Superintendent News

December 22, 2025

Dear Families, Staff, and Community Members,

As 2025 comes to a close, it is a wonderful opportunity to take time to reflect on the year gone by - what has gone well and where we have room to grow - and perhaps use that to set some goals for the coming year. I hope that each of us has the opportunity to relax and reflect so that we can start the new year feeling refreshed and renewed!

One common theme that I have reflected upon many times is the caring nature of our learning community. It never ceases to amaze me how much our community steps up when a need presents itself. This is true in so many ways at this time of year - very often our schools hold collections to help others in some capacity, whether it be a food pantry, a women's shelter, or recently for the collection supporting our own families with winter break food care packages (see below). I am proud of the way in which our families and staff demonstrate care and compassion for one another!

This sense of community also extends into our learning environments where collaboration is thriving. Please be sure to read my "Innovation in the Classroom" article, where in this highlight I stepped into the brand new LZHS Culinary Lab to experience Ms. Callen's perfectly paced lesson on two different versions of mac and cheese!

Best wishes for a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season! I look forward to seeing you in 2026!

With gratitude,

Dr. Kelley Gallt

Superintendent

In collaboration with the District 95 Educational Foundation, the district organized a Winter Break Food Care Package distribution to help support district families in need during the break. Families who are eligible for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches at school do not have that benefit while students are home during break. Additionally, some of our food pantries in the local area are closed over the next two weeks - making an already expensive time of year a bit moreso.

Thanks to the generosity of the Foundation - and many, many others throughout the community, including the Casady family, Carolyn Hammond and friends, many district staff members, schools holding collections, local businesses and so many others - the district was able to provide assistance to 102 district families! Thank you to everyone who contributed, we greatly appreciate you!

Teachers Make A Difference Nominations- Nominations Close Soon!

Annually, District 95 takes time to recognize its exceptional staff members. The Teachers Make a Difference Award is designed to recognize those teachers who have represented our mission and gone far beyond normal expectations in supporting or motivating a student or group of students. We hope each family will consider this opportunity to complete a nomination and share their own appreciation for our educators!

Click here to complete a nomination for the Teachers Make a Difference Awards

All nominations are due by midnight on January 9, 2026.

From the many nominations we anticipate receiving, a selection committee of district administrators will select three of our outstanding educators to be honored in front of their peers during our annual staff awards program. Winning teachers will also receive a monetary award toward the use of professional development or other educational resources to continue to support their exceptional work with students as well as to further their professional development.

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.

This month, I had the pleasure of stepping into a culinary classroom to experience a typical day from our students' perspective. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the efficiency of the environment; clear directions were already on the overhead display to ensure every moment was purposeful and productive. All students knew the routine: phones were placed in the holder, backpacks went to the front, aprons were put on, and hands were washed. Water was already starting to boil so it would be ready for the "al dente" noodles (a term we learned means "firm, not hard or chewy"). By the time the bell rang, every learner was in their seat, ready for the day's demonstration on making mac & cheese using either an "Easy Mac" or "Panera Mac" recipe.

The lesson began with an exceptional demonstration by Ms. Callen of how to begin the cooking assignment. We watched closely as she brilliantly melted butter, ensuring it did not burn, while teaching us that the goal was to create a roux, or a mixture of fat and flour used to thicken the cheese sauce. Throughout the model, the teacher checked for understanding several times, making sure we all grasped each aspect of the learning and the specific skills modeled. Her instruction was so clear and efficient that we felt fully prepared to begin our own cooking tasks with a high level of confidence.

As soon as the demonstration ended, the room transformed into a hub of high energy collaboration. Students moved with a strong sense of urgency, immediately taking on their assigned roles as food supply gatherers, equipment collectors, or space prep managers. I quickly joined my tablemates as part of their team. I began helping with the pasta and washing dishes as they began to pile up to ensure we achieved our goals for the day. Ms. Callen floated throughout the room, providing support to ensure every team reached success. My team was focused on finishing our recipe on time, driven by a genuine excitement to taste our work.

Once the cooking was complete, the students followed a key instruction from the agenda: switching half of their dish with the group across from them. This exchange allowed everyone to try both types of mac and cheese, providing a firsthand comparison of the two different recipes. Following this tasting, we completed "Exit Slips" to reflect on our learning and evaluate our performance. We considered other dishes that might start with a roux and rated our lab work on a scale of one to ten, noting the specific differences in taste, texture, and color we discovered between the two recipes. This visit was a powerful reminder of the legacy our staff builds through their instructional expertise as students. I left the classroom feeling immense pride in the engagement and personal excellence our learners demonstrate on a daily basis!

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

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
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