Monday Morning Memo--August 9, 2021

 

Thank you to Sue, Paula, Amanda, and Erica who helped me during my recovery!! Couldn’t have done it without you ladies! 

Thank you to admin for believing in me and letting me take on this awesome summer school position as Math Interventionist! 

-From Amber Mysliwiec

I'd like to give Lemar Wilson a shoutout for being so accommodating and flexible and helpful with my small group in 5th grade! Anytime something came up and I couldn't be there, he stepped right in and took over. THANK YOU so much for your help! 

-From Stephanie Kaye

A big thank you to the custodial team for all of your hard work this summer! You have taken so much time out of your days to help me get boxes of curricular resources organized and delivered to classrooms and to help declutter hallways, classrooms, and lockers! 

Y'all are the real MVPs

and

Not really a kudos but...

I wanted to say how incredible it was to work with everyone who came to PLC institute this year! I can't think of a time I've ever been so excited, empowered, and hopeful for a new school year and it's because of all of YOU! We have an extraordinary little family here and ya'll inspire me to learn, grow, and turn any challenge into an opportunity! 

-From Erica Barraza

Thank you to Don, Linda, Eddie, Kent, Tim and Russ for all your help moving furniture all around in the preschool wing!  I know I’m always needing you for something and I truly appreciate the help! we couldn’t do it without you!!!!!

-From Michelle Magness

Please send me KUDOS to give shout outs to colleagues! I LOVE to put them in the Monday Memo! 🎉

Reopening Updates

Please check this document for key details on reopening protocols. This is a working document, but we wanted to share it now since it likely answers lots of questions you may have. Please let me know what questions are NOT included here or if anything doesn't make sense...would love your input! 

I'm also sharing here the working copy of the slides I'll present at Tuesday's Board meeting. I will for sure update the data and may make changes, but you get the idea. 

Be sure to check your home mailbox this week for the official welcome back letter and schedule for the week of August 16! 🎉

Vaccination Status

If you are willing and haven't done so this summer, please complete this survey to share your current vaccination status. We are collecting this information to help us most efficiently respond to any COVID situations without having to bug you for information. Remember, as of right now, those who are vaccinated will not have to quarantine if there is a close contact situation. We also respect the varying perspectives on vaccinations, so there is no judgement whatsoever on your status. 

Please click here to complete the quick survey. THANK YOU! 

Sealcoating

FYI, we'll be sealcoating the parking lots this week! Please follow parking guidance at each site and be ready to move your vehicle as/if needed. THANKS! 

Lotus--Monday, rain date Tuesday

Stanton--Wednesday, rain date Thursday

Spirit Wear

The D114 spirit wear store is OPEN!!! Check out the flyer attached to this week's Monday Memo, or visit the store using this link. Please note that any logo can be put on any item. Can't wait to see everyone in their spirit wear!!!

Vaccination Pod Volunteers NEEDED!

Please let me know if you are willing to volunteer at Grant on August 18 (4PM-8PM) at our next FREE shared vaccination pod. I'd sure appreciate your help! 

Current Local COVID Data

8/6/21 Data

CDC thresholds and local data for Lake County

Indicator	Low Transmission	Moderate Transmission	Substantial Transmission	High Transmission	Current Status
Incidence Rate: Total new cases per 100K persons in the last 7 days	0-9	10-49	50-99	100 or greater	87.00
7 Day Average Test Positivity Rate	Less than 5%	5.0%-7.9%	8.0%-9.9%	Greater than 10%	5.27%

D114 Local Zip Codes Data from Northwestern University COVID Dashboard--ALL DATA INCLUDES ACTUAL AND PROBABLE CASES!

Indicator	Low Transmission	Moderate Transmission	Substantial Transmission	High Transmission	Current Status
Incidence Rate: Total new cases per 100K persons in the last 7 days	0-9	10-49	50-99	100 or greater	81.4
7 Day Average Test Positivity Rate	Less than 5%	5.0%-7.9%	8.0%-9.9%	Greater than 10%	5.36%

8/6/21 Quarantine/COVID Positive Data

Category	Quarantined	COVID+
Students	0	0
Staff	0	0

Pictures and Songs!!!!! 

As is our tradition, please send me:

*A photo of your summer journey

*A song that you've loved on your journey through summer (or life so far!)

We'll use these on Opening Day, August 16, when we are ALL BACK TOGETHER at Lotus to kick off the year. More details to come with the opening week agenda, but feel free to send your pictures or song to me whenever the mood strikes you! 

August 9 and 10: Kagan Collaborative Structures training at D103--Lunch is NOT provided, so be ready to grab/bring something. :)

August 10: Yearbook Distribution at Lotus and Stanton from 12:00-3:00

August 10: August Board of Education Meeting at Lotus at 7:00 PM

Meet Link

August 12: New Staff Orientation

August 13: Additional Orientation for New Certified Staff

August 16: D114 All Staff Welcome Back! 

August 17: Building-based Time

August 18: Teacher Work Time (AM), Meet and Greet (12-2 at Lotus, 1-3 at Stanton)

August 19: First Day of School for K-8!!!!

August 23: First Day of School for PreK!!!!

Curriculum Nights--VIRTUAL

Lotus

6:00-7:00

Aug 30--PreK and 2nd

Aug 31--1st and 4th

Sept 2--K and 3rd

Stanton

Sept 9--details to come

What can you see...right this moment...that makes you feel gratitude?

Enjoy every minute of this week!

Heather 💗

Monday Morning Memo--August 2, 2021

 

 

MASKING UPDATES

As you are all aware, the current recommendation from CDC, IDPH and LCHD is masking indoors for all individuals in K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.  Additionally, our legal counsel and insurance provider have stated that our best way to protect ourselves is to begin by immediately following the masking recommendations. That, combined with the fact that we have moved into substantial transmission in both Lake County and our local community, necessitates a masking change. 

Beginning first thing Monday morning, masks will be expected at all times for staff, students, parents and visitors while on the bus and in the school building, regardless of vaccination status. The only exception is if you are working alone in your classroom or office and the door is closed and when eating/drinking.  Masks will continue to be available onsite should you forget to bring yours.  

This masking change is being made to support our goal to be together for in-person learning for the start of school and minimize any chance of required isolating or quarantining as a result of activities taking place before school begins. I also feel it is important for you to know now that our local health department will enforce a 14-day quarantine for close contacts in districts not masking.  Shortened quarantine options and a new test-to-stay option are only available if students are masked.  While fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from quarantining at this time, we are highly recommending that all faculty and staff maintain at least 3’ of social distance as much as is possible from others in order to avoid inadvertent close contact.  

These are our masking plans up to the start of the school year. The Board of Education, administration, and I are evaluating the guidance and continuing to monitor local health metrics before a final determination is made about masking and the start to the school year.  Whatever that decision is, we will formally evaluate all data available, minimally every two weeks, to determine if our mitigation measures remain appropriate.  The hope is certainly that we can peel one mitigation layer back at a time. 

While I know resuming mask wearing is not what we'd want, it is imperative the District remains responsive to the continually evolving guidance and health metrics, with the goal for all teaching and learning to remain in-person. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. As always, please see me with any questions, and know that I'm open to your feedback. 

Shout out to the bus drivers and aides for Sessions 1 and 2 and

our van drivers for taking our outplaced students to their schools.

Thank you very much.  You played an important role in

getting the children safely to school and home so they can

expand on their learning skills!

and

Karen Simon for keeping our vans charged and running!

and

Cheryl Carroll for helping me with DOT forms for summer school.

and

Bob Rogge for fluid checks.

Thank YOU!

-From Andrea De Matteo

Thanks to Trina for all the dedication towards planning the PBIS Kick-Off! Our Wednesday meeting ended up being much smoother because of your help!

-From Katie Jalove

A HUGE thank you to every single staff member that has made Camp Curiosity come alive this summer! You are all so appreciated

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend ARC training on Friday. I know it's not easy to get here on a Friday at the end of July so your commitment is much appreciated! 

Thank you to the MTSS team for a fantastic problem-solving meeting! So excited to begin the year with a fresh start and clarity! 

-From Erica Barraza

Thank you to everyone attending this week's PLC Livestream Institute and for everyone who made all the set up and logistics possible!

and

Thanks (again) to all our staff making Camp Curiosity a reality. WOW! What an incredible effort it's been! Our kids are SO lucky to have you in their lives!

-From Heather

Please send me KUDOS to give shout outs to colleagues! I LOVE to put them in the Monday Memo! 🎉

Reopening Updates

See above for masking updates, and please know that more information is likely coming as the week develops. 

For now:

*Temperature checks and self certifications are NO LONGER NEEDED. 

*Masks are on at all times unless you're working in a space on your own with the door closed.  

*Masks are not required when students or staff are outside AND can maintain 3' social distancing. 

Vaccination Status

If you are willing, please complete this survey to share your current vaccination status. We are collecting this information to help us most efficiently respond to any COVID situations without having to bug you for information. Remember, as of right now, those who are vaccinated will not have to quarantine if there is a close contact situation. We also respect the varying perspectives on vaccinations, so there is no judgement whatsoever on your status. 

Please click here to complete the quick survey. THANK YOU! 

Vaccination Pod Volunteers NEEDED!

Please let me know if you are willing to volunteer at Grant on August 18 (4PM-8PM) at our next FREE shared vaccination pod. I'd sure appreciate your help! 

Current Local COVID Data

News Release: Lake County Back in Substantial Transmission

8/1/21 Data

CDC thresholds and local data for Lake County

Indicator	Low Transmission	Moderate Transmission	Substantial Transmission	High Transmission	Current Status
Incidence Rate: Total new cases per 100K persons in the last 7 days	0-9	10-49	50-99	100 or greater	55.56
7 Day Average Test Positivity Rate	Less than 5%	5.0%-7.9%	8.0%-9.9%	Greater than 10%	3.97%

D114 Local Zip Codes Data from Northwestern University COVID Dashboard--ALL DATA INCLUDES ACTUAL AND PROBABLE CASES!

Indicator	Low Transmission	Moderate Transmission	Substantial Transmission	High Transmission	Current Status
Incidence Rate: Total new cases per 100K persons in the last 7 days	0-9	10-49	50-99	100 or greater	58.7
7 Day Average Test Positivity Rate	Less than 5%	5.0%-7.9%	8.0%-9.9%	Greater than 10%	5.14%

D114 Quarantine/COVID Positive Data

Category	Quarantined	COVID+
Students	0	0
Staff	0	0

Pictures and Songs!!!!! 

As is our tradition, please send me:

*A photo of your summer journey

*A song that you've loved on your journey through summer (or life so far!)

We'll use these on Opening Day, August 16, when we are ALL BACK TOGETHER at Lotus to kick off the year. More details to come with the opening week agenda, but feel free to send your pictures or song to me whenever the mood strikes you! 

August 2-4: PLC Institute at Lotus 

August 5: Camp Curiosity Celebration Lunch at Stanton at 12:15

August 9 and 10: Kagan Collaborative Structures training at D103 (watch your email for details)

August 10: August Board of Education Meeting at Lotus at 7:00 PM

August 12: New Staff Orientation

August 13: Additional Orientation for New Certified Staff

August 16: D114 All Staff Welcome Back! 

August 17: Building-based Time

August 18: Teacher Work Time (AM), Meet and Greet (12-2 at Lotus, 1-3 at Stanton)

August 19: First Day of School for K-8!!!!

August 23: First Day of School for PreK!!!!

Specific agenda for the week of 8/16 will be sent out this week.  

We hope that everyone is enjoying their summer and getting excited to have our students back with us in a few short weeks.  

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce our Union Board, as we have had quite a few new members!

Your Education Association of Fox Lake Executive Board is made up of 

President: Maureen DeVoss

Vice President (Certified Staff): Tiffany Tardio-Weber

VIce President (Non-Certified Staff) Oner Medrano

Treasurer: Katy Gardner

Secretary: Amber Mysliwiec

Region Representative: Cathy Jawnyj

Stanton Building Representative: Molly Goodsite

Lotus Building Representative: Cheryl Schuck

Thank you to everyone for dedicating your time and talents to our district, it is a pleasure to serve as your Union Board and we are working to make this the best year possible!  

Quick! What are 5 things you are grateful for in your life? Write them down!!!! 

Have a wonderful summer week!

Heather 💗

Monday Morning Memo--July 26, 2021

   

 

Kudos to the principals for being simply amazing. I'm so blessed to work with you!

and

Thanks to Andrea, Maureen, Maddie, and Mary for being the best team in the world. Thank you for all you do! 

and

HUGE props to everyone who is making Camp Curiosity happen. You are ROCK STARS!

and

Kudos to everyone attending the PLC Institute and Kagan training! WOW!!!!

-From Heather

Please send me KUDOS to give shout outs to colleagues! I LOVE to put them in the Monday Memo! 🎉

Reopening Updates

The slides I shared on with the Board are linked here (with a few updates) if you didn't get a chance to check them out. The shifts here start for the fall, meaning all kids must keep wearing masks during Camp just as they have been. 

For now:

*Temperature checks and self certifications are NO LONGER NEEDED. 

*Masks stay on when kids are around. 

*Unvaccinated adults should wear masks at all times. 

*When kids aren't around, masks are not required. 

*If someone asks that those around them do wear a mask, it should be treated respectfully. 

*If someone chooses to wear a mask, it should be treated respectfully. 

Vaccination Status

If you are willing, please complete this survey to share your current vaccination status. We are collecting this information to help us most efficiently respond to any COVID situations without having to bug you for information. Remember, as of right now, those who are vaccinated will not have to quarantine if there is a close contact situation. We also respect the varying perspectives on vaccinations, so there is no judgement whatsoever on your status. 

Please click here to complete the quick survey. THANK YOU! 

Vaccination Pod Volunteers NEEDED!

Please let me know if you are willing to volunteer at Grant on July 28 (10AM-2PM) or August 18 (4PM-8PM) at our next FREE shared vaccination pod. I'd sure appreciate your help! 

A Favor...

My amazing administrative assistant, Maureen, will be retiring at the end of October. She's literally my right arm (and, if I'm honest, my left arm, too). We'll be posting her position in the near future, but if you know of any candidates for this position, I'd love to get some recommendations. School experience is a MUST, and any experience in a special education administrative assistant would be a major bonus. 

Current Local COVID Data

Pictures and Songs!!!!! 

As is our tradition, please send me:

*A photo of your summer journey

*A song that you've loved on your journey through summer (or life so far!)

We'll use these on Opening Day, August 16, when we are ALL BACK TOGETHER at Lotus to kick off the year. More details to come with the opening week agenda, but feel free to send your pictures or song to me whenever the mood strikes you! 

August 2-4: PLC Institute at Lotus (watch your email for details)

August 9 and 10: Kagan Collaborative Structures training at D103 (watch your email for details)

August 12: New Staff Orientation

August 13: Additional Orientation for New Certified Staff

August 16: D114 All Staff Welcome Back! 

August 17: Building-based Time

August 18: Teacher Work Time (AM), Meet and Greet (PM)

August 19: First Day of School for K-8!!!!

August 23: First Day of School for PreK!!!!

Specific agenda for the week of 8/16 will be sent out ASAP. 

Have a wonderful summer week!

Heather 💗

Monday Morning Memo--July 19, 2021

  

 

Hello, all! I'm launching some very brief Monday Memos to make sure we are all connected as we plan for our FULL REOPENING and the journey of the 2021-22 school year! I'll keep it short, I promise. 😊

Kudos to our Camp Curiosity staff, PBIS Team, Equity Team, and our Guiding Coalition for working extra hard this summer to get our students and staff ready for a great 2021-2022 school year!

and

To Rachelle and Lynn for all the work they put in last week building schedules for our IEP entitled students. 

-From Jeff Sefcik

Everyone teaching Camp Curiosity!!! 

-From Stephanie Kaye

Thank you to all of our AMAZING Camp Curiosity  teachers!! It has been so much fun to see our students so excited about what they are doing. 

Thank you to Erica, Stephanie, Cathy, Amanda, and Mike on doing all of the heavy lifting to help make Camp Curiosity run so smoothly!

and

Thank you to Norm, Al, and Sue who know what needs to get done around the school and just does it!

and

Thank you to Georgette, Sue, and Sonia for making sure that our students always get fed.

-From Rachelle Peters 

I just have to brag on Kelly for a minute! I checked in with one of her kiddos today and he has grown an ENTIRE grade level in five weeks! He was working on onset rime and is now ready to learn about tricky word patterns like si = sh/zh! He was so excited and confident today! I wanted to bottle it up and share it with everyone! 

-From Erica Barraza

Special Thank you to Sue Pinkawa, Paula Kvacik, Michele Burgess and Jill Becmer for helping me with attendance and any other logistics that come with Camp Curiosity. You guys rock and I could not have done this without all of you.

and

Thank you to Andrea De Matteo for everything you did with bussing for Camp Curiosity. I am so grateful for you and I am also grateful that I got to know you better.

and

Thank you to all the teachers, and staff that helped make Camp Curiosity a success.  The kids look so happy to be here and it's because of all of you.

and

Thank you to the Stanton and Lotus Guiding Coalitions for welcoming me on their teams. I am super excited to see what we will accomplish this year.

and

Thank you to all that met for the Stanton PBIS logistical meeting. I am grateful to work with all of you and I am looking forward to seeing PBIS brought to a whole other level.

and

Thank you to all that met for MTSS summer curriculum work. We got so much done in two hours, and it's all because we worked so well together by actively listening to each other and building on each others' ideas.  

and

Thank you to the SEL team for inviting me to their summer curriculum work. I am looking forward to the great things that will happen with MTSS SEL.

and

Thank you Lynn Smolen for being my sounding board. I am so grateful for you. We are always in sync.  Thank you office buddy and friend!

-From Cathy Jawnyj

Please send me KUDOS to give shout outs to colleagues! I LOVE to put them in the Monday Memo! 🎉

July BOE Meeting/Reopening Updates

The July Board of Education meeting will be held this Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Lotus Library. I'll be previewing the facts of our reopening as we know them so far. I'll share the slides with all of you on Tuesday prior to the meeting. You are welcome to come to the meeting or join using this Meet link. Please know that, if you choose to attend in person, you should wear a mask if you are unvaccinated. 

All current safety protocols remain in place, and I truly appreciate everyone following them to help keep all our students and staff safe and coming to school! 

Vaccination Status

If you are willing, please complete this survey to share your current vaccination status. We are collecting this information to help us most efficiently respond to any COVID situations without having to bug you for information. Remember, as of right now, those who are vaccinated will not have to quarantine if there is a close contact situation. We also respect the varying perspectives on vaccinations, so there is no judgement whatsoever on your status. 

Please click here to complete the quick survey. THANK YOU! 

Pictures and Songs!!!!! 

As is our tradition, please send me:

*A photo of your summer journey

*A song that you've loved on your journey through summer (or life so far!)

We'll use these on Opening Day, August 16, when we are ALL BACK TOGETHER at Lotus to kick off the year. More details to come with the opening week agenda, but feel free to send your pictures or song to me whenever the mood strikes you! 

I truly hope you're having a wonderful summer journey...enjoy the time wandering, relaxing, teaching at Camp, working your summer job, spending time with family, or whatever the summer brings you. Can't wait to see everyone back in August! 

Heather 💗