"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more luck I have." - Thomas Jefferson

As we "spring ahead" this month, we are continuing to focus on positivity, perseverance, gratitude, and the benefits of choosing to look for the bright side of situations. Hopefully, you will be inspired to do the same as you read the March issue of our Transition Newsletter.

Our students are making strides and achieving victories, big and small, every day. There is much to look forward to this spring!

Do you think if you always made an effort to have a positive attitude, you might end up being luckier in life? Why or why not?

Charlie: Yes, I do feel that way because if I stay positive I can make an impact in my life as well as others around me.

Quinn: If I always make an effort to have a positive attitude, I will be luckier in life because people will like me more.

Max: Yes, because you would set your mind to be successful and then you will get more positive stuff when you are positive.

Charles: Honestly it depends on my day, I’ve been trying to be more positive, but I have noticed that if you’re positive, you get more things done and you’re more productive.

Sean: Yes. I think if anyone has a positive attitude and the drive and perseverance to get through challenges, they will find their way through.

Yulissa: I don’t think so. I think that it is just sort of random for how lucky a person is.

Alex: Yes, because your days will go easier. Being happy means better days.

Gillian: Yes. Because even if something doesn’t go your way and you still have a positive attitude, you might be able to get something good out of it.

Luke: I am a lucky person. I think I am a happy person. I do think that I am lucky because I am happy.

*Please continue to watch for emails from the district with any potential updates or further information.

If you have questions about testing or our health and safety protocols, please visit The Map or contact Mr. Lane Linder (llinder@lfschools.net) who leads risk mitigation for District 115.

Tell us about your new job!

I’m a Junior Technician at Lake Zurich Tires and Auto. Right now, I take wheels off tires and replace them. I patch holes in tires and I can also do oil changes. I clean up the shop and I help the more experienced guys and learn from them. I really like the job. I’ve learned a lot of new skills on the job by repetition and hands on experience.

How has it been managing your schedule with CLC classes and your job?

It’s been tough sometimes. CLC’s been a little bit hard, but I’ve been managing. Homework takes a lot of time, but I’ve got to prioritize getting it done. Once I’m at work though, I focus on my job.

What resources do you find most helpful to stay on track with your busy schedule?

Digital calendars, setting alerts and alarms. Relaxing when I get the chance is important for me to stay on track so I can do a good job at work and school, mentally and physically. And getting help when I need it from Transition staff and also using the resources at CLC. And CHECK YOUR EMAILS! I’ve learned that this is very important.

What is the most challenging part of your weekly routine?

Taking care of myself. Making sure I get enough sleep.

Do you always feel motivated? How do you motivate yourself when you feel tired?

Yes, I feel motivated probably 99 percent of the time. When I feel tired, I try to move my focus to something else for a little while.

You are always very positive when we see you. How do you think being positive helps you in your life?

I try to be extremely positive because life is so much happier when you’re positive. And things are so much more fun.

What are some of your long term goals for yourself?

I want to become a tech diver. I want to finish my Associates in automotives. I want to be able to work for an upscale car company. I want to further my school and get my Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in business.

How important are your friends and family to you?

A huge amount! I have learned a lot through my family. And I depend on their support when I need it.

What are the activities or hobbies that make you the happiest?

Scuba diving, woodworking, and anything that involves building things like cars and legos.

What kind of person do you want to be?

Helpful, kind, determined, and always there for others.

Students have explored pre-written positive self-affirmations to identify the ones that resonate the most with them. Example statements include: “My weaknesses and strengths combined make me great”, “I’m unique and I love who I am”, “Sometimes I make mistakes but that’s okay. I learn from them.”, “I work hard”, and “I am beautiful inside and out.” This helped to further understanding on what a positive self-affirmation statement is, and how it feels to give yourself one.

We are moving into creating our own positive self-affirmations since these can be the most impactful. Some prompts to help students create these include:

• What are 5 of your personality strengths? (for example friendly, generous, happy)

• What are 5 things you admire about yourself? (for example your relationship with your brother, your strong work ethic)

• What are 5 achievements you’re really proud of? (for example getting a part in the play, getting a job, graduating high school)

• What are 5 things that make you special/unique? (for example interest in a certain hobby, something you’re good at, persistence in the face of a certain challenge)

We will culminate our positive self-affirmation work with a week-long ‘I AM’ Challenge. This helps to build the habit of incorporating positive self-affirmations into our daily routine. In this challenge, students will pick 5-10 of their self-affirmation statements to be written down on individual post-its/small pieces of paper. Each person will then strategically place the notes in spots where they will see them often. For one week, each time you see one of your notes, you have to stop and read/say it….and mean it. Family members are welcome to join the challenge!

Visions Committee Parent Education Seminar

Friday, March 12th from 9:30-11:00 am via Zoom call.

The Visions seminar provides information on late High School and Transition topics and how to plan for life after school. This year, we will give an overview of Options for Post-Secondary Employment, Education & Training, and Housing

Vocational Coordinators of Lake Forest, New Trier, and Glenbrook High Schools, have all collaborated with NSSED to present on Vocation and Employment planning.

Please feel free to join in on our overview presentation; Planning for Work.

Click here to quickly access the NSSED Registration Page

On January 29th, our students and staff attended a travel training webinar presented by the RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) Mobility Outreach Coordinators. Among the many topics covered in the webinar were RTA's free travel training program, advice for planning a trip, ventra cards and how to use them, RTA's reduced fare and free ride programs, how to ride a bus or a train, travel safety tips, and local public transportation options.

We have included the RTA contact information, website, and some helpful documents that were provided in the webinar.

• RTA Customer Service: (312) 913-3110

• Website: www.RTAChicago.org