Mobley’s Monday Message 4-29-19

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” ~Frederick Douglass

Hard to believe in just a few days it will be May, and we have probably had all four seasons hit us in the last week. This last full month of school definitely has the students EXTRA excited, as they start to think summer is right around the corner. Be sure to definitely find time for self-care, and take time to breathe in order to enjoy the weeks ahead!

May 1^st Happenings in Our District

May 1^st signals not just the start of a new month, but according to our contract all members will be given notice of their teaching assignments for the forthcoming year no later than this date. If this is not the case, be sure to talk to your SEA building representative.

Also, May 1^st will is our final staff in-service day. If you haven’t thought about what your plans are for lunch that day, consider ordering Lou Malnati’s to support the District 54 Education Foundation. Maybe it will be your dinner pick-up on the way home like I am hoping to do! Attached is the flyer.

Building Trauma-Informed Systems Training

Last week, SEA sent a team of teachers to attend another three-day ‘Building Trauma Informed Systems’ training presented by the IEA. Joining the SEA team was Superintendent DuRoss, Dr. Knoll, and Dr. Goldberg for two of those three days. The SEA looks forward to partnering with District 54 to ensure our schools are trauma-sensitive schools in which all of our students are provided with caring relationships and positive experiences to cultivate the resilience necessary to move forward in despite any adverse childhood experiences.

We now have 60-70 members who have attended this training over the past two years, and SEA hopes to continue to provide opportunities to send more of our educators. One of the #1 takeaways we hear attendees share is the mind-shift that takes place and makes us think not “What is wrong with child?” but “What has happened to this child?”

Last Day of School

As Superintendent DuRoss shared, the last day of student attendance on June 6^th will be a half-day of school for the students. The remainder of the day will be considered the first half of what has been referred to as our “Record’s Day”. Friday, June 7^th, will now be only a half-day of staff attendance and is considered the second half of “Record’s Day”. According to our contract, the purpose of this day will be completing required students related reports and teacher-directed activities. Please note the revised time of the report card grade posting timeline as well. I was able to get the time changed on June 6^th from 3 PM to 10:45 AM to reflect the half-day schedule.

Volunteering at the Community Closet at Addams

The SEA has one remaining volunteer opportunity at Jane Addams Jr. High’s Community Closet. If you would like to join us on Tuesday, May 14^th, click here to let us know your availability.

Here are some fun ways to celebrate this week:

April 29^th: National Peace Rose Day (it’s quite beautiful…I had to look it up too!)

April 30^th: National Honesty Day

May 1^st: School Principal’s Day

May 2^nd: World Password Day (is it time to update your passwords?)

May 3^rd: National Two Different Colored Shoes Day (go for it…you have a reason to!)

Important Dates in May:

May 1^st: Half-Day In-Service

May 6^th: SEA Executive Team Meeting 3:30-5:00 PM in the Board Room

May 6^th-10^th: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 14^th: Volunteer at the Community Closet at Addams Jr. High 6-8 PM Click here to volunteer with the SEA.

May 20^th: SEA Building Representative Meeting 3:30-5:00 PM in the Board Room; current reps and newly elected reps are invited to attend