Hello! We've got a few big events coming up in the district in the next month that we're excited to share with you! Please make sure to read this newsletter in full for information on our new website, the Illinois Assessment of Readiness test, and upcoming events.

We are working hard to prepare our students for the next round of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness tests beginning March 11 and we need our families' help.

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is an annual test for students in grades three through eight on the subjects of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics and helps us understand how our students are growing academically compared to their peers across the state.

Student achievement and growth scores on the IAR are a contributing factor in the school accountability designations established by the Illinois State Board of Education. These school designations measure progress in academic performance and student success.

Please be on the lookout for emails from your student's school with more information on testing dates. While this is just one metric of our student’s overall success, please encourage them to take these tests seriously, get a good night’s sleep prior to testing dates, have their devices charged and come ready to do their best.

In addition to our families' efforts, our staff have been preparing students to succeed through our standards-aligned curriculum, classroom learning experiences, and through practice tests and modules.

Together, we can encourage our students to give their best efforts on the IAR this spring.

Join us as we celebrate African American cultural movements and artists who have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.

Enjoy performances by our students, staff, and special guests!

The celebration will take place Friday, February 23 at 6:30pm at the Round Lake Cultural & Civic Center! Find more information at our website: https://bit.ly/48r4bv4

A second-grade class at Indian Hill paid an extra special Valentine's visit to one of their classmates last week.

Isaac has been fighting cancer for over a year and missed his classmates, so staff at Indian Hill decided to bring his class to him - with a few guests.

On Friday, a school bus full of Isaac's classmates pulled up at his home accompanied by a police car, ambulance and fire truck, all sounding their sirens.

The second-graders surrounded him with posters, balloons, books and other gifts as Isaac sat in the trunk of a car near his family.

We miss Isaac and hope he comes back to school soon!

Illinois State Senator Mary Edly-Allen visited Round Lake High School last week to talk to students about their future goals and answer their questions about her job and politics.

Edly-Allen has served in the Senate since January 2023 and represents communities including Round Lake, Grayslake and portions of Libertyville and Waukegan.

"If you care about anything, you can do this too. You just have to care," Edly-Allen told students. "If you care, you're more than qualified to run for office."

Thank you for visiting Round Lake High Sen. Edly-Allen!

• Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center

• Feb. 24, 2:30 and 6 p.m., Round Lake High School
• Feb. 25, 12 p.m., Round Lake High School

• Feb. 29, 6:30 p.m., Round Lake High School

• March 1, 6:30 p.m., Round Lake High School
• March 2, Noon and 6 p.m., Round Lake High School

• Murphy: March 7, 6:30 p.m.
• Ellis: March 12, 6 p.m.
• Indian Hill: March 12, 1 p.m.
• Village: March 15, 9 a.m.
• Magee: March 15, 5 p.m.
• Round Lake Middle: March 22, 12:35 p.m.

• March 13, 6 p.m., Round Lake High School

• March 14, 6 p.m., Round Lake High School