Fremont Focus

Dear Fremont Community,

This school year has been another tremendous year of progress as we move our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan forward. We are sharing a few highlights…

Initiated the Away for the Day Initiative

This year, we had students keep their cell phones turned off and stored during the school day, and to have smartwatches set to school mode. We are pleased to share that our schools have seen a decrease in the number of issues directly related to the use of electronic devices. Ultimately, this initiative has allowed our students to better focus their efforts on their schoolwork and positive interactions with one another. We thank our families for their partnership on this initiative!

Boosted Literacy Practices

This year, the District completed the second year of a three-year review process focused on the science of reading, student performance data, curriculum, and resources. Our staff continues to participate in professional learning with nationally respected partner, The Reading League, with focuses including decoding, spelling, and fluency. We also piloted universal oral reading fluency tests and early literacy measures in grades K-5 to better inform our instruction and interventions.

Adopted an Educational Long-Range Facility Plan

The District developed and approved a 20-year vision for the future of our facilities focused around 1) enrollment growth, 2) educational priorities, and 3) facility assessment. By planning ahead and utilizing a phased approach, the District will be able to incorporate these additions and updates in a fiscally responsible manner.

We are very fortunate to have such positive relationships with our families as we collaborate on the education of our students. We appreciate your continued support as we strive to lead, learn, and empower our students each and every day!

Sincerely,

Trisha Kocanda, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

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

• May 14 - Early Release Schedule (MS dismissed at 2:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 3:08 p.m.)
• May 15 - Kindergarten Registration Night, 4:30-8:00 p.m. (Elementary School)
• May 19 - Board of Education meeting (live stream), 7:00 p.m. (Middle School Media Center)
• May 21 - Early Release Schedule (MS dismissed at 2:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 3:08 p.m.)
• May 26 - No School (Students Not In Attendance)
• May 28 - Early Release Schedule (MS dismissed at 2:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 3:08 p.m.)
• May 28 - 8th-Grade Graduation, 6:30 p.m. (College of Lake County)
• May 29 - Elementary School Field Day
• May 29 - Last Day of Student Attendance (PK/EC)
• May 30 - Intermediate School Field Day
• May 30 - Last Day of Student Attendance (Without Emergency Days); Special Event Dismissal Schedule (MS dismissed at 1:13 p.m.; ES/IS dismissed at 2:08 p.m.)

Since the Village of Mundelein Trustees approved the impact fee agreement on April 14, 2025, isn’t this a done deal?

No. There is plenty of opportunity to adjust the terms of the agreement. The Village of Mundelein can adjust the term sheet until the Planned Unit Development (PUD) is approved, likely in late summer or early fall 2025. The Zoning Commission also would need to review and provide approvals before the agreement is final. There is a newly elected Mayor and three new trustees, so a leadership shift has occurred.

What is Fremont School District 79 doing to continue to advocate for taxpayers and the schools?

FSD79 officials are having demographers and consultants review the latest data presented by the Wirtz Realty representatives at the April 14, 2025, Village of Mundelein Board of Trustees meeting to determine the validity and economic impact of this data. Fremont has contacted the Village of Mundelein to request to present their findings at an upcoming Village Board meeting.

In summary, the data lacks critical context and contains accuracies, such as:

• Overstating historical housing growth by nearly 1,000 homes;

• Misrepresenting Grand Dominion and Saddlebrook Farms as student-generating communities; and

• Including financial projections with inaccurate figures that woefully skew the long-term picture.

We anticipate continued advocacy will extend into the summer months. While the District typically remains quiet with communications over the next few months, you can expect updates as opportunities arise for community participation in important decisions with the Village of Mundelein.

For more information, please visit our Ivanhoe Village Updates webpage or view our updated Frequently Asked Questions document.

Fremont PTO and District administrators hosted a Parent Transition Night forum on May 5 for families with students who are transitioning to the intermediate or middle schools for the 2025-2026 school year. Thank you to everyone who participated, making it a wonderful discussion. If you missed the presentation, a recording can be found below.

The discussion for the transition to the intermediate school starts at the 4:50 mark.

The discussion for the transition to the middle school starts at the 41:23 mark.

Four of our amazing Fremont School District 79 educators were recognized May 7 at the Lake County Educator of the Year ceremony. Congratulations to Kristen Zochowski, Beth Casey, Stacy Eifert, and Lucky Deutsch. We are so fortunate to have such talented individuals on our Fremont team!

The next meeting of the Fremont School District 79 Board of Education will be held Monday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fremont Middle School Media Center. The meeting will include the following highlights:

Recognitions:

• Assistant Director of Student Services Dr. Tegan Dittmer (earned her doctorate!)
• "Fremont Leads" podcast participants - students and Mrs. Mjoen

Presentation:

• Student Leadership: Strategic Goal Updates from the Principals

A live video stream of the meeting will be available via the District’s YouTube page. The stream will go live shortly before the start of the meeting. Recaps of previous Board meetings can be found here. The Board meeting agenda and materials can be accessed here. Board materials are available by noon on May 19.

Fremont Intermediate and Middle School students had a picture-perfect afternoon for the annual Color Run last Friday.

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 final episode of the 2024-2025 school year, we catch up with Fremont Middle School seventh-grader Emily to discuss her involvement in the recent school musical, the student council, community involvement this summer, and more. Subscribe via any of the platforms below so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe via any of the platforms below so you don't miss an episode!

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

Fremont Middle School seventh-grade students will be participating in a Career Day on May 29 from 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and we are looking for your help! To make this happen, we need volunteers to come and speak to small groups of students about their job. A schedule with more information will be provided as the date gets closer. For now, please indicate your interest in speaking to students by completing this Google Form. Thank you for your time and help in creating an authentic learning experience for our students!

Fremont Intermediate and Middle School bands and choirs have been busy with their spring concerts. Additionally, the groups have been busy performing assemblies for their fellow students (pictured below), while the eighth-grade jazz band visited a pair of senior living communities on Monday to perform.

In keeping with past District practice, the final scheduled day of instruction for the elementary, intermediate, and middle schools (May 30) will follow our Special Event Dismissal Schedule. Students will be dismissed at the following times:

Middle School: 1:13 p.m.

Elementary & Intermediate Schools: 2:08 p.m.

As a commitment to our community, Fremont School District 79 regularly shares information regarding the District's finances. To learn more about our financial picture, please utilize the following resources:

• Finance and Operations Webpage
• 2025 Financial Report
• Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget

School supply lists for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year are now available.

Access the supply lists by visiting our School Supplies webpage.

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

Instagram: @fremontpto

Facebook: Fremont PTO

CALLING ALL 8TH GRADE PARENTS!
The 8th Grade Graduation Dance Committee is seeking donations for the dance. We want to make the night as magical as possible for the kids, but we need your help. Please take a look at our Amazon wish list and help purchase items that are needed for the dance, be it decorations, snacks or supplies. We appreciate your help in making this a memorable night for our graduates. If you would like to contribute money towards the 8th grade dance, monetary donations can be sent to: @fremont-pto *Please list *8th grade dance in the notes section* If you have any questions, please contact Liz McNelly at liz.mcnelly@gmail.com.

FREMONT FIELD DAYS
Fremont Elementary School Field Day is Thursday, May 29, and Intermediate School Field Day is Friday, May 30. This is a fun day celebrating the end of the school year. The day is filled with games and popsicles!

Parents remember to send your child to school with socks, a cold water bottle and a change of clothes/shoes for their time slot. The kids can take the water bottles outside with them and they can change when they get back into their class.

Please sign up below:

2025 Fremont ES Field Day Sign Up

2025 Fremont IS Field Day Sign Up

1st DAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES
It's that time of year! Time to start thinking about purchasing your 1st Day School Supply kits for the 2025-2026 school year! I know it’s crazy to think that it’s time already but before you know it, summer will be here. It's important you order your supplies before it's too late! Let’s start the school year with the exact supplies your teacher requested, and give your child the confidence they need to conquer next year!

Elementary school: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/32164

Intermediate school: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/1177849

Middle school: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/32165

Questions? Please email Elisabeth Reigle at fsdvpis@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE - SUMMER FUNDRAISER!
Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is hosting a special 4-week class this summer for just $49. Not only will you get to train, but 80% of the proceeds will be donated to the PTO in support of our students and school community.

Class Dates: June 9 – July 3

Location: Lake County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Registration Fee: $49

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and give back at the same time. Sign up today and make a difference! Please register by May 30 - thank you!

https://sparkpages.io/?i=_6yvb

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!

UPCOMING DINE-IN NIGHTS
Mark your calendars! Our next fundraiser will take place on May 14 at California Pizza Kitchen, located at 20502 N Rand Rd, Kildeer, IL. Dine with us anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and 20% of your purchase will be donated to support our organization. We appreciate your support!

Due to popular demand, our final Dine-In Night fundraiser will be held at Culver’s on May 29. Additional details will be shared soon—stay tuned!

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.

• Mundelein HS Summer Youth Dance Camps
• Mundelein HS Boosters & Foundation
• Northwestern Medicine Children's Health and Safety Fair
• Stevenson HS Melange and Repertory Dance Company Auditions
• Mundelein Police Department Junior Police Academy
• Mundelein SC
• Liberty Prairie Summer Farm Camp
• Sweeps and Sculls Rowing
• Hawthorn Woods Elite Soccer
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Ela Soccer Club
• Stevenson HS Community Education (PREP) Programs

The next edition of the Fremont Focus will be distributed on Thursday, May 29. 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