SD 308’s Employee Newsletter 

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

 

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#SD308BetterTogether

A Quick Message from Superintendent Dr. Sparlin

Hello SD 308 Family,

Happy Friday! Next week is the start of March and soon the signs of Spring will arrive! 

 

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” -Randy Pausch

 

In today’s message I would like to bring your attention to the power of gratitude. Research shows that both expressing thankfulness and receiving it generates feelings of happiness. What a simple way to bring about a positive environment for yourself and those around you. It's always exciting to open a card and read the kind things someone took time to write to you, and about you. Keeping a card of gratitude nearby can bring you inspiration and a smile even weeks and months after its arrival.

 

Did you know we have a simple program that helps you with expressing gratitude across our district family? Pass It On is a program that was started five years ago for staff as an easy way to send a card to spread gratitude, smiles, and kindness. When an online Pass It On form is filled out, it is printed on colorful paper with many smiley faces, and sent via inner-office mail. So far, we’ve had approximately 550 total cards sent from and to staff this school year. My challenge to us as a district family is to double that number in the next 30 days. Wouldn’t it be great if each of us had a small collection of these inspirational cards to reference when we need a smile? Remember when we all do a little, it adds up to a lot! Please take a few moments to send a colleague a Pass It On card, kindness truly is contagious. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend, know that I am so grateful for all you do, and I am so glad you’re here! 

 

This is our final week of our series on Black Americans whose stories you may or may not know. While February comes to a close, we should remain committed to learning more about those who break boundaries, overcome adversity, and pave paths for future generations. 

 

Get to know…

 

Victor Glover

Out of more than 300 NASA astronauts who have been sent to space, only 14 have been Black Americans. Victor Glover is the first Black astronaut to live and work on the International Space Station for an extended period. Before becoming an astronaut, Mr. Glover was a commander and test pilot in the United States Navy and received his bachelor’s degree in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University. Mr. Glover attributes his success in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to his fifth-grade science teacher who suggested engineering to him.

 

Monique Rodriguez

Monique Rodriguez is the founder of haircare brand Mielle Organics, which she started with her husband in 2014. She created her products to strengthen hair, enhance curl definition, cleanse and moisturize. In 2021, Monique became the first Black woman to raise a non-controlling nine-figure investment in a deal with Berkshire Partners. Earlier this year, her brand was acquired by Procter & Gamble, in a historic partnership that will allow both Monique and her husband Melvin Rodriguez to stay on as CEO and COO of the brand, respectively.

 

Ibtihaj Muhammad

Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad made history as the first American woman to wear a hijab during an Olympic game. The world champion and 5-time senior world medalist has released two books, including the best-selling children's book, The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, as well as the memoir PROUD: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream.

 

Misty Copeland

Starting her ballet career at 13, Misty Copeland joined the American Ballet Theater studio company in 2000, and the following year, joined ABT as a member of corps de ballet. After continuous work with American Ballet Theater, she became the company's second African American female soloist. In 2015, she became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the company’s almost century-long history.

 

Recent District News

 

February 13 - Traughber Student Performs at 19th Annual Lifetime of Music Concert

February 17 - Oswego High School Students Earn 2023 Scholastic Writing Awards

February 23 - Oswego East Students Winners of Lemelson MIT InvenTeam Competition

 

• • 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

 

Congratulations to the February 2023 PRIDE winners! PRIDE stands for Proudly Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence and was established in 2015 to celebrate the many contributions made by teachers and employees around  the district. 

TEACHERS:Alli Anderson, TOSA, DAC; Erin Gleason, TOSA, DAC; Dominique Rquibi, TOSA, DAC; and Raggin Sondgeroth, TOSA, DAC.

 

EMPLOYEES: Mike Bailey, Maintenance Department, Mechanic, and Dan Long, Boulder Hill Elementary School, Building Engineer.

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• • These individuals will receive recognition at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, February 27th at 7:15. Thank you to Allied First Bank, Chick-fil-A, Huntington Learning Center, and Culver's for sponsoring this program.

 

NOMINATE a teacher or employee for the District’s PRIDE program by completing the online nomination form at: www.sd308.org/PRIDENomination.

 

Retirement and Multi-Year Honorees Announced: For complete listing of individuals, CLICK HERE, to RSVP to attend the April 27th celebration dinner, CLICK HERE.

 

Donated 3” Binders - We have access to over 100, 3” inch binders (click here for image), and a number of two pocket folders that were printed by a local vendor and no longer needed. We originally thought they were 1” binders. Please contact communications@sd308.org if you’d like some sent to you.

 

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

 

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!

• Share A Smile ….. SD 308’s program for non-staff members (i.e., students, parents, community members) to send “shout out” emails to SD 308 staff members.

  • Last week, the following individuals received Pass It Ons and/or ShareASmiles:

    • Julie Brummel, Mahia Patel, Dominique Acuff, Darcy Tellone, Kristina williams, Andrew Mundsinger, Stacey Baker, Mary Lepe, Kimberly Wyss, Sueann Pierski, Morgan McWethy, Hailey Mikulan, Denise Ebner, Kerri Boone, Joan Mundsinger, Angela Robinson, Chris Ferko, Kristen Paauwe, Josh Johnson, Sandy Battaglia, Carolyn Cormaci, Mr. Gentzler, Dan Tomasetti, Renee Hardy, Zenaida Lopez

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

 

Community Info and Events

 

School Board Candidate Forums: Board of Education elections will be held April 4, 2023. Several area organizations have organized forums (online and in person) to meet the candidates and ask questions. CLICK HERE to see the current listing. The district is keeping a list of these meetings for parents, staff and community members interested in learning more about the candidates.If you have an event to add to the list, please email Theresa Komitas (tkomitas@sd308.org).

 

Gear It Forward 2338: Interested in Robotics? Gear It Forward 2338 will be holding a WOW (Week Zero Warm-Up) Community First Robotics Event on Saturday, February 25th at Bednarcik Junior High School from 11am-5pm. This event is FREE and open to everyone!

 

Youth Engagement in Philanthropy: High school students in the greater Aurora, Tri Cities and Kendall County areas are invited to join a diverse group of students to learn about their community, award grants to nonprofits, and plan service projects. For more information, CLICK HERE. Membership application will be open until April 15, 2023.

 

Free Teen Support Group Series - In partnership with Graceful Therapy, NAMI KDK is proud to offer a peer support group free of charge for teens to explore mental health awareness and concerns. Co-led by a NAMI peer leader and Graceful Therapy Clinician, this series includes weekly sessions over a 6-week timeframe at Graceful Therapy Oswego. We hope to provide a safe space to learn about mental health and support each other in their circumstances. Beginning February 27, learn more here.

 

PROM Dress Giveaway -  Saturday, March 18 (9-4pm) at the Batavia Public Library. Hundreds of FREE Dresses will be available and FREE for any student from any district regardless of need. Donations are needed and can be dropped off at the BPL, 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia until March 18. Click Here for more information

 

Kendall County 2-1-1 - 211 is a new, 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.

 

FROM THE SCHOOLS

 

**NEW DATE** Wir machen eine Teilete ~ A Swiss Style Potluck.  All are welcome!!!! Friday April 21st, 5:30-7:30 PM at Oswego East High School (Community Room/above Main Entrance)  All participants MUST register through this form before April 1, 2023.  All participants MUST bring a Swiss, German, or Austrian dish that will serve 30+ to share!  Children 0-5 do NOT need to bring a dish to pass.  Please be economical and environmentally friendly.  There MUST be a recipe card/handout available so that participants can be aware of allergens and follow their religious guidelines. CLICK HERE for flyer.

 

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.

 

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.

• BOE Meeting: Monday, Feb. 27,  2023, at 7:15pm, Oswego East High School 

  • Click Here for BOE Summary (02.06.23)

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Together, we empower, support, and motivate all students to thrive along their unique educational journey!

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