01-23-2025

D128 Parents and Guardians:

It's an exciting time in D128 as we progress in the process of a search for our new superintendent. Visit the Superintendent Search web page for the latest update on the process. The D128 search firm, BWP, will provide an update on the current status of the search process at next week's Board meeting on Tuesday, ​J​an. 28. We hope that you can join us or live stream the meeting to hear the update. The D128 Board of Education will vote on hiring the final candidate no later than Feb. 24, 2025.

Have a great day!

Ray Lechner and Becky Nelson

Co-Interim Superintendents

The D128 Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the VHHS Library. The meeting agenda and related documents will be shared on Friday afternoon.

The D128 Foundation for Learning will hold its 6th annual 1-28 Giving Campaign, kicking off on . . . 1/28/25! The Foundation hopes to raise at least $12,800 during the campaign to support programs for LHS, VHHS and Transition Pathways students. To learn more about the campaign and how the Foundation for Learning supports D128 students, visit the campaign website.

Mark your calendar for Feb. 1 and attend the LHS Best Buddies Carnival from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the LHS Main Gym. Admission is $5 per person. LHS Students, staff, families and all Lake County students with intellectual and development disabilities are invited to attend. The event will include bouncy houses, balloon artists, face painting, games, pizza, raffle baskets and more!

VHHS is hosting its 11th Annual History Fair on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 in the VHHS Library. U.S. History students have been working throughout the school year to create research projects that range from written reports to video documentaries and websites. The fair is an opportunity to showcase their work to other VHHS students, staff, and their parents. Students are pictured below exploring the fair on Thursday morning.

"The fair models the Chicago Metro History Fair and National History Day," noted VHHS U.S. History Teacher Matt Bellito. "The student projects must follow the themes of each of these fairs," said Bellito. "This year our student research projects must examine a U.S. history topic related to " Rights and Responsibilities."

The VHHS school library will be closed on the days of the fair to allow room for visitors and school classes to access the various displays. More than 300 VHHS U.S. History students are participating in the fair, with the top entrants advancing to the regional and, hopefully, state competition.

Each year, the U.S. History teachers select about 10 projects for each category (paper, exhibit, website, documentary) to advance to the regionals. This year's competition will be held at the Chicago History Museum on Saturday, March 8.

In the relatively short history of the fair, VHHS students have enjoyed increasing success. In the first year of the fair, the teachers advanced six students. Last year, we had multiple projects make it to Sectionals and State and even one project made it to Nationals!

"As U.S. History teachers, we are continually amazed by all the great research and work our students have done during the first few years of the history fair," said Bellito. "We are excited that the history fair has become a VHHS tradition and continue to expect outstanding projects in the future as students continue to engage in historical research."

Mallory Marvin (LHS '15) was selected to be a member of the Special Olympics USA delegation and will compete in snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Her team profile can be found on the Winter Games website. From March 8-15, 2025, over 1,500 athletes from 102 delegations will compete in eight disciplines in Turin.

Mallory has been involved with Special Olympics for 14 years, competing in athletics, basketball, bowling, bocce, floor hockey and snowshoeing. For Mallory, Special Olympics is much more than just training and sports competition. Special Olympics has given her the courage, knowledge and confidence to overcome challenges and obstacles. Currently, Mallory is trained as a Special Olympics Illinois Global Messenger and athlete leader.

In addition to Special Olympics, Mallory regularly volunteers at Our House of Hope Animal Rescue and Pet Food Bank. In her free time, she loves to put together 1,000-piece puzzles, reading, riding tandem bikes with her dad and traveling. Having visited 13 other countries, Mallory looks forward to new experiences as she prepares for the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.

The Winter Games can be viewed on ESPN, and D128 will share highlights of Mallory and the team in future newsletters and on social media. Best wishes to Mallory and her teammates representing the USA!

D128 alum Philip Loveland (LHS '20) was featured on the Dec. 13, 2024, episode of Shark Tank. Alongside his business partner, Jake Piekarski, Philip pitched their innovative company, Snow Scholars, which provides snow removal services for homeowners — all while employing college students across multiple campuses.

The duo made a deal with Mark Cuban during their appearance, marking a huge milestone in their entrepreneurial journey.

Congratulations, Jake and Phillip, who are pictured during their Shark Tank pitch. Read more about Snow Scholars on the Shark Tank Products website.(photo from Shark Tank website)

Barbara Stringer

Director at North Shore Dental Assisting Academy

Health and Public Services

What is your experience in your career pathway?

I have over 40 years of experience in the dental field which includes dental assisting, teaching dental assisting, Director of the dental assisting program at Everest College, and creating the curriculum for dental assisting programs in dental offices. My experience in the field has been so rewarding, and I have loved every path I have been on in the dental field.

Being a dental assistant was exhilarating because every day was different. Your schedule, and or treatment plans could change at any moment which kept things exciting and unpredictable. You could start a filling procedure, but end up doing a root canal treatment. As a dental assistant you always had to be prepared to switch gears in the middle of a procedure.

Teaching dental assisting gave me a sense of giving back not only by preparing students to be successful dental assistants, but by sharing real life experiences that would help prepare them to be better assistants.

Being a director of a dental assisting program was rewarding because it gave me the ability to ensure that students were receiving the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful dental assistants.

Why might students be interested in pursuing your career pathway?

The dental field is a rewarding career for individuals that enjoy working closely with people, working with their hands, a fast paced environment, and being part of a team. A career in dental assisting offers a career that can lead into other pathways of dentistry, and a career that one will always have to fall back on. It’s an exciting career because no two days are the same, and that keeps you on your toes, and never leaves you bored.

What advice do you have for students pursuing this career pathway?

My advice for students thinking about a career in dental assisting is to remember that the patient is your main focus. Their comfort, and how you make them feel is paramount. A successful dental assistant must possess strong communication skills, empathy, excellent organizational skills, and a willingness to continue learning throughout their career.

A student attending North Shore Dental Assisting Academy will be provided with the necessary hands-on dental assisting skills and knowledge that will prepare them to acquire a dental assisting position and become a productive and valuable member of the dental health care team. Classes are limited to five students which offers more of a one-on-one instructional environment. They will be equipped to contribute to the well-being of the patient and be an integral supporting link in the environment of a professional dental practice.

Students

Interested in learning more about this career pathway? Login to SchooLinks (through ClassLink), navigate to the Careers tab on the left, click on “Career Center,” and search “__” You’ll see:

• A Day in the Life

• Career Comparison

• Required Education & Training

• FAQs

• Career Outlook

Professionals

Interested in becoming a featured partner? Complete this form and select “Participate in an interview.”

D128 Parent/Guardian Webinar on SchooLinks

• Watch an overview of SchooLinks for parents/guardians of D128 students.

D128 Career Pathway Guides

• These guides outline the seven career pathways. These pathways represent general areas students can use to explore career opportunities and options. They provide snapshots of careers, clubs, activities, courses, and endorsements students can consider on their career exploration journey.

• View the D128 Career Pathway Guides

On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary will sponsor a performance by The Second City at Libertyville High School. A dozen Libertyville restaurants will be supporting the event by providing pre-show dinners. An after-party will be held at Mickey Finn’s. For tickets and more information visit the event website.