DPM Newsletter - 4.4.25

• IAR Testing is Underway
• DPM Featured in Emerging Artist Show
• Student Fundraiser Results
• Garden Club Starts Next Week
• Love For Livy - Hope Rally Concert
• **REPEAT** Outdoor Wellness and Recess with Spring Weather

District 67 News and Events

• Summer School and Extended School Year (ESY) Registration Opens Monday, April 7

• A Look Ahead on Lunch

• Reminder: Required Dental Exams for 6th Graders

• District 67 Annual 4th Grade All-Student Art Show

• You're Invited to District 67 Math Information Night

• Coffee and Conversation with Superintendent Montgomery and Districts 67 and 115 Board Presidents on April 17

• Buy Tickets for the LFHS Musical "Cinderella"

• Calling All Scouts! Save the Date for the All-Alumni Parking Lot Party

• Join Us at the D67 APT Meeting to Learn More About Tri-District Collaboration and Technology Updates
• Congratulations Jen Fiocco (DPM APT President), Sandi Fotopoulos (APT Executive President) and Thank You to Michelle Taubensee
• Thank You G2G & Spirit “Grow Your Food” Assembly Volunteers
• End-of-Year School Supply Drive – Volunteer Needed
• Final APT Meeting of the Year

• Save the Date! Spring Paddle Club Tournament for All

• We're in the Final Inning of the Spirit of 67 Crosstown Competition!

• A Reminder About Scooter Safety and City Ordinance

• Gorton Center Event - Fly Fishing Film Tour

• Join the Scout Aquatics Swim Team

• Lake Bluff Youth Baseball Association Pancake Breakfast

• Gorton Center Event - Overture STEAM Music Class

• LF Parks and Recreation - Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza

• Hope Rally - A Benefit Concert for Olivia Rubek

Dear DPM Families,

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is underway and it wouldn't have been possible without the contributions of everyone in our Deer Path learning community. Our students have participated in numerous review and test taking strategy activities over the recent weeks to prepare for the moment and show what they know (start at slide 19 to support these conversations at home).

A special shout-out to the teachers who coordinated the motivating IAR Pep assemblies, including those students and staff who bravely participated – they truly energized the building and set a positive tone for testing! And a huge thank you to our incredible office staff, whose meticulous preparation of all the testing materials ensured everything ran smoothly.

We greatly appreciate all of the support and encouragement from the families across our Deer Path learning community to set our students up for success. It is evident that you have supported your students mentally, physically, and emotionally. They're coming to school feeling confident in their skills and excited to perform. Here are a few things we heard after testing this week:

• "I really feel like I accomplished something!"
• "I reached my goal."
• "I did great."
• "I feel like I grew."

That collaborative spirit and collective commitment to our students' success never ceases to amaze. Let's keep that momentum going as we continue through the testing window into next week!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dr. Michelle Shinn, 5/6 Principal

Mr. Sam Paulsen, 7/8 Principal

Monday, April 7

• IAR Testing - ELA Field Test (DPMW Only)

• Early Release

• Sign up here for Study Hall

Tuesday, April 8

• IAR Testing - Math Day 1

Wednesday, April 9

• IAR Testing - Math Day 2

Thursday, April 10

• IAR Testing - Math Day 3

Friday, April 11

• IAR Testing - Make Ups Begin

Please check out our DPM Calendar on the website for more details.

Multiple DPM students' artwork will be on display uptown for the 18th Annual Emerging Artist Show! The artwork of the following students has been chosen to represent the fine talent of Deer Path Middle School. A big thank you to our Creative Arts teachers for providing all of our students with these wonderful opportunities to express themselves artistically.

• 8th Grade - Henry B, Lois L, Liesl S
• 7th Grade - Gage K, Hadley M, Nicholas M
• 6th Grade - Lucy M, Roger W, Jojo S
• 5th Grade - Sophia A, Lexi O, Roan S

We continue to be blown away by the generosity of our students. StuCrew's Pot of Gold Raffle raised $1,500 for Pasadena Public Schools who lost buildings in the LA wildfires. The Pot of Gold Raffle was completely developed, organized, and run by 7th and 8th grade student leaders. StuCrew learned about this school district from the Green Team who kicked off the fundraising efforts with a Penny Wars competition earlier this year. The Green Team's efforts also inspired SLS, the 5th and 6th grade leadership team, to donate the money raised from the Halfway party to our California peers. All together, DPM students raised $2,788.06 for Pasadena Schools. This portrait of empathy and generosity is certainly modeled and encouraged by you, our amazing parent community. Thank you so much for supporting our students as they become compassionate philanthropists.

Hey let's eat! But first ... we have to plant, tend and harvest. Come join the DPM Garden Club on Tuesdays starting April 8th from 3:35 to 4:35. We will plant Spring crops that should be ready before we leave school for the summer. Later we'll plant a whole lot of other yummy stuff you can pick and take home over the season. Please contact Ms. Zoul for more information. Meet at the garden and pick up is in the CUBE parking lot.

Saturday April 26th from 7-10 pm

Located at The Farm System in Lake Bluff

921 Sherwood Dr, Lake Bluff

Olivia Rubeck, a 5th grader at DPM, was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2023. One month into her treatment she suffered two cardiac arrests which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Please consider contributing to the upcoming concert benefit for the Love for Livy foundation. Ticket sales will help with Olivia’s brain injury treatments from the Neurosolution Center of Austin. Money raised at past events have helped the Rubeck’s purchase a hyperbaric chamber to also help in her brain injury recovery.

Exciting news! Summer School and Extended School Year (ESY) registration opens this Monday, April 7! 🎉

Whether you're looking for extra learning opportunities, enrichment, or support, we’ve got great programs lined up!

📅Mark your calendar! An email with all the details and the registration link will be sent out Monday as soon as registration opens. Don’t miss out!

Stay tuned, and we can’t wait for an amazing summer ahead! 🔆

Lunch Menu for April 7-11

April 7

• Option 1: Mini Chicken Corn Dogs with Roasted Squash

• Sides: Strawberry Craisins

• Option 2: Rotini Marinara

April 8 - Tasty Tuesday (Hummus with Carrots)

• Option 1: Grilled Chicken Breast with Homemade Mashed Potatoes & Seasoned Broccoli

• Sides: Parmesan-Crusted Dinner Roll

• Option 2: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

April 9

• Option 1: Cheese Pizza Slice

• Option 2: Pepperoni Pizza Slice

• Sides: Seasoned Broccoli

April 10

• Main: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• Sides: Baked Waffle Fries, Cream of Tomato Soup, Roasted Carrots

April 11

• Main: French Toast Sticks with Chicken Sausage Patty

• Sides: Baked Tater Tots, Maple Syrup

Did you know that Illinois requires all 6th grade students to have a recent dental exam on file? A copy of the exam must be submitted to your school’s nurse by May 15, 2025. Exams completed between November 15, 2023, and May 15, 2025, are accepted.

If your student has already had their exam, please submit the form as soon as possible. If not, schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you've already submitted the form, no further action is needed.

For questions, contact your school nurse:

DPM 5/6: Hannah Clouse – hclouse@lfschools.net
DPM 7/8: Heather Egenthal – hegenthal@lfschools.net

Are you curious what happens for advanced math once students are in third and fourth grade? Are you wanting to know more about the transition from elementary school to middle school math? Have you been wondering what the pathways for math look like at middle school and beyond? Come find out more!

Join us on Tuesday, April 15, at 6:00 pm in the Haskins at DPM or virtually when we'll tackle common math myths, explore a day in the life of a District 67 math student, and answer your biggest questions about math placement and progression. If you plan on attending in person, please park in the back of DPM and enter through door K, near the pickleball courts.

Submit your questions in the form below!

We are excited to announce our next Community Coffee for Districts 67 & 115 at the Lake Bluff Public Safety Building! This event is open to all with the goal of building connections and fostering a stronger, more informed community.

Date: Thursday, April 17

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Public Safety Building, 45 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff

Cinderella by Rodgers and Hammerstein

April 24, 25, 7:00 pm and April 26 3:00 pm, The Raymond Moore Theater

Directed by Kelly MacBlane and John Wanninger

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical. This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It's Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago.”

Seating is reserved. Doors open will open 30 minutes before showtime.

Learn More About Tri-District Collaboration and Technology Updates

Dear DPM Families,

Drumroll, please…

A huge thank you to the DPM Nominating Committee for their work on the 2025-2026 APT slate: Heidi Clifton, Devon Jeffers, Nicole Phelan, Andrea Lockhart, Veronica DeNicolo, and Lindsey White!

We’re excited to announce next year’s DPM APT President, Jen Fiocco. Join us at the final DPM APT meeting of the year on Tuesday, April 22, at 9:30 am in the Haskins Center (7th/8th grade side) to meet Jen!

DPM APT VP, Sandi Fotopoulos, who has done an AMAZING job this year, will step into the role of APT Executive President, taking over for the always stellar Katherine Najjar.

A special thank you to DPM parent Michelle Taubensee, who chaired the APT Executive Nominating Committee.

Way to represent DPM, ladies! 👏👏👏

G2G & Spirit “Grow Your Food” Assembly Volunteers

Thank you to our 6th-grade APT parent volunteers for making Thursday’s assembly a hands-on, inspiring learning experience:

Jennifer Adams, Mallory Boyens, Kim DeNapoli, Nicole Eisner, Katherine Hensley, Jenna Long, Brianne Meade, Wendy Silcox, Jen Sawant, Stephanie Thadoni, and Melissa Thoman.

Special thanks to Spirit 67, G2G, and DPM Principals for making this event possible!

End-of-Year School Supply Drive – Volunteer Needed

APT is looking for a volunteer to help coordinate the end-of-year school supply drive, including working with school clubs, organizing donation bins, and selecting a Lake County partner school to receive supplies.

If you're interested, please text me at (773) 383-7951.

Students who need volunteer hours can help with in-school efforts like hanging posters and spreading the word. DM us on Instagram or email kristinmccain@gmail.com to sign up.

Save the date! The final DPM APT Meeting of the year is on Tuesday, April 22, at 9:30 am in the Haskins Center (7th/8th grade side).

Cheers,

Kristin McCain, DPM APT President
kristinmccain@gmail.com
773-383-7951
Instagram @deer_path_apt

Turn heads on and off the court with custom Spirit Paddle Club gear by Kiddles. Game on!

Place your order and check out all of the fashionable options at the link below.

Orders must be placed by April 13!

All schools have hit their participation goals, but the school with the highest percentage of donor families by April 25 will win a popsicle party for the entire school!

Cherokee and Everett are neck and neck, so this one is going down to the final inning!

We need a full team effort, which means participation from as many families as possible. Donor Reps will reach out soon. If you haven't donated yet this school year, now is the time to step up to the plate and knock it out of the park! ⚾

Thank you for supporting the students of District 67!

In the Central Business District, riders must dismount and walk on sidewalks—it's the law. The Police Department is increasing enforcement, and violations can result in fines up to $300 per offense.

✅ What to do:

• Wear a helmet.

• Walk your bike, e-bike, or e-scooter on sidewalks in the Central Business District.

• Talk to your kids and remind them to follow the rules.

• Help keep our sidewalks safe for everyone!

Learn more.

CROYA Updates

• Middle School Meetings (7th/8th Grade) – Every Tuesday, 4:00-4:30 pm at CROYA

• Middle School Cooking Club (7th/8th Grade) – Every Thursday, 4:00-5:00 pm at CROYA

• Middle School Crumbl Cookie Club (7th/8th Grade) – Friday, April 11, 2025, 4:00-4:30 pm at CROYA

All students need a completed waiver to participate in CROYA programs. Find the waiver at croya.com.

Gorton Center Event - Fly Fishing Film Tour

April 6 | 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm

Starting at noon, Trout Unlimited will provide fly fishing clinics. Beginners can learn to tie fishing knots and cast a fly rod, and more experienced fishermen can perfect their skills, ask TU questions, and share fishy stories.

Join the Scout Aquatics Swim Team

April 7 | 5:30 pm

Scout Aquatics is a Lake Forest High School Community Education Program. It is a USA Swimming team designed to help children ages 6 and up improve technical skills, conditioning, and knowledge of the sport as they advance through the program.

Lake Bluff Youth Baseball Association Pancake Breakfast
April 12 | 7:00 am - 9:00 am

Join Lake Bluff Youth Baseball Association at the Lake Bluff Fire Station for the annual Pancake Breakfast, benefiting the two 12U travel baseball teams heading to Cooperstown at the end of June!

Gorton Center Event - Overture STEAM Music Class

April 15 – May 6

Overture Games offers a STEAM-based music curriculum that introduces kids to musical concepts through interactive video games.

LF Parks and Recreation - Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza

April 19 | 9:00 am

Hop into spring with our Annual Eggstravaganza at Deerpath Community Park. The Bunny, along with the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department staff, will scatter over 6,000 eggs to find.

Hope Rally - A Benefit Concert for Olivia Rubek

Saturday, April 26, 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Join us for a special concert to support Olivia’s brain injury treatments at the Neurosolution Center of Austin.