The Golden Apple

Welcome back from Spring Break! We're so happy for some warmer weather and to have students back in classrooms. April will be a big month for events, and we can't wait to share them with you. Make sure to read to the end so you don't miss out!

RLAS-116 will kick off our 2024-25 Student Registration campaign this Wednesday, April 3.

All registrations completed by June 15, 2024 will benefit from a $25 early registration discount. Help us meet our goal to register all students by July 1!

You can get a head start by attending our registration event on April 17 at Magee Middle School from 1 to 7 p.m. Please watch for more information in the coming weeks.

The Round Lake High School Athletic Booster Club invites you to attend their Football Fundraiser Trivia Night Saturday, April 20. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start at Parkway Banquets, 657 Railroad Ave.

You can register alone for $20 or as a table of 10 for $175. Please register with Janet Walsh at jwalsh@rlas-116.org or you may pay in cash at the door. All proceeds will go to the Panther Football Program.

There will be a cash bar and you can bring your own snacks and treats! We hope to see you there!

Despite the chill and wind that threatened to blow their posters right out of their hands, Village students were excited to welcome Enchanted Backpack to their school March 12. Dozens of students cheered and pushed handmade posters out at two vans filled with supplies for Village Elementary. With the help of Village staff, Enchanted Backpack workers unloaded bags and boxes with items including winter gear and school and art supplies.

Enchanted Backpack is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that schools have the materials necessary to help students succeed. Village was the recipient of a mobile van delivery, which contains an average retail value of $40,000. Thank you Enchanted Backpack!

You should have received your school placement for students entering grades K-5. If you have not received your placement, please fill out this form on our website.

Please also refer to the Q&A document on the district's website for more information about the new K-5 Partner School model planned for the 2024-25 school year.

If you have specific questions you would like answered, we invite you to attend our second virtual Question and Answer event Thursday, April 18. We are offering an English session at 6 p.m. and a Spanish session at 7 p.m.

On April 8, Illinois will be in the path of totality for a solar eclipse. In our area, we will be able to see a partial eclipse around 2 p.m.

For our elementary students, the partial eclipse will be visible during the school day. Teachers may take students outside for a few minutes during the peak of the eclipse to view this rare event. The district has purchased enough Solar Eclipse viewing glasses for all elementary students, as looking at the eclipse without safety glasses is damaging to the eyes.

Every student that views the eclipse will be provided Solar Eclipse glasses. Students will return to class after viewing the eclipse.

If you do not want your student(s) to participate in viewing the eclipse, you must contact your student's school’s office no later than April 5.

There is no programming planned for students in middle or high school, as dismissal will be happening either during or soon after the peak of the eclipse.

We are so excited to announce that the following staff members have been nominated for the 2024 Lake County ROE Educator of the Year Awards:

• Carly Martin, High School Classroom Teacher (Spanish Teacher @ RLHS)
• Patti Hair, Elementary Classroom Teacher (Kindergarten Teacher @ Pleviak)
• Kelly DeBoeuf, Diverse Learner Classroom Teacher (Special Education Teacher & Specialist)
• Tyrell Yarbrough, Early Career Educator (3rd grade teacher at Village)
• Nathaniel Conklin, Educational Service Personnel (Teacher Assistant at JTMMS)
• Erin Stoulp, Student Support Personnel (Speech Language Pathologist at Village)
• Jeff King, School Administrator (Principal at JTMMS)
• Qing Leong, Custodian (Head Custodian at Early Education Center)

We are so proud of all of our nominees and every hard-working staff member in the district. We'd like to extend a special shout out to Qing Leong, as this year's awards will have a focus on recognizing custodial/maintenance staff.

The Talent Expo serves as a year-end celebration and showcase of student talent expressed through dance, drama, music, and the visual arts. Our students have been working hard in their school talent shows to make it to the Talent Expo, presented in partnership with the RLAS-116 Education Foundation.

Come see students from every school perform April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center. Tickets are $5 at the door and are cash-only.

Join us for World Language Night April 16 at 6 p.m. at Round Lake High School! We will have more than 15 countries represented by families in our community. You will have the opportunity to learn about different countries, taste delicious new recipes and see incredible performances. We hope to see you there!

Eighth Grade and High School Senior families, be sure to check your email this week for important graduation information. It's time to make sure you're ready for graduation! Check out the times and dates below for your graduation ceremony.

• Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024

• Time: 9:00am

• Location: Round Lake High School Main Gym

• Tickets: 4 tickets will be provided to each 8th grade student’s family.

• Attire: Students will wear recognition gowns. The recognition package, including a ceremony gown, certificate, and certificate cover will cost $29.00 per student.

• Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024

• Time: 11:00am

• Location: Round Lake High School Main Gym

• Tickets: 4 tickets will be provided to each 8th grade student’s family.

• Attire: Students will wear recognition gowns. The recognition package, including a ceremony gown, certificate, and certificate cover will cost $29.00 per student and is reflective in your monthly billing statement.

• A student’s ability to participate in the ceremony may be impacted by their behavior this year as well as their grades.

• Date: Friday, May 17, 2024

• Time: 6:00pm

• Location: Round Lake High School Stadium

• Tickets: 4 tickets will be provided to each graduate’s family. There will not be any additional tickets available for purchase.

• Attire: Students will wear caps and gowns. Items can be purchased from Jostens on their website. Jostens will deliver orders to the high school on April 16 and May 8.

• April 10, 6:30 p.m., Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center

• April 16, 6 p.m., Round Lake High School Gymnasiums

• April 17, 1 to 7 p.m., Magee Middle School

• April 18, 5:30 p.m., Ellis Cafeteria

• April 26, noon, Antioch High School

• April 20, 7 p.m., Parkway Banquets

• April 25-27, 7:30 p.m., Round Lake High School Theater

• April 30, 6 p.m., Round Lake Middle School