North Shore 112 Monthly

• A farewell message from Dr. Lubelfeld
• Important end-of-year dates and registration reminders
• Summer resources for families
• Dual language and Board updates
• Phase 2 construction update

As Dr. Lubelfeld prepares to retire after 21 years of service to District 112, we begin this month’s newsletter with a farewell message from him to our school community.

We also invite you to watch the May 26 retirement celebration honoring Dr. Lubelfeld, where colleagues, family members, friends and community members gathered to thank him for his leadership and service to public education.

Watch Dr. Lubelfeld’s message in Spanish.

(This translated version was created using artificial intelligence)

On May 21, District 112 gathered to recognize this year’s retirees and celebrate the impact they have had throughout our schools.

Congratulations to Hallie Barr, Laura Baartmans, Molly Bayless, Adam Bergman, Nancie Campbell, Jamie Cotell, Margaret Delligatti, Tony DiBenedetto, Alyson Flicher, Sulie Holt, Dorene Ochsner-Johnson, Donna Kirk, Mike Lubelfeld, Laura McKevitt, Lauren Sennett, Susan Siciliano and Mary Tristan.

Thank you for the years of service and care you have given to our students and school community. Your work has made a lasting difference, and we wish you the very best in retirement.

• Last Day for Afternoon Early Childhood and 8th Grade
• Middle School Graduations
• Edgewood at 4:30 p.m.
• Northwood at 6:30 p.m.

• Last Day for Morning Early Childhood
• Early Release for K-7

• Last Day for K-7
• Early Release

Don't forget to register for the 2026-2027 school year. All students, including returning students, must be registered. Visit www.nssd112.org/registration to learn more and start the process.

If you have any questions about registration, please email parentportal@nssd112.org or call 224-765-3052.

The K-5 Dual Language Task Force presented its final report to the North Shore School District 112 Board of Education in May. The report summarizes work around student success, family engagement, and facilities/operations as the district prepares to bring the K-5 dual language program together at Oak Terrace beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.

Families can visit the K-5 Dual Language Transition page for the full report, answers to frequently asked questions, timeline information and the May Board presentation video.

At its May 19 meeting, the North Shore School District 112 Board of Education received the final K-5 Dual Language Task Force report, approved the 2027-2028 school calendar, and approved several additional items, including continued participation in the Seamless Summer Option program for summer school breakfast. The Board also recognized Wayne Thomas fourth grade teacher Jon Bogie as the 2026 Golden Apple Award recipient, along with several students and staff members for recent honors and accomplishments. Read the full May Board meeting recap for more details.

Pride Month is observed each June and recognizes the history, contributions and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. The month is connected to the Stonewall uprising, which took place in New York City in June 1969 and is widely viewed as an important moment in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

For families interested in learning more, we are sharing several history-focused resources from museums, archives and public-history organizations.

• Library of Congress: LGBTQ Activism Primary Sources
• Smithsonian: Celebrate Pride
• Chicago History Museum: LGBTQIA+ History in Chicago
• Anti-Defamation League resources for Pride Month
• 10 ways to celebrate Pride Month with your kids

District 112 is waiting for final state approval before sharing school-specific details about free breakfast during summer school, including location, times and access. Free breakfast is expected to be available at at least one summer school site, and we will share more information with families as soon as we are able.

In the meantime, families can use the following resources to find food assistance, summer meal sites and Summer EBT information:

• Summer EBT: Eligible families may receive $120 per student through this Illinois Department of Human Services program. Families can learn more and apply through the IDHS Summer EBT webpage.
• We Got You Illinois: Find information about meals, food pantries, Summer EBT and other state programs.
• Lake County 211: Text your ZIP code to 898-211 to request food resources and other local assistance.
• Feeding America Food Finder: Search for nearby food pantries and grocery resources.
• USDA Summer Meals Site Finder: Search for free summer meal sites for children under 18, especially if your family will be outside the District 112 area this summer.

For questions about District 112 food service during the summer, please contact Georgette Franco at gfranco@nssd112.org. Ms. Franco can also assist families in Spanish.

AlphaBEST Education offers before- and after-school programming at all K-5 schools in North Shore School District 112, including daily activities such as coding and robotics, digital animation, engineering, hands-on STEM and design activities, world language and culture, arts, fitness and wellness. Families can also find information about AlphaBEST’s Summer 2026 program at Northwood Middle School for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

Please see the AlphaBEST Summer 2026 Flyer (in English and Spanish) and AlphaBEST 2026-2027 School Year Flyer (in English and Spanish) for program details, schedules, pricing and registration information.

The Highland Park Public Library's popular Summer Reading Club returns! Children entering kindergarten through 6th grade can read and complete activities to earn prizes. The Summer Reading Club runs from June 6 to August 1.

To sign up, stop by the Youth Services desk. For more information, visit hplibrary.org/summer-reading-club.

Students entering 7th or 8th grade can visit Adult Services to learn about the Teen & Adult Summer Reading Club.

The Highland Park Public Library offers books, digital resources, events and programs for all ages. Highland Park residents enjoy full borrowing privileges, and the library is a welcoming place for reading, learning and community connection. Explore upcoming programs at hplibrary.org/events.

The Highwood Library and Community Center offers free programs, resources and services for all ages. From literacy support to cultural events, it’s a welcoming space for learning and connection. Explore upcoming programs at highwoodlibrary.org/events.

With summer about to begin, it’s a good time to check in with your child and line up mental health support for over the summer, if needed.

Through our partnership with Cartwheel, your family has access to:

• Appointments with a licensed therapist within days
• Virtual, flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends throughout the summer
• Care is available in multiple languages including English and Spanish
• Free with Medicaid; most private insurance accepted

Cartwheel also offers parent guidance sessions, which give families an opportunity to ask questions, talk through concerns and get practical support for everyday challenges. You don’t need a referral or a crisis to reach out.

Get started by filling out this simple interest form.

For questions, contact Dr. Holly Colin, assistant superintendent for student services, at hcolin@nssd112.org.

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 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

Need help finding local resources for housing, food, utilities, health care or family support? 211 Lake County connects residents to free, confidential help 24 hours a day by phone, text or online. Powered by United Way of Lake County, 211 is a simple way to find trusted services right here in our community.

People can reach 211 Lake County in three simple ways:

• Call: Dial 211 or 1-855-677-5253.
• Text: Text your ZIP code to 898-211.
• Online: Visit 211lakecounty.org to search by need or location.

Help is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day in multiple languages.

Moraine Township Community Mental Health Board is a local resource that helps residents connect with support for mental health, substance use concerns, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The board works with local organizations to help community members find services, guidance and resources close to home. Families who are looking for support, or who simply want to learn more about what is available locally, can review the English and Spanish flyers and visit www.morainetownshipmentalhealthboard.org.

Sherwood Elementary School is nearing the final stages of its modernization project. Inside the building, work is moving toward completion in classrooms, the library, gym and common spaces. Recent work has included construction cleaning, gym floor striping, final finish work and preparation for furniture installation.

Outside, crews continue to work on the playground, landscaping, site improvements and final exterior details. Building systems are also moving through start-up, testing and inspection as the district prepares for students and staff to return to the modernized Sherwood building for the 2026-2027 school year.

Braeside Elementary School continues to move through a full modernization. In recent weeks, crews have advanced courtyard and site work, wall framing, structural repairs, roofing and gutter work, and exterior electrical work.

Upcoming work includes continued drywall installation, additional roofing work and installation of major HVAC equipment that will support improved heating and cooling throughout the building. Construction will continue through the 2026-2027 school year as the district prepares Braeside to reopen in spring 2027.

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!

VIEW OUR OPEN POSITIONS

Address: 445 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040

Phone: 224-765-3000

Website: nssd112.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nssd112

Instagram: instagram.com/nssd112

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nssd112

Contact Us: nssd112.org/contact

If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact Ben Finfer at bfinfer@nssd112.org.