September 1, 2017

A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Staff,

Curriculum nights are upon us, and I wanted to share a simple, short recipe for success on curriculum night.  Parents come eager to see and hear three things from their teachers:
  • Who are  you as a human being?  Parents want to connect to their student's teacher.  Give them a means to do so.  Show them what makes you tick.
  • Do you know your students and will you take care of each of them as individuals? Demonstrate passion for your students and their learning climate.
  • What will you be learning together and why does it matter?  This last part is actually the least important to many parents initially.  When parents drop their kids off, their primary concerns are social and emotional.  Teaching and learning is secondary, but it's also the icing on the cake.  These three together are "the whole package" everybody wants for their kids.
If teachers convey these things, they make their lives easier for the rest of the year.  Parents want to be on your side and want to be enthusiastic about their students' experiences at school.  Have fun at curriculum night.  This is one of the best nights of the year and one to show off your best self.  I look forward to seeing you there as well!

Sincerely,

Michael Simeck

Congratulations to the "Fill Your Shoes" winner from the Opening Breakfast - Sam Beresid. Sam's Joyful Moment from the summer was getting engaged! Please contact Mary Beth Sauser in the District Office, [email protected] to schedule your date.
Human Resource Report 
Resource Board:
During New Staff Orientation, a resource board full of important information about District 67 and the Lake Forest Community was shared with our newest staff members. Our team thought this might be a nice resource for all teachers in our organization. Please find the resource board here: https://goo.gl/B20odv
 
A big thank you to Traci Franksen, Mike Field, Laura Montgomery and Denise Galatsianos who created this wonderful resource. 
 
Evaluation Committee:
The Evaluation Committee will be meeting on September 12 at 4:00 p.m. This district level committee reviews evaluation rubrics and frameworks and discusses the implementation of the evaluation process within the district. One responsibility of the committee is to review proposed changes. Teams who are requesting changes are encouraged to be represented by a group comprised of both administrators and faculty. Please find an example rubric and the evaluation form to be completed prior to the meeting: Evaluation Rubric Template and Evaluation Form. Please send this to Rebecca Jenkins prior to September 10, 2017 and plan to attend the meeting on September 12 at 4:00 p.m. if you have changes for the committee to review. 
 
Stipend Review Committee:
The Stipend Review Committee will be meeting on September 20th at 4:00 p.m.. Please download and review the Stipend Proposal Form. If you have a stipend proposal for review, the form should be turned into Rebecca Jenkins by September 18. If you are submitting a proposal you may be asked to join the committee at the upcoming meeting on September 20.  
Teaching and Learning News 
District-Wide Committee Membership:
As we constructed the Committee Membership lists, we were overwhelmed by the dedication
and interest shown by all staff members. Our committees will be places for staff to come and bring ideas, give input to the direction of various areas and create a space for shared decision-making. We look forward to your involvement in these many areas. Thank you to all, in advance, for you time and energy in making District 67 all that it can be!
 
 
Looking for Volunteers:
Staff representatives are needed for the Spirit of 67. This parent group meets once per month. If you are interested in serving as the staff liaison for the Spirit of 67, please contact Judi Epcke at [email protected] by Thursday, 9/7.
 
Academy Course Proposal:
District 67 is full of talented staff.  We are fortunate to have a D67 Academy that offers a course catalog of sessions taught by our teachers, for our teachers. Would you be interested in sharing your knowledge with a class of district colleagues?  If so, consider proposing a course offering to our D67 Academy Governance Committee. There is reimbursement for being an instructor. This link takes you to the proposal form.
http://bit.ly/d67academyproposal 

Be on the lookout for the catalog which will come out by the end of September. 
Emotional Wellness Committee Update
Welcome Back D67 Staff!  We hope that your school year is off to a fabulous start!  We would like to invite all district staff to join their local EWC this year!  Wondering what the Emotional
 Wellness Committee is all about, click  here for more information.  Below you will find the times, dates, and locations of the first EWC meetings of the year, and a listing of the 2017-2018 EWC Building Mentors.

Questions?  Please reach out to your EWC Building Mentors, or Emilie Correa, D67 Emotional Wellness Coordinator..

September, 2017 EWC Meetings
Tues. Sept 19 - DPM  @ 3:45 pm. Haskins Conference Room
Wed. Sept 20 - Everett  @ 3:00 pm, Conference Room
Thurs. Sept 21 - Cherokee @ 7:10 am, CH210 (Liz Arensen's Room)
Thurs. Sept 21 - Sheridan @ 3:00 pm, S134 Science Room

2017-2018 D67 Building EWC Mentors
Cherokee - Elizabeth Arenson (new Mentor for 17-18), Jessica Quinn (new Mentor for 17-18)
DPM - Sapna Shah (new Mentor for 17-18), Elise Stetson, Colene Hardy, India Baughman
Everett - Jennifer Wolter (new Mentor for 17-18), Debra Berrie (new Mentor for 17-18)
Sheridan - Deena Puglisi, Laura Schlemm
Technology and Learning Spaces Update
The NWEA testing fall window is 9/6-9/20. Proctoring information and tutorials were sent out earlier this week. Do not hesitate to reach out to the instructional technology coaches or technicians for support. Helpful phone numbers during testing:   
Robin Ford, Testing Coordinator - 847-604-7459 
Judi Epcke - 847-527-7436 (call or text)
 
In the next few months, the technicians will be popping into all classrooms and offices
to create a phone inventory. This will facilitate our ability to assist with phone issues in the future. If there are existing phone situations that need our attention, please contact a technician.
 
It can be confusing sorting out who to contact for a technology issue. These resources
can assist with the question "Who do I call?"
 
 
*Thanks to Laura Montgomery for creating this resource
School Safety Update
Here are some great ways for teachers to support our wonderful office staff in the area of visitor management and student safety:
  • K-4: Take attendance within the first 10 minutes of the start of school.
  • 5-8: Take attendance at the beginning of every class period.
    • Office staff are required to contact parents within a timely manner when their child's whereabouts are unknown.  It is imperative that  all students are accounted for daily. Teachers are crucial to this process.   
  • Forward information to office staff from parents regarding student absences ASAP.
  • Give office staff advanced notice when expecting visitors (e.g., parents, guest speakers, volunteers,  etc.).  When possible, greet your visitors in the office and escort them to your meeting place.
  • Carry your fob so you can freely enter/exit the school and office without assistance.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone in our school environment as safe as possible.
Upcoming Committees and Meeting Dates
Date Meeting Location Time
9.5 Tues. CII 5/6 Data DPME Conf. Room all day
  DPMW Staff DPMW 7:50 - 8:35
  Instructional Technology Coaches The CUBE 8:30 - 10:00
  Academy Governance Committee  AC 3:00 - 4:00
  PD Committee  AC 4:00 - 5:00
       
9.6 Weds. CII 7/8 Data Haskins 2.0 all day
  K-4 Math Specialists CH 8:00 - 10:00
  Mentor - Danielson 101 1st Years AC 12:30 - 3:00
  4x4 Superintendent's Office  4:00 - 5:00
  Science Committee AC 4:00 - 5:00
       
9.7 Thurs. eStar New Staff AC 8:00 - 3:00
  EV Curriculum Night EV 6:30 - 8:00
       
9.11 Mon. K-4 CII Job Alike EV 2:00 - 3:30
  PERA Committee  AC 4:00 - 5:00
       
9.12 Tues. EStar Refresher AC 8:00 - 3:00
  K-4 Staff Meetings Buildings 3:00 - 4:00 
  Evaluation Committee AC 4:00 - 5:00
  DPMW Curriculum Night DPMW 6:00 - 8:30
       
9.13 Weds. Mentor - Danielson 102 2nd Years AC 12:30 - 3:00
  LFEA Exec. Board DPM 3:50 - 4:50
  DSS Inclusion Advisory Committee AC 4:00 - 5:00
       
9.14 Thurs. DPME Curriculum Night DPME 6:00 - 8:30
       
9.15 Fri. Wellness Curriculum Writing AC 8:00 - 3:00
  Education Committee AC 8:30 - 11:00