Friday FanScout - October 30, 2026

Dear Lake Forest Family,

Happy Friday Lake Forest from the Wonderful World of Oz-like Lake Forest High School! I know, I know, it is the day before Halloween, but we love dressing up for the students, even if many of them think us to be a little bit corny for doing so.

What a week of Women in Sports--not only did our Girls Volleyball Team win the Regional Championship, but our Girls Field Hockey Team will be vying for at State Championship against New Trier tomorrow at 1PM at Glenbrook North High School! Go Scouts!

I hope everyone enjoys their Halloween and an extra hour sleep on Sunday!

💙💛Erin

These concerns emerged in certain areas of Lake Forest High School during a period of unusually warm, humid weather that contributed to condensation and elevated moisture conditions in the building.

What We Learned
The original concern involved one classroom and ultimately prompted the broader environmental review that followed. After the classroom received a deep cleaning and visual assessment, it was returned to use while environmental testing results were still pending.

When the finalized results indicated elevated mold spore levels, we immediately closed that classroom and all adjacent rooms throughout the hallway. Those spaces remained closed while comprehensive mitigation, additional deep cleaning, and follow-up testing were completed. They were not reopened until test results indicated they could safely return to use.

That experience informed a more conservative approach moving forward. Since then, when questions have arisen, we have expanded testing, completed follow-up testing, and, in some cases, undertaken precautionary cleaning or mitigation even when testing levels did not require it. We recognize that some members of our school community are particularly sensitive to mold and environmental allergens.

Strengthening Our Procedures

Going forward, we will continue to conduct environmental testing whenever moisture or mold concerns arise. A space will be closed when testing results or the recommendation of our environmental professionals indicate that closure is appropriate. In those circumstances, we will await final testing results and professional review before returning the space to use.

Custodial and maintenance staff have received additional training to help identify signs of moisture and mold, and we have increased our attention to conditions above ceilings, including condensation associated with HVAC piping. We will also conduct independent indoor air quality assessments as an additional precaution.

Investing in Our Facility
Many of the spaces involved are already scheduled for renovation as part of our ongoing facilities improvements. These projects will allow us to address aging infrastructure while continuing to modernize classrooms and learning spaces.

Our beautiful Lake Forest High School facility is more than 90 years old, and caring for a building of this age requires continued attention, investment, and stewardship. We are incredibly grateful for the community's support of our facilities work and the investments that allow us to preserve this historic building while improving it for future generations of students.

Thank You
I also want to thank our students, staff, and families for their patience and flexibility throughout this process. We recognize that relocations, testing, deep cleaning, and mitigation created disruptions, and we appreciate your partnership as we worked through these concerns carefully and thoughtfully.

The final environmental report is available in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2.

The original message is available here.

The reopening message is available here.

Below are upcoming District 115 events. Some dates may be subject to change. For our most up-to-date District calendar, please visit our LF Schools Calendar Page or the Lake Forest Community High School Calendar Page.

• October 31
• Happy Halloween 🎃👻
• November 3
• No School for Students and Staff
• November 4 & 5
• Portrait Retake Day
• November 4
• 7:30 pm Orchestra Concert
• November 5
• 9:00 am APT Parent Meeting/Q&A with Dr. Lenart
• November 9
• 4:00 pm PALS Board Meeting (Room 109 East Campus)
• 7:00 pm Applause Board Meeting (Room 109 East Campus)
• November 10
• 9:15 am LFHS Foundation General Board Meeting (Room 109 East Campus)
• November 11
• 1:00 pm Veterans Day Assembly
• November 14
• PreACT 8 (LFHS East Campus)
• November 19 - 21
• 7:00 pm Freshman/Sophomore Play "The Curious Savage"
• November 25 - 27
• Thanksgiving Holiday - No School for Students and Staff
• November 27
• 3:00 pm LF Tree Lighting

We have updated our system to expand our use of the PowerSchool Parent Portal for digitally posting report cards, transcripts and standardized assessment reports. Please note that parents will no longer receive copies of these reports via email.

You will use the PowerSchool Parent Portal to access your student's Progress Reports. These are located in the Student Reports section of the Parent Portal.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery shares a brief video addressing topics from recent community conversations, including staffing and financial stewardship, LFHS renovations, and student learning. He also recognizes the individuals whose generosity, time, and talents strengthen our schools and invites continued questions, perspectives, and engagement from our community.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Finance Committee
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Recording | Superintendent's Report | President's Report

• Tuesday, November 10, 2026
• Thursday, December 10, 2026
• Tuesday, February 9, 2027
• Tuesday, March 9, 2027
• Tuesday, April 6, 2027
• Tuesday, May 11, 2027
• Tuesday, June 8, 2027

Agendas will be posted prior to the meeting on the District 115 Board of Education Meeting Dates and Materials page.

Beginning January 1, 2027, e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and have a valid drivers license. Additional rules will apply to e-bikes, e-motos, and other devices.

With Governor JB Pritzker's signature on Senate Bill 3483, Illinois now has uniform, statewide standards governing high-speed micromobility devices, replacing a patchwork of local ordinances that left some of the fastest and most powerful devices largely unregulated.

Missed Picture Day or just looking for a second chance to flash that winning smile? Picture Retake Days are coming! Whether you're ready for a do-over or missed your first photo opportunity, now's your chance to strike a pose and say CHEESE! 🧀

📅 Wednesday, November 4 & Thursday, November 5

⏰ 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 LFHS Library Classroom

Bring your best smile and get ready for your close-up, Scouts! 💙💛

Students and staff at LFHS now have more ways to pay for meals and snacks, with cashless payment terminals available in two cafeteria lines and at The Grind. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards can be used at the new terminals, while cash will continue to be accepted.

The addition of cashless payment options builds on the district’s broader transition to cashless payments for sporting events, student activities, and performing arts.

Scouts Field Hockey will be playing in the IHSFHA State Finals vs. New Trier tomorrow at 1:00 pm. Game is at Glenbrook North High School. Let's Go Scouts!

Congratulations to Kieran Mills for designing the beautiful program cover for The Promise of Liberty, held at Lake Forest High School on October 22! Kieran's creativity and artistic talent helped bring this meaningful event to life, and we are so proud to showcase the incredible talent of our Scouts. Way to go, Kieran!

The Lake Forest High School Foundation is seeking volunteers for our Spring Luncheon Committee! You don’t need to take on the whole event—we’re dividing planning into smaller roles so you can contribute your time and talents in a way that works for you.

* Venue & Hospitality: Coordinate with the venue, menu selection, and event logistics.
• Florals: Coordinate table arrangements and connect with local florists for auction donations.
• Registration: Help with registration, seating, and the online auction.
• Speaker & Program: Coordinate with speakers, develop the program, and assist on event day.
• Auction: Solicit donations from local businesses, families, and community members; organize and display items.
• Day-Before/Day-Of: Help organize items, check-in, event breakdown, and next-day auction item pickup/distribution.

Invite a friend! It’s a great way to support LFHS, learn what’s happening at school, and meet other high school parents.

Contact Carla Ojha at lfhsfoundation@gmail.com.

Join us on Thursday, November 5, at 9:00 AM at Croya for the Monthly LFHS APT Meeting - open to all parents/guardians. Featured Topic: Q&A with Dr. Lenart. Updates from Joe Blanchette, the new D115/D67 safety and security director and Amanda Alpert Knight, our new alumni coordinator.

Join us for our Veterans Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 11 from 1:00 to 1:45 pm. Teachers are welcome to bring their entire class, and individual students attending on their own will be excused from class as long as they check in and stay for the assembly. Students are also able to participate in the Veterans Day Art contest - a variety of mediums are accepted. All artwork and submissions are due by October 30.

Eat at the LB Chipotle on Tuesday, November 10 (5-9 pm) and help support Applause, the booster org for the music department! Dine in or carry out. Just show the flyer or give the code when ordering: GHEJFBN. Thank you!

Check Out CROYA's Top 10 for October! https://myemail.constantcontact.com/CROYA-News---OCTOBER-2026.html?soid=1102697249162&aid=o5o8zKLOwRQ

Have you updated your alumni profile with the LFHS Alumni Association? Please take a moment to update your information and check out all the great alumni resources, including reunion information, volunteer opportunities and more!

https://lfhs.lakeforestschools.org/alumni12/lfhs-alumni

Be sure to visit the alumni website for reunion details, and please share this with your fellow alumni!

Questions? Email lfhsalumni@lfschools.net.

We hope to see you back at LFHS for Homecoming!

Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Glassman Symposium Reception and Poster Session

Friday, October 30 | 4:30–7:00 pm

Engage with students during an opening reception, then take the opportunity to review posters and exhibits featuring original student/faculty research conducted at Lake Forest College, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and several other Chicago area research universities.

Learn more and register

Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: One World 2026 - A Cultural Journey

Tuesday, November 10 | 6:30–9:00 pm

Enjoy an evening of music, art, and dance celebrating cultures from around the globe while supporting the International Students Association. A community reception begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Gorton Center, followed by performances at 6:30 p.m. in the John and Nancy Hughes Theater.

Learn more and register

Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Exhibit Opening Reception of Sonic Revolutions: The Photography of Paul Natkin

Thursday, November 12 | 5:30–7:30 pm

Enjoy an incredible exhibit featuring the works of rock and roll photographer Paul Natkin and his collection of live performance photography. View the photographs, speak with the artist, and interact with the students who helped curate the exhibit.

Learn more and register

Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Band and Orchestra Concert

Friday, December 4 | 7:00–9:00 pm

Start your weekend with a spirited Forester reception followed by an evening performance of student music at the Gorton Center, featuring a special collaboration between the College’s band and orchestra ensemble.

Learn more and register

Join our audience of parents/caregivers, students, school staff, mental health professionals, youth organizations and the community at large to learn about issues facing today's youth, adolescents and young adults.

Lake Forest Community High School

District 115 Board of Education

Choir Newsletter - October

Band Notes - October

Orchestra Newsletter - October