North Shore 112 Monthly

• Learn about new middle school resources

• New Board members sworn in and officers elected

• May heritage month celebration

• An update on Phase 2 - Geothermal at Ravinia

• Mental health resources and upcoming events

• Registration reminder for 2025–2026

• 5/13: BOE Special Meeting
• 5/20: BOE Regular Meeting
• 5/23: Early Release (No Early Childhood)
• 5/26: Memorial Day (No School)
• 6/03: Final Day of A.M. Early Childhood
• 6/04: Final Day of P.M. Early Childhood
• 6/04: Early Release for K-8
• 6/05: Final Day of School for K-8 (Early Release)

This week is Staff Appreciation Week, and while one week could never capture the full impact our staff have, it’s a chance to pause and say "thank you." Across every role and building, our team shows up for kids in ways big and small, from a quiet moment of encouragement to the countless behind-the-scenes efforts that keep our schools running. We see the heart you put into your work, and we’re grateful for all that you do to make this district a place where students feel supported, challenged and cared for.

Thank you to the absolute best staff around! We appreciate you!

Throughout the school year, the Board of Education has approved new curricular resources for four middle school subjects: English language arts (ELA), math, world language, and a new course called Postsecondary and Career Exploration (PaCE). These updates are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping instructional materials relevant, effective and engaging for all students.

Learn more about the resources and the process in the video below.

• If the video does not play properly here, you can also access it on our Vimeo page.
• Watch a Spanish-language version of the video, translated using artificial intelligence.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open for all grades, including kindergarten. This is a change from previous years when registration opened on May 1. All students, including returning students, must be registered.

Registering as early as possible helps us plan for staffing and other logistics, ensuring we have the right resources and support in place for the upcoming school year.

If you have any questions about registration, please email parentportal@nssd112.org or call 224-765-3052.

Front row: Jenny Butler (secretary), Art Kessler (president), Melissa Itkin (vice president)

Back row: Dr. Mike Lubelfeld (Superintendent), Bennett Lasko, Lisa Hirsh, Jaret Fishman, Lori Fink, Dr. Monica Schroeder (Deputy Superintendent)

At the April 22 meeting, newly elected Board members Lori Fink and Jaret Fishman, along with re-elected members Art Kessler and Bennett Lasko, were officially sworn in to begin their four-year terms. The Board also elected new officers for the next two years: Art Kessler as president, Melissa Itkin as vice president, and Jenny Butler as secretary. READ THE FULL RECAP

A heartfelt thank you to Alex Brunk and Dan Jenks, who concluded their service on the Board of Education in April. Their leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on our district, and we are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and passion they brought to their roles. While we’ll miss their presence on the Board, we know they will continue to be strong advocates for North Shore School District 112. We wish them all the best and extend our sincere thanks for their outstanding service.

The Board will hear the findings of a targeted analysis of the Dual Language program conducted by Dr. Sonia Soltero at the special May 13 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at Northwood Middle School. The meeting will be livestreamed, and a Spanish interpreter will be available on-site to support in-person attendees.

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, May 20 at Northwood Middle School. It will begin at 7 p.m. You can find an agenda and livestream link on our website.

At the January meeting, the board approved a calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The first day for K-8 will be Thursday, August 21, 2025. You can find all the details by visiting the calendar page on our website.

Jewish American Heritage Month is observed annually in May in the United States to celebrate the contributions Jewish Americans have made to the fabric of American history, culture, and society. Established to recognize the achievements of Jewish Americans in fields ranging from sports and arts to science and politics, this month honors the diverse heritage and numerous contributions of the Jewish community to the American way of life. Jewish American Heritage Month is a time to appreciate the profound impact that Jewish individuals and communities have had on American culture and to foster greater understanding and respect among all Americans for the rich and varied experiences of Jewish Americans.

K-2 Resources:

• Tikkun Olam → repairing the world craft

3rd-5th Resources:

• Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes her Mark - Video Read Aloud
• Famous Jewish Americans

6th-8th Resources:

• 9 Ideas for Teaching Jewish American Heritage Month

• Jewish American Heritage Month: Teaching with Videos

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May in the United States to celebrate the contributions, culture, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This month-long observance recognizes the diverse experiences and achievements of AAPI individuals who hail from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander heritages. It is a time to honor the significant role that AAPI communities have played in shaping the nation's history, from their contributions to the arts, sciences, education, and politics, to their struggles against racial discrimination and advocacy for civil rights. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month serves as an opportunity to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for the diversity and depth of AAPI cultures and histories within the broader American mosaic.

K-2 Resources:

• Asian Pacific and American Heritage Video
• Chinese Paper Lanterns
• Hot Pot Night! By: Vicent Chen (YouTube Read Aloud)
  
  

3rd-5th Resources:

• Asian Pacific and American Heritage (Video)
• Koinobori: Japanese Carp Windsocks (Craft Project)
• Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage (Video)
  
  

6th-8th Resources:

• 9 Ideas for Teaching Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Construction at Ravinia is nearing the finish line, and the transformation is remarkable. While some work remains, the building has come a long way and it’s clear it will be an outstanding learning environment for students and staff. We can’t wait to share the newly renovated space with the community soon!

On April 16, we were proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of the geothermal HVAC project at Ravinia. This marks an exciting milestone in our district’s sustainability and reconstruction journey. Ravinia is the first of three schools to receive a state-of-the-art geothermal energy system, and the project marks the first-ever installation anywhere in the United States of this specific geothermal system, known as the DCL (Direct Closed Loop) system. It uses energy from the earth to move fluid through a closed loop of underground pipes, significantly reducing our environmental impact while improving energy efficiency across the district.

• Learn more about the project
• Watch the groundbreaking ceremony

Wayne Thomas and Northwood wrapped up the Month of the Military Child with a memorable Touch-a-Truck event, where students had the chance to explore military vehicles up close and try on real gear. A heartfelt thank you to the U.S. Marines who made the experience so exciting and meaningful for our students.

And an even bigger thank you to our military families for all you do and the many ways you enrich our community!

In this section, you will find events and programs for parents/guardians and students. You can also find more information about these and other parent/guardian resources on our website.

• Ask A Therapist Live (Wednesday, May 7)
  The Cook Center for Human Connection is hosting Ask a Therapist LIVE on May 7—a free virtual event that gives parents the chance to connect with a licensed family therapist and ask questions anonymously in real time. This interactive session is designed to support families with expert advice on a wide range of parenting topics.
  
  Registration link: https://cookcenter.info/ATLMay7

Cartwheel is a national mental health provider for students/adolescents. They provide rapid access to care for students by providing them access to a licensed clinician within seven days of referral (virtually). Clinicians are available during school hours, after school, nights, weekends, and breaks. Additionally, Cartwheel offers the ability for psychiatric evaluations and medicine management.

To learn more about Cartwheel, please reach out to your child's school or to Dr. Holly Colin, assistant superintendent for student services, at hcolin@nssd112.org.

ParentGuidance.org is a free online resource that offers parents and guardians support and guidance on various mental health and parenting topics. The platform provides expert-led courses, coaching, and tools to help parents navigate challenges related to child behavior, emotional health and family dynamics.

Explore the May newsletter from ParentGuidance.org:

• May Newsletter (English)
• May Newsletter (Spanish)

Parent Coaching is a FREE resource where you can meet with a coach to get personalized support for any challenges you or your child may be facing. Take advantage of this resource created by therapists to support you and your loved ones. Click here to register: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students, staff and community in finding local mental-health and substance use related treatment. The service complements the district's existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow up care.

Families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:

• Contact a member of your school's student services team (social workers, psychologists) or your school principal
• Visit https://referralgps.com/find-help/NSSD112 to search for treatment resources

Safe2Help offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. It is available 24/7 and offers students a safe outlet to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. It can be accessed via a free app, text/phone, and website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com).

• Call: 844-4-SAFEIL
• Text: SAFE2 (72332)
• Email: help@safe2helpil.com

TrueNorth is a special education cooperative that partners with local schools and districts, including District 112, to provide comprehensive support services for students with diverse learning needs. Learn more at www.truenorth804.org.

The Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation has officially launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Lake County, bringing free, high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, regardless of family income. This program helps build early literacy skills and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

To learn more or register, visit www.LCROEFoundation.org.

Highland Park High School is now accepting registrations for the 2025-2026 Little Giants full-day childcare program. Designed for children ages 2–4, the program offers a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum in a nurturing and creative environment. Please note, this is a District 113 initiative. Space is limited. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Director Lynne Benson at LBenson@dist113.org.

Pictures courtesy of the 112 Education Foundation.

Art in Bloom has once again brought creativity to life across our community! Student artwork is now on display in storefront windows throughout downtown Highland Park, showcasing the talent and imagination of our young artists. Thank you to our art teachers, the 112 Education Foundation, the Highland Park Public Library and our PTOs for helping make this celebration of student expression such a vibrant tradition.

Founded in 1995 and celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 112 Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities for all students in North Shore School District 112. Since it operates separately from the district and doesn’t receive tax revenue, the Foundation relies on community support and fundraising to bring innovative programs to D112 schools.

Parents should be aware of popular apps that may pose risks to children, including anonymous messaging, location sharing and access to inappropriate content. Regularly checking devices, reviewing downloaded apps, and using parental controls can help keep children safe. Ongoing conversations about responsible social media use and online safety are also important for protecting children from potential dangers.

Below is a list of apps parents should know (Click the image to view a larger version).

As you know, the district has been exploring how generative artificial intelligence can enhance learning, teaching, and productivity. We currently have ongoing pilots with Magic School AI and School AI. You’re welcome to explore both platforms anytime using the links below:

• Magic School AI
• School AI

If you’d like to engage further and explore the reasoning behind our use of these tools, check out a new assistant created by Dr. Lubelfeld.

• PlayLab AI: https://www.playlab.ai/project/cm6kvdue009o1l64h6pya357o

Having an issue with your student's device? Need assistance with district software, such as Infinite Campus? Submit a support ticket and a member of our tech team will reach out as soon as possible.

We’re excited to share the next chapter for North Shore School District 112! In March, the Board of Education approved a new Strategic Change Agenda, a plan shaped by the voices of more than 200 parents, staff, students and community members. The agenda sets a clear path for our future, focused on student success, well-being and strong relationships.

Learn more at www.nssd112.org/strategic-agenda.

Our staff works hard to create schools where students want to learn and teachers want to teach. High-quality materials and technology give our staff and students the tools needed to be innovative and highly engaged. As a member of District 112, you’ll be working to advance yourself as well as fulfill a long legacy of District 112 being the home of pioneering educators, dedicated staff, and innovative instructional practices. Visit careers.nssd112.org to learn more!

Address: 445 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040

Phone: 224-765-3000

Website: nssd112.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nssd112

Instagram: instagram.com/nssd112

Twitter: @nssd112

Contact Us: nssd112.org/contact

If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact Ben Finfer at bfinfer@nssd112.org.