We wanted to share some of the many benefits that are no cost to employees and eligible dependents, through your BCBS medical plan. Through BCBS, you have access to benefits that will help you achieve your health goals. Below is a brief overview of some of the programs that are offered. Additional details are attached.

Wondr - This is a digital weight loss and weight management program. It is not a diet! This program will teach you science-based skills so you can still eat the foods you enjoy while improving your overall health. Wondr is available to all interested employees currently enrolled in the BCBS medical plan.

Livongo - This program is designed to help individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes manage their conditions to live a healthier lifestyle. Livongo will reach out to individuals who qualify for this program.

Hinge Health - This program helps individuals conquer back and joint pain without medication or surgery. Hinge Health will reach out to individuals who qualify for this program.

BCBS Fitness Program - This program provides discounted gym memberships to eligible employees and their dependents.

You may find additional information regarding the above programs and other benefits here at the District Payroll website. To access information at this, you must be logged in to your Unit 5 Google account. 

If you have any questions regarding your insurance benefits, please feel free to contact us. 

--

Candid Omachel

Payroll and Insurance Manager

McLean County Unit 5 Schools

Desk Phone:(309)557-4045 

District Cell: (309)306 -1085

** Unit 5 Staff Payroll and Insurance Resources can be found here**

During this week, we challenged you to find a moment that is worthy of celebration. If you found one, please complete this form. We will be using these moments during our SIP time on May 1st. 

The KJHS Administrative Team is sponsoring a acai bowl bar for our early release lunch time on 5/1/24. The bar will be set up in Main Street Retreat. We hope you'll join us for this refreshing and healthy lunch. 

Looking to have a little dress up fun in May? Join us for the Kingsley Countdown to Summer Break dress up days! 

Please join us in welcoming Calynn Chavez (8-1 LBS 1) and Anna Trimpe (7-2 L&C) to Team Kingsley! We are so excited that they have chosen to join us for next year! 

Join us for the 3rd Annual Unit 5k presented by Commerce Bank!

When: Sunday, May 5

Where: Maxwell Park

Time: 2 pm one mile walk/run; 2:30 pm 5k

Cost: $10 per participant; $10 for a race t-shirt

All proceeds benefit the Unit 5 Educational Foundation.

Here is a link to sign up - https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Normal/Unit5k

The two schools with the highest percentage of participants will each $750

Register Today!

If there are any room repairs, painting, furniture changes, etc. that need to be done to your assigned classroom(s) before the start of the 24-25 school year, please record these on the 24-25 Room Needs Sheet. Any room change requests should be discussed directly with Elisa. 

The PTO is sponsoring a Dine to Donate at the Portillo's in Normal on Thursday, May 2nd. 

The Staff Appreciation event is Tuesday, May 7th at Bone Student Center.  Staff members retiring or receiving recognition for years of service received an email invitation prior to spring break. If you are fall in that category and received an invitation, please RSVP by April 28th.

KJHS PTO is hosting the final spirit wear sale of the year now through May 3rd. Click here to see what fashion options are available to liven up your KJHS spirit wear wardrobe. 

Our annual PBIS fundraiser is currently underway! We have a block of tickets available for the Cubs vs. Cardinals game at Busch Stadium on Friday, July 12th, at 7:15 pm. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please complete the form linked in the fundraiser flyer. Thank you in advance for your support! 

Here is an updated draft of the 24-25 Master Schedule with individual teachers' tentative schedules (2nd tab). Schedules may change based on staffing changes or enrollment changes.

After serving in the role of KJHS Yearbook Sponsor for many years, Danny Tanner has decided to step down from the position. If you are interested in becoming the next KJHS Yearbook Sponsor, which is a paid Schedule B position, please let Elisa know. 

April 30th   Home Track Meet

May  3rd     Staff Food Day: Energy Bar in MSR

May 6          Fine Arts Night

May 6-10    PTO Sponsored TAW

May 17        Mo's Front Porch Food Truck 11-2

May 17        Retirement Celebration at Hacienda Leon (Uptown) 4-6 pm

May 23rd    Staff Celebration during staff meeting

Has a fellow Cougar gone out of their way to help you? Have you seen a staff member who goes above and beyond to make Kingsley a better place to work and learn? Reward them by nominating them for a Kingsley Kudos! It's quick, painless, and brings joy to you and the recipient. 

KJHS is hosting the 6th Grade Welcome Night on Monday, April 29, from 6-7:30 pm. 

If you are interested in training to be a mentor for the 24-25 school year, please let Elisa know by May 1. Elisa will be providing a training session in May for those teachers who are interested. Mentor training is valid for a period of 3 years and Elisa notified KJHS staff who need to renew their mentor training earlier this week. 

The new CDC guidance no longer requires that those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for a minimum of five days before returning to work or other activities and instead focuses on isolation until symptoms improve – which could be shorter or longer than five days. The key recommendation for those with any seasonal respiratory virus is to stay home and away from others until their symptoms improve.The guidance suggests people can return to normal activities when symptoms have been improving for 24 hours - and if a fever was present, it has been gone for 24 hours without use of a fever-reducing medication. 

Here is the KJHS master schedule template for the 24 -25 school year. Individual teachers' schedules are still being developed and will hopefully be ready for release by May 1st. 

If  you feel that you want administration to be aware of communication with a student's family, please feel free to cc that student's AP when you email them. 

March Events

14: 6th Grade Food Day (Pi Day:  Pizza and Pie) 

15: Happy Hour at the Pub

18:  NCAA Bracket Draw Down

April Events

4: 7th Grade Food Day (Breakfast) 

12: Faculty Meeting (we will take care of the drawing)

15-19: Celebrate the Play with a Disney Themed dress up week 

Due to the large number of students in the hallways at the beginning and end of the class periods, we are recommending that teachers institute a "no pass" rule for the first 5 and last 5 minutes of class. We are considering making this a whole school policy.

While it is hard to believe, it is time to develop the school supply lists for the 24-25 school year. Below are the 23-24 lists. Please submit your updated lists to Elisa by 3/22/24. 

23-24 6th Grade School Supply List

23-24 7th Grade School Supply List

23-24 8th Grade School Supply List

Just a reminder that teachers and staff should not be using crowdfunding sites, such as GoFundMe.com and Classful.com, to collect funds for field trips, school clubs, school events, etc.  Use of these sites compromises the district’s internal controls of handling funds and usually requires funds to be funneled through a personal account before ending up in the school’s account.  The district has the ability to accept electronic payments through the Infinite Campus school stores.  If you would like to utilize the Infinite Campus school store, please contact Elisa and she will help you get it set up. 

Here are the Instructional Technology Tips for February.

Need ideas for providing supports and accommodations? Check out these resources! Thank you to Tayler Musselman for compiling this collection and to all of you who contributed to it! 

From HR... 

District staff,

All absences beyond 3 days must be reported to Human Resources. To notify HR of an absence beyond 3 days, please email Molly Rohde, HR Coordinator. For a planned leave, please fill out the Leave of Absence Request form .

Applicable reasons to fill out the form are as follows:

• Personal illness (including surgery, maternity leave, or injury)

• Caring for an ill or injured family member

• Military caregiver leave / Qualified exigency leave related to a military family member

• Placement of a child through adoption or foster care

Human Resources will determine if the employee requesting leave is eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and provide the appropriate documentation and counseling to the employee. If the employee is ineligible for FMLA leave, Human Resources will inform the employee of the applicable leaves they can use or request.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, you may contact Molly Rohde, Human Resources Coordinator at rohdem@unit5.org or 309-557-4400 ext. 74044.

Employees requesting Emergency Leave, Family Hardship Leave, Parental Leave, Professional Leave, or any other leave outlined in their contract, must email their direct supervisor, Monica Wilks, Molly Rohde, and their union president for their leave request to be approved. 

With utmost respect,

Your Human Resources Team

Dr. Weikle will be doing a staff meet & greet on Monday, April 5th, at 8:00 am in MSR.