Win The Day! Newsletter
Inspire to Dream ~ Empower to Achieve
Staff Newsletter April 15, 2024
Important Dates
April 15 - Illinois Science Assessment day 1 (8th grade only)
April 16 - BOE Meeting @ Hillcrest
April 16 - Illinois Science Assessment day 2 (8th grade only)
April 17 - Illinois Science Assessment day 3 (8th grade only)
April 24 - D117 Art Festival @ LCHS | 6:30-8:30
May 4th - D34 Art Crawl
Wednesday PD Time
Wednesday PD time - 1:55 - 3:20
Agenda
4/17/2024
1:55 - 3:20
Strategic Plan Item: C&I Action Item Check-In
Apple Learning Technology Survey (LTS)
Reminders
Going Outside
- Notify the office
- Friday Success Class is the only time students should be outside during Success Class
- If you are taking your content class outside, the time spent outside should be curriculum driven
- Students that have failing grades should stay inside to catch up on work
- Create common expectations at each grade level
- Staff should be spread out and activity monitoring the students
- Keep students away from the road and parking lot
- Keep students away from windows since classes are going on in the building
- Students should not be near the bus parking lot
Win the Day! Highlights
Track and Field
The AUGS 8th Grade Boys Track and Field team took 1st place at the annual Ross Gantt Invitational over the weekend.
Scholastic Bowl
Congratulations to the AUGS Scholastic Bowl team for taking second in conference tournament. Good luck at the IESA Regionals.
D117 Art Festival
The D117 Art Festival is April 24th at LCHS starting at 6:30pm. Show your support for the the participating 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and staff.
District Updates
Curriculum and Instruction
Spring Showcase Feedback Survey
If you haven't already, we would like staff feedback on Spring Showcase. Also, staff can share the link with families as well. The information collected will help with planning for 2024-2025.
23-24 Spring Showcase Feedback Survey
Wednesday Professional Development from this Week
Sharing the GVC presentation from this week as there were several links for staff to consider reviewing and submitting interest in summer paid working opportunities.
April 10 2024 | Essential Standards Check-In
Sign-Up for Summer GVC Work
Can you join us this June or July? Consider meeting with your peers to continue GVC work.
Sign-Up for 24-25 Train-the-Trainer/Lead Teacher
Looking to be involved in a leadership role in the district? Have a passion for a topic? Consider submitting interest in being a lead teacher in the district.
2024-2025 Lead Teacher Sign-Up
MTSS Problem Solving
As Individual Problem Solving Team (IPST) meetings are taking place to check on students' progress before the end of the school year, teams should be using the framework of problem solving called ICELand RIOT. Both are acronyms, read to learn/review:
https://www.interventioncentral.org/sites/default/files/rti_riot_icel_data_collection.pdf
Human Resources
Interested in working towards your special education certification? ISU offers a program for you! Firstly, our LBS I graduate certificate program is designed for general education teachers who already have PELs to earn their LBS I endorsement. This 15-credit hour, fully online program can be completed in one year and is great for current teachers interested in gaining more skills and knowledge in working with all types of students in their classrooms or transitioning into a full special education role. Secondly, our PULSE program is designed to help special education paraprofessionals with at least 2 years of classroom experience earn their PEL with an LBS I endorsement. This fully online program is streamlined to specifically meet the educational needs of experienced paraprofessionals, who retain their paraprofessional jobs throughout the two-year program.
Technology
Damaged Computers
The Technology Department understands that accidents happen. We just ask that anyone that accidentally breaks or has technology that is not working, please report it via a trouble ticket as soon as possible. If a staff member is a PC user, that staff member will receive a working PC as a replacement. The same is true regarding staff with Macbooks.
Printshop Directions
Please click this link to access Print Shop. You can also access the Print Shop link through Classlink.
The system should work in all browsers.
When prompted to log in, use your d34 email "without the @antioch34.com" & email password (This is the longer, more complex password). This password can't be reset so please try to remember to use this more complex password.
If you need to enter your account info, it is your complete email address.
Click past the warnings that it is unsafe (it is safe).
If you only need a few copies (less than 5), please print in your building.
Remember to “Check Out” when you finish adding all your print requests.
If you need other directions for creating PDFs, please click this link for directions on our Technology Webpage.
WiFi Information
Just a reminder regarding our WiFi names and what should be connected to them.
Antioch 34 iPads - All iPads (Staff and Students) and Apple TVs (Promethean Boards and Small Office TVs will be moved over to this soon)
Antioch 34 Computers - All Computers that are attached to WiFi. This includes all desktops that have WiFi capabilities.
Antioch34 34 TV - Nothing (We are deleting this option soon)
Antioch 34 Tech - Nothing (We are deleting this option soon)
Antioch 34 Staff - Staff personal devices. Please remember to use your email (without the @antioch34.com) as your username and your more difficult password as the password (not the password you most likely use to log into your computer with)
Antioch 34 - Nothing (We will be using this option for preparing new devices as we get new staff or new students)
Antioch 34 Transportation - Nothing (We are deleting this option soon).
BYOD - All outside presenters will be given this password to be able to connect to our WiFi network.
Student Services
Co-Teaching Corner
Collaborative Teaching Module 1 – Principles of Collaboration
Collaboration refers to working with another adult, such as a co-teacher, paraprofessional, or colleague, to support the inclusion of all students in the general educational setting. It involves a shared commitment to understanding, respecting, and meeting the diverse needs of all students.
By embracing the principles of collaboration, teachers can enhance their effectiveness in working with collaborative partners and ultimately improve outcomes for students. This requires a commitment to building positive, trusting relationships and a willingness to collaborate in a spirit of mutual respect and shared responsibility.
Are you interested in learning more about co-teaching? Talk with your principals to learn more about the co-teaching occurring in your school or about training opportunities.
Reminder about bus loading procedures for students who need assistance
Students who require assistance to get on or off a school bus safely must be assisted by an adult to ensure they are in a seat and, if needed, secured in a safety seat or seat belt.
Arrival At School: School staff will assist students when they arrive at school.
Leaving School (end of the school day): School staff will assist students when they leave school.
Dropping Off At Home: Parents/Guardians are responsible for assisting their student when the bus arrives at home to drop off the student.
Picking Up from Home: Parents/Guardians are responsible for assisting their student when the bus arrives at home to pick up the student.
To ensure the safety of everyone on the bus, it is critical that the bus driver not leave the driver’s seat to assist with students getting on or off the school bus.
Human Resources
Join Us at an Upcoming Job Fair
We are looking for alumni to accompany Vasiliki and Amy at the Spring Job Fairs. We invite you to join us to meet and select new talent at your alma mater. Please reach out to Amy if you are interested in attending with us!
Illinois State University: March 7, 2024: 11:00-1:00
Business Office
Health Insurance Corner
Open Enrollment Presentation
Gallagher will be hosting an informational presentation on Wednesday, May 8th. The optional virtual session will be from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. Please plan on joining the session, the link to be sent shared soon.
OPEN ENROLLMENT COMING MAY 20-31st! Open enrollment will close on May 31st at 3PM CST!
Open enrollment is quickly approaching. When choosing a medical insurance plan, you may want to look at some different options. Just because one looks like the best policy, it doesn’t mean that it is the best one for you. If you are not meeting your deductible on your plan now, you may want to consider moving to a plan with a higher deductible and paying less for your insurance. More information to come. If you have questions regarding plans or options please reach out to Cheryl Masnova at 847-838-8423 /cmasnova@antioch34.com
Blue 365 Discount programs are available for all HMO and PPO members.
With this program, you can save money on healthcare products and services that are not covered by
insurance. There are no claims to file and no referrals or pre-authorizations. Blue365 has a range of deals
from top national and local retailers on dental, vision and hearing services, fitness gear, gym memberships, healthy eating options and much more.
Sign up on the Blue365 website at blue365deals.com/BCBSIL and start receiving weekly “Featured
Deals.” These deals offer savings from leading health companies and online retailers. Featured Deals are
offered for a short period of time. In addition, there are quite a few more Blue365 deals available to you.
Did you Know…
We have resources available on the employee portal. Here are a few links that may be helpful and save you money.
HMO and Away From Home Care® Great for those with kids away at school!
Setup Your BAM Account! You can have everything in one place.
Check the status of a claim and your claims history
Confirm the family members who are covered under your plan
View and print an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement for a claim Select an option to stop receiving EOBs by mail
Set your preferences to receive notifications for claims status and wellness updates through emails or text alerts.
Locate a doctor or hospital in the network
Request a new or replacement member ID card or print a temporary member ID card
Join My Blue Community®, a social network for BAM members
You are welcome to reach out to payroll if you have any questions or need assistance completing the form. But, we cannot offer advice on deductions.
You do not need to fill out an updated form unless you are newly hired or you are looking to change your deduction amount. Please note that we enter the data as you enter on the form. The tables and calculations are downloaded from the IRS’s Circular E.
Hourly Staff 18 or 24 Payroll Option
Please submit what payroll option you will be electing for the 2024-25 school year. The deadline is Friday, May 31st. If you do not make an election it will default to 18 payrolls. This does not rollover. A separate email will sent out on May 1
Communications
District-Approved Letterheads
Please use this LINK for directions on accessing District-approved letterheads. These are the official letterheads for the District and D34 schools and should be used in any official communication from school; do not alter or create your own letterhead.
D34 STAFF SHOUT OUT!
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating D34 staff members and the measures they take to care for our students each and every day.
If there is a D34 staff member that you would like to recognize (teacher, bus driver, social worker, custodian, secretary, nurse, paraprofessional, administrator, etc.), please let us know! We will be celebrating these individuals and recognitions on our social media channels.
Our staff does such an awesome job each and every day and your support and words of encouragement matter! Thank you for taking the time to recognize those who are making a difference.
Give a Shout Out HERE
Resources
Antioch Upper Grade School Warriors
Website: www.antioch34.com/augs
Location: 800 Highview Drive, Antioch, IL, USA
Phone: 847-838-8301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntiochUpperGradeSchool