Insight 67/115 - Summer 2023 Issue

Celebrating Progress and Paving the Way for Student Success

Dear Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood Communities:

As the saying goes, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end,” and so it is with students in Districts 67 and 115. Our fourth graders progress to the middle school in the fall, graduating Deer Path Middle School eighth-graders now become the Lake Forest High School Class of 2027, and the LFHS Class of 2023 prepares to step into new roles at the colleges, universities, and careers of their choice.

Overall, our 2022-2023 school year was marked by progress. With the engagement and input of hundreds of individuals in our communities, we placed the finishing touches on new five-year strategic plans in District 67 and 115. This summer, our leadership team is creating action plans and metrics that will allow us to realize and measure growth as we work to achieve the goals outlined in our new plans.

All of this sets the stage for increased academic achievement and enhanced student support in the 2023-2024 school year. We are singularly focused on our students and what they need to reach their fullest potential. The work ahead will take collaboration among our staff, families, and community partners.

During the summer months, you will also see maintenance and construction work underway in both Districts. We will conduct a Health and Life Safety survey of our facilities in District 67, while also working on accessibility enhancements and expanded instructional spaces at Cherokee Elementary School. In District 115, our summer improvement work, begun in 2022, will continue. Planning is also underway for infrastructure improvements that will be funded by the referendum. We recently introduced our community-based Capital Projects Advisory Committee. This small group of experts will provide important consultation as we plan and execute referendum projects. You can read more in our Facilities and Finance section on page 4. Our sincere thanks to the Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood communities for your support of our school buildings now and in the future.

Looking ahead, our commitment to you remains the same. We will continue to provide timely, relevant, open communication. When questions arise, you can always reach out to me or either of your Board Presidents. Together, we will forge a path that leads to further growth and student success.

Sincerely,

ALUMNI: BUILDING

THE

FUTURE TOGETHER

Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Building the Future

Appreciating Staff Alumni

This May, Districts 67 and 115 celebrated National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. Our teachers and staff allow us to deliver the education, experiences, and opportunities that are foundational and often transformative to our students. They inspire and guide our future leaders, innovators, and problem solvers. Some of our staff began their own educational journeys right here in our schools. Our gratitude goes to Lake Forest High School alumni who have come back to their alma mater to serve and support the next generation of LFHS Scouts!

“My mom, a counselor here from 1992-2007, called me after college graduation and said, ‘are you ready to get a big girl job? A field hockey coaching position opened up at LFHS and you could be a TA during the day.’ The rest is history. I moved back and that was August of 1998.”

“I want to give back to District 67, District 115 and the wonderful communities that had a positive impact on my life. I am hopeful my younger children will share the same positive experience as they also go through LFHS.”

LFHS

“In my career, especially as I have ventured out of the classroom and into the administrative setting, I find that I still get the most inspiration, candid feedback, and perspective from our students. Each time I go on a shadow experience, I leave with invaluable insights to drive our Districts toward an even more exceptional future.”

Julie Crouch, Navigating Educational Transitions (NET) Program Coordinator, Class of 1993

—Whitney Draegert, Director of Business Operations (D67 and D115), Class of 2004

“Coincidence got us here, community and friendship led us to stay.”

Melanie Walsh, Administrative Assistant, Educational Services, Class of 1991

Diane Sorenson (‘70) Department Assistant, Dean’s Office

Dylan Johnson (‘08) Study Hall Supervisor

Steve VanNuys (‘87) Social Studies Teacher

Candice Davenport (‘94) Science Teacher

Carolyn Konz (‘93) English Teacher

Adam Mocogni (‘07) Math Teacher

Meaghan Cook (‘08) English Teacher

Bob Babcock (‘86) Building Engineer

Natalia Martinez (‘97) Business Services Specialist (D67 and D115)

OPERATING OFFICER/CSBO

Building a Foundation for Success

The newly developed 2023-2028 District 67 and District 115 Strategic Plans include goals of sustainable and innovative facilities and resources that are distributed in an intentional, fiscally-responsible manner to transform learning experiences and support academic growth, safety, and wellness.

Finance and Resources

This summer, we are working diligently on our 2023-2024 budgets and ensuring that our finances and decision making are transparent and open to our residents. In concert with the Board Finance and Operations Committees led by District 67 Board member Carl Kirar and District 115 Board member David Burns, proposed budgets for each District will be reviewed in July and shared with the respective Boards of Education in August. The drafts will then be placed on file for public inspection and comment, and presented for approval in public budget hearings for each District adjacent to September Board meetings on September 12 for District 115 and September 26 for District 67.

Facilities

There are three main categories of planned construction work that are occurring simultaneously across both Districts this summer and over the next several years.

District 67

Cherokee Construction

This summer, we are working to remove certain physical barriers at Cherokee that currently make it difficult for those navigating the building with mobility assistance devices. The Board has chosen to take advantage of this construction opportunity to also build two new classroom spaces – a science lab and a larger multipurpose classroom that can be used for inquiry-based learning, STEM projects, and other innovative learning opportunities for larger groups. While these projects at Cherokee are being prioritized due to the necessary accessibility improvements, the Board intends to replicate similar classroom spaces at Sheridan and Everett, as well as other upgrades at DPM in the future. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 5, marking the beginning of this exciting work over the summer and into fall.

First and foremost, thank you to our community for the passage of the $105.7M referendum. This earmarked maintenance and construction funding is essential to addressing the aging facility and unique structural needs of our historic Lake Forest Community High School. While referendum-funded construction work is not planned to begin until the summer of 2024, this summer, D115 will use its existing borrowing capacities to fund several critical maintenance projects.

Additionally, we have assessed the critical accessibility needs at Cherokee Elementary School and will be addressing these alongside the addition of new instructional spaces. We will be evaluating these same opportunities at Everett and Sheridan Elementary Schools and Deer Path Middle School.

We strive to ensure that each resource and every dollar is maximized and utilized for the purpose of student growth and achievement. Our students, and their safety and success, are our top priorities.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer Hermes Chief Operating Officer/CSBO

District 115

Referendum Construction Work

We are in the beginning stages of creating a construction timeline and identifying the phases of this work. The inclusion of projects in each phase will be determined by a variety of factors including urgency, availability of materials, and competitive bids to complete the work in a timely and cost effective manner. It is currently anticipated that all construction will be complete by the fall of 2027.

Consulting with us during the course of this work will be community members who applied and were selected for the District 115 Capital Projects Advisory Committee.

“ The Finance and Operations Committee will also be actively engaged in the project tracking process and sharing progress updates with the community.”

—David Burns, District 115 Finance and Operations Committee Chair

2023 Summer and Fall Construction Projects

In 2021, the D115 Board of Education approved the issuance of $15M General Obligation Debt Certificates (Limited Tax) to be issued by the District pursuant to Section 17(b) of the Local Government Debt Reform Act in order to alter, repair and equip District facilities and improve the sites thereof. These funds were dedicated to several time-sensitive projects and repairs that could not wait until the receipt of any referendum funds and are completely separate from any of the $105.7M. Based on current timelines and estimates, this pre-referendum construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2024.

Health and Life Safety (HLS) Work

Every 10 years, all public school buildings must be resurveyed by an architect licensed by the State of Illinois. All work necessary to bring the building into compliance with minimum Health and Life Safety (HLS) standards is noted and used to inform the District as we create multi-year capital plans. Physical inspections will occur at all four District 67 buildings this summer and reports will be presented to the Board of Education throughout the 2023-2024 school year. We will be asking the architect to complete an additional enhanced accessibility report beyond what the HLS report includes.

Deer Path Cafeteria Redesign

The District maintains a mid-tolong term facilities plan for each building, including DPM, and the renovation of the DPM cafeteria to increase accessible furniture, create a student hub, incorporate the exterior patio space, and facilitate healthy social interactions was slated for several years down the road. We are fortunate to accelerate these cafeteria renovations beginning this fall because the Spirit of 67 Foundation has generously offered to donate all of the furniture, which allows us to begin the design process earlier than expected. The goal would be to have all furniture in place by the end of 2023.

District 115

Sheridan Playground Updates

In 2022, the Board of Education approved a renovation of the Sheridan playground. The Spirit of 67 Foundation approved a grant to cover the cost of new playground equipment, which will be installed and completed by August 2023.

Replace and Repair

At the high school’s East Campus, we will replace all of the 83 nonhistoric windows on the east/rear side of the building. In addition, we will complete time-sensitive HVAC system equipment replacements, replace pipe fittings in the upper mechanical space, and undertake miscellaneous building exterior and interior door replacements. Paving work will also be underway, including the repair of the broken permeable pavers in the senior parking lot, and resealing and re-striping the south and east parking lots.

Transition Center Redesign

In 2012, the Transition Center Program was brought to West Campus, returning LFHS students that previously attended outplaced institutions. The program has since grown tremendously and to better meet the needs of our students, a true transformation of their space is needed. The complete redesign of instructional spaces will include a new fully operational teaching kitchen, access to daylight, and a vocational classroom. The work is anticipated to start in August and be substantially complete in December 2023.

Facilities Garage

A new facility will be built on the west side of West Campus building that will include offices, storage for grounds, a grounds workshop along with an athletics cold storage area. The building will also include a set of public restrooms to serve this area of the campus frequently used for athletic events. Currently, guests or players have to walk to the far south side or far north side of the property to use public restrooms. This work is also expected to begin in August and be complete in December 2023.

General Maintenance

Crews began work in the late spring and will continue into the summer to remove and replace the roofing on the entire West Campus building along with masonry and tuckpointing work. We will also replace the current main administration parking lot, including the addition of more spaces, and main drives on campus. Critical HVAC repairs will also be completed by August 2023.

“ The ADA accessible ramp and new innovative learning spaces will transform the instructional experience for all Cherokee Cheetahs!”

Kate Cavanaugh, Cherokee Elementary School Principal

Jason Akemann Business

Susie Pizzo

Interior Design

Matt Baranko Construction

Carol Post Structural Engineer

Diana Melichar Architect

Peter G. Strittmatter Heating and Cooling

Jim Opsitnik Preservation

J. Carter Strothman Diversified Technical Services

CAPITAL PROJECTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

FALL WEST CAMPUS SUMMER EAST CAMPUS

Turning a Page District 67 Makes Instructional Shift

Summer is such a critical time in school planning and it is set to be a busy season for us in District 67. During the 2022-23 school year, we conducted a thorough review of our curriculum and resources for early literacy. This culminated in a pilot and selection of a new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum resource, Amplify, for our K-8 teachers.

Over the next two months, we will put the finishing touches on the professional development and staff support needed to fully implement this instructional change. We have 232 certified staff throughout District 67 and it is no small feat to move in unison in a new and different direction. We are fortunate to have an expert staff and I have full confidence that this new instruction will roll out smoothly as a result.

As additional support to our families and students, there have been summer suggestions for learning in your principal’s newsletters and posted online. We hope that the summer brings opportunities for family time, other learning experiences, and a time to recharge. We look forward to the return of our students in the fall to ensure that all students in our District are supported to reach and surpass their academic goals.

In the 2023-24 school year, after we have successfully launched our literacy resource, we will share more details on the next steps in our curriculum and resource alignment.

Sincerely,

Vail Kieser Director of Teaching and Learning

Growing Together

District 67’s partnership with Lake Forest Open Lands Association continues to be a highlight of the spring student experience at Everett, Cherokee, and Sheridan Elementary Schools. Different grades take turns going on field trips to explore the impact of invasive plant species, and the critical role of biodiversity, ecosystems, and animals in our area.

Young Artists

Celebrated at City Hall

District 67 students were recognized at a Lake Forest City Council Meeting in May when Mayor Stanford Tack presented awards to 42 local student artists from schools throughout Lake Forest, including Cherokee, Everett, Sheridan, and DPM!

Spring Sings

Provide Joyful Finale

Students at Cherokee, Everett, and Sheridan Elementary Schools performed at their Spring Sings during May. This long-standing District tradition always brings smiles to students, staff, and families at the end of the school year!

Buddy Day Builds Excitement for Fourth Graders

On May 8, District 67 fourth grade students attended a pep-rally and welcome event at Deer Path Middle School. In preparation for their move to fifth grade at DPM, this day provided an opportunity to tour the building and learn about DPM life from administrators, teachers, and students. Each fourth grader was also paired with a Buddy Class to meet and interact with current fifth graders.

Bringing New Music to Life

On May 17, Deer Path Middle School welcomed guest composer, Susan Brumfield, who was commissioned to write “A Nightingale’s Lullaby,” an original piece for our DPM choirs with support from the Spirit of 67 Foundation! Students participated in workshops with Ms. Brumfield and ended the day with a performance of the piece for families.

Talent Takes the Spotlight

Deer Path Middle School students lit up the stage with their singing, dancing, acting, and talents at the 2023 Talent Show! Hosts Nico and Peyton got the crowd involved with trivia and their own musical acts, and the audience reciprocated with enthusiastic applause!

FROM THE DISTRICT 67 DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

At Sheridan Elementary School, students enjoyed one of their favorite events of the year - Exploration Day! Parents and community members visited Sheridan to share their expertise with students, allowing our Sharks to explore new and different topics, and discover hobbies from experts within our own community. All of this gave students the confidence to explore these opportunities further.

In one Deer Path Middle School seventhgrade ELA classroom, students conducted a Socratic Seminar about The Giver, discussing themes and analyzing characters. Using differentiation, their teacher skillfully switched students in and out of the inner circle, allowing for a more inclusive and dynamic conversation, so that everyone’s voice was heard.

Cherokee Elementary School fourth graders learned about animal adaptations and how to care for classroom animals. They researched and cared for green anole lizards and participated in creating their habitat and made daily quantitative and qualitative observations. Students also learned about internal and external stimuli as well as the difference between learned behaviors and instincts.

This year, in partnership with DPM APT, all eighth grade Deer Path Middle School students were invited to complete six acts or hours of service before graduation through in-school and extracurricular volunteering and activities. We celebrated all of the kindness and empathy demonstrated by our students at a special recognition breakfast in May.

In the Everett Elementary School library, kindergarteners have been learning the basics of coding and computer programming! They have discovered basic coding language including sequences and loops. After reading

The Three Billy Goats Gruff, they used their knowledge of sequencing (putting events in the correct order) to code BeeBot robots to retell the story!

confidence communication adaptability empathy critical thinking citizenship

Each month, Cherokee Elementary students earn “Cheetah Paws” for positive behavioral traits that demonstrate Cherokee citizenship, including cooperation and safety. Two students are drawn from each grade to win a special prize such as extra recess or playing a game with the Principal Dr. Kate Cavanaugh. When the school reaches a milestone goal, they earn a school-wide celebration!

The Lake Forest High School Foundation partnered with LFHS to create the Business Incubator in 2014. This course helps students become true entrepreneurs by developing their own product or service. Students are mentored by local experts and the course culminates in Pitch Night, a “SharkTank’’ style event when student teams present their ideas for the chance to earn funding. This year’s winning team, Soluble, created the first-ever 100% sustainable, dissolving bubble wrap, intended to reduce packaging waste.

This year’s Galaxies Unknown-themed LFHS TEDxYouth event highlighted students, teachers and innovative thinkers that have ideas worth spreading. The event places a strong emphasis on empowering students to find confidence in presenting and public speaking about topics that are important to them.

“Each day is another opportunity,” says LFHS Outdoor Education teacher, Ray Werner. Mr. Werner recently led students on their annual three-day trip to Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin. They cooked their own meals, climbed mountains, managed weather changes, challenged themselves outside of their comfort zones, and made new connections with students they never had interacted with before.

The annual LFHS Service Awards Breakfast was held on May 18 to honor the more than 40 students who received Young Adult and Teen Presidential Service Awards and LFHS-specific service awards including the Principal’s Award for Service. We are incredibly proud of the giving spirit demonstrated by these students over the course of the 2022-2023 school year.

The annual Physics Cardboard Boat Regatta requires non-AP physics students to build a boat out of cardboard or paper products, a real-world engineering problem! Students watched from the pool balcony as their peers showed off their engineering and skippering skills at the conclusion of this three-month project. The fastest time was achieved by Evan Sloan, Matt Durburg, Robert Medica, and Logan Uihlein with 34.94 seconds!

From performing at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna to going down the slides of a Salzburg salt mine, the 2023 LFHS European Music Tour was a huge success! LFHS Band, Choir, and Orchestra students traveled to Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic over Spring Break to tour and perform. It was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate musicianship, create memories with friends, and experience new places through the universal language of music.

Dancing in the Moonlight

LFHS juniors and seniors danced the night away with friends at the Hyatt Regency at this year’s LFHS Prom, themed Dancing in the Moonlight. Highlights included a walk down the red carpet and the crowning of Prom royalty!

Taking Life in Stride

The Wellness Walk is an annual school-wide activity every May that allows students and staff to take a well-deserved mental break during the last month of busy school days. The tradition, which began in 2010, kicks off when underclassmen and staff clap out the seniors and staff retirees followed by a walk around the neighborhood and games, food, and music on the front lawn.

FROM THE LAKE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Passion to Learn at LFHS Continues This Summer

Thanks to the popularity of our summer school course offerings, we have had many Scouts in our building this summer! As a principal, there is not much to like about empty school hallways and classrooms, so I am grateful to our staff who have taken on the task of providing learning opportunities so that our school can be a year-round place of growth.

Whether students are earning credit in US History or Drivers Education, setting the stage for success in one of our math, science, or world language bridge courses, or pursuing a passion in writing, art, or college admissions, the LFHS experience continues to be an exceptional one this summer.

We are also working hard to put the finishing touches on our Macbook rollout for all LFHS students in the 2023-2024 school year. These devices provide a broader range of opportunity and accessibility, and better prepare our students for the world of postsecondary education and work that they will enter after their time as a Scout.

LFHS Students Connect with Little Scouts

Little Scouts Preschool Director Heather Monzingo has partnered with LFHS teachers Sara Dreiling and Jen Thomas to create opportunities for high school students to write and illustrate their own children’s books, design and sew stuffed animals, and share them with our Little Scouts preschoolers!

Standout Students Recognized at LFHS Honors Night

68 student scholars, athletes, artists, and others were celebrated at the annual 2023 LFHS Honors Night. Four students received full-ride scholarships to their institutions of choice and an additional total of over $73,000 in scholarships were awarded from community groups including the American Legion, the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Lion’s Club, the Lake Bluff Youth Baseball Association, the Deer Path Art League, Lake Bluff Women’s Club, Friends of Lake Forest Library, and the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation, among others.

Hats Off to the Class of 2023!

On June 3, 368 seniors moved their tassels to the left of their graduation caps and threw them up in the air, symbolizing the move from high school to the next stages in their lives!

Congratulations to the Class of 2023, destined to make the world a better place thanks to the knowledge and skills fostered by LFHS teachers and staff, examples set by our community, and the unwavering support of their loved ones.

I am so proud of all of our Scouts successes in the 202223 school year. I am in awe of our Class of 2023 for all they accomplished at LFHS in academics, arts, and athletics, school trips, the Business Incubator, and their projects, service, and participation in more clubs and organizations than I have space to mention here. As they begin college and engage in other professional endeavors, it is my hope that our newly-minted graduates hold fast to the essence of their Lake Forest High School experience - the passion to learn, the insight to know oneself, and the courage to make a difference.

Your proud principal,

Dr. Erin Lenart Principal

I am grateful to our staff who have taken on the task of providing learning opportunities so that our school can be a year-round place of growth.

Boards of Education

District 67

L-to-R: Alice LeVert (Vice President), Monica Yaun, Mark Remus, Megan Engelberg, Annie Geraghty Helms (President), Emily Bernahl (Secretary), Carl Kirar

District 115

L-to-R: David Burns, Marcus Schabacker, Jenny Zinser (Vice President), Sally Davis, Dewey Winebrenner, John Venson (Secretary), John Noble (President)

“The APT theme for next year is CONNECTION, furthering our relationship with parents, teachers, and our community for the benefit of our children. I look forward to working to bring connection among all D67 buildings!”

“I am thrilled to support an incredible team committed to making the lives of our students and staff better. Their needs continue to evolve and the Foundation will evaluate each opportunity to invest and drive educational excellence.”

“I am really looking forward to bringing more awareness about the many ways in which our children’s education is enhanced by the Spirit. Working with the extraordinary Board is an honor!”

“LFHS is an incredible place, offering a vast array of activities and events for students. The APT looks forward to supporting our teachers and staff to bring amazing experiences to the student community!”

KEY SCHOOL DATES

DPM New Families Orientation

CH, EV, SH, and DPM School Walk-Throughs

First Day of Student Attendance – Grades 1-8 – Full Day

First Day of Student Attendance – Early Childhood

First Day of Student Attendance –Staggered Start – Kindergarten

First Day of Student Attendance – All Kindergarten

CH, EV, and SH Parent Information Nights

Labor Day – No School for Students and Staff

APT School Year Kick Off Meeting for All Families

Spirit of 67 Home and Garden Tour

DPM Back to School Night

Junior High Band Night at LFHS No School for Students and Staff

Columbus / Indigenous Peoples Day

Great FULL Market at Beacon Place

Full Day of School / Parent-Teacher Conferences

No Student Attendance – Parent-Teacher Conferences 8am-12pm

D67 No Student Attendance / Institute Day

Thanksgiving Break

Textbook Pickup and Activities Fair

New Family Orientation Night (for families who just moved to the community)

Freshman Orientation

District 67 and 115 APT and Foundations Welcome New Leadership 67

First Day of School (Full Day, Grades 9-12)

International Thespian Society Fundraiser: Senior Directed One Acts

Labor Day – No School for Students and Staff

Open House

Senior Parent Seminars

Homecoming Pep Rally and Varsity Football Game

Homecoming Dance

Junior High Band Night at LFHS

No School for Students and Staff

Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day

Great FULL Market at Beacon Place

Fall Play: Strike

Choir Concert

Orchestra Concert

Band Concert

Thanksgiving Break

Kimberly Carris President, D67 Association of Parents and Teachers (APT) Executive Board

Kristen Lee President, LFHS Association of Parents and Teachers (APT)

Maureen Fitzgerald Chair, LFHS Foundation

Courtney Treutelaar President, Spirit of 67 Foundation