September 29, 2017
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Staff,

We will be soliciting your advice and observations in two important forms in the coming weeks. The SWSS, which some of you may know better as Nate Eklund's survey, will be sent to you. Nate's work focuses on workplace satisfaction.  Yes, this survey is all about you! Many of you remember Nate. For those who aren't familiar with him, he's a former English teacher who now runs his own company helping schools and other organizations. One of our teachers recently commented, "Oh, we love Nate. He's a really good guy. That survey isn't a problem.  People will like that one." Less exciting perhaps yet also very important is our strategic planning survey. We need your observations about what's working, what's not, and how to get better. I can't encourage you enough to take those opportunities very seriously.  We read your comments and suggestions carefully. Yes, it is anonymous. Most importantly, if you see something that doesn't make sense to you, telling us is your chance to give us a chance.  Also, if you love something, don't assume we know it. We are really looking forward to hearing your observations and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Michael Simeck
Teaching and Learning Update  
Strategic Plan Baseline Survey
The action plan for many components of the 2017-2018 Strategic Plan requires gathering baseline data to measure growth over time. To streamline this surveying process, one survey, covering many topics, has been created. The survey form is customized by grade level and position so teachers will answer only questions pertaining to their role.
 
All certified staff are asked to complete this Google Form by Friday, October 6: https://tinyurl.com/SPbaseline
 
Email addresses will be recorded for the sole purpose of knowing who has taken the survey and who has not. We are looking for 100% participation from certified staff.
 
Thank you in advance for your input.

Academy Classes
Last call for Fall Academy Registration! The last day to register for Fall Academy Classes is TODAY (September 29)! We will be notifying all participants of the courses that they registered for in the upcoming week. We are incredibly excited by all the people who have expressed interest already!  
 
MLP Update
Please make sure you fill out any open evaluations in MLP for prior events. Moving forward, events will be closed out 30 days after event occurs. Thank you for all your help and support in improving our systems!

Assessment Reports
Spring 2017 PARCC Parent Reports and Fall 2017 NWEA MAP Parent Reports will both be sent home in the mail on Friday, October 6.
Business Office
Two friendly reminders related to your upcoming paychecks:
  • LFEA dues deductions start on your 9/29/17 paycheck and run through your 5/25/18 paycheck.
  • The cost of group term life insurance will be included on your 10/27/17 paycheck, for tax purposes only, covering September 2017 - December 2017.
All full-time District 67 employees are provided with term life insurance coverage per contract. Term life insurance coverage amounts are based on an employee's years of service and base salary.

Term life insurance coverage exceeding $50,000 is considered a taxable fringe benefit per the IRS. The taxable fringe benefit amount will vary by individual (based on age and amount of coverage) in accordance with the IRS premium table.

All stipends (other than athletic stipends, which will continue to be sent through the athletic director) for the 17-18 school year will be sent to individuals by October 31. When you receive the stipend paperwork, please choose your payment selection and return to the Administration Center.
D67 LFEA 15-20 Stipend Schedule 9.20.17
Human Resource Report
Our Shared Service Flu Shot Event is being held on Tuesday, October 10 and Wednesday October 11, 2017!  The following times and locations will be available for your convenience. All employees at both districts can use any location that is best for you!
  • Tuesday, October 10, 2017: 7:00 am to 11:00 am - LFHS East Campus, Library Classroom, Room 100D
  • Tuesday, October 10, 2017: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm - LFHS West Campus, Seminar C
  • Wednesday October 11, 2017: 12 noon to 3:00 pm - DPM, Auditorium
Registration is online!
Use this link to register:    Empower Health Services 
Client Code: LForest115-67

Information needed to register: last 4 digits of SSN, date of birth, first and last name, gender, address, phone number and email address.  Email address is used for you to receive your confirmation and reminder email of your appointment.
  • Returning participants: Enter your Member Login information in the left box. (If you forgot your username and/or password, click forgot your login.)
  • New participants - create your account by entering client code: LForest115-67 in the New Program Registration box on the right.
Who can take advantage of this event: All Employees and their spouses that carry the district health insurance!
  1. No cost to all HMO and PPO employees and spouses who are insured through the District.
  2. Employees and spouses who are not enrolled on the District insurance plan, self pay $27.00 paid by cash or check at time of service.
Strengthening Partnerships with Families
Our  students represent a wonderful mixture of family compositions. Some students come from traditional family arrangements, some travel between two homes, some live with one parent, some live with grandparents, some have two dads, two moms, foster parents, step-parents, etc.  It's important that we develop positive relationships with a child's loved ones.  They are a critical link between home and school.  They are the drivers that will keep the momentum that you are building with that child going long after they no longer show up on your roster.

Here  are a few things to keep in mind when communicating with your student's parents when they reside separately. 
  • In 2015, the state of Illinois changed the language pertaining to parenting agreements. They eliminated terms such as "primary custody," "joint custody," "custodial parent," "non-custodial parent," and "visitation."
     
  • Legal documents are titled, Allocation Judgment: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Plan. Parenting Plans include information about educational decision making, including areas such as choice of school and involvement with school personnel and school activities.
     
  • Custody agreements prior to 2015 still use the old terms. Parents are not obligated to redo plans developed prior to new legislation.
     
  • Both parents of a student should have full access to all facets of their child's education, unless expressly prohibited or restricted in the parenting plan or other legal document (such as an order of protection).
     
  • The school operates on the premise that both parents have full and equal access for educational information. Divorced, separated, or estranged parents need to provide the school administrator with any documentation that indicates contrary to this.
     
  • All parents with full access to educational matters, should receive copies of student schedules, important notices, report cards, special events, assessment results, be listed in Power School, etc.  This may likely entail sending two copies of mailings or emails per student so that both parents receive the information.
     
  • Parent information should be disseminated at the same time to both parents/guardians.
     
  • Unless prohibited legally, both parents are welcome to attend their children's school activities, set up teacher conferences, volunteer, chaperone field trips, review their child's educational records (by following district request procedures) and contact teachers freely.
     
  • If you're not sure whether or not one of your student's parents is keeping in the loop, contact him/her to advertise your website, twitter, the district listserve/constant contact sign-up, etc.  These are great ways to engage parents, especially those who do not live in our immediate area.
Thank  you for all you do to support your students overall well-being.

"Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first."
Upcoming Committees and Meeting Dates 
Date
Meeting
Location
Time
10.2 Mon.
Gr. 5-8 Teachers College
DPM
8:00 - 3:30

K-4 CII
Buildings
2:00 - 3:00




10.3 Tues.
Gr. 5-8 Teachers College
DPM
8:00 - 3:30

Instruction Technology Coachs
the CUBE
8:30 - 10:00

Admin Teachers College Session
DPM
3:30 - 5:00

Evaluation Committee
AC - A
4:00 - 5:00




10.4 Weds.
Gr. 5-8 Teachers College
DPM
8:00 - 3:30

K-4 Math Specialsts
EV
8:30 - 10:00

EWC Parent - Unstressed Out
the CUBE
9:00 - 11:00

Mentor Program - 1st Years Preparing for Teachers Conferences
AC - B
11:30 - 3:00

Speech and Language Pathologists Group Meeting
AC - C
2:00 - 3:00

4x4
AC - Superintendent's Office
4:00 - 5:00

Science Committee
AC - C
4:00 - 5:00




10.5 Thurs.
DSS Transition Planning Training
DPM - Haskins
9:30 - 11:30

EWC Mentor Meeting
CH
4:00 - 5:15

Social Studies Committee
AC - B
4:00 - 5:00




10.6 Fri.
K-4 Reading Specialists
CH
8:00 - 10:00

New Psychologist Meeting
CH
8:00 - 9:00

School Psychologists Group Meeting
CH
9:00 - 10:30

6-8 Math Pullout
Haskins - C
12:00 - 3:30

EWC SH 1/2 Day Pullout
SH Conf. Room
12:00 - 3:00




10.10 Tues.
K-4 Related/Visual Arts
AC - B
8:00 - 3:00

K-4 Staff Meetings
Buildings
3:00 - 4:00




10.12 Thurs.
EWC CH 1/2 Day Pullout
CH Conf. Room
11:30 - 3:00




10.13 Fri.
EWC EV 1/2 Day Pullout
EV Conf. Room
12:00 - 3:00