Cooperative Corner
August 2024
Greetings everyone!
As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the dedication, hard work, and teamwork you have all shown throughout this year. Together, we've faced challenges, celebrated successes, and made incredible strides forward. Your commitment has been invaluable, and I am proud of what we’ve achieved as a team.
As we enter this holiday season, I hope you all take the time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the festivities with your loved ones. Whether you're celebrating traditions or creating new memories, I wish you all peace, joy, and warmth.
Thank you for everything you do. Here's to a successful semester and New Year ahead!
Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!
Warm regards,
Dr. Kim Dryier
As we end first semester, let's revisit the goals in our strategic plan and walk through some updates. The four goals in our strategic plan are:
High Quality Staffing- Recruit and retain employees through strategic actions
Exemplary Programs and Services- Enhance access, equity, and opportunity to programs and reduce opportunity gaps, provide training, needs assessment and other strategies
Communications- Enhance access, equity, and continually evaluate communications plans and create written procedures for all SASED constituents
Operations- Maintain fiscal responsibility through investing organizational efficiencies, updating procedures and bulling structures, and developing master facility plan
UPDATES
High Quality Staffing
- Much attention and focus has been placed on retention. The District's Culture Committee and Retention and Recruitment Committee have focused on developing opportunities for staff to engage more with their colleagues, increase their sense of belonging, and to find fun with their colleagues. Such opportunities have included Feed my Starving Children, "Tell Me Something Good," and "Send a Little Sunshine." Our Holiday Party was a wonderful success as close to 150 of our SASED employees gathered together for food, fun, and activities. More activities are planned for second semester- Bowling and the Biggest Loser Challenge. Please see below for more information and come out and join us! We are also looking into hosting a SASED 5k and maybe even participating in Special Olympics. Please use the attached QR codes to become involved.
- We have engaged with additional contractual agencies, bringing our current open positions down to 15 (there were 20 last month). More university contracts have also been established.
- Our Mentoring Committee is restructuring our mentoring program for next school year in order to support new colleagues.
Exemplary Programs and Services:
- First semester focused on getting a strong understanding of our current programs and services.
- At Southeast, an Administrative Mentor, Mr. Steve Bild, joined the team first semester. Additionally, coaching days were added to support staff with SEL learning and strategies. Lastly, several SIP days were added to the schedule to support staff with processes, procedures, and instructional methodology.
Communications:
- This newsletter is published monthly.
- Our "Suggestion Box" is up and running.
- A Communication Protocol was developed
- Monthly surveys have been administered in order to gain support from staff.
- We hosted our first Parent Advisory Council meeting and look forward to engaging our parent community more.
Operations:
- We are implementing the new tuition model established last semester.
- Facility Planning has started and 8 different Focus Groups have been scheduled this week.
As was shared in the beginning of the year, there is a lot to accomplish here at SASED. We all remain committed to strengthening all programs and services for our students, as well as making progress on our Strategic Plan.
Please see below for additional ways to become involved in SASED.
Our Board of Directors met on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Remember-our Board of Directors Meetings are now recorded. You can find the posting of the 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:
Prior to the start of our Board Meeting, Board Members were led on a tour of our Administrative Center. Next month our meeting will be held at Southeast. Tours will be offered to Board Members at Southeast.
Our Board approved the consent agenda, including our personnel recommendations, a new contractual agency, and our financial reports.
Room assignments for ESY and next year will be finalized at the January Board Meeting.
SASED Enrollment report was reviewed. Our program enrollment is holding strong between 380-390 students.
The HR report identified 15 unfilled positions, down from 20 last month.
The Finance Committee continues to work on the disbursement of Medicaid Cost Settlement Funds.
The Facility Committee did not meet this month. That said, VP Trinh was out this week meeting with focus groups. More focus groups are meeting today. Eight focus groups were organized within our SASED community to provide input into our facilities.
Draft changes to our DWC contract were shared with the Board. The draft changes continue to include oversite with the DWC, but in a less formal manner. The draft calls for replacing the Board of DWC with an informational organization.
NAMI resources for parents to support students over long breaks.
Previous Resources:
“Guide to PUNS.” You can find it here.
Shared Journeys: Staff and Parent Experiences at SASED Video988
Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH)
Andres is a 4th grade student in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. This year, he started going into general education classes for both Math and ELA. He has been working so hard, making new friends, and even teaching his new classmates sign language. Way to go, Andres! We’re all very proud of you.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH)
Julian is a four year old student in the SASED Deaf and Hard of Hearing Early Childhood program. He has been working very hard on his early literacy skills! This includes: identifying and labeling letter names and sounds, answering wh-comprehension questions upon being read a familiar story, identifying and labeling new vocabulary and sight words, and more. Julian enjoys participating in structured ELA groups and activities, as well as reading in the classroom library for fun during centers. It has been exciting to see Julian make such growth in this developmental area, and we are looking forward to him continuing to do so!
Structured Learning Environment (SLE)
Denian is a first grader that is doing a great job in his new class! Not only is he new to our class but he recently moved here from Italy. He is doing a wonderful job learning his new routines and expectations, as well as meeting new friends. He is persevering through a lot of big changes and is participating in a wide variety of activities. He loves music and art. He also enjoys exploring the playground and watching the kids play sports. He has taken a few turns too! Great job Denian!
Nominated by Leanne Lapato
Lisle South (SMNP)
The team is nominating Victoria for student of the month. Victoria is a 9 year old student in our Supported Medical Needs Program. She has been using her communication device, independently asking for students who are absent. Victoria is increasing her communication with friends and adults in our classroom through her device. VIctoria has shown improvement in her self care by helping adults when she is getting her coat on and off. Overall, Victoria is a delightful, and happy young lady.
Vision
Dominic started with us at the beginning of the school year just after turning 3. He has made so much progress in this first couple of months! He started out very scared and requiring full adult assistance for every part of his day. He now loves school, he explores his environment, is willing to try new things, and is doing an amazing job using his long white cane! We are so proud of him!
Transition
Isabel is a student in SASED’s Transition Program. The last 2 months Izzy has really settled into new routines and has shown great independence and management of her schedule. She moves to different rooms for activities which had previously been a challenge for her. She has also been using a LOT more language and reading aloud more. We are so proud of how she has tried some new vocational tasks too, like cutting the holiday cards.
Pathways (Elementary)
Everly has made a lot of growth since starting this year school year. She is a great helper, works hard, loves to color, and always finds a way to make you laugh.
Pathways (Middle School)
Torrey has done an amazing job with his transition to his home school. He will be going back full time in January. Torrey, always greets students and staff in the hallway, participates, and shows respect to others.
Pathways (High School)
Robert has made a lot of growth over the past year he has been with us. He set goals for himself academically and behaviorally and has worked hard to meet those goals. He has also excelled in being a self advocate when it came to transitioning back to his homeschool. He is a kind student who is quick to help others and pushes others to succeed.
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.
Top 5 IT solutions for your technology and your holiday break
1. Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Hardware and software are working hard all day and night and sometimes just need a break. You should shut down daily or weekly at the latest!
2. Have you tried turning it all the way off and on again?
Sometimes you have to hold the power button down for at least 30 seconds for a hard reset.
3. Have you updated?
Almost every hardware and software requires updates. Some can be set to run automatically but you still have to take a break and allow it to update. Some have to be done manually. If something isn't working, check to see if you can update it first.
4. Are you sure it's plugged in all the way to the right place?
Things can come loose or might need to be reconnected to be recognized.
5. How many tabs do you have open?
Every thing you have open uses brain power and memory as long as it is open. If your things are running slow, you might need to close some projects for a while. Can you imagine your brain trying to hold all of those projects at once?
Here are some articles aimed at supporting students back to school after a long break:
Supporting Student Behavior After Breaks
Helping Students Cope With Returning to School After Winter Break
Previous Readings:
“How to Slow Down and Savor the Holidays”
“Six Ways to Keep Your Cool During the Holidays”
10 Evidence-based instructional strategies for the classroom
COVID-19 Pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide
"Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies"
"Why Teachers Should Be Trauma Informed"
"How to Practice Self Compassion: 8 Technique and Tips"
1. What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?
The elf-abet.
2. What do snowmen call their offspring?
Chill-dren.
3. How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Nothing. It was on the house.
Please continue to submit your jokes to Dr. Dryier at kdryier@sased.org.
Send a Little Sunshine
Please continue to send in your requests for a sunshine! The committee has received over 45 sunshine requests since we started at the end of September. The "You've Been Sunshined" program is a place where all staff can recognize and celebrate other staff, send a word of encouragement, or just celebrate them for a job well done. If you know of a staff member who could use a little sunshine and would like a little note of encouragement or celebration sent, please complete this form.
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend and colleague, Rich Laren. Today, we honor not just the professional we worked with, but the kind, compassionate, and uplifting person who touched the lives of everyone around him.
Rich had a remarkable way of bringing light into the classroom, always offering a smile, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand. His dedication, passion, and tireless work ethic were inspiring, and his presence was a gift to us all. Whether tackling challenges or sharing moments of laughter, he made a lasting impact on our team and will be deeply missed.
Beyond his contributions to our work, Rich was a friend, always ready to listen, to support, and to bring joy. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, empathy, and integrity that we will carry forward.
Though we mourn his loss, we are grateful for the time we had with him and for the memories that will forever remain in our hearts. We know that the world is a better place because Rich was in it, and we will continue to honor his memory in all that we do.
Please enjoy a few pictures of Rich collected through the years.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Holiday party at Seven Bridges! It was a night filled with lots of laughter and great food. I had so much fun celebrating with all of you and your ugly sweaters! For those of you who missed it, Zachary Savickas won 1st place for the ugliest sweater and Michelle Whitfield came in a close 2nd with her adorable tree sweater and matching hat! Kim and Lizzy were such great sports in the tree people decorating contest and we had three winners in our Guess What's in the Stocking game. Click here to see some pictures.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday!