Cooperative Corner
August 2024
SASED has 18 member districts in our cooperative ranging from as far North as Keeneyville, as far East as Elmhurst, as far South as Burr Ridge, and as far West as West Chicago. Out of these 18 member districts, SASED rents over 50 classroom and office spaces throughout our Cooperative area. SASED also owns one building- Southeast School, located in Naperville.
I am proud to share that three of our new Strategic Framework Committees have already met-Recruitment and Retention, Culture Improvement, and Policy and Procedures.
Our Retention and Recruitment Committee focused much conversation on finding innovative ways to attract new staff. As such, we developed some survey questions for you to complete later in this newsletter to ensure we are targeting all potential avenues. We also identified the need to better “brand” our organization in order to attract more candidates. Many folks do not know what “SASED” is and as we expand our branding, it’s hoped more people will be attracted to join our team.
The Culture Committee met and began to unpack the 2023-2024 Staff Satisfaction Survey to help identify priorities and ideas. However, the small sample size of staff completing the survey last year made it difficult to draw solid conclusions regarding our needs. Therefore, the culture committee also developed a few survey questions in order to help gain a better understanding of our cultural needs.
Lastly, our Policy and Procedure Committee began to unpack the many policies and procedures we either have, have multiple versions of, or need. The goal of this committee is to ensure we have all necessary and consistent policies and procedures in one new and shared repository. We are focusing first on our employee handbook and student handbook.
Lastly, a Communication Plan has been developed. You can find it here. Much of this plan was shared on our Institute Day. You will note this is a fluid plan and will change based on the needs of our organization.
Our Board of Directors met on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Of much importance is the fact that this was our first Board of Directors Meeting that was taped. You can find the posting of this recording on our website on the Board of Directors tab*. It will be posted the Friday after every Board of Directors Meeting. A summary of this month’s Board Meeting includes:
- The Board and Dr. Dryier are working to further define the terms of the lease agreements for classroom and office space for our satellite classrooms. It is hoped to have this finalized at the October Board Meeting.
Additional ½ SIP days were approved for Southeast and our Medical Needs Program and Transition Program. All three programs now have a scheduled ½ SIP day every month. Southeast has two ½ SIP days scheduled each month during the first semester. You can see the schedules here.
Our program enrollment is holding between 380-390 students. This is similar to last year’s student enrollment.
The HR report identified 23.10 current openings in our staff, 10.5 or these positions being program or 1:1 aides. Additionally, 14 new staff and close to 60 contractual staff were approved-most of which have already started in our programs.
Dr. VanderWoude shared a summary of our student’s academic progress from last school year. You can find her report here.
The Board of Directors will be forming a Facilities Committee. The focus of this committee will be to investigate and recommend a facilities plan with the intent of implementation starting school year 2025-2026. This is an exciting time for SASED. Staff, students, and guardian input will be sought throughout this process. Stay tuned.
*If you are viewing the video taped recording, please note the first part of the meeting suffered some unfortunate issues. This was NOT intentional. If you have questions about missed information in the muffled video, please contact either Kim Dryier, Lizzy VanderWoude, or your present Association Representatives, Hiedi France or Robin Cox.,
As we enter our 7th week of school, many students may be struggling with their new routine and regulation. As you know, a strong component of SASED programming includes social and emotional learning. Please contact your student’s program administrator to discuss supports in place at school. Also, below are some additional outside resources you might find helpful in assisting you and your student.
Previous Resources:
Shared Journeys: Staff and Parent Experiences at SASED Video
Please take a few minutes to complete this month's surveys. Remember- your input is needed and is important! We have three surveys this month! They are all short and necessary. Thanks! One survey is anonymous and focuses on culture and beginning of the year readiness. Two are collecting emails, one for the Rich Laren Day (volunteers are needed) and Recruitment, the other for our Holiday Party.
Rich Laren Day and Recruitment
(Surveys are open to SASED Staff only)
Your Thoughts and Ideas Truly Matter
At SASED, we are united in our mission to enhance communication across our cooperative. We deeply value each and every opinion and encourage all stakeholders to share their thoughts and ideas. Your suggestions are not only welcomed but are essential in helping us reach our shared goals. By working together, we can build a vibrant and supportive culture that enriches the everyday experiences of both our students and staff! Please share your thoughts and suggestions here or click on the suggestion box. Please know, your email address is being collected to allow for potential further dialogue regarding your idea/suggestion.
Did you know you can add your picture to your google account? One of our staff members used our Suggestion Box to suggest we all do this so that we can have a name with a face. Watch this video to see how you can easily do this!
Here are some articles that highlight the learning losses and residual mental health impacts of COVID.
COVID-19 Pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide
Trauma Informed Practices and Self Compassion
"Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies"
"Why Teachers Should Be Trauma Informed"
"How to Practice Self Compassion: 8 Technique and Tips"
OK- no one sent in any jokes! I will share a few more for this month:
I used to be addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but then I turned myself around.
What's worse than raining cats and dogs? Hailing taxis.
I was going to tell you a joke about sodium, but then I thought, “Na.”
Thank you for ordering your SASED Spiritwear
For those of you who ordered SASED Spiritwear, your items should be in towards the end of September. Please keep an eye out for an email from Senga providing pick up information.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Senga Lowe at slowe@sased.org.
Summer may be drawing to a close, but September bursts onto the scene with a vibrant array of celebrations and observances that will keep the spirit of joy alive! The excitement begins with the arrival of fall on September 22nd, ushering in a season filled with breathtaking foliage and, of course, pumpkin-spiced everything. Imagine indulging in seasonal treats, watching cozy fall movies, playing in crunchy leaves, and getting creative with pumpkin carving—all quintessential autumn joys!
But September isn't just about the changing seasons and fun fall activities. It’s a month brimming with significant observances and special days. We kick things off with Labor Day, honoring the contributions of workers, and soon after, we celebrate Grandparents Day, a time to cherish the wisdom and love of our grandparents. World Physical Therapy Day spotlights the vital role of physical therapists in enhancing our well-being, while National Suicide Prevention Week brings attention to the critical importance of mental health support. Visit https://988lifeline.org/ for more information.
As the month unfolds, we also celebrate National Arts in Education Week, recognizing the transformative power of arts in our schools. International Week of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing shines a light on the rights and needs of these communities, and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month focuses on raising awareness and support for young cancer patients.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th, highlighting the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic communities. National IT Professionals Day on September 17th gives a nod to those who keep our tech world running smoothly, and World Alzheimer's Month offers a chance to confront and understand the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.
And let's not forget the playful side of September! We have National Waffle Day on the 7th, making it the perfect excuse to enjoy a stack of fluffy waffles. National Guacamole Day on the 16th invites you to savor this delicious avocado dip, while Miniature Golf Day on the 21st is a fantastic reason to hit the course for some lighthearted fun.
With such a diverse and exciting range of events, September is a month that truly celebrates the essence of transition, awareness, and enjoyment!