411 on 67 11.9.22

Thank you for tuning into our second issue of the 411 on 67. We hope the information shared here is valuable to your family. This week, I want to share more information with you about our Illinois State Report Card results as well as what the District is doing to quickly address the issues at hand. I hope you'll watch the video above to learn more.

Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D

Superintendent

Earlier today, Lake Forest High School administrators were alerted that November 9 was being targeted as a day of national social media "swatting" challenges. While no incident occurred at LFHS or any District 67 schools, all schools were alerted.

"Swatting" incidents are not new to me, and having led through one in my previous District in Ohio, I can attest to the negative impact it had on our entire school community. Each “swatting” incident diverts and strains critical law enforcement and emergency service resources away from other legitimate needs and upends communities. I encourage those with middle school and high school students to talk to them about responsible social media decision-making and their role in "see something, say something."

Here are additional resources for your families to lean on when discussing this topic:

• Education Week: ‘Swatting’ Calls and Lockdowns: Tips for Schools to Ease the Anxiety and Disruption

• District Administration: Active Shooter Hoaxes are Spreading Panic. Here’s How to Fight Back

Expect traffic delays and lane closures on Deerpath Road over the next two days while ComEd continues work on their bridge replacement project and IDOT completes resurfacing activities. Flaggers will be directing traffic at two different locations, so we are encouraging drivers to plan alternate routes, if possible.

Here’s what to expect:

Thursday, Nov. 10

• Starting at 6 am: Portions of Deerpath Road will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic. IDOT's contractor will be applying oil primer along Deerpath (between Westmoreland Road and the creek) to prepare for paving on Friday.

• Starting at 9 am: Deerpath Road will also be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic between Route 41 and Ahwahnee Lane. ComEd's contractor will be pouring concrete for the bridge's support walls.

Friday, Nov. 11

• Starting 6 am: Expect intermittent lane closures with flaggers directing traffic while IDOT's contractor paves Deerpath.

Next Weekend, Nov. 18-21:

• Deerpath Road will be completely closed between Route 41 and Ahwahnee Lane from Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 pm through Monday, Nov. 21 at 5 am for ComEd's new bridge deck to be lifted into place.

NO SCHOOL on November 23-25 for Thanksgiving Break!

• The meeting agenda will be posted prior to the meeting on the District 67 Board of Education website.
• Livestream Link
  

• Agenda
  
• Recording of Meeting
  
• President's Report
  
• Superintendent's Report
• School Spotlight: Cherokee Elementary School - Watch Below!

District 67 Principals Renee Fitzsimmons, Kate Cavanaugh, and Susan Milsk invite you to join them for an online conversation on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 7:00 PM, that will focus on student behavior.

Please join us on November 9 at 7:00 PM using this livestream link.

Topics discussed will include:

• Bullying - what it is, and what it isn’t

• Proactive measures to prevent negative behavior

• Reactive measures to negative behavior; how to respond/consequences

• Board policy and research on school discipline

• Answers to questions submitted by our parents/guardians

Learn more about a possible April 2023 referendum to address the highest-priority LFHS facility needs including roofing, HVAC systems, windows, plumbing, lighting, safety and security, and student learning spaces. Tours of the building will be provided.

Please use this form if you would like to submit your questions in advance. The form will close on Friday, November 11 at 4:00 PM. We value your input!

If you are not able to attend in-person, the event will be livestreamed and can be viewed using the button below.

DPM eighth graders recently gave back through an in-school community service opportunity hosted by the APT Community Service Committee! They made handmade cards that will be given to military veterans during a grocery giveaway event hosted by Midwest Veterans Closet this Friday, Veteran's Day. Over 100 students participated to create 106 cards for our wonderful servicemen and women. Great work, everyone!

Eighth graders are encouraged to perform six acts of service throughout the year, with a collective goal of 2023 acts of service total for the entire class of 2023. The APT Community Service Committee will continue to provide at least one opportunity each month for students to engage in a service activity during the Homeroom period for students to contribute.

The District 67 APT has newly partnered with local non-profit, Paws for Patrick, to bring ESA (Emotional Support Animals) visits to Cherokee, Sheridan, and both sides of DPM. These visits are occurring about once per month and are open to all students (parent waiver to opt in needed). “Participating and observing these visits in the buildings is a truly heart-warming experience,” says Ann Kiesling, Paws for Patrick APT Liaison. “To witness students – and their teachers and administrators – take a momentary breather from their ‘normal role’ is a very meaningful experience for all involved. These dogs understand their job, they enter the building with wagging tails and open hearts. They connect in a very meaningful way with everyone that encounters them. We are so grateful for this partnership and all the amazing volunteers that share their pets and their time.”

To learn more about Paws for Patrick, please visit their website at pawsforpatrick.org.

We are so lucky to live in a community of parents, family, and staff who think BIG!!!! All you need to do is fill out the grant application online. The Spirit Board encourages anyone with an innovative idea that fills a need and is supported by the school administration, to submit a grant. Upon review, the Spirit of 67 Board will contact you! Each request will be evaluated by the building principal and the Grants Committee to ensure that they meet the goals of our Spirit of 67 Foundation mission.

The Spirit Crosstown Contest ends in the spring and includes a $1,000 designated grant awards for each elementary school with 80% or more of its families participating by making a donation of any amount to the Spirit of 67 Foundation. The goal at DPM is 70% family participation. But did you know that any school that hits its participation goal by December 31st will receive an additional $500 in designated grant awards as a prize for their early success?

Red, White & Blue

In honor of Veterans Day, Quest will create a patriotic fruit and yogurt parfait, using the red, white, and blue colors of our flag in a fun and colorful way!

CROYA’s annual Poinsettia Fundraiser is in full swing! All orders are due November 16. Pickup is on Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3.

ORDER HERE.