The North Shore Weekend, April 17, 2021

FIND US ONLINE: DailyNorthShore.com

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

Fisher native Julie Williams launches Giants Football Fund and reels in future HPHS gridiron stars P38

WEEKEND WEATHER Saturday, Mostly cloudy, high 49 Saturday night, Low 41 Sunday, Partly cloudy, high 53

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

This mom is planting mighty ideas P18 FOLLOW US:

NO. 444 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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Pause. Reflect. Appreciate. lfola.org

WORLD-CLASS LEADERS IN ROBOTIC HEART SURGERY At the UChicago Medicine Heart and Vascular Center, Dr. Husam Balkhy leads one of the most comprehensive and skilled robotic cardiac surgery programs in the nation. This minimally invasive surgery option reduces pain and recovery time for patients, and leads to fewer surgery complications.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

J U ST LI ST E D

LUXURY is not defined by the price...

16 LONGMEADOW RD, WINNETKA 5 Beds • 4.1 Baths // listed at $3,945,000

N E W PR I C E

N E W PR I C E

4 INDIAN HILL RD, WINNETKA 6 Beds • 6.1 Baths // listed at $2,025,000

150 MEADOW LN, WINNETKA

1041 SEMINOLE RD, WINNETKA

5 Beds • 4.2 Baths // listed at $4,449,900

986 ASBURY CT, WINNETKA

6 Beds • 6.1 Baths // listed at $2,299,900

6 Beds • 4.1 Baths // listed at $1,649,900

#1 AGENT NORTH SHORE * 1 AC R E

J U ST LI ST E D

655 SHERIDAN RD, GLENCOE

115 DE WINDT RD, WINNETKA

5 Beds • 6.2 Baths // listed at $5,999,900

7 Beds • 7.3 Baths // listed at $5,999,900

CO M I N G SO O N

37 KENILWORTH AVE, KENILWORTH

6 Beds • 7.2 Baths // listed at $3,699,000

J U ST LI ST E D

CO U N T RY E STAT E

U N D E R CO N T R AC T

25 LOCUST RD, WINNETKA

15 WOODLEY RD, WINNETKA

1005 MT PLEASANT RD, WINNETKA

5 Beds • 4.1 Baths // listed at $1,795,000

lakefront with deeded beach

246 SHERIDAN RD, WINNETKA

6 Beds • 6.2 Baths // listed at $3,400,000

7 Beds • 5.2 Baths // listed at $3,899,900

PR IVAT E LI STI N G

I T I S D EFI NED 321 WILLOW ROAD, WINNETKA 5 Beds • 4.2 Baths // lakefront opportunity

...by the presentation *MRED, LLC #1 North Shore Closed Sales Volume 01/01/20 – 12/31/20

312.925.9899 | jradnay@atproperties.com For the inside scoop on new listings

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

@JenaRadnayRealEstate

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SOLD 102% LIST PRICE

99% LIST PRICE

2132 LAKE AVENUE, WILMETTE

97% LIST PRICE

210 CENTRAL PARK AVENUE, WILMETTE

2223 CRESTVIEW LANE, WILMETTE

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL!

So far in 2021... **

VI L L AG E

HOMES S OLD

AVG DAYS ON M A R KE T

P E R CE NTAG E AS K I NG P R I CE

G L EN COE

28

110

95 .5 %

KEN I LWORTH

15

1 49

9 4 .3%

N O RTHFIELD

17

91

94%

WI L METTE

1 03

89

95 .1 %

WI N N ETKA

61

158

95 .5 %

SOLD

CO MIN G SO O N

1 0 0 WO O DSTO C K AVE, KENI LWO RT H

1 4 4 WOODSTOCK AV E , KE NILWORTH

UND E R CONTR ACT

2 5 0 POPL A R ST, WIN N ET KA

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

FOR SALE!

4 3 K E N I LWO RTH AVE, KENI LWO RT H FOR SALE!

2 0 5 M E L ROSE AVE, KENI LWO RTH UNDER CONTRACT

1 4 2 0 S H ERI DAN RD 3D, WI L M ETTE

FO R SA L E!

350 ME LR OSE AV E , KE NILWORTH U N DER CO N T RAC T

859 BU R R AV E , W INNE TKA U N DER CO N T RAC T

2 1 58 DAU NTLE SS DR , GLE NV IE W

FOR SALE !

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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WEL COME SPRING. HERE’S TO NEW BEGINNINGS.

Spring is in the air and so with it, an air of optimism and determination.

Take this time to put thought into action and turn your house into your dream home.

Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, renovating a kitchen or refreshing your outdoor space, home projects can make a significant impact on your home’s market value.

Our Engel & Völkers Chicago North Shore advisors are happy to discuss with you the local market and how updates like these can better position your home for sale.

Wishing you a bright, warm, and beautiful spring.

Engel & Völkers Chicago North Shore

847.441.5730 • chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com 566 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor • Winnetka, Illinois ©2021 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Chicago North Shore Portfolio of Fine Homes AY ND SU 3PM EN OP PM 1

HIGHLAND PARK

1869 Crescent Court Jennifer Ames AY ND SU 3PM EN OP PM 1

HIGHLAND PARK

$5,750,000 41 S. Deere Park Drive 773.908.3632 Jamie Roth

D UN

ER

C

T ON

RA

Marsha Balsamo & Beth Kelly

S

$4,900,000 49 Lakeview Terrace $3,500,000 847.219.6400 Francie Pinkwater & Jennifer Ames 847.922.3398

CT

NORTHFIELD

2040 Suffork Road

IN RK PA ED E G UD RA CL GA IN

G

GOLD COAST • CHICAGO

NORTHFIELD

$1,100,000 2140 Old Willow Road

847.971.8371 Stevie Sims

$880,000 10 E. Delaware Place #10A $749,000 312.505.5142 847.922.7565 Andreas Holder AC TR N CO AY! ER 1 D D UN IN

D OL

WILMETTE

250 Laurel Avenue Stevie Sims * Represented the Buyer

HIGHLAND PARK

WINNETKA

$715,000 711 Oak Street #302 847.922.7565 Amy Larsen

T

WINNETKA

$499,000 134 Green Bay Road #204 $255,000 773.720.8041 Noah Levy & Janet Karabas 312.203.2416

Engel & Völkers Chicago North Shore

847.441.5730 • chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com 566 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor • Winnetka, Illinois ©2021 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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IF YOU’VE BEEN THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME, NOW IS THE TIME TO...

GET OFF THE FENCE Inventory is historically low. Mortgage rates are still low. Sale prices of homes are up.

And there are buyers who will want your house! You need our team of expert advisors to navigate the current real estate market, so give us a call!

Laurie Field

Marcia Lyman

Jamie Roth

Telephone +1 312.504.7010 laurie.field@evrealestate.com lauriefield.evrealestate.com

Telephone +1 847.477.4851 marcia.lyman@evrealestate.com marcialyman.evrealestate.com

Telephone +1 847.219.6400 jamie.roth@evrealestate.com jamieroth.evrealestate.com

Engel & Völkers Chicago North Shore

566 Chestnut Street, 2 Floor • Winnetka, Illinois 90093 • 847.441.5730 • chicagonorthshore.evrealestate.com nd

Some sales sold while affiliated with another brokerage. ©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

INDEX

NEWS

12 an afternoon with cindy mccain John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Wendy Franzen, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Sherry Thomas, Megan Weisberg

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Duncan, Mitch Hurst, Bill McLean, Monica Kass Rogers

DESIGN Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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ALL ADVERTISING INQUIRY INFO SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO 847.370.6940 & JENNIFER@JWCMEDIA.COM FIND US ONLINE: DAILYNORTHSHORE.COM LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! © 2021 THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND A PUBLICATION OF JWC MEDIA 445 SHERIDAN RD., HIGHWOOD, IL 60040

The wife of the late Senator John McCain is the guest speaker at the Woman's Board of Rush University Medical Center's annual spring luncheon

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

14 mighty mom

Lisa Zaffer Olson founds a business to teach children about healthy lifestyle habits

18 north shore foodie

Jamaican beef patties are the perfect picnic food

LAST BUT NOT LEAST 38 sunday breakfast

HPHS football mom Julie Williams engineers drive to help youth through the Giants Football Fund

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS SECTION 20 private practice

For parents seeking out the best education for their children, private schools on the North Shore offer an array of unique education options

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SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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NEWS

AN AFTERNOON WITH CINDY MCCAIN THE WOMAN’S BOARD OF RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS ITS 26TH ANNUAL SPRING LUNCHEON.

SAVE BIG ON TILE through

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Brooke Kuehnle and Katie Frekko PHOTOGRAPH BY KERRI SHERMAN

BY MEGAN WEISBERG THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

On May 11, the Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center will hold its 26th annual Spring Luncheon virtually. The Woman’s Board works with hospital leadership to determine how best to support the hospital with the funds raised from events and appeals. Funds raised by the 2021 Spring Luncheon will be directed to Rush Medical Center’s education, research, and community service programs, including The Woman’s Board’s 2021 principal project—The Woman’s Board Fund for Precision Oncology Research.

Brooke Kuehnle and Katie Frekko, both of Lake Forest, are co-chairing the event this year.

Also in attendance will be the Woman's Board’s new president, Cindy Mancillas of Winnetka, who herself has been involved with Rush for nearly 30 years.

Cindy McCain, the wife of the late Senator John McCain, will be the event’s keynote speaker. McCain has dedicated her life to improving the lives of those less fortunate both in the United States and around the world.

In her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the McCain Institute for International

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Leadership at Arizona State University, McCain oversees the organization’s focus on advancing character-driven global leadership based on security, economic opportunity, freedom, and human dignity. Through her work as Chair of the Institute’s Human Trafficking Advisory Council, several partnerships have been formed with anti-trafficking organizations working on solving various aspects of the problem.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Project C.U.R.E and the Advisory Boards of Too Small To Fail and Warriors and Quiet Waters, McCain is also Chairman of her family’s business, Hensley Beverage Company— one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the nation.

"We're beyond thrilled to have Cindy McCain as our keynote speaker for this year's Spring Luncheon,” says Frekko. “McCain has lived a remarkable life. In addition to being a wife, a mother, a business leader, and a humanitarian, she's also been a witness to history, having had a front-row seat to some of the most impactful political events of this era. She has a great story to tell and plenty of insight to offer—I think all of the luncheon guests are in for a real treat."

For more information, or to purchase tickets to the event, visit thewomansboard.org/event/springluncheon.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

McElroy Furs

clEaning & storagE a coMMitMEnt to

E x c E l l E n c E s i n c E 1928 . c a l l F o r a c o M p l i M E n ta ry hoME pick-up pick-up

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4/9/21 12:21 SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 | PM

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

MIGHTY MOM LISA ZAFFER OLSON, FOUNDER OF MIGHTY SEEDS NUTRITION, TEACHES CHILDREN ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS TO CULTIVATE POSITIVE LIFE-LONG ASSOCIATIONS WITH FOOD AND NUTRITION.

BY ALLISON DUNCAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Perhaps you saw functional nutritionist Lisa Zaffer Olson’s 12-year-old son Andrew on ABC’s Windy City Live! this month. A producer from the show spotted Andrew on Olson’s social media channels taking a snack break from e-learning with a healthy green smoothie and asked that he recreate the drink for the daytime talk show.

That spirit of sharing and education, says Olson, is the goal of Mighty Seeds Nutrition, the blog she founded to translate nutrition science into information that anyone can use and inspire ways to easily cultivate positive associations with food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits. One might even say it’s in Olson’s genes.

“Growing up Greek, meals are about so much more than food,” says Olson. “Aside from nourishment, it’s about connection, culture, and tradition. My grandfather had a produce business in Chicago and later went on to have restaurants in the area for decades. As a child, I grew up in an environment focused on food, choosing the right ingredients, and preparing meals.”

That naturally extended to an interest in nutrition, health, and wellness, which Olson ultimately pursued to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Along the way, she learned about functional nutrition, an emerging subset with a personalized method of optimizing health based on individual genetics, lab values, lifestyle, and more. But what does that actually mean? The focus is on the patient versus the disease.

“It really aligned with my personal philosophy,” says Olson. “We are all given a set of genes, but it is largely up to you— through diet and lifestyle—to decide which ones to turn on. It’s an empowering field.”

Her passion led to a position with a health sciences company, where Olson trained physicians and other licensed health care providers how to utilize nutrition to correct metabolic imbalances and how to achieve genetic potential through nutrition.

But after years of working with adults, she saw firsthand the challenges of trying to make these changes later in life.

“And when I learned that this is the first generation of children not expected to outlive their parents due to diet and lifestyle choices, I knew something had to be done,” explains Olson of her inspiration for launching Mighty Seeds Nutrition. “Why not find a way to teach these principles at a young age so that they are always a part of Continued on PG 16

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Lisa Zaffer Olson is founder of Mighty Seeds Nutrition. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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“A particular pleasure at this stage of my career is working with the children of my friends, and the friends of my children.”

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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LIFESTYLE & ARTS MIGHTY MOM

From PG 14

them understand how their food choices make them feel, and will stick with them as they grow.”

Olson first started volunteering in her children Andrew and Ellie’s classrooms when they were in preschool. Once they realized what it meant to have their mom at school, she says, they simply asked that she make any activities fun.

“When kids are engaged, they learn, and when they learn, they feel a sense of empowerment,” says Olson.

“Understanding the education principles guides them to more informed choices.

It’s much easier to create a healthy habit from the beginning than to try and undo unhealthy habits later in life. Food is inextricably linked to social, emotional, and mental health and development and contributes to a sense of belonging, connection, well-being, security, and nourishment. It really affects the overall quality of life.”

more of an online focus and is now offering online programming and social media on all aspects of wellness.

At home, Olson lives by the mantra that we should make kids food-friendly rather than make foods kid-friendly.

Her top tips are to get kids involved, whether that means choosing produce at the store or selecting a dinner recipe from a cookbook; think about presentation and try creative displays with colorful bowls of veggies or rainbow fruit skewers; swap out sodas and other sweetened beverages for healthy alternatives, and; avoid using food as a reward.

Olson aims to choose recipes that are quick, nutritious, and less than five ingredients (“I’m obsessed with my Instant Pot!”) and particularly loves those from Skinnytaste and Against All Grain. Her go-to snacks include a mini, kids-style charcuterie board, protein energy balls, and sugar-free lemonade.

But, Olson recognizes, everything in moderation. With respect to nutrition, she follows the 80/20 rule, which says what you do the majority of the time builds the foundation that allows room for flexibility otherwise.

“In high achieving areas like the North Shore, it is especially important to find balance and to not only focus on nutrition but also on factors like sleep, stress, movement, and spending time with loved ones,” says Olson. “Recognizing the challenges that have arisen from COVID-19, there are silver linings that have come out of it as well. In a way, it’s been like a giant cleanse, allowing families to reset priorities and habits. We are eating meals together, cooking together, and exploring nature together.

In some ways, we are all connecting now more than ever.”

Ellie (9), Lisa, and Andrew (12) Olson.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP, HAIR BY VAL PASHNERVECK

a child’s consciousness? Planting the seeds of education now will set them up for a lifetime of healthy choices.”

Recognizing that children are bombarded by food industry messaging in the media, predominately with foods higher in sugar and fat, Olson says it is important that they are also exposed to healthy messaging and healthy food choices.

One of Mighty Seeds Nutrition’s most popular classes is Sugar Shock, in which Olson teaches elementary and middle school students about the concept of nutrient-dense foods, what happens in your body when you have sugar, and why sugar should

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be used in moderation. Students learn to read the sugar content on labels of common drinks and snacks and then measure it out with visuals.

“As we know, children are not always motivated by health and wellness, so I try to break down what it means to them,” explains Olson. “I start by asking them what they are interested in, like sports, academics, or even just playing Fortnite, and then tie it back into how this will help them improve in that particular area. I bring awareness to how they are feeling when they eat different foods. Connecting how it affects their physical, mental, and emotional health will help

Kid’s charcuterie board. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP

Bringing nutrition to schools has been a perfect complement to current wellness curriculums. Like many businesses, this year Mighty Seeds Nutrition has shifted to have

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For more information and for upcoming programming, visit mightyseedsnutrition. com or follow Olson @mightyseedsnutrition on Instagram and Facebook.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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LIFESTYLE & ARTS

NORTH SHORE FOODIE

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES It’s picnic weather again! And with portability in mind, Jamaican Beef Patties are a great alternative to the “same-old” sameness of sandwiches. With spiced beef tucked into a turmeric-bright crust, these savory hand pies are our family tote-along favorite. I sometimes double the filling recipe and freeze, to have at-theready for another batch of hand pies at the next picnic.

MAKES 4 TO 6 RECTANGULAR HAND PIES

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST: • 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted • 2 tsp turmeric • ½ tsp salt • 1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup) OR ½ stick butter plus ¼ cup lard • 3 Tbsp cold water (or a bit more, if needed) • 1 egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water (for egg wash) FOR THE FILLING: • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided • 1 medium onion, peeled, cored and finely chopped to make 1 cup 1 Scotch Bonnet or habanero chili, seeds removed, minced • ½ cup water • 1 Tbsp Jamaican curry powder • 1 tsp ground Jamaican allspice • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, stems removed • 1 ½ pounds ground beef • 1 tsp each, salt and freshly ground black pepper • ¼ cup dry breadcrumbs • 2 tsp Knox gelatin powder • 1 Tbsp Jamaican Browning sauce (I used Grace brand) • ¼ cup beef stock

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RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS

METHOD MAKE CRUST: Sift flour with salt and turmeric into a large, shallow bowl. Slice butter (and lard, if using) into small pieces and scatter over the flour. Cut butter into the flour with two knives. Using your fingertips and deft, quick movements, break remaining bits of butter into the flour into smaller and smaller fragments until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Use a fork to mix just enough cold water into the dough, adding just one Tbsp at a time until dough begins to gather up. Cover your work surface with two overlapping pieces of plastic wrap.

Scrape pastry from mixing bowl onto the plastic (don’t worry if it’s still a bit crumbly.) Gather the corners of the plastic up and squeeze the dough into a ball, squishing it a few times to incorporate any crumbles. Try not to overhandle the dough. (If the dough seems too crumbly, add another tablespoon of water and lightly work it into the dough.) Spread work surface

with two more overlapping pieces of plastic wrap. Place ball of dough in center. Flatten dough into a rectangular shape. Fold and flatten again. Cover with two more overlapping sheets of plastic. Using a rolling pin, roll dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Leaving the plastic intact, lift and place dough onto cookie sheet; refrigerate while you make filling.

MAKE FILLING: In a heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat, add oil and saute onion and chili pepper until beginning to soften. Add ½ cup water and continue cooking until water has evaporated and onion is very soft. Remove to a bowl and set aside. Add remaining vegetable oil, curry powder, allspice and thyme to saute pan; stir for a few seconds until fragrant. Crumble beef over and stir, cooking through. Stir in salt, pepper, breadcrumbs, browning sauce

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and gelatin powder. Add beef stock; add the sauteed pepper and onion, stir to incorporate.

Remove from heat and set aside.

FILL AND BAKE PIES: Preheat oven to 400.

Spread a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place refrigerated dough on work surface; remove top sheet of plastic. Cut dough into 4 to 6 rectangles. Place 3 Tbsp of filling on one end of a rectangle. Fold in half to enclose filling; working around the edge, crimp to form hand pie. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Repeat until you have filled each of your dough rectangles. Freeze or refrigerate remaining filling. Brush top of each hand pie with egg wash. Slice three little vents on the top of each.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until crusts are golden brown.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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| SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

PRIVATE PRACTICE FOR PARENTS SEEKING OUT THE BEST EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN, PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON THE NORTH SHORE OFFER AN ARRAY OF UNIQUE EDUCATION OPTIONS.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

It’s all about community.

Ask an administrator of just about any private school on the North Shore and they’ll tell you kids thrive when they are part of a community of faculty and parents

who share the goal of their children not just excelling at academics, but at life itself.

“We combine academic preparation for college and life with a special approach on character formation and building great men,” says Niall Fagan, Head of School at Northridge Prep, an all-boys Catholic school in Niles. “What’s especially unique is the environment of freedom and

relationships with teachers who are here to help students grow both intellectually and as a person.”

Fagan says students at Northridge Prep are allowed to be themselves and, combined with caring teachers, can grow as men. The school’s advisor program drives its educational philosophy.

“It starts with the advisor program.

Every student has a teacher who they meet with one-on-one on a regular basis and talk about everything to the extent the student feels comfortable,” Fagan says.

“We pay a lot of attention to who we hire.

The teachers are great role models. They understand the whys behind good ethical Continued on PG 22

P R E M I E R P R I VAT E S C H O O L S PRIVATE PRACTICE

From PG 21

living, and all of our teachers see their role as forming young men, not just helping them learn a subject.”

Northridge Prep believes parents are integral to the education of their children, and Fagan says a partnership between faculty and parents is one the keys to success.

“We believe we're here to serve parents in their role of forming great men. Parents choose us, but the parents are primary educators, and that plays out practically in many ways,” says Fagan. “We very much encourage parents to reach to teachers and teachers to reach out to parents to share what they're seeing not just on the report card but if they're seeing growth or areas for improvement.”

At Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS), Director of Enrollment, Marketing, and Financial Aid Alex Sheridan says that the 37 different zip codes that students hail from actually contributes to its sense of community.

“It's a community that's far more reflective of the greater Chicago area than just the North Shore, and community is who

school.”

When the pandemic emerged early in 2020 and schools in Illinois were ordered closed in March, Fusion Academy in Lake Forest moved on without interruption. The school offers a one-to-one teaching model, and already had plenty of experience offering remote learning for students.

“Throughout the shutdown, our students at Fusion did not miss a beat because we were so used to flipping the switch that we just flipped it and kept it on,” says Cindi Di Iorio, Fusion’s Head of School. Our students continued to have their same teachers and our teaching is one-to-one, whereas many other schools were asynchronous.”

Fusion Academy specializes in providing a learning environment for students who might not thrive in more traditional educational settings. These include students who are gifted or accelerated learners, student with ADHD/ADD or anxiety, and students with challenging schedules.

A guiding philosophy at Fusion is that students don’t take work home. It hosts a Homework Café on campus where students set aside part of the day their follow-up

Students at Lake Forest Country Day School come from 37 zip codes, representing communities from Chicago to Wisconsin.

This summer, Fusion plans to offer individualized classes and tutoring for students who may have fallen behind during the school interruptions due to the pandemic.

Because of its educational model, the school is well positioned to help parents and families assess lost learning and fill the gaps.

“We are going to have some summer programs this year that are built around the

idea of escaping COVID-19. This is for kids who weren't at Fusion,” says Di Iorio.

“They weren't necessarily getting the best of instruction and maybe their school doesn't feel confident that they should be moving on. It’s to make sure that kids are good and ready for the next school year and moving Continued on PG 24

Fusion Academy Lake Forest offers on-to-one teaching where students can learn at their own pace based on individual emotional and academic needs.

we are,” Sheridan says. “We’re intentionally small by design and the idea is that class size facilitates an understanding not only of who students are as learners, but also who students are as people.”

Sheridan says that small class sizes enable LFCDS to individualize and differentiate instruction not only through an academic and intellectual capacity but also through social and emotional support.

“Central to our ability to do that is the partnership we feel with families,” he says.

“Everything that happens at school is only as good as what's getting reinforced at home, and everything that's happening at home is only as good as what's getting reinforced at

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coursework. Replicating the Homework Café online was challenging but doing so had a silver lining.

“Our challenge was continuing to make sure that we lived up to our mission of supporting kids through that independent practice. So, we created a Virtual Homework Cafe space, and in the beginning, it was a little bit of an adjustment for the kids,” Di Iorio says, “Telling them they had to sign into this virtual cafe Zoom room and sit there and do their homework while we watched was a little awkward, but then they started to have social time and the space became vibrant. It was amazing to see the kids because they needed the interaction.”

The all-boys Northridge Prep school in Niles gives students a chance to participate in non-traditional activities such as school-wide Nerf gun wars.

| SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Where greatness takes root.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

www.lfcds.org/admission 847.615.6151 THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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P R E M I E R P R I VAT E S C H O O L S PRIVATE PRACTICE

From PG 22

up a level.”

Like Fusion Academy, Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff was also well-positioned to handle the disruptions caused by the pandemic. As a Montessori School, its flexible learning model helped mitigate the shutdown’s negative impact.

“The Montessori approach is focused on adaptability, which was a very important strength this year and helped us tremendously to respond to this very unusual situation,” says Paula Lillard Preschlack, Head Emerita of Forest Bluff School. “Maria Montessori saw that human beings are very adaptable, and children are extremely adaptable when they're very young. We were able to use that in how we responded. That was extremely helpful.”

An example of this adaptability, Preschlack says, is the fact that students at Forest Bluff School have been eating lunch outside every day of the current school year, including on cold, winter days.

“Even the little 5-year-olds bundled up.

We told the parents to have them wear long underwear and wool socks and hats. It was like having a picnic out in the snow every day and they loved it,” she says. “They really embraced it.”

The Montessori approach is based on the idea that children are active learners, and that if the right environment is created, children will learn to teach themselves, with

Forest Bluff School, a Montessori school in Lake Bluff, provides an environment where even young students play an active role in their own education.

confident and see failure and mistakes as part of their own learning process.

“When they grow up, they're very eager to try anything and are very courageous about it,” says Preschlack. “I see these young adults doing these really amazing and very difficult things. To me personally, Montessori education is the best way to prepare the next generation for solving problems in our world.”

While Sacred Heart School in Winnetka

School of St. Mary in Lake Forest offers a robust STEAM program where creativity and critical thinking are valued over following prescribed instruction.

the guidance of teachers and parents.

“Learners who engage with their own learning process and have an incredible ability to focus their attention and be very organized can collaborate with others,” Preschlack says. “I often see incredible resilience in them because instead of being graded and told what they've done wrong by adults, they may actually find their own mistakes through working with the Montessori materials.”

The results, she says, are kids who are very

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plans to increase class sizes this year after having to limit class sizes during 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic, it remains committed to its historical small-class philosophy.

“Our small size is our strength and so we look at our community as a place where everyone knows you,” says Sara Lanser, who heads up marketing at Sacred Heart School.

“The school office staff knows you and knows your family. We're not the biggest school out there. We currently have one class

other, both to help with programs at school and outside of school,” says Meagher. “We want to support the whole child by allowing families to connect with each other to make ours a strong community.”

Similar to the Montessori approach, for over 100 years Baker Demonstration School in Wilmette has used an experimental learning approach to help kids adapt as they move through school into adulthood.

“When students learn in an environment where they design, create, build, plan, and experiment they are active participants in their own learning,” says Carly Andrews, Baker’s Head of School. “The teacher in this environment serves as a caring, observant who is working with children and ensuring that they are central to the process. The outcome is a deep and abiding curiosity and love of learning.”

At School of St. Mary in Lake Forest, students benefit from an academically challenging and faith-based environment through the school’s affiliation with Church of St. Mary.

“Through our academic philosophy, curriculum, and campus ministry, the School of St. Mary cultivates inspired leaders and instills in students the confidence to think constructively, reason independently, and succeed academically,” says David Wieters, the school’s principal.

Wieters says School of St. Mary’s environment emphasizes small class sizes; nurturing faculty who challenge individuals; differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs; supportive and inclusive parish community that models the integration of service and faith into the daily lives of students.

“Our students of yesterday have become passionate leaders of today,” says Wieters.

“Many have returned to their roots to share the invaluable gift of their foundational education with children and grandchildren.”

per grade in most grades.”

Lanser says the school’s size allows it to adapt to the individual needs of its students, who include academically advanced kids as well as those who might need a little extra help.

“We’ve got a real individual focus and we’re a STEAM and technology focused school, including a full STEAM lab,” Lanser says. “We really see ourselves as a small school that offers everything in an environment where kids can thrive.”

Private schools aren’t often thought of as neighborhood schools but that’s exactly how Principal Tom Meagher describes The School of Saints Faith, Hope & Charity in Winnetka. Affiliated with The Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Parish, the school is rooted in local, Catholic community.

“Faith Hope is a neighborhood school.

We’re a Catholic, faith-based school that provides engaging and challenging academics that prepare students for Loyola Academy, New Trier, and other local schools,” Meagher says. “We’re a school where we want kids to grow mind, body, and soul.”

While affiliated with Faith Hope Parish, Meagher says the school welcomes students from across the community.

“We're a very welcoming community that seeks to get people and Sacred Heart School in Winnetka is an Apple Distinguished School with families contechnology integrated into its curriculum for students beginning in Junior Kindergarten. nected with each

| SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Building Men of Intellect & Character Who Love God

northridgeprep.org

College Preparatory for Boys in Grades 6-12

“Mr. Barder’s class goes beyond just English.

He teaches you about life, about how to be a man, about how to be a father.”

Ruben ‘20, Duke University

“If you go to Northridge, you’re beyond lucky. It’s incredible how this environment exists.”

Mark, 11th Grade

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

NORTHRIDGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS

WEBSITE: northridgeprep.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 300

WEBSITE: lfcds.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 400

GRADES: 6 through 12

TUITION: $10,100 (Middle School), $15,000 (High School)

GRADES: Age 2 to Grade 8

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Niall Fagan/ Headmaster

TUITION: $5,400-$34,330

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic Independent School

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Joy Hurd, Head of School RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None

ADMISSIONS: The LFCDS admission process seeks to identify students and families who will contribute to and benefit from a program and community that develops the whole child. Applicants are invited to tour campus and participate in a shadow visit.

CONTACT: Alex Sheridan, Director of Enrollment, Marketing & Financial Aid

ADMISSIONS: Building men of intellect and character is a team effort. We admit families, not just students. We look for families who share our values, and motivated young men. More information about the application process can be found on our website.

CONTACT: Director of Admissions: Joseph Egan (‘15) EMAIL: jegan@northridgeprep.org

EMAIL: admission@lfcds.org

ABOUT US: For over 130 years, LFCDS has provided a program that is rich in tradition. With a commitment to progressive education embedded in that identity, our students benefit from a learning experience that spans the pedagogical spectrum. We strive, intentionally, to maintain equilibrium between academic and social-emotional development.

ACADEMICS: A blended approach to learning allows LFCDS to subscribe to best practice while offering a curriculum that meets each child where they are. Small by design, with classes between 12 to 15 students and 7:1 student-teacher ratio across the school, size enables LFCDS the ability to individualize and differentiate based on student interest and need.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: The LFCDS program builds participation in the arts and athletics directly into the school day. Students participate in visual arts and music at every grade level, and drama is added for students in the Upper School (Grade 5-8). The athletic program is also a requirement for Upper School students, who are able to participate on three different teams during the course of the year. Teams meet at the end of the school day before dismissal, which not only gives students the opportunity to develop their skills and hone their sense of sportsmanship, but also to appreciate the value of participation and inclusion.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: You can’t talk about LFCDS without talking about its culture and sense of community. There is a rare spirit that lives across the school’s 33-acre campus and 40,000 sq. foot building that has often been described as a warm hug. Relationships amongst students, parents, and teachers live at the center of the LFCDS experience and campus serves as a second home for families across the community.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: LFCDS has families representing 37 different zip codes, including families who commute to campus from Chicago and from Wisconsin.

ABOUT US: Our mission to build men of intellect and character who love God is focused on educating the whole person. Northridge is a partnership between parents and educators dedicated to raising noble young men that strive to live by the highest ideals in life.

ACADEMICS: Middle School is designed based on the needs of students to both learn facts and subject matter and to grow in habits of study, organization, and an optimistic view of life.

High School prepares students for college and builds men with a noble vision for life. Our Core + Elective model lays gives students flexibility and rigor suited to their God-given talents.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS: High School: Concert/Pep/Jazz Band, String Ensemble, and Acapella Choir, Theater Department with multiple performances.

Middle School: Band, Strings, and Choir, Theater Department with multiple performances.

ATHLETICS: Athletics are an integral part of the Northridge curriculum and play a significant role in shaping the character of our young men.

High School Offerings: Soccer, Golf, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming (club), Baseball, Track and Field, Lacrosse (club), Tennis.

Middle School Offerings: Soccer, Golf, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Baseball, Track and Field.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: Northridge’s culture is rooted in relationships and role models.

Friendships are at the core of our approach and make Northridge a wonderful place.

We focus on high expectations rather than rules and allow students to be themselves.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: First class faculty, not just teachers, but mentors and role models to the young men at Northridge. We do not allow cell phones to be used on campus because numerous studies have demonstrated that smartphones and related electronics are frequently disruptive to the social development and learning environment for young men.

Recent graduates have been admitted to Ivy League schools and top private schools across the country. Gym class every day. Each student is assigned a mentor or “advisor” who meets with them on a weekly or monthly basis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: #1 Best All-Boys High School in Illinois #3 Best Catholic High School in Illinois Top 50 Catholic High School in America

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PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

One Student & One Teacher

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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FusionAcademy.com SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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FUSION ACADEMY

SCHOOL OF ST. MARY

WEBSITE: schoolofstmary.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 389

WEBSITE: fusionacademy.com/campuses/chicago-lake-forest/

GRADES: Preschool (2 years) through 8th Grade

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: Each campus serves between 50 and 100 students

TUITION: $9,185, grades 1-8

TUITION: Customized per student

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic

GRADES: 6th-12th

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: David Wierters/Principal

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Cindi S. Di Iorio, Head of School at Lake Forest; Chrissy Dale, Head of School at Evanston RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: N/A

ADMISSIONS: The School of St. Mary educates the whole child by remaining faithful to its motto: To Learn, To Serve, To Lead. Since 1917, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and clergy work as one body toward this end. We offer faculty who challenge and engage students; differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs; supportive parish community that models service and faith; and extra-curricular activities spanning athletic, musical, and academic interests.

ADMISSIONS: Use the following link to connect with an Admissions Consultant: fusionacademy.com/connect-with-us/ CONTACT: Chaisley Reeves, 773-382-1252

CONTACT: Mandy Castle

EMAIL: creeves@fusionacademy.com

EMAIL: mcastle@schoolofstmary.org

ABOUT US: Our Methodology: Love, Motivate, Teach. We meet students where they are and help them thrive from their unique beginning. While the majority of students entering Fusion have academic skills at or above grade level, many report previous struggles in school for various reasons. Through our thoughtfully designed approach, we see students change their understanding of themselves and the futures they have the power to create.

ACADEMICS: Fusion Academy students benefit from a curriculum that is individualized and customized to their unique learning needs. We offer over 250 core and elective courses at various levels. They are taught one-to-one, one student and one teacher per classroom, and provide students the opportunity to not only help them meet their specific academic goals, but also explore their unique interests and prepare them for whatever their next steps may be.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: We offer an array of classes in art, music, technology, and fitness. The student has a voice in the way the objectives of these classes are met. While so many schools today are cutting back on their enrichment offerings, Fusion continues to provide state-of-the-art equipment and studio spaces for students to develop their skills or explore their interests.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: The Homework Café has two separate areas—one designated for quiet, independent study, and one for students to socialize, work on less-focused assignments, and collaborate on projects. Our Social Homework Café® is a mixed-use space. You will often see students studying or reading independently, working collaboratively on projects, hanging out between classes, receiving support from the HC teachers, and playing games.

Our Homework Café more closely resembles a home’s living room than a typical school study area. With comfortable couches, pillows, and blankets, students can truly relax while they complete their work.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We’ve seen over the years that homework can be the leading cause of stress in the family unit. And we know from experience that the struggle to get some kids to do homework can rip apart the emotional wellness in the family. We believe that teenagers should be able to have time to explore, play, and figure out the world around them--and not spend all their time doing busy work.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We also offer courses for credit, tutoring/mentoring services, and a robust summer program. Summer can be a time to remediate, reinforce, or enrich, while also keeping things geared to more outdoor learning experiences.

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ABOUT US: From the youngest Primary Grade Center preschooler to the most mature 8th grader at the Upper-Grade Center, a School of St. Mary Crusader demonstrates genuine school pride, a sense of community, personal confidence, Catholic values, and a deep commitment to serve others, believing one person can make a difference.

ACADEMICS: At the heart of the School of St. Mary is the success of the whole child and the development of each child's authentic self. Essential to fostering the individual child’s social-emotional, academic, and spiritual growth is a strong partnership between family, teacher, and student. The overarching philosophy of differentiated learning, tailored instruction, individualized expectations, and home support is established for each student at the School of St. Mary.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: The School of St. Mary recognizes the value of holistic education in developing the authentic self of children. A coordinated fine arts presentation in a faith community setting allows children to connect body, mind, and spirit in a unique and profound life-learning experience. In the School of St. Mary’s STEAM program, creativity and critical thinking assume a higher value than following prescribed, step-by-step instructions.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: All stakeholders at the School of St. Mary engage, motivate, and support students to be the best they can be! Administration plans and coordinates special events to engage students with one another. Children in first through third grade pair up with buddies in sixth through eighth grade and participate in school-related activities. In addition to sitting together during all school Masses, they engage in special events throughout the year like shared lunches, crafts, and service projects.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Teachers care for and personally connect with their students. Each student feels valued, supported, and appreciated. Teachers witness students' unique passions and interests outside of the classroom by attending special events such as sporting events, recitals, and musicals. The School of St. Mary has been awarded the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education three times; 1990, 2012, and 2020.

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AN EDUCATION THAT PUTS CHILDREN IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Our child-centered approach to learning ensures that each child, from preschool to middle school, is uniquely valued, supported and nurtured throughout their educational journey — creating expressive, compassionate students who are eager to help shape the world.

Learn more and see our portfolio of student projects at

bakerdemschool.org BAKER DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL 201 SHERIDAN RD WILMETTE, IL 60091

847- 425 - 5800

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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BAKER DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL

WEBSITE: bakerdemschool.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 200 GRADES: PK-8 TUITION: $7,735-$28,435 HEAD TEACHER: Carly Andrews, Head of School RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: N/A ADMISSIONS: Our personalized admissions process allows for you to explore our extraordinary school community and for our team to explore your hopes and dreams for your child’s education. Our focus in the admission process is to learn about your priorities for your child’s education and about your child’s social, emotional and intellectual needs.

CONTACT: Denise Boswell, Assistant Head of School; Director of Enrollment Management EMAIL: admissions@bakerdemschool.org ABOUT US: Our child-centered approach to learning ensures that each child, from preschool through middle school, is uniquely valued, supported and nurtured throughout their educational journey. The results? Expressive, innovative, compassionate students who are eager to help lead, shape and change the world.

ACADEMICS: At Baker Demonstration School, experiential learning has been at the heart of our approach for over 100 years. Here, preschool through 8th-graders, hailing from Chicago, the North Shore, and around the globe become passionate learners and capable leaders. Our successful alumni affirm our commitment to providing a progressive approach to education, one that harnesses the spark of your child’s imagination to power a lifetime of exploration, empathy and innovation.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: Baker students enjoy drama, art, technology, music, dance, physical education and swimming. In Middle School, students participate in Arts Core where they select their own electives in music, dance, art and technology. Students in grades 1 through 8 participate in five days of movement including physical education or swimming each day. Baker’s campus has beautiful facilities including the 165-seat auditorium, renovated gymnasium, 14,000-square foot athletics field along Sheridan Road, a 4-lane twenty-yard indoor lap pool, art studio, maker lab, and digital storytelling suite.

Baker sponsors sports teams for students in 4th through 8th grade including interscholastic basketball, flag football, soccer, and track and field. Teams practice after school and compete against peers from other local schools.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: Baker’s mission is to champion an exemplary progressive education, which cultivates an intrinsic motivation to learn, values differences, nurtures the whole person, and encourages courageous choices. The school environment is joyful and supportive and values the teacher-parent-student relationship.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:

• 95% of Middle School students report being "known by faculty" • 8:1 Student-Teacher ratio • 27 Chicagoland zip codes represented • Hands-on experiential learning for PK-8

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THE SCHOOL OF SAINTS FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY

WEBSITE: faithhopeschool.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 265

GRADES: Pre-k (ages 3 and 4), K-8 TUITION: Varies

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Tom Meagher, Principal

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic, Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Catholic Parish ADMISSIONS: Starts with in-person tours which are available after school. Online application is available on the website to help determine if the school is the right fit.

We then reach out to parents to inform them of a decision. There are spots available in Fall 2021 for new students at all levels CONTACT: Tom Meagher, Principal EMAIL: office@faithhopeschool.org

ABOUT US: Faith Hope is a neighborhood Catholic parish school that offers an engaging and challenging environment to serve the whole child—mind, body, and soul. We offer a full line of services, including advanced classes for middle school, a Learning Lab to meet the needs of students of all learning levels, and a full-time school counselor.

ACADEMICS: Beginning in kindergarten, we follow the Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading, Writing, and the Wilson Fundations Phonics program for students in K-2nd Grades.

The goal is for students to be well prepared for middle school in reading and writing, both nonfiction and fiction. Math classes are vertically aligned through all grades with a focus on students having the ability to master Algebra 1 prior to graduating middle school. Students receive religion during the school day and mass is held once a week. Sacraments are first administered to students in 2nd grade to begin preparation for confirmation in 8th grade.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: We offer both Intramural sports and interscholastic sports in competition with other Catholic schools. Sports include football for boys, cheerleading for girls, and basketball, volleyball, track and field, and cross country for both boys and girls. Our afterschool enrichment program provides art and drama classes, and our music programming specializes in violin teaching.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: We're a very welcoming community that aims to get people connected; our families reach out to each other. Events such as daddy/daughter dances and mom/son bingo nights, and May Crowning and hope ceremonies help to bring our community together. We are very inclusive; students come from our parish families as well as the surrounding community.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Neighborhood and community-based environment. Engaging and challenging academics.

Spiritual nourishment that supports the whole child. Families that connect closely with our school.

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A Joyful Education Serving Children Ages 1-14

CLASSIC MONTESSORI in DOWNTOWN LAKE BLUFF

Call for Your Tour Today!

847-295-8338

“Forest Bluff School instilled in our children a true love of learning and empowered them to take responsibility for their own educations.

The invaluable life skills they acquired at Forest Bluff – work ethic, time management, leadership, collaborative group dynamics, empathy, self-confidence, self-discipline, respect for others, and common courtesy – have had a profound impact on their future success and that of their Forest Bluff classmates.”

– Tom & Connie, Lake Forest

8 West Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff, Illinois • ForestBluffSchool.org THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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FOREST BLUFF SCHOOL

SACRED HEART SCHOOL

WEBSITE: shwschool.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 215 GRADES: 3-year-old Preschool through 8th Grade

TUITION: $6,650 (K-8th Grade) DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Kristen Fink, Principal

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic WEBSITE: forestbluffschool.org NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 150 GRADES: Pre-K-8 TUITION: $8,900-$18,150 DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Laura Earls, Head of School; Paula Lillard Preschlack, Head Emerita RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None ADMISSIONS: We welcome inquiries and accept applications throughout the year.

We encourage parents to contact the school through the Schedule a Visit form on the website to arrange for a conversation and private tour with the director of admissions.

CONTACT: Lynn Lillard Jessen, Co-founder & Director of Admissions EMAIL: info@forestbluffschool.org ABOUT US: Located in downtown Lake Bluff, Forest Bluff School is an AMI-accredited Montessori school serving children ages 18 months to 14 years. Our students have daily opportunities to joyfully pursue their academic interests through self-directed, hands-on learning that allows them to develop deep concentration, take risks, and embrace challenges as an important part of the learning process. Forest Bluff graduates enter high school with the skills to self-advocate, collaborate, and excel in rigorous courses.

ACADEMICS: The specially prepared Montessori environment invites curiosity with materials designed to encourage discovery and mastery. Students have three uninterrupted hours of work time each morning and afternoon, when they choose materials to work with independently or with peers. Forest Bluff teachers are finely attuned to their students' needs and work with students individually and in small groups. Teachers present a wide span of topics to children, in an organized framework that encourages cross-pollination of ideas and connectivity between subjects. The result is a classroom community where students are actively engaged and taking responsibility for their own educations.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: Forest Bluff students are given multiple opportunities to apply their learning in the real world. Elementary students walk independently to the local library to gather research materials and plan their own customized, small-group field trips based on their academic interests. Secondary students (ages 12 to 14) participate in three service-learning trips per year, working in committees to plan every aspect of the trips, which are some of the most empowering experiences for students during the school year.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: True to the principles of classic Montessori, we work closely with parents to support the development of the whole child. Our faculty and staff put children first and nurture a love of learning in a peaceful yet dynamic atmosphere. Multi-age classrooms allow children to experience both mentorship and leadership. Forest Bluff students develop a strong work ethic, self-discipline, self-confidence, empathy, respect for others, and common courtesy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: To learn more about the Montessori philosophy and approach, subscribe to our parenting blog: forestbluffschool.org/blog/

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ADMISSIONS: Early Childhood applications due early December; 1st through 8th grade applications open in January CONTACT: Kristen Fink, Principal EMAIL: kfink@shwschool.org

ABOUT US: As a National Blue Ribbon Award winning school, Sacred Heart School continues its long tradition of educating children’s hearts and minds; strong academics, meaningful service, and innovative technology are at the core of the Sacred Heart student experience. We believe: • We are made in the image & likeness of God. • We are a family.

• Our time together matters.

• We are always learning.

• Challenges are opportunities.

Sacred Heart School’s core values of Love, Serve, Engage, Discover, and Persevere help us to consistently live out our root beliefs. We educate well-rounded students in our STEAMfocused learning environment. To see what makes Sacred Heart School special, come for a private tour or visit our website to learn more.

ACADEMICS: • Three year old Preschool and four year old Junior Kindergarten programs are structured to support individual curiosity through play-based, experiential, and project-based learning.

• Kindergarten follows the Common Core State Standards in which children learn through hands-on experiential activities as well as instructional strategies in an organized independent manner.

• Elementary grades are designed to give students the tools they need to be lifelong learners.

Days are structured to support individual student’s curiosity and various learning styles through inquiry and project-based learning.

• Junior High is designed to prepare our students to move on to a successful high school learning experience by developing accountability, responsibility, and organizational skills through numerous, challenging, and contiguous assignments.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: Sacred Heart students thrive academically, but there is so much more to their day. We offer year-round no-cut sports, a highly regarded drama program, numerous after-school enrichment programs and a teacherstaffed Homework Lab.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: Service is an important part of our students’ experience at Sacred Heart. Service projects, including visits to Feed My Starving Children, collecting coats for needy families, or bringing supplies to our sister parish, St. Columbanus in Chicago, are designed to give our students an understanding of the importance of community and service to others. Our Prayer Families program, groups made up of students from each grade, meet monthly with a student-led discussion to learn more about Jesus' teachings.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Since 2009, Sacred Heart has been designated an Apple Distinguished School. Technology is integrated into our curriculum in various ways beginning in Junior Kindergarten so that students naturally learn to use it appropriately and productively.

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

School of St. Mary A Roman Catholic School since 1917

• Primary Grade Center 2 Year Old Preschool–3rd Grade 900 West Everett Road, Lake Forest

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www.schoolofstmary.org 847-295-4830

Upper Grade Center 4th –8 th Grade

185 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest

The School of St. Mary is committed to the development of the unique gifts of each child: spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional. In a supportive atmosphere, students are challenged to academic excellence and provided with the knowledge and skills necessary for future success. In an atmosphere that deepens Catholic values, students pray and worship while focusing on responsible decision-making and cooperation. Faith development, self-awareness, academic achievement, and responsibility prepare our students to be leaders with high integrity. We accomplish this mission in a partnership with cooperative parents, highly qualified faculty, as well as supportive parishioners.

Many factors contribute to the excellence of the School of St. Mary. Our students benefit from a rigorous, differentiated academic curriculum. Faculty offer acceleration as well as honors courses. We are blessed with a state-of-the art STEAM Lab, Spanish instruction, art appreciation and expression, as well as music theory and performance. Additionally, we integrate technology into all disciplines; all classrooms utilize interactive technology to enhance instruction. Students in all grades have access to computers in addition to iPads. We provide a Chromebook to every student in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. St. Mary’s remains committed to maintaining small class sizes for optimal learning.

St. Mary’s believes in educating the whole child both in and out of the classroom. We offer a variety of extracurricular clubs and organizations, including a dynamic athletic program, vocal and instrumental musical opportunities, science and math clubs, chess, Junior National Honor Society, Student Council, as well as an extended day program both before and after school.

Service to others remains central to our mission. All students participate in programs and projects that foster heightened awareness of the needs of others throughout the world. This offers students the experience of both giving and receiving from those served.

Our Catholic based education provides graduates with the foundation to compete in challenging academic environments. Many of our students are recognized in their respective high schools as valedictorians, student council and class officers, club leaders, exceptional service providers, athletes, and talented contributors to various aspects of the fine arts. Additionally, we are recognized for fostering social emotional growth in our students through research based programs and modeling.

The United States Department of Education has twice recognized the School of St. Mary as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Likewise, the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools praises the School of St. Mary for the “outstanding efforts of school administration, faculty, staff, and pastor in maintaining a school of the highest caliber in the areas of Catholic identity and academic excellence.” Our standardized test scores are in the top 3% of the Archdiocese and the top 10% nationally. The Illinois State Board of Education also recognizes the School of St. Mary.

For more than 100 years, the School of St. Mary has remained true to its motto: To Learn, To Serve, To Lead. Hopefully, you will schedule an appointment to see these words in action. For further information, please call 847-295-4830.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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P R E M I E R P R I VAT E S C H O O L S

MAINTAINING ACADEMIC PROGRESS THIS PAST YEAR, ACADEMIC APPROACH HAS EXPANDED ITS TUTORING SERVICES TO HELP PARENTS AND STUDENTS MEET THE EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES PRESENTED

BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Last year was tough on parents with school-aged children. It was tough on the students, too.

In Illinois, the school shutdown in March 2020 presented unprecedented challenges, with both parents and students having to adapt to remote learning and find ways to keep up with coursework.

Enter Academic Approach, a Chicagobased test preparation and academic tutoring company that prepares students for the next step in their academic progress. The company is celebrating its 20th year in 2021.

“I moved to Chicago f rom New York in 2001 with two goals: first, to provide academically enriching test preparation that raised students’ tests scores, academic skills, and confidence,” says Matthew Pietrafetta, Ph.D., Academic Approach’s Founder and

CEO. “Second, to work with schools to provide creative programming and flexible access for excellent instruction to students across a wide spectrum.”

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While the company has been helping families and schools steer through the academic enrichment, test preparation, and college entrance process for 20 years, the last year has been particularly challenging.

“We’ve been supporting families and schools through this journey since day one.

Well, this past year the journey intensified into Homer’s Odyssey, with families navigating the Scylla of an uncertain admissions process and the Charybdis of remote and hybrid school learning,” says Pietrafetta, who readily enjoys a literary allusion now and again. “Helping families navigate these new challenges offered new opportunities for us as a team and a business.”

The first issue related, in part, to the difficulties faced by students in accessing the SAT and ACT, and the subsequent suspension by most colleges of factoring in those test scores for acceptance. Many students simply couldn’t access a testing site.

The second related to parents (and students) who were concerned that they were falling behind as they were forced to switch to remote learning. It was a forced experiment, and there were many unknowns about how effective virtual learning could be and whether or not students would maintain academic progress or suffer increased learning loss.

“We provided continual guidance in helping families navigate test preparation as well as academic enrichment; educators, parents,

and students didn’t want to lose academic progress,” Pietrafetta says. “Students and families were overwhelmed and confused, and everything was changing every day.”

There was so much demand for information from parents and students that Pietrafetta started an e-mail newsletter, which continues to reach thousands of families. Academic Approach’s relationships with school counselors and other partners helped it keep apprised of key intelligence and trends.

“It was remarkable. People were so hungry for information. Everyone was locked down; they were at home, and they were curious,” Pietrafetta says. “That side of our business over the past year has greatly developed.

We’ve increased our ability to do research, find information, and answer questions in consultation with families during a time when they really needed it.”

Another important factor in helping Pietrafetta and Academic Approach create new services last year was Pietrafetta’s ability to observe his own school-aged children at home and their experiences with remote learning.

“At home, I have a 17-year-old,12-yearold, and 2-year-old, so I was empathetic to what remote learning looked like from a parent's perspective and from an educator's perspective,” he says. “I knew I had to start to fill in gaps in learning and instruction for my own children’s education because they were not as engaged or as challenged as they needed to be, and, despite best efforts and intentions, they simply needed more rigor, guidance, and support.”

This need to fill in the gaps in learning led to increased calls from families that were concerned about their children maintaining academic progress, leading to growth in the

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company’s academic tutoring services.

Losing a year or more of standardized testing, which can be used to track a student’s academic progress comparatively at a national level, will also pose challenges down the line.

It will take a few years of data analysis to discern the impact.

“We don't know what we don't know, and we won’t until we get a look at a full year's data and trends,” Pietrafetta says. “Standardized tests tell us if we are on track compared to grade-level expectations. We won't know how much the learning loss is until we get some of the reporting from future testing. It’s a bit of a conundrum, because while the tests are under increased scrutiny—and deservedly so in many ways—we need standardized measures more than ever to assess the reality of learning loss.”

For now, Pietrafetta says the events of the past year have brought Academic Approach’s mission into sharp focus, and in its 20th year the company will continue to pivot to meet the needs of parents and students during unpredictable times.

“Within the first week of the shutdown, we had immediate clarity about what our mission needed to be—helping students maintain academic progress,” says Pietrafetta.

“Informational leadership, expert consulting, and academic, skill building, coaching, and mentoring—this was our focus and will remain our focus for the foreseeable future.”

Academic Approach is located in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Winnetka, and Highland Park, 773348-8914, academicapproach.com.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Looking for a special place for your child?

Now accepting applications for 3 year old Preschool, 4 year old Junior Kindergarten (with Full Day option), Full Day Kindergarten through 8th Grade in a STEAM-focused, welcoming environment.

Join Our Family We invite you to visit for a private after-school tour, or tour our school from your home at www.shwschool.org THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

GRIFFITH, GRANT & LACKIE A Real Connection. A Real Advantage

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SELLER’S MARKET MORE BUYERS THAN HOUSES IN THE MARKET The 2020 housing market was a year of extremes. In February of last year there were approximately 300 homes listed for sale in Lake Forest and 120 homes were available in Lake Bluff. Inventory levels declined precipitously since the onset of the pandemic. Currently, the supply of available single-family homes has dropped to just 120 in Lake Forest and 24 in Lake Bluff. Demand increased dramatically last summer and continued through Fall and into the Winter fueled by historically low mortgage rates and an exodus from more densely populated urban areas. These extremely low levels of available inventory have created what is often referred to as a Seller’s Market. A market like this creates a unique opportunity for homeowners who are contemplating a sale. We are seeing strong price appreciation in many price ranges.

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NEW LISTING 1530 W Old Mill Road, Lake Forest $$999,999 | www.1530oldmill.info

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34 E North Avenue, Lake Bluff $999,000 | www.34north.info

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NEW LISTING 34 Washington Circle, Lake Forest $959,000 | www.34washington.info

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Lake Forest Real Estate Office | 280 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest IL 60045 THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

105 E Laurel Avenue #203, Lake Forest $494,000 | www.105laurel203.info

847. 234. 0816

Lake Bluff Real Estate Office | 8 E. Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff IL 60044 SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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S U N D AY B R E A K FA S T

PUNT, PASS, AND KICK IN HPHS FOOTBALL MOM JULIE WILLIAMS HUDDLES WITH OTHERS AND LAUNCHES NONPROFIT FOR UNDERSERVED FOOTBALL PLAYERS.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

To Julie Williams, who grew up in the tiny downstate village of Fisher, near Champaign, a Friday home football game under the lights was never just another high school event.

It was bigger than that.

Even bigger than the annual Mayberry Days Parade in Mount Airy (pop. 10,388), North Carolina.

Fisher’s population, circa 1988: 1,526, give or take a few salt-of-the-earth denizens in the farming community.

Williams couldn’t wait to watch her beloved Fisher High School Bunnies hop, skip and tackle in their orange-and-black uniforms. And she certainly wasn’t the only rabid local football fan.

“Everybody in the community was interested in high school football,” recalls Williams, who, as an honors student, served FHS as its student council president and yearbook editor and kept score in dugouts for the varsity baseball team. “Those football games brought the community closer together.”

Decades later, after moving to Highland Park in 2015, Williams began hearing some local pigskin news that disturbed her.

The youth tackle football program had been sacked. The number of players on middle school and Highland Park High School Giants football squads kept melting. And fees for the football programs that had survived kept heading north—in part due to ensuring safety, in part due to providing the proper oversight.

“I was concerned in 2019, late summer; other football parents in the community were concerned,” says Williams, 51, the mother of Maggie, a junior ‘A’ team rugby player at Hofstra University, and Joe, a junior football player and wrestler at Highland Park High School. “Families of young players couldn’t afford the hundreds of dollars in fees. I grew up in a low-income family, and my parents would not have been able to afford fees like these.

I started to worry that Highland Park High School wouldn’t be able to field a football team in the near future.

“So I approached football parents and football coaches and said, ‘Let’s get together and figure out a way to address this situation.’ ” The way? The Giants Football Fund (GFF), a nonprofit co-chaired by Williams and Pablo Alvarez, a counselor at HPHS and a trustee for Moraine Township. It launched this spring, with the mission “to help underprivileged youth and high school football players pay for costs (youth program fees, equipment, and high school summer fees) associated with playing football so that they can experience teamwork, dedication, and leadership.”

Before the birth of GFF, Williams notes,

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a Highland Park boy requested that his bar mitzvah gift be money earmarked to help a family that couldn’t afford a youth football fee for a student-athlete in middle school.

Qualified recipients of money raised by GFF are youngsters living in Highland Park, Highwood, and Fort Sheridan, and each must plan to attend HPHS. “The response from the community has been wonderful,” Williams says, adding the aim of GFF is to distribute funds to budding gridders no later than the beginning of this summer. “We want middle school students to use their time wisely through football.

Football can impact kids’ lives in many positive ways.

I’ve seen how much football has meant to my son and his development as a young adult; members of our volunteer board have seen their children benefit from football, too.

“Our Giants Football Fund’s main hope is to eliminate money as barrier to playing football.”

The daughter of the late Norm and Linda, who still resides in Fisher, Williams collected paychecks in high school while working at a Burger King and a Taco Bell.

The diligent employee got promoted to shift leader at the latter, before earning a degree in business administration at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. Williams served as a Taco Bell manager in Bloomington for two years during her time at the private liberal arts college.

She’d cram hard for a test one night and jam taco contents into hard shells the next, whenever her team members needed a hand.

Williams is a sales executive at Lincolnshire-based Alight Solutions, a business outsourcing company, for which she has worked for 27 years. Her husband is The Rev. Court Williams, another Fisher High School graduate and

Julie Williams

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the rector at St. Giles Episcopal Church in Northbrook since March 1; he’d previously guided Trinity Episcopal Church in Highland Park as rector. Fr. Williams also serves as a Giants Football Fund board member—joining Amy Bloom (secretary), Eric Ephraim (treasurer), Barbara Finfer, and Elliot Richardson—and has been a high-ranking executive with Community—The AntiDrug (CTAD), a coalition of parents, local government leaders, school officials, clergy, and healthcare providers, with the mission to reduce the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs among youth in Highland Park, Highwood, and other communities.

“My husband is a talented preacher, with a gift for writing and a knack for delivering relevant sermons that address what happens in everyday life,” Williams says. “And he’s such an amazing, amazing dad. Pre-pandemic, I traveled a lot, for a good 10 years, and he was always there for our children. We both have wonderful relationships with Maggie and Joe. Seeing our kids evolve into people who make a difference as leaders has been one of my many joys as a parent.”

Julie Williams cherishes her time on a Peloton stationary bike. But that device takes a back seat on football game days and game nights these days and nights.

The pandemic shifted the high school football season from Fall 2020 (nine games) to Spring 2021 (six games, maybe). Joe Williams, a center and defensive lineman, and the rest of Highland Park High School’s Giants under third-year head coach and HPHS graduate David Lindquist won two of their first three games.

“Coach Lindquist always has great aspirations for everyone in the program,” Williams says. “But he’s not just interested in developing good football players who will go on and succeed as college football players. He wants, more than anything else, his football players to be able to look back at their football experiences at Highland Park High School and remember them fondly.

“Isn’t that,” she adds, “what every high school football player wants to be able to do?”

For more information about the Giants Football Fund visit giantsfootballfund.org, email info@giantsfootballfund.org, or mail Giants Football Fund, c/o First Bank Highland Park, 1835 First Street, Highland Park, IL, 60035.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Top 5% 2020 Sales Production - North Shore Barrington Association of Realtors SOLD

1471 Wedgewood Drive*

SOLD

Lake Forest

SOLD

1937 Beechwood Avenue*

Wilmette

SOLD

535 Orchard Lane*

502 Washington Avenue*

Wilmette

SOLD

602 Provident Avenue

Winnetka

SOLD

Winnetka

SOLD

Shannon Bernard The Skirving Group 603 Provident Avenue*

Winnetka

SOLD

948 Spruce Street

630.936.9581 shannon.bernard@compass.com 851 Spruce St | Winnetka, IL 60093 SOLD

Winnetka

956 Westmoor Road

811 Sunset Road*

Winnetka

SOLD

Winnetka

1133 Lake Avenue*

Wilmette * Buyer Represented

The Skirving Group is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY APRIL 17 | SUNDAY APRIL 18 2021 |

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For the entire month of April, I am promoting Autism Awareness and for each home sold I am donating to Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

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**Top 1% ranking based on closed sales volume in the North Shore and Chicago area, all companies. Based on information from MRED LLC for the period 01/1/2014-11/01/2020. ***Top 1% in State of Illinois by Real Trends 2015-2020. This data is informational and cannot be guaranteed accurate. Data maintained by MRED LLC may not reflect all real estate activity in the market ****Awarded by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of their 2018 & 2019 Notable Residential.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND