SD 308’s Employee Newsletter 

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A Quick Message from Superintendent Dr. Sparlin

Hello SD 308 Family,

February 1st marked the start of Black History Month. This important time set aside each year is an opportunity for us to acknowledge struggle, celebrate successes, and inspire the future of our nation. Black history is American history. This year, our district has worked on a webpage that includes information on events, activities, and ways that we can all participate in Black History Month. I hope that during this month, you will set aside time to engage in meaningful conversations that help us all to stay connected, not looking past the struggles both historical and present, but rather seeking a tomorrow we can all be proud of. The inspirational stories of Black Americans reach back decades, also joining them today are stories of people who have overcome adversity, broken through barriers, and excelled in their own ways. Black History Month is about now, the ways we can bring hope, voice, and opportunity to all.  Each week during this month, we hope to highlight the stories of Black Americans, some who are widely known, and others whose stories you may be hearing for the first time. Thank you for joining us in celebrating, remembering, empowering, and inspiring future generations during Black History month and all throughout the year. 

• John

 

Get to know…

 

Chef Shunquita “Que”

We can all be inspired to follow our dreams by people like Chef Shunquita “Que” who worked as a U.S. Navy Chief Logistics Specialist and counselor before turning her sights to cooking. She established herself as a chef and launched many businesses, including her own catering company called, Creole Soul. Chef Que’s motto is: “Some of life’s heaviest problems can be solved over a warm blanket, a good pot of gumbo and heartfelt conversation.”

Mae Jemison

Another influencer of our time is Mae Jemison, a doctor, engineer, and NASA astronaut. In 1992, Jemison became the first African American woman to travel into space as a science mission specialist. She founded The Earth We Share, an international science camp for students based on her travels into space. 

 

Mellody Hobson

Successful American businesswoman Mellody Hobson currently serves as the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments and the chairwoman of the Starbucks Corporation. She received honorary degrees from Howard University, John Hopkins University, St. Mary’s College, and the University of Southern California. She was named one of the “100 most influential people” in the world in 2015 by Times Magazine. 

 

Shonda Rhimes 

Best known for her hit TV show creations, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes is an American producer, screenplay writer, and author. In 2017, Rhimes was inducted into the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. She is also the creator of Shondaland, a storytelling digital media company that often works in collaboration with Netflix to produce content.

 

Staff Info

 

Cintas presents the 10th annual “Custodian of the Year” contest. Nominate your favorite custodian for a chance to win national recognition, a $10,000 check and $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services for their school.

The winner’s school will also receive a facility assessment and consulting package from ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, valued at $30,000 and enrollment in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Fundamentals Online Course. The nine finalists who round out the Top 10 will receive $1,000 each on behalf of Cintas, a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. New this year, the Top 3 finalists will also receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to the ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas in November where they’ll be celebrated for their accomplishments. Nominations are due on Friday, Feb. 17 and must include years of service and a short bio of the custodian on why the nominee is deserving of the award (500 words or less).

Nominations submitted online: www.custodianoftheyear.com

 

Reminder…With the temps outside being cold, bugs and rodents are looking for a warm place with a food source.  If you have food in your classroom/offices please be sure you are storing it in an airtight container to prevent pests from having snack time in your room or office. Here’s some additional information to help prevent pests!

 

American Heart Association- Our schools are off to a great start with their Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge Programs so far this year! We can’t wait to share the results with you on how many SD 308 students are challenging themselves to be healthier, learning hands only CPR, how to spot the signs of a stroke, and how much we have raised to help further the mission and message of the AHA! Here’s a video about hands only CPR that you can use to learn this life saving skill.

 

BPAC Hosts: Meet The School Board Candidates - Thursday, March 3 (6:30-8pm) at Oswego East High School, Community Room. The BPAC is a group of bilingual parents with students in the English learner (EL) programs. An interpreter & childcare will be available. Click here for more details.

 

Best Buddies is a program to empower the special abilities of people with IDD (Intellectual or Developmental Disability) by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.  The Best Buddies Club at OHS is selling spirit wear.  Please join us by supporting this organization at Oswego High School.  We would love to see you wearing Best Buddies gear around SD 308!

 

Illinois 5essentials Survey: Students, teachers, and parents across Illinois now have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of a school. For parents, this opportunity allows them to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about their child’s school. If at least 20 percent of parents at each school complete this survey, a parent supplement report will be generated.

To take the survey visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Note: you must choose Kendall County in order to locate all SD 308 schools. Please complete the survey between now and March 31.

 

Aurora Public Art will display artists Donnell Collins, Perry Slade, and Dr. Charles Smith from February 3rd to March 18th! Aurora Public Art takes place on the 3rd Floor Gallery, 20 E. Downers Pl, Aurora, IL. Events and Gallery Admission are free and open to the public!

 

Food Pantry @ Resurrection Church - Resurrection Church located at 4054 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora, Illinois, has recently opened a food pantry which will be open on the first Sunday of each month from 12:30 to 3:00pm: Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7, Jun 4. They are able to assist those in the neighboring communities who are experiencing food insecurity and do not have any income or geographic requirements - ALL those in need are welcome. 

 

Concordia University Chicago - Master’s, Doctoral & Endorsement Programs: Please click here to view a full list of programs offered by Concordia. They are currently enrolling for March and May.

 

American College of Education - bringing low-cost, high-quality online programs to staff and teachers! Take advantage of a 3% tuition reduction when continuing your education at ACE (click here for flyer). 

 

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

 

PushCoin Payment Plan Update: PushCoin has been updated to now allow families to set up their own payment plans through an automatic payment EFT each month. This means families no longer need to fill out paper forms and wait for notification of approval. To learn more about the process, click here.

 

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

W2s for Tax Year 2022 are Ready! Click Here to be taken to the Intranet then log into the Employee Access portal. Contact payroll for questions/ assistance. 

 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY! Emergency Contact Information - Please be sure to update your emergency contact information in the Employee Access Portal. 

 

Questions related to HR: Please call ext. 4684.

 

ENVISION 308

 

The mid-year update on Envision 308, our district’s strategic plan, is now posted on the dashboard online. Please review the progress on our important goals. 

 

PRIDE (Proudly Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence)

 

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

 

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.

Huntington Learning Center - WANTED: Part-Time Teachers: Teacher certification not required to teach SAT/ACT prep. Contact Kim Velazquez, Center Director, at 630.551.4145 or oswegoIL@HLCMail.com for more information. Click Here for Flyer.

 

Reference Information

• 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. 6,  2023, at 7:15pm, Oswego East High School. 

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Empowering Students: Engaging, Supporting, Succeeding!

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