North Shore 112 Monthly

• Registration for 2025-2026 opens for ALL GRADES
• Board of education news
• An update on the dual language program review
• Family resources and upcoming parent/guardian events
• Community events, including this year's MLK Day of Service
• Learn more about generative artificial intelligence — resources and tools
• And more!

• 02/03: 2025-2026 Registration Opens for All Grades
• 02/03: Dual Language Application Window Opens
• 02/11: BOE Committee of the Whole Meeting (6:30 p.m. at Northwood)
• 02/14: Early Release (No Early Childhood)
• 02/17: Presidents Day (No School)
• 02/18: BOE Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m. at Northwood)
• 02/25: Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting (6:30 p.m. at Northwood)
• 02/25: BOE Facilities Committee Meeting (6:30 p.m. at District Office)

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open for all grades. This is a change from years' past when registration would open on May 1. All students, including returning students, must be registered. Visit our registration page to complete the process.

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

Families with incoming kindergarteners—and first graders, in some instances—also have the opportunity to apply for the dual language program during this time. In January, we hosted two Dual Language Program Info Nights to share information about the program. Recordings of these events, along with additional details, are available at www.nssd112.org/dual-language.

If you have any questions about the dual language program, you can email Enrique Castro at ecastro@nssd112.org.

The next regular board of education meeting is Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at Northwood Middle School (945 North Avenue). A link for the livestream feed of the meeting will be available at nssd112.org. Meeting agendas can also be found on our website (posted at least 48 hours prior to a meeting).

Additional Meetings:

• Committee of the Whole: Tuesday, February 11 (6:30 at Northwood)
• Facilities Committee: Tuesday, February 25 (6:30 at District Office)

At the January 21 meeting, the board received an engaging presentation from Red Oak, reviewed new middle school world language resources, and received an update on the strategic change process, among other topics. Read the full recap for more details.

At its January meeting, the board approved the appointments of Enrique Castro as director of multilingual learners, Nicole Rodrigo as director of early childhood, and Sarah Yoo as associate principal of Ravinia Elementary School. Their roles will take effect on July 1, 2025. Learn more about all three administrators.

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.

Dr. Sonia Soltero, a leading expert in dual language education, is collaborating with our district to review and analyze our dual language program. This month, the review process continues through multiple initiatives.

Dr. Soltero will lead two focus groups—one for Spanish-speaking participants on February 3 and another for English-speaking participants on February 12. These individuals were randomly selected by Hanover Research, an independent organization assisting with the review, from a pool of those who expressed interest in participating. The focus groups will take place over the next couple of weeks.

In addition, Dr. Soltero and Hanover Research have developed a survey for parents, guardians, and staff at our two dual language schools, Oak Terrace Elementary and Red Oak Elementary. The insights gathered from these focus groups, surveys, and ongoing discussions will contribute to Dr. Soltero’s analysis of the program.

Black History Month is observed every February in the United States as a time to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions and achievements of Black Americans throughout history. This month-long observance is dedicated to acknowledging the central role of Black individuals in shaping U.S. history, from civil rights and government to arts and science. Black History Month encourages all Americans to reflect on past struggles and successes, and to appreciate the rich cultural heritage and diversity that Black Americans bring to the nation.

Resources for Parents/Guardians and Families

• Celebrating Black Leaders (PBS)
• What is the CROWN Act? (Anti-Defamation League)
• What is Voter Suppression? (Anti-Defamation League)
• Black History Month Exhibits and Collections (BlackHistoryMonth.gov)
• Brown v. Board of Education (National Museum of American History)

At the January meeting, the board of education recognized 12 students for their contributions to our strategic change process. These students participated in a discovery group that met twice in September and again in December, playing a vital role in shaping the district’s future.

A heartfelt thank you to the parents for supporting their children’s involvement in this important work—and most of all, a big 112 shoutout to our incredible students!

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.

• Cartwheel Care February Webinar (February 5, virtual)
  How to Recognize Early Signs of Disordered Eating and What to Do
  Eating disorders can affect kids and teens across all genders, races, and household income levels, though some may be at higher risk. Join Cartwheel and Dr. Amy Egbert ahead of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week to explore the complex factors behind disordered eating and how to support a loved one when you think they may have an eating disorder. This webinar will cover early signs and symptoms, practical tips for fostering supportive, non-judgmental conversations, and how to explore treatment options when you think that a loved one may have an eating disorder. REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR
  
  
• Cartwheel Care March Webinar (March 4, virtual)
  Motivating Kids to Do the “No Fun, Boring, and Tough” Stuff
  

  Do you want to help your student succeed in life but struggle with working together on tasks and goals? Many educators and parents feel frustrated and thwarted in their efforts to teach responsibility, motivation and persistence to students, especially those with ADHD or learning differences.
  
  

  Join Cartwheel and Dr. Sharon Saline for insight and tools on how to effectively motivate all kinds of students both at school and at home. Building upon a strength-based, collaborative approach, Dr. Saline will show you how to teach all-important executive functioning skills related to motivation and tools to increase buy-in and reduce conflict in home and at school. REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR

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 February newsletter from ParentGuidance.org:

• February Newsletter (English)
• February 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. Whether it's behavior issues or holiday stress, a coach can help guide you through it. To register for support from a coach, visit 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 annual iREAD read-a-thon kicked off on January 25 at the Highland Park Public Library with a lineup of guest readers and engaging activities.

Thank you to the 112 Education Foundation, the Highland Park Public Library, and the teachers and staff who participated as guest readers at this year’s kickoff event.

Additional upcoming iREAD events at Highwood Public Library and Community Center:

• Wednesday, February 5 at 6 p.m.: Literaria Lotería
• Wednesday, February 12 at 6 p.m.: Literaria Lotería
• Monday, February 17 at 4 p.m.: Pajama Party

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.

The 112 Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to support students and schools in D112. Through exclusive partnerships with all nine schools in the district, the Foundation funds a range of signature programs that create meaningful, engaging learning experiences, including:

• FUNd Run – a community-based run for students and families
• Robot Revolution – an interactive robotics program
• iRead Read-a-thon – a schoolwide reading initiative
• Reel 112 Film Festival – a student-centered film event
• Art in Bloom – an arts celebration
• Kids Go Classic – an interactive concert at Ravinia Festival
• Author visits – inspiring sessions with published authors
• And a whole lot more!

Join the Highland Park community for the 16th Annual Day of Service on Monday, February 17, at the Recreation Center of Highland Park (1207 Park Ave. W). From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., participate in meaningful and fun service projects suitable for all ages.

Donation drop-off is available from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Visit cityhpil.com/mlk for more details and a list of requested donation items.

Let’s honor Dr. King by giving back to the community!

Dr. Lubelfeld will be a featured speaker at the upcoming "State of Education" event, presented by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. This event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at The Art Center Highland Park (1957 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park). Dr. Lubelfeld will be joined by Dr. Chala Holland, superintendent of District 113; Dr. Kurt Schneider, superintendent of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804; and Heidi Smith, executive director of the Highland Park Public Library. Together, they will discuss the current state of our local school systems, highlighting recent successes and upcoming initiatives.

This event is complimentary and open to all community members; however, registration is required by Friday, February 21. Walk-ins are welcome but seating cannot be guaranteed. To register or learn more, please visit the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce's event page.

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.

This year, our district has implemented a new standard response protocol. What does that mean? Check out the video below from Solvei Jurmu, our director of safety and security.

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!

North Shore School District 112 is seeking full-time special education paraprofessionals (1:1) to support individual students across various schools. These roles involve working closely with certified staff to assist students with academic, functional, and physical needs, implementing IEPs, and providing behavioral support. Responsibilities include offering direct supervision, assisting with daily tasks, and participating in professional development. Candidates must hold a state paraprofessional or substitute license. These positions offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and IMRF retirement. Apply or 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.