May 5, 2023

 

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

SD 308’s Employee Newsletter 

To Submit Content to Friday Update: www.sd308.org/FridayUpdateSubmission

 

See Something, Say Something!

#SD308BetterTogether

Kendall County 2-1-1 is a free, confidential information and referral hotline. Get info on help with food, shelter, clothing, counseling, transportation, child care, health care, employment and much more. Help is available in 150+ languages. For Assistance: text (898211), call (888-865-9903), or visit the website: www.findhelp211.org.

A Message from Superintendent Dr. Sparlin

 

Hello SD 308 Family,

The sun is shining and the warmth of Spring is here. I hope that this weekend brings you time doing the things that make you happy. We’re in the final countdown to the school year, with summer just around the corner. 

 

Next week is a very special one across our district as we celebrate two amazing groups of people. It is Teacher Appreciation Week May 8 - 12 and also on May 10 we celebrate National School Nurse Day! As we all know, teachers are the foundation of our classrooms, instilling knowledge in our students as they prepare for the future. Teachers forever leave an imprint on the hearts and minds of those they educate. Please know how very valued you are! Our nurses are an important part of our schools, taking care of the health and wellness needs of our students each day. Our nurses help with small scrapes and life-saving actions, and we couldn’t operate without them. Thank you to each and every one of you!  You can send an e-message to show appreciation for a teacher or nurse, which will be sent to them next week. 

If you have not already completed it, please take a few minutes to fill out our staff survey. This survey provides our Board and leadership team with feedback from our staff, so that the allocation of time and resources towards improving climate and culture will be relevant. Your voice matters, and the survey won’t take much time, please participate prior to May 10th. 

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!                 

 

Thank you

 

 

SD 308 Gives

Are you looking for an opportunity to give back to your community…..

AND spend some time outside of work with your co-workers? 

 

“SD 308 Gives” is a new program being offered by the district providing service-based opportunities once a season for ALL staff to contribute their time and talents while building friendships serving various organizations and projects in and around our community. The demonstration of support and service to  our community is an important endeavor, one that sets a good example for the students we educate, inspires others to join, and elevates all for a greater good. Click here for more information on the SD 308 Gives program and to enroll! There is no cost to participate, and you can choose to participate as often as you’d like. T-shirts will be provided to those who sign up to serve and individuals are encouraged to wear the shirts to the service events.. Questions? You can email communications@sd308.org. 

 

We have 3 Spring service opportunities available

• MAY10

• 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

• Spring Service Opportunity: Kendall County Community Food Pantry

• MAY13

• 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM

• Spring Service Opportunity: Loaves and Fishes

• MAY18

• 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

• Spring Service Opportunity: Northern IL Food Bank Mobile Pantry

 

Recent District News

May 5 - Oswego Community Unit School District 308 and the Board of Education Honors Retirees and Multi-Year Celebrants with the District

April 25 - April PRIDE Winners

 

As Seen on SD 308 FB:

• May 4 - Homestead hosts First Annual Family Night for STARS

• May 3 - May is Mental Health Awareness Month

• May 3 - Retirement/Honoree Dinner - Highlight Video

• May 3 - Food Pantry - THIS FRIDAY

• May 2 - Minooka Police training at Old Traughber

• May 1 - May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

 

• Do you have a News Story you would like to share with the Community? Exciting Wins? Interesting Stories? Fun Photos?......simply email stories@sd308.org. We will be happy to prepare the article and share it! 

 

Staff Info

Superintendent Search: As a reminder, you can follow along with the search process and ask questions on the Superintendent Search page. 

 

Our SD 308 Teachers are AMAZING!  They do an incredible job daily to teach, encourage, instruct, mentor, praise, influence, guide, and inspire. The National Education Association celebrates the first FULL week of May as National Teacher Appreciation Week. It is a week to make sure each and every educator knows just how appreciated they are.  If  you would like to send an amazing teacher in your building a note from you during National Teacher Appreciation Week — be sure to CLICK HERE and send them a PASS IT ON! (May 8 -12).

 

Please help us recognize our nurses!!! Wednesday, May 10, 2023, is National School Nurse Day! We honor all school nurse leaders bridging healthcare and education, providing care coordination, advocating for quality student-centered care, and collaborating to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential! If you would like to send a note of appreciation to your building nurse, CLICK HERE.

 

Prairiefest Parade - Sunday, June 18th (Starts at 1:00/Lineup at 12:15)

SD 308 will be participating in Oswego’s PrairieFest Parade - “Summer Starts Here”. We are asking for one staff volunteer from each school to please participate. Please CLICK HERE to sign up. For those walking, a free t-shirt will be provided and will be available to pick up at the SD 308 Communications Department, 1008 Douglas Road (behind Dominos Pizza) Monday - Thursday the week of June 12 from 9 - 4pm. Contact ckrachtus@sd308.org with any questions.

 

Author-Employee Celebrates New Novel Release: Michael Leali, OHS teacher and Secondary Literacy Equity Ambassador’s second middle grade novel, Matteo, comes out May 23. Matteo is a contemporary retelling of Pinocchio about a young boy trying to be "enough" for his friends, family, and community. It's perfect for readers ages 8 and up. Read more about Matteo here!

Michael is having a launch party for Matteo at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville on Friday, May 26 at 7pm and invites the entire SD308 family to attend. This is a ticketed event, but does include a hardcover copy of Matteo. Tickets can be purchased here.

 

Pass It On / Share A Smile Programs

PassItOn! ….. SD 308’s internal program for staff to send other staff “shout outs” and recognize each other!

• Please consider sending a PassItOn! to a fellow staff member today!

 

District & Community Info

Retirement & Honorees Celebrated - On Thursday, April 27, the district proudly recognized 38 employees who have or will be retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Also recognized were 23 individuals celebrating 25 years of service, two (2) individuals celebrating 30 years of service, two (2) individuals celebrating 35 years of service, and one (1) individual celebrating 40 years of service for a total combined 1,451 years of dedication and service to the students of the district. Click Here to read the full story. Click Here to watch a video from the event.

 

Summer Connections - Summer Connections is a FREE program for SD 308 students finishing grades K-7, paid through grant funding. (For more information regarding Summer Connections, view this website.) Transportation is provided to those who need it. Summer Connections IS NOT an enrichment program. It is meant for remediation and to fill skill gaps from this year. The program runs from June 5-29 (no school 6/19), Monday-Thursday, 8:45-11:45 and is held at the following locations: Hunt Club (monolingual and Dual Language), Long Beach, and Wolf’s Crossing). Students are asked to commit to attending the entire four-week program.

• (ENGLISH) Registration Link

• (SPANISH) Registration Link

 

FROM THE SCHOOLS

Creations by Pathways End of the Year Clearance Sale Craft Show, May 11, 3-6 pm  Everything 50% off. Click Here for Flyer

 

Running of the Wolves  5K Run/Walk and Mini Muffin Mile- The Wheatlands Elementary School invite

 

Registration is Open for Youth Summer Camps! View the offerings and register online.
OHS:  www.OHSSportsCamps.com OEHS: www.WolvesSportsCamps.com. 

 

From Human Resources

Wondr HEALTH  - Wondr more, stress less (and lose weight) Learn more at wondrhealth.  Apply between 5/1/2023 – 5/14/2023. Program class begins 5/29/2023. When our head isn’t in the right place, our body feels it – and vice versa. 

 

Did you know RUSH Copley Medical Center is recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity by U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year.  When you use RUSH HEALTH CARE you can get all of your out of pocket expenses reimbursed (excluding ER svcs). You must be enrolled in the PPO plan to participate. To find a RUSH doctor that’s just right for you click here. For more information please visit the district’s website or click here for FAQs. 

 

HELP WANTED

SD 308 is HIRING! We still have a number of openings, we appreciate your help in sharing this link:  www.sd308.org/jobs.

 

 

Employee “Perks”

T-Mobile Work Perks Discount - please click here for information

 

American College of Education - Educators are always near and dear to the hearts of the American College of Education. As a “thank you” for consistently showing up, providing empathy and kindness, modeling what a leader in today’s world should look like, they are giving away five $100 Amazon gift cards during Teacher Appreciation Week. Click Here to enter for a chance to win!

 

Alumni Information

Please visit Alumni Network to join today! This fall there will be opportunities for Alumni to participate in district events in a special way! Share the info with your former classmates.

 

OHS Athletics & Alumni Golf Outing - The 30th Annual Oswego Panther Athletic/Alumni golf outing is scheduled for Friday, June 9, 2023. In the ongoing spirit of “Once a Panther, Always a Panther,” it is the wish to continue the long and storied tradition to shine through and make this outing a celebration to reinvigorate our parents, community members, and allow our alumni to reconnect. CLICK HERE for more information.

 

Reference Information

• Questions related to HR: Please call ext. 4684.

• 2022-23 Office Staff List/School Directory… click here. Full staff directory, click here.

• Do you have Great News? Exciting Wins? Interesting Stories? Fun Photos?......simply email stories@sd308.org

• Pass It On!… click here to send a shout out or positive message to any SD 308 staff member! 

• Facebook/Instagram... follow us at Community Unit School District 308/@cusd308

• Calling All SD 308 Alumni! Click here to be taken to the SD 308 Alumni page.

• Do you need help creating digital media or websites? Book a meeting with the District Webmaster.

• Next BOE Meeting: Monday, May 8, 2023, at 7:15pm

  • BOE Meeting Summary: April 4, 2023

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Empowering Students: Engaging, Supporting, Succeeding!

Submit Info to the Friday Update: Friday Update 2022-23 Submission Form