Superintendent News

October 1, 2025

Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members,

As October kicks off, we have much to celebrate. Our students have been in school for nearly 7 weeks and across the district we are busy - from Curriculum nights, to PTO events like back to school bashes and book fairs, to Homecoming, activity nights, and of course athletics and many, many other clubs and activities. We are a very fortunate learning community to have such rich offerings for our students at all levels.

There have also been some special recognitions this past month that are worth mentioning, in particular Sarah Adams Elementary School earning a Blue Ribbon distinction, and our newest alumni honorees of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Be sure to read the articles below, for more information. Please also see several articles below featuring different types of student experiences at elementary, middle, and high school.

While this newsletter and these articles can only feature a few highlights across the district, I am proud of the people around us every day engaged in remarkable, important work. It is a gift to be able to celebrate some of these individuals for their achievements!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelley Gallt

Superintendent

Excellence deserves to be celebrated. Today, we are honored to recognize Sarah Adams Elementary School for an extraordinary accomplishment that truly embodies our district’s culture of excellence. This level of achievement places them alongside our 2024 National Blue Ribbon winners, Lake Zurich High School and Middle School North, demonstrating a consistent, districtwide commitment to student success.

Through close collaboration between district leaders, school administration, and a deeply dedicated team of educators, Sarah Adams Elementary successfully navigated every stage of the demanding, two-year National Blue Ribbon application process. Their success is a testament to the collective efficacy of the entire community, a powerful partnership of staff, students, and families working together in service of student growth and achievement.

Just weeks before the official announcements, the federal government unexpectedly discontinued the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. While this decision was disappointing, it does not diminish the significance of Sarah Adams’ accomplishment. In fact, we are now awaiting word from the State of Illinois to see if they will provide a recognition of their own for schools that reached this milestone. Regardless of any external decision, we firmly believe that success is not defined by an award, but by the achievement itself and the remarkable accomplishments of the Sarah Adams community are undeniable.

To ensure this work receives the recognition it deserves, we are proud to designate Sarah Adams Elementary as a District 95 Blue Ribbon School. This distinction honors their unwavering commitment to excellence and their success in meeting and exceeding the nationally established standards for academic achievement and growth.

The district will host a formal celebration in their honor. In the meantime, please join us in offering a heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sarah Adams community, our students, our families, and the exceptional staff team, for their incredible dedication, hard work, and outstanding success!

On Monday, October 6th from 7-8:00 p.m., members of the LZHS INCubator Accelerator program will be interviewed on radio station 98.3, The Life. Five students will speak about the product they are developing, She'Safe, and their experience in the Accelerator program.

Tune in to hear these amazing entrepreneurs and learn more about the incredible opportunities available to students through the INCubator and Accelerator programs.

More information about She'Safe:

She’Safe was created to finally give women that peace of mind they’ve been looking for. She’Safe is a 3-in-1 compact safety device that is attached to a phone case (like a pop-socket). She’Safe is equipped with a kubaton that can break windows (and acts as a phone stand), an alarm to either to spark fear in the attacker or alert others and a whistle that is installed in case the alarm fails.

She’Safe solves the problem of disorganization due to everything being compacted into one device. Next it solves the problem of utilization issues due to the fact that since it is attached to your phone case, you will always be carrying it (with no need to carry an extra device due to the fact that many young women only carry their phones). Finally, it solves the cost issue due to the price of a She’Safe being $29.99 which is in the middle (yet more affordable compared to Safety Keychains) of pricing for safety devices.

Recognized this year are April Graves, Class of 1989 and Matthew Zak, Class of 2007 (award accepted on his behalf by his mom). To read more about this year's honorees, click here.

Congratulations to all!

As part of our Empower95 strategic plan, the district created a Portrait of a Graduate which became the district's Vision - what characteristics we think are important for all students to develop throughout their journey in District 95. Periodically, we will highlight ways in which our schools are bringing the Portrait of a Graduate to life in the classroom and with students - just one of many ways that we ensure our strategic plan is guiding our work and not sitting on a shelf!

Below is a portion of a student shadowing experience at MSN - to read the full article, please click here.

MSN Portrait of a Graduate Shadow Day: Clara Dohleman

On Friday, September 19, Assistant Principal Ms. Buchman had the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of 7th grader Clara Dohleman at Middle School North. From the first bell to the final dismissal, she experienced the pace, routines, and learning that shape a middle schooler’s day. What became clear throughout the experience was how seamlessly the traits of our District 95 Portrait of a Graduate came to life in Clara’s classrooms and interactions.

Effective Communicator
Communication was woven into every class. In science, Clara and her peers explained their reasoning as they analyzed data from a simulation and discussed real-world factors that might influence results. In choir, students eagerly explained the “Forbidden Pattern” game so Ms. Buchman could join in without missing a beat. ELA turn-and-talks, sticky-note questions, and peer recommendations (including a popular book title, Prisoner B-3087) highlighted how students use their voices to clarify, connect, and collaborate.

Global Citizen

Clara’s day revealed many ways students engage with the wider world. Social studies research on African explorers gave students opportunities to learn about diverse histories and cultures. Science lessons emphasized ecosystems and survival factors. Even at lunch, students practiced responsibility by wiping down tables and caring for a shared space, reinforcing respect for their community.

Advocate for Self and Others
Advocacy appeared in both big and small ways. Students checked in with Ms. Buchman to explain routines and expectations, and in social studies a “quiet monitor” helped peers self-assess the noise level. In Spanish, the SEL lesson gave students language to advocate for themselves while also respecting others. Across the day, subtle acts of kindness and peer support made classrooms welcoming places to learn.

To read about the full article, including the remaining characteristics and a final reflection, please click here.

In late September, May Whitney Elementary joined many of our other District 95 schools by installing a Peace Pole outside the school. Students, staff, and family members joined in the outdoor dedication ceremony.

What is a Peace Pole?

Peace Poles carry the message of peace, May Peace Prevail On Earth, in the languages of the world. They are recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument dedicated to peace on earth. Peace Poles have been planted on every continent in over 200,000 communities by friends and supporters working in unison to uplift the consciousness of humankind.

They serve as reminders to cultivate peace in thought, word, and action while symbolizing humanity’s shared desire for a world at peace and in harmony with all of creation.

Source: https://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and District 95 is raising awareness about online safety for our students, staff, and community.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X at LZdistrict95 as we highlight practical ways families can stay safe online—such as recognizing phishing emails, using strong passwords, keeping devices updated, and enabling extra account protections.

Talking with your children about these habits helps everyone stay safer in today’s digital world.

In this feature article, “Innovation in the Classroom", we highlight the Superintendent as a member of a classroom for one full period. A different school and class are highlighted each month, allowing readers a view into the classroom from a new perspective!. These lessons highlight certain aspects of the District 95 Instruction Learning Model.

There is no better way to understand the incredible work happening in our schools than to see it through the eyes of a student. Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of doing just that, becoming a 4th grader for a lesson in Mrs. Carroll’s classroom at Seth Paine Elementary School. What I witnessed was more than just a lesson; it was a powerful and seamless example of our district's commitment to providing a dynamic and innovative learning experience for every child.

The day's learning target was clear: students would learn to use relevant details and the main idea to summarize a text. But the how was where the magic truly happened. The lesson began not with direct teaching, but with connection. Students were paired up using a clever matching game. I watched as "peanut butter" found "jelly" and "bacon" found "eggs." This simple, joyful activity immediately set a collaborative and positive tone, a symbol of a strong classroom community.

Building on guided instruction from the previous day, these newly formed partnerships focused on an article, working together to deconstruct it using the "TELL" graphic organizer. This structured approach was established to support every student in developing a better understanding of how to identify the text and author, explain the author's purpose, locate main ideas, and list supporting details. As I worked with my partner(s), I saw students deeply engaged in academic conversation, pointing to evidence in the text and confidently sharing ideas. After mastering the process together, each student then wrote their own summary, cementing their understanding.

This is where an already outstanding lesson became truly innovative. The next challenge was to apply the same TELL process to a new article, but this time, our partner was an AI "Sidekick." Using a tool called SchoolAI, students engaged in a one-on-one digital dialogue to analyze the text. What I found remarkable was that the AI did not simply provide answers. Instead, it acted as an educational guide, prompting students to think more deeply with a series of probing questions. If a student was struggling to find the main idea, the AI might ask, "What sentence seems to hold the most important message from the author?" or "If you had to describe this passage in one sentence, what would you say?" This interaction placed the cognitive work squarely on the student, fostering true critical thinking and intellectual independence.

This brilliant scaffolding, from teacher-led instruction to peer collaboration to AI-supported independent practice, allowed every student to access the learning target at their own pace. More importantly, this technology did not replace the teacher but empowered her as well as her students. From her computer, Mrs. Carroll could monitor the progress of every student in real-time. She moved gracefully through the room, providing targeted support and encouragement precisely when and where it was needed. The wonderful relationships she has built with her students were evident in every interaction.

The visit was a powerful reminder that "innovative learning" is not just about using new tools; it's about designing experiences that are responsive, engaging, and thoughtfully structured to build student confidence and capability. The well-planned and executed lesson I experienced in Mrs. Carroll's class perfectly blended collaboration, foundational skills, and cutting-edge technology to create a truly dynamic learning environment. It was a fantastic example of the LZ95 instructional model brought to life, and evidence of the exceptional teaching and learning happening every day across our district.

Please complete the form below to request free winter coats for your family. Coats are available through Joanie's Closet for District 95 students, their parent/guardian(s), and siblings under 21 years of age. All information will be kept confidential and used only to fulfill your request.

Please complete this form by Friday, October 24th - only one form per household: https://lakezurich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAXjlbHNTPg0MJ0

Coats must be picked up on Tuesday, November 11th, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the District Administration Building, located at 832 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.

The Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation (LCROEF) celebrated a major milestone in early childhood education with the official launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Lake County last April.

“Access to books at an early age is one of the most effective ways to build literacy skills and prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond,” said Michael Karner, Regional Superintendent of Schools for Lake County. “The launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Lake County ensures that more children will start school with a strong foundation in reading, setting them on a path toward lifelong learning. This initiative will have a direct impact on school readiness, supporting both students and educators in our public schools.”

The Imagination Library mails free, high-quality books to children each month from ages birth to five, regardless of family income, fostering early literacy skills and a love of reading. By expanding access to books, the program helps close literacy gaps and promotes educational equity. With early literacy being a crucial predictor of future academic achievement, this program represents a significant investment in Lake County’s youngest learners.

For more information on the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Lake County and how to sign up, visit www.lcroefoundation.org

All students and families deserve to feel safe, welcomed, and included in our school community. Preventing firearm violence is a shared responsibility, and one important step is safe firearm storage. The U.S. Department of Education’s Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center offers the following guidance:

• Store firearms safely: Keep firearms unloaded in a locked cabinet, safe, or storage case that children or unauthorized adults cannot access

• Store ammunition separately: Lock ammunition in a separate, tamper-proof location

• Use safety devices: Trigger locks and cable locks add another layer of security

• Trigger locks clamp over the trigger to prevent it from being pressed (never install on a loaded firearm)

• Cable locks thread through the barrel or action to block the firearm from firing

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Families can locate free gun lock distribution centers using the Lake County Health Department tool found HERE.

Safe firearm storage can prevent tragedies and reduce the risk of injury or death. For more information, visit the Safe Firearm Storage Fact Sheet or Project ChildSafe, which offer free resources for families and educators. Additional details are also available on the District 95 Safety & Security website.

In addition to an ongoing need for bus drivers (see below for more information), District 95 also has many other current employment needs including playground/lunchroom supervisors, classroom aides, and more. For a current list of openings, please visit our online job listings by clicking here.

Bus Drivers

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

Email: feedback@lz95.org
Website: www.lz95.org
Location: 832 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL, USA
Phone: 847-438-2831
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LZdistrict95

Instagram: @LZdistrict95
X(Twitter): @LZdistrict95