A Message from Dr. Kelley Gallt
August 1, 2022
Dear District 95 Families,
I hope you have enjoyed an incredible summer that was filled with opportunities to reconnect with family and friends! Soon we will come back together and welcome new students and families to our building learning communities, while also reconnecting with familiar faces. This summer has been especially busy as we prepare for an exciting new school year. It is truly awesome to reflect upon all that we have achieved over the past several years, and I cannot help but be filled with pride.
As we embark on a new school year, there is much to share with families, students, and staff to ensure another successful school year. I hope you will take some time to review each of the sections highlighted within this newsletter as well as participate in a number of optional activities being offered within District 95 in the coming weeks, including an opportunity to demonstrate kindness towards a family outside of our district.
In conclusion, it is my absolute hope that you enjoy the remaining days of summer and know that District 95 administration and staff are excitedly preparing for your return on August 16, 2022. This truly is going to be a great school year, especially as we look forward to a stronger sense of normalcy!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelley Gallt
May Whitney Site Renovation & LZHS Sidewalks
The District is excited to share an update relating to the expansive site renovation work located at May Whitney Elementary School. As is visible from Midlothian Road, the old May Whitney building has been fully removed from the site. Original bricks have been protected from the demolition and are available for purchase from the District 95 Educational Foundation (please see the “Bricks for Sale!” article in this newsletter).
Work is underway to regrade the site, install new parking, and provide for new sidewalks leading to the school from the parking lot and to provide safe egress from the west side of Midlothian Road to Lake Zurich High School. It is anticipated that the new parking lot addition will be completed prior to the start of the school year, pending continued good weather over the next few weeks. Administration and the construction team members are working to finalize the safe walk to school plan for high school students walking across Midlothian Road as the permanent sidewalk along the roadway is not scheduled for completion until after the start of the school year. More information will be shared on the temporary plan closer to the start of school.
Important 2022-23 Information Available Online
School schedules for 2022-23 are now posted on the district and school websites. Schedules can be accessed from the Parent menu, the Student menu, or from the Important Link section of the district website, or by clicking here.
The 2022-23 Parent-Student Handbook is now posted on the district and school websites. The handbook can be accessed from the Parent menu or the Student menu, or by clicking here. Please read the updated handbook and be sure your student is also informed about the information in the handbook.
Lunches and Fees
Please note that lunches are not free for all students in the 22-23 school year as they were during the pandemic.
For those in need of financial assistance with lunch, please find the Free/Reduced Lunch Application link on our website under Departments-> Business & Operations, or by clicking here. This application must be completed each school year.
In addition, for those seeking a waiver of other qualified fees, a fee waiver application must be completed each school year. This application can also be found on our website under Departments -> Business & Operations, or by clicking here.
If you need assistance with this process, please contact the Business office at businessoffice@lz95.org.
School Safety & Security
As mentioned at the end of the last school year, District 95 has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol in the upcoming school year.
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol.
The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
More information will be shared throughout the year on this and other safety and security measures.
Health & Wellness Update
In preparation for the 22-23 school year, please note several updates to the District’s Health & Wellness protocols as it relates to COVID.
- Students and staff members who test positive for COVID will continue to need to isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms or from their test date (if symptom-free)
- Buildings will no longer be notifying families when they have been a close contact to a COVID positive case; for those families with unique medical situations (and a doctor’s note) requiring notification, please contact Lauren McArdle at lauren.mcardle@lz95.org
- Students who are in isolation due to a COVID positive test will be able to access support with schoolwork from staff outside of school hours (schedule will vary depending on the student level); families will receive information regarding how to access support when their isolation window begins, but will no longer include online access to the general classroom experience (i.e., no Zooming into daily classes)
- The District has discontinued a central COVID testing location; tests will remain available at the building level for students and staff members who display symptoms while present at school or work
- The District-wide free testing program will be discontinued effective at the start of the 22-23 school year; families and staff are reminded that home tests are now accepted for the purposes of clearing a student to return to school when experiencing symptoms
- Cumulative COVID positive cases by building will be reported on a weekly basis via the District website, with the past two weeks of data available for viewing (as has been the reporting practice during the summer semester)
The District Health & Wellness website has been updated to reflect our protocols for the coming school year. As always, families should continue to monitor their children for any changes in health and must keep students who are ill at home.
Lastly, the District will be convening a Health & Wellness Committee again for the 22-23 school year. The work of this committee will be expanded to include monitoring of illnesses beyond COVID, providing input on the District nutritional/physical wellness practices, and providing input on student social-emotional well-being initiatives. Parents and staff members who are interested in participating on this committee can complete the interest form linked HERE.
Getting Students Ready for 22-23
As we approach the 22-23 school year, we want to share some important information regarding student dress, peer interactions, and assessing student needs.
Student Attire
Board policy and the Parent-Student handbook clarify expectations for student dress. In essence, inappropriate, revealing clothing should not be worn to school or school functions. In an effort to provide greater clarity for students, staff, and families regarding what would be considered “revealing,” please see the expectations outlined below:
- Student torsos from the armpit to the top of pants/shorts must be completely covered at all times (i.e., portions of a student’s ribcage or stomach should not be exposed, chest or underarm areas below the armpits should not be exposed)
- Student undergarments must be completely covered at all times
- Shorts worn should cover student legs up to the mid-thigh area (i.e., they should fall several inches below what would be considered an underwear or bathing suit line)
Peer Interactions
One of our key District 95 values is Respect, which we aim to teach all of our learners throughout the year. In alignment with this value, negative comments made toward students about any aspect of their identity/background are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the school setting. Schools will continue to teach this expectation and reinforce it for students who struggle to meet the expectation throughout the year.
Assessing Student Needs
As has been the practice during the past two school years, building staff will be conducting brief needs assessments for students in grades 3-12 during the first week of school. Families may view needs assessment items using the links below:
Getting Ready for 22-23
In the remaining weeks of summer, families can help students get re-acclimated for school by reviewing the information above, as well as by focusing on re-establishing sleep and morning routines that align with school schedules, by reintroducing (or continuing) practices like reading daily, and by talking with their student about what they need to feel successful in the upcoming year.
Please click here for more detailed information regarding the topics above.
Bricks for Sale!!
The District 95 Educational Foundation is now accepting orders for the purchase of commemorative bricks from the old May Whitney building (which also served as Ela Township High School, Ela-Vernon High School, Lake Zurich High School, LZ Junior High, LZ Middle School North, and May Whitney Elementary School). In addition to purchasing a piece of local history, brick purchases also support our students for years to come through the District 95 Educational Foundation. For brick purchasing options and more information, please visit the District 95 Educational Foundation website or click here.
Unplugged Fest/Flyer
One of our own Middle School North students is coordinating a free event for all ages called the Unplugged Fest, and opportunity to ‘disconnect to reconnect’. The event will be held on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Paulus Park from 11a.m. – 4p.m. For more information visit www.unpluggedfest.com. We hope you can come out and show your support!
Cards for Cooper
In partnership with a district family (the Law family), the District Administration building will be open for District 95 families/individuals on August 10th from 1-4pm for anyone interested in making or signing get well cards for Cooper Roberts. Cooper is the 8-year-old who was shot at the Highland Park 4th of July parade, and he is the son of Keely Roberts who is a superintendent in another Lake County school district. Card making supplies will be provided by the Law family and by District 95.
Mass Communication System
As we mentioned in the Spring, the district is working to replace School Messenger with a new mass communication tool, Blackboard, that will be used for important district and school messages to parents/guardians and staff. Blackboard has a 99.9% "up" time for their communication system and offers great flexibility in messaging. The transition to Blackboard is underway at this time, however, School Messenger will remain fully active until we have completely migrated. During this transition period you may receive messages from either system. We will communicate again when the migration to Blackboard is fully complete.
School Bus Drivers Needed!
Looking for an opportunity to give back to the community? Retired and looking for a way to stay active and connected? A parent wanting to have the same schedule as your children? Want to bring your preschool aged child to work with you? Join our amazing team of bus drivers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
Benefits Include: · Paid Behind the Wheel Training · Partial Paid Health Insurance · Retirement Benefits · Sick Leave · Personal Days· Competitive Pay including pay for prior experience
Qualifications: · Good Driving Record · Minimum of 21 years old (Drivers) · Pass required Federal Background check · Pass a pre-employment/ annual physical & drug test · Enjoy working with kids!!
If you have any questions, contact the District 95 Transportation Department at 847-438-2834.
Click here to apply online by visiting our website or go to www.lz95.org/jobs ~ Click on Job Openings ~ Select Transportation ~ Select Apply button