Superintendent News

October 28, 2024

Dear District 95 Families,

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather we have had this month! This is always a busy time of year, with so many student activities in full swing. There are photos below that capture just some of the many fall activities that our students have participated in these past few weeks - it is great to see our students having so many wonderful experiences alongside their classroom learning.

As October winds down I want to give a special shout out to our amazing building principals here and in the article below. Our principals are exceptional and their leadership is a large part of why we have such high performing schools. In addition, they model the district values on a daily basis. I have the utmost respect for our building principals and hope you have joined us in celebrating them throughout the month of October - it is richly deserved!

This month also provides us with opportunities to further recognize the many community partners, board members, and emergency responders who contribute so much to our schools. Together, we strengthen our district and make it a place of learning, growth, and safety. We also recently honored several distinguished alumni whose achievements inspire our students to reach for their dreams and make a positive impact on their communities and beyond. I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating these individuals and the role they play in our district’s success.

Additionally, as we prepare for the upcoming parent/guardian/teacher conferences, I’d like to remind families to please sign up to participate. Conferences are a valuable opportunity for us to work together in supporting, celebrating, and nurturing each student’s growth and achievements. Through this strong partnership, we ensure that each learner is set up for success.

Enjoy these last days of October and the fun of any Halloween festivities! Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelley Gallt

Superintendent

This year, in conjunction with the District 95 Board of Education and administration, we began a new initiative called “Sip ‘n Chat” where up to two Board members, one or more administrators, and I will be available at various locations in the community for people to drop in for conversations relating to our school district. We will have key people on hand who are subject matter experts in particular areas, but discussions are not restricted to only that topic. We hope to have room for up to 20-25 people at one time, though it is also fine to come and go – I hope you will consider stopping by for a cup of coffee and a chat! Sip 'n Chat dates for the next two months are below:

November 13, 2024

Young Adult Center, 315 Surryse Rd, Lake Zurich

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Subject Matter Experts: College and Career; Artificial Intelligence (AI)

December 9, 2024

First Watch, 20505 N Rand Rd, Kildeer

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Subject Matter Experts: Supporting Student Needs

Great principals don’t just build schools; they build legacies that shape the future of education. Please join me in celebrating these outstanding leaders who lead with passion, dedication, and commitment. Happy Principal Appreciation Month!

As shown in photo above, L-R:

Tanya Guild, Young Adult Center

John Walsh, Lake Zurich High School

Todd Jakowitsch, Middle School North

Anthony Dengler, Middle School South

Kathleen Culver, Isaac Fox Elementary

Maria Moreano, May Whitney Elementary

Colleen Conway, Sarah Adams Elementary

Marie Rothermel, Spencer Loomis Elementary

Kevin Olsen, Seth Paine Elementary

As a district, we value partnerships with parents/guardians in creating vibrant and supportive learning environments for all students. From November 18th through December 19th, you will have the opportunity to participate in a brief survey to share your experiences with our district. This survey is designed to help us understand how our families view the quality of services we provide, and your feedback will guide us in identifying areas for growth and improvement. Your input is essential in shaping our future plans and ensuring we meet the needs of every student and family in our community. Thank you in advance for your participation and insights!

Congratulations to Middle School South student Mayah Miller, winner of the 2024 Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest! Mayah's poster will be on display at all district schools and buildings throughout the school year. Congratulations Mayah!

This month, Middle School North students and staff members participated in a dedication ceremony after the installation of the school's Peace Pole, an initiative made possible thanks to a donation from the District 95 Educational Foundation. The Peace Poles across the district carry the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in multiple languages.

This month, I had the opportunity to step into a high school math classroom—not as a superintendent, but as a student. Our high school has launched a classroom supported by two passionate and dedicated teachers, who are co-teaching the course together to support student learning. From the moment I stepped in, it was clear how much thought and preparation had gone into the lesson.

What stood out most was the seamless co-teaching dynamic between the two instructors. As students worked in teams, the teachers moved throughout the room, offering guidance, asking questions that encouraged deeper thinking, and supporting each group’s process thoughtfully to provoke successful solution finding efforts.

Students were up on their feet, solving problems at vertical whiteboards—transforming the traditional direct instructional model into a more dynamic, engaging, and interactive learning environment. This method encouraged students to think critically and creatively while fostering communication and teamwork.

A standout feature of this approach was the atmosphere of risk-taking and intellectual curiosity. Students were encouraged to think out loud, make mistakes, and explore different problem-solving strategies without the fear of being wrong. This is a crucial component of innovation in education – shifting the focus from simply getting the "right" answer to understanding the process and being unafraid to take on complex challenges. It was inspiring to see students so engaged, willing to stretch their thinking, and openly discuss their ideas with their peers and teachers.

I left the classroom feeling proud of the work being done and excited about the impact of this type of learning on our students' future success in math and beyond. Here’s to more great learning experiences like this one!

Save the date! On Saturday, December 14th, District 95 will host "Open House Lake Zurich Area" which will provide an opportunity for community members to sign up for a guided tour of our district schools. Many of our schools have undergone considerable facility improvements over the past 5 years, so this is an opportunity for the community to have a glimpse into the buildings - without disrupting classes. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months!

Please join us in celebrating members of our staff with a 'thank you' or a kind email in honor of these recognition days!

October 27th - World Occupational Therapy Day

November 4th - National School Psychology Week

November 15th - School Board Members Day

November 20th - Educational Support Professionals Day

November 22nd - National Substitute Appreciation Day

Get to know your Board of Education members! The Board Corner is a new article series for the 2024-25 school year which features a letter from a different Board of Education member each month.

For more information about the Board of Education, including meeting schedules, how to contact the Board, and much more, click here to visit the District 95 website, then select the "School Board" menu.

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