Subscribe Follow us 115and67DistrictsSchoolForestLake RoadWaukeganSouth300 60045ILForest,Lake PhotographyVIPPhotography:DesignAbramsKymDesign: Your Source for Good News in Districts 67 & 115 What’s SPRING/SUMMER67Inside2022DISTRICT67 DISTRICT 115 11565 ONLINEUSFINDOR lakeforestschools.org/insight DISTRICT Checking65 in with District 658DISTRICT Learning,67 Achieving, and Growing6DISTRICT Celebrating115 Our Scouts & Graduates4PORTRAIT OF A LEARNER Inspiring Excellence 2 STDPRSRT ECRWSS POSTAGEU.S. ILFOREST,LAKEPAID 329NO.PERMIT
Our new Portrait is just the beginning of the exciting work ahead for our Districts. With core competencies defined and prioritized for our learners, we will now embark on strategic planning to ensure that our curriculum is aligned with those competencies and guiding student work in every classroom. We are grateful to our Portrait Design Team members for their diligence in this process, and to our community for your ongoing support. Together, we will continue our shared tradition of educational excellence while preparing our students for the ever-evolving world that awaits them.
FROM THE PortraitSUPERINTENDENTSof a Learner: Inspiring Excellence
Sincerely, Dr. Lisa Leali
The Portrait of a Learner design process considered these questions: 3
To Our Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood Community Members, As District superintendents, we are proud of all that our students, staff, and families have accomplished during the 2021-2022 school year. Student growth, well-being, and whole-child development were at the forefront of every initiative we undertook. We also spent a great deal of time thoughtfully considering how and where our three Districts — District 65, District 67, and District 115 — could work together more closely. While our Districts are unique in many ways, we are all connected by the shared aspiration that every student engages in an educational experience that prepares them to thrive in their future lives.
To explore how to put this into action, we embarked on the Portrait of a Learner visioning process earlier this spring. We invited members of our Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood communities to serve on a Portrait Design Team, which represented a diverse collection of stakeholder groups, including students, families, staff, civic leaders, and community members. The group met four times over the course of several months and, through a series of facilitated conversations and exercises, selected six competencies and helped to develop a graphic image to serve as the North Star for our Districts. Those six key competencies are: critical thinking, communication, empathy, adaptability, confidence, and citizenship.
What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our community has for our students? What are the skills and mindsets our students need for success in this rapidly changing, complex world? What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences that we provide in our Districts?
“ We are the class that dances in the rain. We are the class that makes the most of every moment. We are Lake Forest High School’s Class of 2022, and that is certainly something to be celebrated.”
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C Principal Lenart addresses the Class of 2022 at Graduation D Three LFHS Girls Badminton players pose before a match E Honors Night honors students with a variety of talents and skills F Graduation caps fly high as the Class of 2022 is officially certified
H The ELS Basketball Game is a beloved tradition
—Charlotte Andress, Senior Class President
G The Latin Club poses for a photo together
I Art students use fabric dye to bring their designs to life J Two Varsity Boys Track and Field athletes set records at a meet K Award winners pose at LFHS Honors Night L A highlight from the Orchestra Concert M Signing Day student athletes declare their chosen colleges
—Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery, Superintendent K
“Excellence is a team sport and I am here to tell you I have never met a better team than the one we all share as members of the Lake Forest High School community.”
O Business Incubator students celebrate at Pitch Night P Seniors pose on the front lawn after the Wellness Walk Q Outdoor Ed. students experience climbing at Devils Lake in Wisconsin R LFHS Varsity Boys Lacrosse players smile for the cameras
S Band members play during the ELS Basketball Game
A B J I H E L C D E G F A Juniors and Seniors enjoy “A Touch of Class”-themed Prom B LFHS Varsity Girls Soccer players kick off Senior Night
N The Board honors the Student Body President and Vice President
LakePresidentJennySincerely,ZinserForestCommunity
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 and GO SCOUTS!
We began the year on a high note, celebrating “Schoolapalooza,” welcoming our new Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Montgonery, and our new Principal, Dr. Erin Lenart. We experienced the pride of successful plays, concerts, Career Connections, Senior Night, TEDx talks, Business Incubator Pitch Night, Prom, Honors Night, and numerous club and athletic achievements. We also reengaged the community in our LFHS Facilities Master Planning, taking a fresh look at our learning spaces and redefining our future needs. Most importantly, we watched our students grow and learn… in person. We were indeed ALL IN, EVERY DAY.
High School District 115 Board of Education
On behalf of the District 115 Board of Education, I want to thank you for supporting our school community and for being engaged in the many important activities and initiatives at Lake Forest High School during the 2021-2022 school year. It is the Board’s privilege to serve our students, families, and teachers and we are humbled by the drive, dedication, compassion, and excellence that define our school.
Amidst all of that, our Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood community — students, staff, parents, guardians, and other leaders — came together to design a new vision for our schools, a Portrait of a Learner. Now, we conclude the year with a bittersweet send-off to the Class of 2022 as they prepare to continue their journey. I could not be more proud of our graduates and what the entire LFHS community has accomplished in a year like none other. As many of you head off to enjoy the sunny months of summer, please know that your administration is already hard at work planning for the 2022-2023 school year.
R OP S FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT
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Celebrating our Scouts and Graduates Hello and Happy Summer!
C Cherokee students present a “School Spotlight” at a Board meeting
FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT
As the year progressed, students and staff celebrated World Read Aloud Day with our City leaders, hosted band, orchestra and chorus concerts, participated in a districtwide Culture Fair, and took part in a wide array of academic and athletic competitions. Three APT-led community service drives provided food for neighboring communities, and additional grade and building-level initiatives supported local nonprofits. As the school year came to a close, we hosted award ceremonies, Field Days, music and theater performances, transition events for incoming fifth graders, graduation for eighth graders, and shared the results of the Portrait of a Learner visioning process with our community.
B District retirees celebrate the end of the year
O First-graders at Cherokee use Rigamajigs to build houses
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E Cherokee fourth-graders combine research and fun in class
D DPM students practice their skills during the Spring Concert
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DPM music students perform at the Spring Concert
J Sheridan Sharks take a break with friends at Field Day
A Everett students square off for a Battle of the Books
G Cherokee Cheetahs pose at a Poms performance
I Cherokee students enjoy a field trip to Lake Forest Open Lands
Please continue to connect and engage with us!
of Education President
DPM eighth-grade graduates celebrate their promotion to high school
S Everett’s Principal Fitzsimmons poses with the “Principal for a Day”
K Sheridan’s Principal Milsk poses with students at a school celebration
M Cherokee students volunteer at Feed my Starving Children
R Everett third-graders raise awareness about vehicle idling during pick-up
Being all in, every day allowed our staff countless opportunities to work toward our mission of inspiring and empowering all students to maximize their growth as learners and develop a balanced sense of self, steadfast resiliency and deep respect for others. As a result, our students are moving forward - learning, achieving, and growing. We are proud of their progress and deeply grateful for the tireless encouragement, guidance, and support provided to them by teachers, staff, families, and our broader community. We wish everyone a wonderful summer break filled with opportunities for relaxation, reading, and renewal. Our administrative team is hard at work planning for the 2022-2023 school year and many of our teachers and staff are participating in professional learning opportunities this summer. The Board will continue working on filling the open seat with an anticipated appointment at our August meeting.
All the DistrictSuzannebest,Sands67Board
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P DPM musicians rehearsing “Rockin’ 67 Blues” with composer Bob Phillips
Q Sheridan Sharks enjoy a Friday “Relax and Read”
To Our District 67 Community, Summer is here! Hopefully this finds you and your family enjoying all of the joy, connection, and adventure that summer break has to offer. On behalf of the District 67 Board of Education I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the caring community that has supported our students, teachers, and staff during the 2021-2022 school year.
T Future Cherokee engineers practice with Magna-Tiles
H Sheridan students tend to their newly planted garden
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N Everett Eagles learn, play, and soar together with friends
There have been many highlights. From the first day of school last August when Mayor Pandaleon helped us welcome students, to attending the Spirit of 67 Open Spaces tour, to family events at our schools being back in full swing, and simply having all of our students and staff in our buildings learning and growing together.
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Learning, Achieving, and Growing
“Magic is what draws people to work in schools. It is not easy. Yet, that spark when a child makes a connection, has a new idea, or feels the success of a hard-won accomplishment; that’s the stuff!”
D G I L N Q R K J E F H K O P T S 7 M
—Suzanne Sands, District 67 Board of Education President
LBES students learned about bicycle safety from the LB Police Dept. B LBMS eighth-graders had fun and celebrated at Boundless Adventures C A second-grader presents her nonfiction research project LBMS eighth-graders packed 109 boxes of food at Feed My Starving Children
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“LBMS was busy toward the close of the 2021-2022 school year. We hosted the last Chorus Concert of the year, our final Band Concert, the LBMS Art Show, and the Academic Awards Assembly where students demonstrated their skills, talent, and creativity. We also honored our eighth graders at Graduation, celebrating them for overcoming many challenges over the last few years.”
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—Nate Blackmer, Lake Bluff Middle School Principal B H J
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Two LBMS students enjoying lunch together An LBMS eighth-grader braves new heights with his classmates District 65 wishing its students and families a happy summer Fifth-grade students teaching their younger peers new skills Principal Bae and a student share a positive message with matching shirts LBES students had a blast a their Book Fair L There can only be one Rock, Paper, Scissors champ at LBMS M LBMS Class of 2022 graduates celebrate their big achievement
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The LBMS Cast of Matilda celebrates a successful performance
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—Kellie Bae, Lake Bluff Elementary School Principal
BOARD
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“ We had several big events this spring including musical performances by each grade. We also partnered with our PTO on a “Time Travelers” event in downtown Lake Bluff where students experienced what life was like in historic Lake Bluff. We rounded out the year with Field Day, a fifth-grade picnic, and a fifth-grade clap off.”
To Our Lake Bluff, Knollwood, and Lake Forest Communities:
I am grateful for the collaboration between District 65 Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Leali, and District 67 and 115 Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Montgomery. The relationships that have been formed at all levels of our school districts will no doubt yield positive results for our next generation of students.
FROM THE OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT in with District 65
I am also grateful for the countless community members who participated in the Portrait of a Learner process, which helped to establish a vision for not just our schools and students, but also for our community.
I feel truly fortunate to be part of a community that actively champions its schools and is committed to the well-being of all children. With our educators, school administrators, and local families living out a shared mission of excellence in education, I am filled with anticipation for the great things ahead in the 2022-2023 school year and beyond!
AndySincerely,Duran, President Lake Bluff 65 Board of Education As we consider the pre-K-12 educational journey of our students in Districts 67 and 115, we recognize the importance of collaborating with Lake Bluff District 65. Students from all three Districts will culminate their secondary school education together at Lake Forest High School. With this in mind, we were thrilled to partner with District 65 for the Portrait of a Learner visioning process earlier this spring. Below, we check in with our friends in District 65 for this special edition of Insight.
On behalf of the Lake Bluff District 65 Board of Education, thank you for your support of our school community. The culmination of a school year is a good time for reflection and as I reflect on the 2021-2022 school year, I find myself both grateful for what has been, and filled with optimism for what is yet to come.
I am grateful for our community’s teachers and staff! They have weathered the storm of two-plus years marked by a variety of complications and stressors. Despite these challenges, they have succeeded in keeping our students happy, healthy, and learning. I am grateful for our local families. They have remained a steady source of generosity, forbearance, care, and hard work. Because of this, our community offers a blend of school life and home life that encourages both educational and personal Anddevelopment.so,Iamoptimistic about the future we are constructing for our community and our students. The nature of the world can, at times, make navigating week-to-week life difficult. Yet, time after time, I have witnessed our community rise to the occasion, plotting a course that encourages unconditional belonging for every child.
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10 LAKE FOREST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 115 Developing Compassionate, Confident, and Accomplished 84Students% 581,454 Aaa Student EnrollmentScore 3+ on AP Exams Club Offerings Moody’s Bond Rating ^20OneoftheTop20IllinoisHighSchools 258APScholars 131 9:18National FinalistsScholarshipMeritAward26.4ACTCompositeScore College and Universities Attended StaffStudent-to-CertifiedRatio 12476%130 95% Illinois State Scholars Students Attending College Teachers with Master’s Degrees or Higher Full-Time Teachers *As reported by the Illinois State Board of Education, Fall 2021
67 11 LAKE FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 67 Educating Without Boundaries Learning Without Limits1,58786% 100%7:1 Students Participating5-8 in STEM, Music, Art, Drama, and Home Arts StaffStudent-to-CertifiedRatioStudents 5-8 Studying French, Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish Student Enrollment 10AverageClass Size173Full-TimeTeachers 23AthleticOpportunities 39% $24k1:1100% Expenditure Per StudentStudents K-8 Meeting Computer Literacy Standards Students 5-8 in Instrumental or Vocal Performing Arts District-Wide iPad Use 67%33100% Aaa Teachers with Master’s Degree or Higher Clubs and ActivitiesStudents ParticipatingK-4 in Music and Art Standard + Poors Bond Rating *As reported by the Illinois State Board of Education, Fall 2021
67 KEY BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES Get to Know Our New District Website: Online Information Session First Day of Student Attendance (Full Day, Grades 1-8) First Day of Student Attendance Sheridan Early Childhood Program First Day of Kindergarten Student Attendance (Full Day, Staggered Start) First Day of Kindergarten Student Attendance (Full Day, Staggered Start) First Day Kindergarten Student Attendance (Full Day, All Students) Parent Information Night - Cherokee, Everett, and Sheridan Parent Information Night - Deer Path Middle School Spirit of 67 Home Tour | Outdoor Spaces District 67 District 115 8/308/298/248/158/319/19/19/159/29 Schedule Release Date Get to Know Our New District Website: Online Information Session Book Pick Up (Last Names A-L) and Activities Fair Book Pick Up (Last Names M-Z) and Activities Fair New Family Orientation (for families who just moved to the community) Freshman Orientation First Day of Student Attendance (Full Day, Grades 9-12) Senior Directed One Acts Performance Open House Scout All Out 5K Homecoming Game Homecoming Dance8/208/167/288/128/118/158/179/89/109/169/178/8Ournewly revamped website is live and we are excited to share updated, modern, and searchable content with you. COME VISIT Newlakeforestschools.orgUSSchool Year, New Look! WEBSITELEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE Help us build our Lake Forest High School alumni community. Please scan the QR code and enter your contact information to be placed on a distribution list for all communications related to alumni relations and events for LFHS. LFHS ALUMNI SCAN TO STAY UPDATED Welcome Home, Scouts!
In December 2021, the Board approved a bond issuance of $15M to be dispersed over the course of three years to address a variety of required and recommended updates to maintain compliance with health, safety, and accessibility standards. In light of our new Portrait of a Learner and insights gained from the pandemic, the District will revisit the educational assessment to determine how future learning spaces can best 115 support evolving student needs. As we reimagine what LFHS students need to be successful in their future lives, we will continue to prioritize our commitment to our community and responsible fiscal management. We look forward to updating you as we continue this planning process.
Facilities Master Plan For Lake Forest High School
District 115 has shown a historical commitment to safety, function, preservation, and innovation in its East and West campuses. In November 2006, a $54M referendum was passed and between 2007 and 2008, the LFHS East and West Campuses saw renovations, improvements, repairs, and major infrastructure investments. In 2018, the District 115 Board of Education approved a Facilities Master Plan Proposal. Over the course of two years and much community engagement, facility, educational, and financial assessments were conducted and analyzed to create a long-term facilities strategy for future planning.
ROADMAP
