ready for a true BUCKET FILLER on Friday...we have an amazing guest speaker coming to help us find our HEART, SOUL, AND JOY!!!!!

Thank you, Melissa, for your swift support with some students on Friday. I appreciate you and all your help.

Thank you, Ms Gayle, for helping me work through some technical difficulties, so music could run smoothly. Also, for checking on me periodically through the day. I appreciate you and your support!

-Mary Honea--Permanent Sub at Lotus

Joan thank you for checking in on me! I truly appreciate it.

Thank you Ms.Morris for an amazing visual tool and accepting a schedule change.

-Sherry Tietjen--Special Education Teacher at Lotus

HUGE kudos to Jacque Matthews, Matt Shannon and Tom Cardamone for their help at the end of the day when my car wouldn't start!!

Kudos to Kim Husko for keeping me well fed again and again.

KUDOS to SAM MOCK for going the extra mile during our superbowl lunch and bringing in some of the best pulled pork, everyone who tried it was raving about it.

-Dan Miller--PE Teacher at Stanton

Kudos to my AWESOME team for holding down the fort, planning, and preparing when I had an unexpected appointment! You gals rock! I am blessed to be a part of this team!

Kudos to the professionals that help with Kindergarten during any down time they may find in their schedules! Your help with WIN Folders and prep work is greatly appreciated, and the kiddos love working with you all!

Thank you to Melissa, Alana, Sammie G, Sam, and Amanda for helping support alternative testing ideas for a student in my class that learns uniquely. He and I appreciate you.

Thank you to Matt, Erica, and Chad for helping support a student in my class that struggled through and after the break. Thanks to your consistency and reinforcement, she is beginning to settle back into routine.

I appreciate Matt and Nicole B for guiding me through a sensitive situation, shouldering the burden, checking in to see how I was feeling, and offering support. I wouldn't have wanted to go through this without you.

Thanks to our Specials/PE teachers for consistently creating lessons that the kiddos love! They can't wait to visit your rooms!

-Donna Saranzak--Kindergarten Teacher

HUGE THANKS to Sue for being the Master Gatekeeper for Clubs :)

-Kim VanHoorelbeke--Library Paraprofessional at Lotus

Kudos to Jeff, Alexis, Mark, and the administration for the rearranging student bus routes when we short a driver.

-Erik Linquist--Bus Driver

Huge shout out to the 4th grade team for setting up my classroom for my subs while I was out sick this week. I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you also to Mary Honea and Caitlyn Fenton for subbing in my classroom. Thank you to all who helped welcome my new student while I was gone!! One team, all in!

-Anna Morris--4th Grade Teacher

Thank you Mike Szotek. I am grateful for the new device, installed on my computer. Your expertise and assistance is much appreciated.

-Joseph Fernandez--Reading Interventionist at Lotus

Thank you Russ for hanging up some light covers in my classroom!

-Christine Spittler--2nd Grade Teacher

Kudos to...

AND...

To Al and Sue Giandonato for loaning me the ice machine. MIRACLE for Braden's knee!!! 🧊

To our whole staff for the flexibility and care when bus changes have to happen.

-Heather 💙

February Institute Day

Please see the DRAFT schedule for Friday...a few more details coming soon. I'd invite EVERYONE to join us at Lotus for breakfast and the keynote from Dr. Tim Kanold...you will LOVE him and his message of HEART, SOUL, AND JOY!

MORNING BREAKOUT SESSION DETAILS

AFTERNOON PLANS

Opportunity!!!!

Absence Info

Please refer to this document for all things absence reporting. Please send any questions to Maddie Mercado or me.

THANKS!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be sure to enter absences as far in advance as possible! WE HAVE A POOL OF SUBS who can fill spots that are entered!!!! We're working on adding even more, so PLEASE enter your absences as soon as you know you'll be out.

REMINDERS

1. If you know you're sick, please put in your absence ASAP. This helps us plan for coverage more effectively. The more we have to react to in the morning, the more crazy the start to the day for everyone.

2. If scheduling personal tasks, it would be amazing if you could try to avoid THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS whenever possible.

3. If you are asked to cover for someone, please know that you're being asked as part of a bigger plan to meet the needs of kids. Unless there's a truly extraordinary situation, you are expected to say YES when asked. We only ask when it's the best answer for kids.

Please direct any questions to me about this. Principals and Associate Principals are charged with creating the plans that best meet the needs of our students. If you have questions or issues with this, they should come to me for discussion.

Thanks!

Referral GPS--Reminder!

We are committed to creating a culture of well-being of students, staff,

parents, and community. In an effort to continuously support this

commitment, the district has entered an agreement with Referral GPS.

ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students,

staff, and community in finding local mental-health and substance use

related treatment. The service compliments the districts existing

systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to

connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment

options, Referral GPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in

triage, appointment setting, and follow up care.

School families may access Referral GPS in two ways:

1) Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists,

counselors) to seek out treatment options.

2) Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/D114 to

search for treatment resources or connect with a Care

Navigator anonymously.

ReferralGPS takes into account all types of private and public insurance

including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, and families who are

uninsured or underinsured. The platform also filters by age, gender, zip

code, and special requests.

ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at

no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely

confidential and securely stored.

If you are interested in seeking counseling-related services at this time,

please consider visiting https://referralgps.com/find-help/D114 or

reaching out to the Student Services team.

Field Trips

If you are planning for a field trip, please remember:

All field trip requests must be submitted to the principal no later than the 15th of the previous month of your trip.

Example: Trip is in March, Form must be in by February 15th. This allows time for approval and our drivers to select trips.

1. Complete the Field Trip Request Form.

2. Submit the form to your Principal for approval.

2. Principals, if approved, submit to NATALIE UDSTUEN to arrange transportation.

Work Orders

When you have something you need the Facilities Team to handle for you, please complete a Work Request. Be sure to include the LOCATION in the "summary" field.

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.

Stay informed by reading the Region 49 Newsletter

NEA Member Benefits is hosting 10 free virtual meetings to guide our members through student loan options and relief programs. If you’re carrying loans, this is absolutely worth your time. Pick a date and time that works best for you.

AND...don't forget

See what your membership has to offer! Go to ieanea.org to see all of the happenings and most up to date information on union matters. Go to ieanea.org/benefits/ to explore discounts and deals that are offered to you with your membership. Stay informed by reading the Region 49 Newsletter

Happy Monday, District 114!

The PTA's annual Family Fun Fair is scheduled for Saturday, February 21st, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and we are requesting volunteers to help make this event a success!

This event has quickly become one of our favorites and is very well attended!

Please consider signing up for a time slot or two (or three) here.

Your help with events like these means the world to us!

We hope to see you tonight at 6:00 pm for our next meeting!
February PTA Meeting
Date: Monday, February 9th
Time: 6:00 pm to ~7:00 pm
Place: Lotus Library or Join on Google Meet
Mark your calendars for the following dates:
Family Fun Fair
Date: Saturday, February 21st
Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Place: Lotus Gym/Cafeteria/Library
What to expect:
Free Admission
Food
Games
Inflatable Obstacle Course
Face Painting
Balloon Animals
Book Fair
Lotus Spring Bookfair
Dates: Saturday, 2/21 through Friday, 2/27; Set up on 2/20
Keep your eyes peeled for sign-up information!
Help us reach our goal of 90+ members this school year! We currently have 80 members, including 40 teachers and staff, and 40 parents/guardians.

Here's what you need to know:
Dues are $10 for the whole year! That's less than a dollar a month!
You'll receive a District 114 PTA Calendar featuring student artwork
Join here today!
Join the PTA and help enrich your child's educational experience this year!
Make sure to join our Facebook Group Page!

Your PTA Board