• "What's in Store for '24" Podcast with Dr. Lubelfeld
• Important January dates
• 24-25 registration information
• A new curriculum resource
• Social and emotional learning (SEL) resources
• Board of Education news
• And more!

1/9: BOE Committee of the Whole Meeting

1/15: MLK, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

1/16: BOE Regular Meeting

1/20: 112 Education Foundation iRead Begins

1/25: Dual Language Information Night

2/1: Kindergarten Pre-Registration Opens

It's almost time to begin the registration process for next school year! Here's what you need to know...

Thursday, January 25:

• Dual Language Information Night
  If you will have a kindergartener or first-grader in 2024-2025 and are interested in the Dual Language program, this will be your opportunity to learn more. It will be held at Northwood Middle School (945 North Avenue in Highland Park) at 6:30 p.m. Please note that the district holds a lottery to fill Dual Language program slots (more information below).

Thursday, February 1:

• Kindergarten Pre-Registration Opens
  Parents/guardians of all incoming kindergarteners will need to pre-register, even if you already have students in the district. This is the first step in the registration process. Pre-registration forms will be available at www.nssd112.org and shared via ParentSquare. Please help us get the word out with any neighbors or friends who have incoming kindergarteners.
  
  
• Dual Language Program Lottery Opens
  The district holds a lottery to determine which students will participate in the Dual Language program. Beginning February 1, interested parents/guardians can enter their students into this lottery. More information will be shared about how to do so as we get closer to the date.

Wednesday, May 1:

• Full Registration Opens
  All students, even those who are returning, will need to be registered for 2024-2025. We will share more information as we get closer to May 1.

We're thrilled to announce an exciting development in educational support for North Shore School District 112 students! Thanks to a three-year partnership with Varsity Tutoring, courtesy of the Lake County Regional Office of Education, our students now have the incredible opportunity to access free, round-the-clock online tutoring. This innovative service provides personalized, one-on-one tutoring in over 250 subjects — from elementary math to Algebra I and beyond, all through a secure chat platform that's easily accessible on any device.

What sets Varsity Tutors apart is their team of highly skilled tutors, meticulously selected through a stringent vetting process to ensure top-notch educational assistance. This resource is a game-changer for our students, offering expert help at any time, perfect for busy schedules and diverse learning needs. Plus, the service is inclusive, featuring tutors proficient in multiple languages to cater to our diverse student community.

While our middle schoolers are already benefiting from the Paper program, Varsity Tutors extends this support to all grade levels. We're in the final stages of setting up this incredible resource and will soon roll it out to our students. Keep an eye on your student's school newsletter for detailed information on how to access this transformative learning tool. Get ready to enhance your child's educational journey with expert support, anytime, anywhere!

There will also be a Committee of the Whole meeting on January 9 at Northwood. It begins at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting agendas can be found on our website.

(Posted at least 48 hours prior to a meeting)

Livestream feeds for regular meetings can also be found at nssd112.org.

Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our school board.

In this section, you will find several events and programs for parents/guardians and students. You can also find more information about these and other social and emotional learning (SEL) resources on our website.

Throughout the year, our district is partnering with ParentGuidance.org and the Cook Center for Human Connection to deliver presentations developed by licensed therapists. These events are virtual, interactive and designed to help parents and guardians support students. Registration, attendance and interactions are kept completely anonymous from other viewers. Recordings of these events will be shared with out parent/guardian community, as well.

The next event is on Thursday, January 11 (this Thursday) at 11:00 a.m. It is called “Effects of Screen Time.” Anyone interested in joining the webinar can register right up until the last minute by visiting https://cookcenter.info/Jan11NSD. Viewers will be anonymous to other viewers.

We will share a recording of the webinar with the whole district, in case you are unable to join live. The live webinar will not be in Spanish, but a subtitled version will also be shared at a later date.

If you have any questions about these events, please contact Dr. Holly Colin at hcolin@nssd112.org.

• Supporting Your Child's Mental Health (Spanish)
  
• Supporting Your Child's Mental Health (Spanish)
• Bullying - Stop the Cycle (English)
• Bullying - Stop the Cycle (Spanish Subtitles)
• ABCs of Substance Abuse and Vaping (English)
• ABCs of Substance Abuse and Vaping (Spanish)
• School Avoidance (English)
• School Avoidance (Spanish Subtitles)
• Emotional Regulation: Recognizing What's Wrong (English)
• Emotional Regulation: Recognizing What's Wrong (Spanish)
• Helping Your Child Succeed (English)
• Helping Your Child Succeed (Spanish)

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.

School families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:

• Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options.
• Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/NSSD112 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously.

The State of Illinois has developed a school safety program called Safe2Help Illinois in an effort to raise awareness of 21st-century threats facing schoolchildren in Illinois. 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).

The purpose of the NSSD112 BPAC is to advocate for academic excellence in all programs serving English learners. BPAC strives to provide family support, communication and information regarding the district’s Dual Language and ESL programs. BPAC is a multilingual space where members can access information, voice priorities and take steps to strengthen our schools and community.

Upcoming BPAC Events:

• 02/20: Language First and Literacy Night
  
• 04/23: Multilingual Learner Month Celebrate

All families are welcome to attend. An interpreter, childcare and food will be provided.

Email bpac.d112@gmail.com for more information or to sign up for our mailing list. Learn more about BPAC on our website.

• What: Community Town Hall
• When: Wednesday, January 10 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
• Where: Highland Park Public Library (494 Laurel Avenue)

This event is being organized by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office. You can register by filling out a form.

• What: 15th Annual MLK Day of Service
• When: Monday, January 15 (10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
• Where: Recreation Center of Highland Park (1207 Park Ave West)

Everyone is invited to the MLK Day of Service on January 15! The event will include an opening ceremony, service projects and a live performance. Learn more about the event on the City of Highland Park's website. We hope to see you there!

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!

Join our dynamic team at Red Oak Elementary, one of the district's two Dual Language schools. As a Dual Language program teacher, your expertise in Spanish and English will shape the future of bilingual education. In this vital role, you'll implement cutting-edge curriculum models, collaborate with a dedicated team, and serve as a cultural bridge, enhancing students' linguistic and cultural understanding. Learn more or apply

Embark on a fulfilling journey as a Library Information Specialist at Red Oak Elementary, where your passion for literature and information technology will inspire young minds. In this diverse role, you'll manage the library, curate a collection that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, and collaborate with educators to integrate library resources into the curriculum. With your expertise, create an environment that nurtures a love for reading and critical thinking among students. Learn more or apply

As a school psychologist, you'll play a crucial role in nurturing the academic, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being of students. Your expertise in conducting psychological assessments, developing intervention plans, and participating in the MTSS process will be invaluable. With a focus on effective communication and collaboration, you'll contribute to creating supportive educational environments for diverse learners. Learn more or apply

Do you want to choose your own hours and make a difference in our students' lives? Consider becoming a guest teacher (substitute) for North Shore School District 112. Rates were recently increased to $150 a day for guest teachers. Please feel free to reach out to Patty Samuelian (psamuelian@nssd112.org) with any questions or apply to be a guest teacher today!

Throughout the year, we are highlighting some of our incredible teachers and staff in a series called Meet 112! In November, we learned about Ravinia kindergarten teacher Rebekah Hopkins.

If you are unable to view the video here, you can find it on our Vimeo page.

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.

Please continue to be aware of our guidelines for emergency closings. The decision to close school or to change start or dismissal times because of inclement weather or other unanticipated emergencies will be based upon available information from local law enforcement agencies, weather forecast services, and neighboring school district administrators.

If school will be closed, every effort will be made to finalize the school closing decision by 5 a.m. of that school day. Roadway conditions and the possibility of dangerously unsafe temperatures are the main factors that drive the decision.

In these situations, you will be notified via email, text and phone. A message will also be posted on our website at nssd112.org.

ParentSquare is North Shore School District 112’s primary communication tool. It is used by the district office and schools to send emails, text messages and phone calls to parents/guardians, staff members and the community.

Visit the ParentSquare page on our website to learn more or access your account.

Address: 445 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040

Phone: 224-765-3000

Website: nssd112.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nssd112

Instagram: instagram.com/nssd112

Twitter: @nssd112

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