This newsletter is packed with helpful information and resources just for you! We know it’s a lot, but we encourage you to take a moment to look through it when you can. Inside, you’ll find valuable mental health resources, upcoming events and more, all designed to support you and your family in our district.

Also, a reminder that there is no school on Tuesday, November 5 for Election Day. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to vote! You can verify your polling place by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

11/05: Election Day (No School)

11/11: Veterans Day (No School)

11/12: BPAC Meeting at Northwood - 6 p.m.

11/12: BOE Facilities Committee Meeting

11/19: BOE Regular Meeting

11/22: Early Release (No Early Childhood)

11/25-11/26: Parent-Teacher Conferences (No Student Attendance)

11/27-11/29: Thanksgiving Break

12/02: Indian Trail moves into new building!

At the end of October, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the annual State Report Card. We are incredibly proud with how we performed. Three of our schools—Ravinia, Sherwood, and Wayne Thomas—were designated as "exemplary," placing them in the top 10 percent statewide. Our six other schools earned a "commendable" designation, the second-highest ranking.

We are also proud to share that overall student proficiency on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in both English language arts and math has improved consistently over the past four school years. The IAR scores are divided into five performance levels, with Levels 4 and 5 representing students who meet or exceed grade-level expectations, and Level 3 showing students who are approaching these expectations.

English Language Arts:

• 58.5% of students reached levels 4 or 5 in 2023-2024, up from 49.5% in 2022-2023.

• Combined (Levels 3, 4, and 5): 81% of students, compared to the state average of 65%.

Math:

• 51.5% of students reached levels 4 or 5 in 2023-2024, up from 48.1% in 2022-2023.

• Combined (Levels 3, 4, and 5): 76% of students, compared to the state average of 55.1%.

In a special Lighthouse 112 podcast, Dr. Lubelfeld takes a closer look at these results, providing valuable context on just how impressive they truly are.

• Podcast in English
• Podcast in Spanish

We are eagerly counting down to Monday, December 2, when Indian Trail students and staff will move into their newly renovated and modernized school. Throughout this month, we’ll be sharing more details with the Indian Trail community to ensure a smooth transition.

Indian Trail marks the first of five renovation projects funded by the successful 2022 referendum. Construction at Ravinia will continue into spring 2025, with work at Sherwood beginning in 2025, followed by renovations at Braeside and Wayne Thomas.

October featured renewed discussions around Phase 3 of the Long-Range Facilities Plan, with a focus on addressing concerns about dual language enrollment. Key updates included a district-wide letter on October 2, a dedicated board meeting on October 8, and a follow-up update provided to the board on October 22.

Phase 3 will not be on the agenda for the November board meeting but will be revisited on December 17. You can stay updated on the conversation by visiting nssd112.org/phase 3, which will be regularly updated with the latest developments.

Phase 3 has always been planned to involve the location of administration, operations/maintenance/transportation, early childhood, and Red Oak School. However, it’s important to emphasize that no final decisions have been made regarding Phase 3. Several interim decisions affecting Phase 3 have been implemented to support the successful completion of Phase 2.

The next regular board of education meeting is Tuesday, November 19 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).

On Monday, November 11, there will be no school as we observe Veterans Day. Our district is incredibly proud to be the home of several military families. Their commitment and resilience contribute immensely to our schools and neighborhoods.

This Veterans Day, and every day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to these families, and to all the military families who came before them, for their dedication and sacrifice in service to our country.

National Native American Heritage Month is dedicated to recognizing the rich histories, diverse cultures and significant contributions of Native American people. It is a time to honor the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American communities and to acknowledge the important role they have played in shaping the nation's history. It provides an opportunity for all Americans to learn more about the cultures, heritage, and histories of Native American people and to celebrate their contributions in fields such as agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges Native Americans have faced historically and continue to face today and to promote policies and practices that support Native American rights and sovereignty.

Visit www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov to learn more!

Our district continues to advance on its equity journey, integrating culturally responsive learning into our practices and discussions. Each school is dedicating staff meetings to culturally responsive teaching, creating an environment where every student feels valued and supported. We’ve also continued our insightful book studies with Dr. Gloria McDaniel-Hall, deepening our understanding and commitment to equity in education.

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 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.

Upcoming Cartwheel Webinars:

• November 13 (6 p.m.): "Can we talk? How to have conversations with kids and teens about mental health."
• December 4 (6 p.m.): "Raising resilient and confident kids in the age of achievement culture."

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 November ParentGuidance.org newsletter for insights on addressing absenteeism.

• November newsletter (English)
• November newsletter (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 our Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors)
• 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.

Upcoming TrueNorth Events/Webinars:

• 11/07: Toilet Training Children (In Person)
• 11/14: An Overview of Government Benefits (Online)
• 11/19: Moving Toward Connection and Emotional Regulation (Online)

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!

In addition to its signature programs, the Foundation manages D112’s partnership with the Ravinia Festival’s Reach Teach Play education program. This collaboration brings 4th and 5th graders to live concerts, introduces artist-in-residence programs and features special performances at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall for middle school students in orchestra, band,and chorus on alternating years.

Foundation Grants also fund unique learning opportunities, including:

• Day of Giving
• Roots Fest
• Board Game Club
• Parent/Kid Book Club
• French Café
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra Trip

The 112 Foundation plays an essential role in expanding students' learning experiences beyond the classroom, helping to foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. By funding these unique programs, the Foundation supports the holistic development of D112 students and strengthens the educational community. Community contributions are crucial for the Foundation’s continued impact, making each program and event possible for students across the district.

Parenting in the Age of Anxiety – A Presentation by Dr. John Duffy

Join us on November 19, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Highland Park High School Auditorium, for a special event featuring Dr. John Duffy, a clinical psychologist, author, and expert in parenting and personal growth. Dr. Duffy will share insights on the unique challenges modern parents face, including navigating social media, academic pressures, and mental health concerns. His practical advice will help parents connect with and support their children in today’s fast-paced, often overwhelming world.

This event is free and open to all families, co-sponsored by Districts 113, 112, and 109 in partnership with the Deerfield Parent Network.

Register (English)

Register (Spanish)

Nominate an Outstanding Middle School Teacher for the 2025 HPCF Golden Apple Award

Do you know a teacher at Northwood or Edgewood Middle Schools who has made a significant impact on your child’s education? Now is your chance to recognize their dedication and excellence! The Highland Park Community Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2025 Golden Apple Award, which honors outstanding teachers in grades 6 through 8.

Parents/guardians, students, colleagues and administrators are invited to nominate a deserving teacher who has completed at least four full years of teaching and plans to continue teaching in our community for at least two more years. The recipient will receive a $2,000 cash award, a $500 Apple gift card, and recognition from the Highland Park Community Foundation.

Nominations are due by Friday, November 15, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. Visit the foundation’s website for more details and to submit a nomination. You can also email nominations to Sara Sher at sarasher606@gmail.com.

Congressman Brad Schneider is excited to kick off the 8th year of Brad’s Bookworms, a wonderful initiative promoting literacy and encouraging children to read. Open to all K-5 students in our district, Brad’s Bookworms invites participants to read ten books, tracking their progress with help from parents, guardians, siblings or grandparents. Once completed, families can submit reading logs online through the Brad's Bookworms page on Congressman Schneider’s website.

Students who complete the program will be invited to a special ceremony with Congressman Schneider to celebrate their achievements!

Learn more on Congressman's Schneider's website.

Parents and guardians, discover how District 112 is exploring generative artificial intelligence tools. We're evaluating Magic School AI and School AI, two leading providers in the Gen AI education space that prioritize student data privacy and ensure ethical and safe usage for staff.

Explore the Magic School AI Student Space to learn more about generative AI and its potential. We also invite you to dive into the School AI Space’s "AI Parent Portal: Unlocking the Future of Learning."

Magic School AI:

• Student Room - Check out 10 student AI tools and a chat bot for parents/guardians
• https://student.magicschool.ai/s/join?joinCode=Da8X8g

School AI:

• Engage with a Parent Education/Information Space
• https://app.schoolai.com/student-space?code=J6J0

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 an associate principal for Ravinia School for the 2025-26 school year to join our newly modernized, exemplary school as designated by the Illinois State Board of Education. Working alongside the building principal, you will help foster a positive learning environment, enhance instruction, and support curriculum and staff development in a district committed to professional growth, instructional excellence, and community engagement. Qualified candidates should have a master’s degree, an Illinois Professional Educator License with an administrative endorsement, and relevant experience. This position offers a regionally competitive salary and excellent benefits. Apply by November 29, 2024. Apply or learn more

North Shore School District 112 is hiring an executive assistant for personnel services to support our team at the district office. This essential role assists the director of personnel aervices in managing all aspects of licensed and administrative staff operations, including recruiting, onboarding, and employee relations. The position is ideal for candidates with a strong background in human resources or personnel management who are detail-oriented, skilled in communication, and dedicated to maintaining a professional and people-centered approach. With regionally competitive pay, excellent benefits, and IMRF Retirement Pension Service Credit, this 12-month role offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven district. Apply or 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

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 Valerie Kilen (vlariviere@nssd112.org) with any questions or apply to be a guest teacher today!

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.