North Shore 112 Monthly
March 2025
In this newsletter...
- Registration for 2025-2026 is open to all
- Groundbreaking at Sherwood
- Staff recognition
- Board of education news
- And more!
Important Dates
- 3/18: Regular Board of Education Meeting
- 3/20: Early Release (No Early Childhood)
- 3/20: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 3/21: Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
- 3/24-3/28: Spring Break
- 3/31: School Resumes
It's Time to Register for the 2025-2026 School Year
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open for all grades, including kindergarten. This is a change from previous years when registration opened on May 1. All students, including returning students, must be registered.
Registering as early as possible helps us plan for staffing and other logistics, ensuring we have the right resources and support in place for the upcoming school year.
If you have any questions about registration, please email parentportal@nssd112.org or call 224-765-3052.
Sherwood Modernization is Underway!
Sherwood administrators, district leaders, and board of education members officially broke ground at Sherwood, launching the next modernization project under Phase 2 of the Long-Range Facilities Plan. Construction is expected to take approximately 15 months, with the school slated to reopen for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
State of Education in Highland Park
Dr. Lubelfeld recently joined local education leaders at the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce’s State of Education event, where they discussed the current state of our schools, recent successes, and upcoming initiatives. He was joined by Dr. Chala Holland (District 113), Dr. Kurt Schneider (TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804), and Heidi Smith (Highland Park Public Library) for a conversation about the future of education in our community.
Highlights in Dr. Lubelfeld's presentation:
- Student Achievement: D112 students are excelling, ranking in the 81st percentile in English language arts and 90th percentile in math.
- Facilities Progress: Phase 2 of the Long-Range Facilities Plan is well underway. With the completion of Indian Trail, projects continue at Ravinia and Sherwood, with Braeside and Wayne Thomas next in line.
- Staff Engagement: 86% of D112 staff report being highly satisfied and engaged, a record high for the district.
- Strategic Planning: The district is nearing the completion of a strategic change process, shaped by nearly 300 community members, including staff, parents, and students.
District 112 Staff Recognition
Milestone Recognition
Each year, North Shore School District 112 proudly celebrates staff members reaching milestone years of service. This year, we honored 90 dedicated employees for their commitment to our schools and students.
Milestone Recognitions:
5 years: 28 staff members
10 years: 20 staff members
15 years: 14 staff members
20 years: 14 staff members
25 years: 12 staff members
Special shoutout to Braeside teacher Andi Simon for 30 years of service and Sherwood custodian Paul Luce for 40 years!
Two D112 Educators Honored by the Illinois State Board of Education
We are proud to celebrate Jill Baranowski and Douglas Smithenry, who have been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education’s Those Who Excel program. Baranowski, a speech-language pathologist at Braeside Elementary, received the Award of Special Recognition, while Smithenry, a first grade dual language teacher at Oak Terrace, earned the Award of Meritorious Service.
“Jill and Doug represent the very best of our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld. “Their passion, creativity, and commitment to student growth set an inspiring example for our entire school community.” They will be honored alongside educators from across Illinois at an ISBE banquet in May.
School Social Work Week: March 2-8
Happy School Social Work Week! This week, we celebrate the incredible impact of our school social workers who support students, families, and staff every day. From providing resources to fostering emotional well-being, their dedication makes a difference in countless ways.
Join us in thanking them for their hard work and commitment!
National Women's History Month
Women's History Month is celebrated every March in the United States and is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions and achievements of women throughout American history and contemporary society. This month-long observance highlights the significant roles women have played in shaping the nation in various fields such as science, politics, arts, education, and civil rights, among others. It is a time to reflect on the struggles and successes of women, to understand the impact of their work, and to continue advocating for gender equality and women's rights.
General Resources:
Board of Education
Next Regular Meeting - Tuesday, March 18
The next regular board of education meeting is Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. It will be held at Northwood Middle School (945 North Avenue). A link for the livestream feed of the meeting will be available at nssd112.org. Meeting agendas can also be found on our website (posted at least 48 hours prior to a meeting).
Board Meeting Highlights for February 18, 2025
At February's meeting, we celebrated outstanding staff, introduced exciting new curriculum updates, and welcomed new district leaders. The board also approved new world language resources and discussed recommendations for middle school ELA and career exploration courses. Read the full recap for more details.
Board Approves Key Administrator Appointments
The board approved the appointments of Dr. Michael Rodrigo as the next assistant superintendent for teaching and learning and Ms. Rachel Filippi as the executive director of personnel services. Both will step into their new roles on July 1, 2025. Learn more about both administrators.
Calendar Approved for the 2025-2026 School Year
At the January meeting, the board approved a calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The first day for K-8 will be Thursday, August 21, 2025. You can find all the details by visiting the calendar page on our website.
Family Resources
In this section, you will find events and programs for parents/guardians and students. You can also find more information about these and other parent/guardian resources on our website.
Upcoming Parent/Guardian Events
- Cartwheel Care March Webinar (March 4, virtual)
Motivating Kids to Do the “No Fun, Boring, and Tough” StuffDo you want to help your student succeed in life but struggle with working together on tasks and goals? Many educators and parents feel frustrated and thwarted in their efforts to teach responsibility, motivation and persistence to students, especially those with ADHD or learning differences.
Join Cartwheel and Dr. Sharon Saline for insight and tools on how to effectively motivate all kinds of students both at school and at home. Building upon a strength-based, collaborative approach, Dr. Saline will show you how to teach all-important executive functioning skills related to motivation and tools to increase buy-in and reduce conflict in home and at school. REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR
Cartwheel Care
Cartwheel is a national mental health provider for students/adolescents. They provide rapid access to care for students by providing them access to a licensed clinician within seven days of referral (virtually). Clinicians are available during school hours, after school, nights, weekends, and breaks. Additionally, Cartwheel offers the ability for psychiatric evaluations and medicine management.
To learn more about Cartwheel, please reach out to your child's school or to Dr. Holly Colin, assistant superintendent for student services, at hcolin@nssd112.org.
Parent Guidance
ParentGuidance.org is a free online resource that offers parents and guardians support and guidance on various mental health and parenting topics. The platform provides expert-led courses, coaching, and tools to help parents navigate challenges related to child behavior, emotional health and family dynamics.
Explore the March newsletter from ParentGuidance.org:
ReferralGPS
ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students, staff and community in finding local mental-health and substance use related treatment. The service complements the district's existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow up care.
Families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
- Contact a member of your school's student services team (social workers, psychologists) or your school principal
- Visit https://referralgps.com/find-help/NSSD112 to search for treatment resources
Safe2Help Illinois
Safe2Help offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. It is available 24/7 and offers students a safe outlet to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. It can be accessed via a free app, text/phone, and website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com).
- Call: 844-4-SAFEIL
- Text: SAFE2 (72332)
- Email: help@safe2helpil.com
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
TrueNorth is a special education cooperative that partners with local schools and districts, including District 112, to provide comprehensive support services for students with diverse learning needs. Learn more at www.truenorth804.org.
Upcoming TrueNorth Events and Webinars:
Community
Community the Anti-Drug (CTAD)
Helping kids navigate peer pressure is an important part of supporting their growth and well-being. Community – The Anti-Drug (CTAD) shares four key ways caregivers can empower their children to resist negative influences, along with practical drug and alcohol refusal tips. Explore their latest newsletter to learn more about CTAD and their efforts to support youth.
112 Education Foundation
What is the 112 Foundation?
Founded in 1995 and celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 112 Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities for all students in North Shore School District 112. Since it operates separately from the district and doesn’t receive tax revenue, the Foundation relies on community support and fundraising to bring innovative programs to D112 schools.
What does the 112 Foundation do?
The 112 Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to support students and schools in D112. Through exclusive partnerships with all nine schools in the district, the Foundation funds a range of signature programs that create meaningful, engaging learning experiences, including:
- FUNd Run – a community-based run for students and families
- Robot Revolution – an interactive robotics program
- iRead Read-a-thon – a schoolwide reading initiative
- Reel 112 Film Festival – a student-centered film event
- Art in Bloom – an arts celebration
- Kids Go Classic – an interactive concert at Ravinia Festival
- Author visits – inspiring sessions with published authors
- And a whole lot more!
Technology
Artificial Intelligence at D112
As you know, the district has been exploring how generative artificial intelligence can enhance learning, teaching, and productivity. We currently have ongoing pilots with Magic School AI and School AI. You’re welcome to explore both platforms anytime using the links below:
If you’d like to engage further and explore the reasoning behind our use of these tools, check out a new assistant created by Dr. Lubelfeld.
Technology Help
Having an issue with your student's device? Need assistance with district software, such as Infinite Campus? Submit a support ticket and a member of our tech team will reach out as soon as possible.
Safety and Security
We're Hiring!
Why choose us?
Our staff works hard to create schools where students want to learn and teachers want to teach. High-quality materials and technology give our staff and students the tools needed to be innovative and highly engaged. As a member of District 112, you’ll be working to advance yourself as well as fulfill a long legacy of District 112 being the home of pioneering educators, dedicated staff, and innovative instructional practices. Visit careers.nssd112.org to learn more!
Paraprofessionals
North Shore School District 112 is seeking full-time special education paraprofessionals (1:1) to support individual students across various schools. These roles involve working closely with certified staff to assist students with academic, functional, and physical needs, implementing IEPs, and providing behavioral support. Responsibilities include offering direct supervision, assisting with daily tasks, and participating in professional development. Candidates must hold a state paraprofessional or substitute license. These positions offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and IMRF retirement. Apply or learn more
Address: 445 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: 224-765-3000
Website: nssd112.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nssd112
Instagram: instagram.com/nssd112
Twitter: @nssd112
Contact Us: nssd112.org/contact
If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact Ben Finfer at bfinfer@nssd112.org.
North Shore School District 112 is a beacon of quality education for more than 3,500 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Serving Highland Park, Highwood and Fort Sheridan, the district encompasses nine standout schools, each committed to fostering academic growth and readiness for high school and beyond. NSSD112 is driven by core principles encapsulated in the motto: Inspire...Innovate...Engage!