Fremont Focus

Since December 2022, when the Village of Mundelein formally annexed the proposed Ivanhoe Village development, we have been proactively communicating with our community in preparation for the impact of a development of this magnitude (3,700 residential units and approximately 7,100 residents, including around 1,000 new students for our schools).

Last Friday, we shared a joint letter with Mundelein High School District 120 regarding negotiations with the Wirtz family – developers of Ivanhoe Village – and the impact fees and tax burdens to current residents. These negotiations have not progressed, even as they try to move this project through very quickly.

We have additional updates and data to share with our community:

• On February 24, 2025, four state legislators wrote this letter to the Village of Mundelein demanding that the Wirtz Family re-engage in the process of productively working towards a fair agreement.

• Impact fees are paid by developers to school districts to offset the costs related to the specific and uniquely attributable impact of a new development, including costs associated with construction of expanded space to accommodate the significant influx of students. Following is a local, relevant example:

• FSD79 has collected $812,000 to date for Mundelein’s Sheldon Woods (151 homes) development in an impact fee agreement. These funds will be utilized for capital improvements detailed in our Educational Long Range Facility plan.

• In contrast, the Wirtz Family appears they are only willing to make payments to FSD79 of about $2.5 million for 3,595 residential units (over 20 times more residences than Sheldon Woods). This is based on recent letters to the School Districts from the Wirtz Family attorney.

The magnitude of Ivanhoe Village is unprecedented. Our community deserves to be fairly considered before the development plan is approved by the Village of Mundelein.

Ask yourself—and your elected officials—these questions:

• Why is the Village of Mundelein rushing to approve the Ivanhoe Development this spring?

• Has there been thorough research on the impact on our communities?

• We are focusing on the impact on our k-12 public school districts. What about traffic/roads, stormwater and other public services?

Please join us in our request for the Village of Mundelein to slow down the process and require the Wirtz Family to negotiate a fair impact fee agreement that our students, community, and taxpayers deserve—we should not be pressured by an arbitrary deadline. You can share your perspective by emailing the Village of Mundelein Trustees.

Thank you to so many of you who have joined us in our advocacy efforts. It is important for the Village of Mundelein to fully understand how the decisions they make will impact not only Mundelein, but also the six surrounding communities served by our school district. By making our voices heard, we can positively impact the decisions that are made now, which will impact so many for decades to come.

Note: A new section in future Fremont Focus editions will be dedicated to Ivanhoe Village updates.

Please read the following newsletter for detailed information, but here is a summary of key dates for quick access:

• February 26 - Early Release Schedule (MS dismissed at 2:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 3:08 p.m.)
• March 3 - Registration opens for 2025-2026 school year
• March 5 - Early Release Schedule (MS dismissed at 2:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 3:08 p.m.)
• March 6 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (Students Not In Attendance)
• March 7 - Teacher Institute Day (Students Not In Attendance)
• March 11 - Parent University: Artificial Intelligence at School and Home (Zoom link), 6:30 p.m. (Virtual presentation)
• March 12 - Early Release Schedule (MS dismissed at 2:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 3:08 p.m.)
• March 15 - PTO March Madness Basketball Game, 2:00 p.m. (Mundelein High School)

Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year Awards honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. This year, we are thrilled to have two Fremont individuals recognized with the Award of Special Recognition -- Intermediate School band teacher Lisa Bordelon and Fremont PTO President Stacie Brown. Educators who receive the Award of Special Recognition are valued members of their school community who have been recognized by their colleagues, students, families, and administrators for the skills, passions, and talents they bring to their school community. Congratulations to both on the well-deserved honor!

In an effort to connect the FSD79 Board of Education and the community, the District offers a summary of monthly, regular Board meetings. To view a recap of the February 24 meeting, including an update on Ivanhoe Village Development Negotiations and Timeline please click here. The meeting's Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from Lincoln Early Learning Center and members of the Fremont Middle School Service Club. This month's recognition was for David Brenner, a parent representative on the District's Technology Review Committee for the last 11 years. Action items included approval of the 2025-2026 Lincoln Early Learning Center calendar.

March 11, 2025 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Virtual Presentation (Zoom link)

Join us on March 11 as District administrators and staff share how artificial intelligence is impacting education and being integrated into our school district. Learn practical ways to use AI tools at home to support your child's learning. Gain insights into how our teachers and students utilize AI, and leave equipped with the knowledge to enhance your child's educational experience with AI at home.

Fremont School District 79 greatly values your feedback as it relates to your student’s educational experience. Once again, the State of Illinois has partnered with 5Essentials to create a forum by which you can provide your input.

If you have not already done so, we would greatly appreciate it if you would take the brief survey by visiting:

http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

Your responses are vital for continuous improvement and long-range planning for your child's school. Parents are welcome to answer the survey for each of their children’s schools.

The deadline to complete the survey is March 28, 2025.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year at Fremont School District 79 will open next Monday, March 3. On that date, parents/guardians of current students will receive a registration link via email. More information regarding registration for incoming kindergarten students and students new to the District will be available on our Registration webpage on March 3.

Congratulations go out to our Fremont Middle School wrestling team on earning the team title at the conference meet. They were recognized by their peers and teachers with a hallway walk through the school on Monday. It is the fourth conference crown by a Fremont team this year, joining girls soccer, seventh-grade boys basketball, and eighth-grade girls basketball. Best of luck to the wrestlers competing at the sectional meet this weekend!

Thank you to everyone who has listened to and subscribed to our new podcast, "Fremont Leads." Hosted by Fremont Middle School teacher Jacki Mjoen, this series features interviews with our outstanding student leaders.

In our brand-new episode, we catch up with Fremont Middle School eighth-grader James to discuss his involvement in Fremont Ambassadors, choir, the middle school musical, and more. Subscribe via any of the platforms below so that you don't miss an episode!

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | YouTube Music | iHeartRadio

School lunch menus for the month of March are now available and can be found here.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The Fremont PTO would love to see you at our meetings this year! Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month in the Middle School Den at 6:00 p.m. Our next meeting is on March 19. Childcare services for children ages 3+ will be provided at ALL of our upcoming PTO meetings. Please use the form below to let us know if you will be bringing a child to the meeting. It is not required to RSVP; however, we ask that you please do so if you plan to take advantage of childcare. Care will be provided by Fremont Middle School students for individuals ages 3 and up.

RSVP Form for childcare: https://forms.gle/ceerdTKn7Pa51mVt7

Here is the list of all meeting dates for the 2024-2025 school year.

To stay in the know of what Fremont PTO is up to, follow and tag us on social media:

Instagram: @fremontpto

Facebook: Fremont PTO

​​​​​​​MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
The Spring Middle School Book Fair will be held Friday, February 28 - Thursday, March 5.

This event will be held in the Middle School Den for students, and will move to the entryway during conferences on Thursday.

There are still openings to volunteer. Here is a sign up link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A9AE2BA5FE3-54931607-spring

SHOP. SCAN. EARN.
Forget the scissors - Box Tops for Education has gone digital! Simply download the Box Tops for Education app (see www.boxtops4education.com for more info), select Fremont School District 79 (in Mundelein, IL) as your beneficiary, and you're all set! Enter the code H02P2R0D when you register for bonus points. Then simply scan your receipts after shopping, and watch the points (and $$) add up for our schools!

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK NOW!
Don’t forget to order your student's 2024-2025 yearbook. Use the correct school code from our flyer when you order!

BIRTHDAY BOARD

Celebrate your Fremont Student's special day! "Happy Birthday, Your Child's Name" can appear on the Fremont Electronic Message Board. Just complete the Birthday Board Request Google Form 2024-2025; or complete the birthday board form and send it back to any school front office with your $5 payment per birthday message. If you have any questions, please contact Christie Johnson at cjohnson@fsd79.org.

Please visit the PTO webpage for the most up-to-date information.

FSD79 offers local groups and organizations the opportunity to advertise their upcoming events in the Virtual Backpack. To submit your group's event for consideration, please submit a PDF flyer to publicrelations@fsd79.org. Check back regularly for upcoming offerings.

• Lake County Lobos Girls Lacrosse
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Grayslake Scout Troop 303
• Ela Soccer Club
• CLC Latinx Series
• Stevenson HS Community Education (PREP) Programs
• Special Gifts Theatre

The next edition of the Fremont Focus will be distributed on Wednesday, March 12. This will be in addition to the weekly e-newsletters sent on Fridays from principals at the school level.

Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL

Phone: (847) 566-0169

Website: fsd79.org

Facebook: facebook.com/FremontSchoolDistrict79

Instagram: @FSD79

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fremont-school-district-79

YouTube: youtube.com/FSD79