01-21-2026

Dear D128 Community:

As the winter season continues and in light of the predicted inclement weather for this week, we would like to remind you of our District’s procedures in the event of a necessary school closure or late start.

While we make every effort to ensure that school is open, weather conditions often prevent that from happening. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. D128 refers to the National Weather Service to monitor weather advisories and warnings. Additionally, we consult with administrators in neighboring districts and our bus company when making decisions about closures. In the event of an emergency or weather-related closing, we will share information no later than 5:00 a.m. via the D128 emergency notification system as well as the D128 websites, social media, and through the Emergency Closing Center (which is announced on local TV and radio stations).

D128 has two emergency days built into its school calendar. Should both emergency days be used, any additional school days impacted by an emergency or weather conditions that would normally result in a “snow day” will become remote learning days. The District also has a late start and early release schedule that can be used if needed.

Staff safe!

Marc Schaffer, Ed.D.

Community High School District 128

We're excited to announce that episode four of D128 Voices, our monthly podcast, is now available. In this episode, Superintendent​ Marc Schaffer welcomes Libertyville High School Band Director Adam Gohr and student band members Caroline Guiard and Aarna Mishra to discuss the busy and exciting year the band has had, what is coming up for them in the next few months, and how the band experience impacts students.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Podbean and more.

We hope you like what you hear, and we can't wait to bring you more inspiring voices each month.

In case you missed it, visit this link to read the January edition of D128 Student Services Updates.

D128 Parents and Guardians:

All LHS and VHHS students will be participating in the self-directed and ANONYMOUS Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) during their 2nd-period class on Thursday, Feb. 5. The IYS is designed to gather information about a variety of health and social indicators, including substance use and perceptions, bullying, school climate, nutrition, mental health, and physical activity.

The IYS is state-funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services and about 740 schools across the state will utilize this tool this school year. More information can be found on their website at this link.

It is a voluntary and anonymous survey, but if you would like to opt your child out from participating, please complete this form by Monday, Feb. 2.

Sincerely,

Amy Dillon and Brenda Nelson

Prevention and Wellness Program Coordinators

Vernon Hills High School and Libertyville High Schools

Why do we give the Illinois Youth Survey?

The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) has been used for more than 20 years across the state to understand how teenagers are really doing—academically, socially, and in their health and decision-making. It allows schools, districts, and communities to look beyond individual anecdotes and see meaningful patterns that guide prevention, support services, and school programming.

The most important thing to understand is that IYS data is collective. Individual student responses are never visible to schools, and results are not available by student, classroom, or demographic subgroup. This is intentional. It protects student privacy and ensures that students can answer honestly without fear of being identified.

Some school surveys are designed to flag individual students for safety follow-up (for example, suicide screening tools). The IYS is not that kind of survey. It is used only to understand trends across a school or community.

How is the data used?

Over time, IYS results help us see what is changing and where students may need more support. For example, the survey has consistently shown that alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among Illinois teens, including at LHS and VHHS—but also that overall substance use has been trending downward.

In 2022, both our schools and the state saw a sharp increase in students reporting symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. That spike matched national data during the pandemic and declined again in 2024, helping us understand that this was not a long-term trend but a response to an extraordinary period of disruption. Data like this helps schools make thoughtful decisions about mental health supports, prevention programs, and staffing.

Without this kind of long-term, statewide data, schools would be forced to rely on guesswork or isolated incidents rather than clear patterns.

Do students just make things up?

This is a very common and understandable concern. The IYS is designed using well-established social science methods. It includes built-in checks for inconsistent or exaggerated answers; surveys that fail those checks are removed before any data is analyzed.

Decades of research also show that when students are given privacy and clear assurances of anonymity, they are more likely to answer honestly than adults often expect. In fact, anonymous surveys are one of the most reliable ways to learn about behaviors that students might not share in person.

Questions or more information

Please contact the Prevention and Wellness Program Coordinators with additional questions:

• LHS: Brenda Nelson — brenda.nelson@d128.org

• VHHS: Amy Dillon — amy.dillon@d128.org

• Technology: 49
• Science: 35
• Math: 23
• Engineering: 17
• Equity: 17
• Entrepreneurship: 15
• Art: 8

Students tackled real problems, built meaningful projects, and presented their work to industry professionals. The level of creativity, technical depth, and purpose was impressive across every category.

Students received $4,128 in prizes, made possible through generous sponsorship and student leadership. Thank you to ValentBio Sciences and Jessica Ayres (Gibbs) for a $1,500 sponsorship, and to the VHHS Computer Science Club for outstanding fundraising that directly supported student innovation.

Special thanks to our judges who volunteered their time and expertise:
Jessica Ayres (Gibbs), Thomas Dyrynda, Itamar Shifrin, Michael Ley, Dylan Madhani, Nitya Mehta, Willem Lucas, Daniel Kuzmin, Sebastian Sovailescu, Mani Sundararajan, Carlos M., Garima Arora, CPA, Peter Lebiedzinski, William Rendall, Katherine Utsis, Daniel Karpov, Abraham Guo, Daniel Tomback, Nathen Ayres, Samuel Shlau, Mayank Dubey, and Kartik Vasudeva. The VHHS Computer Science Club is sponsored by Adam Lueken.

Congratulations to our top overall winners:

Parth Vadia

Vaidehi Matkar

Kautik Mandve

We are proud of our students, grateful for our community, and excited to keep building authentic STEM opportunities across

Flower bulbs, thoughtful gifts, and More!

Help the LHS Educational Support Professionals reach their sales goal—-they earn up to 50% profit! Items ship directly to you. Bulbs ship in early May, and seed kits/gifts ship within five business days.

Items on the Thoughtful Gifts and More page ship via U.S. Mail within five business days of the order being placed. All bulbs ship via FedEx Ground Economy in early May and ship separately from seed kits and other non-bulb items. Order Early for the best selection!

LHS Ordering Landing Page

Fundraiser's Group Code: 46AA37

NOTE: Please place all orders online. Orders are taken through April or until supplies run out.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, the D128 Foundation for Learning hosted a special gathering to honor the donors whose generosity has supported innovative programs and opportunities for Community High School District 128 students. The newly installed donor recognition walls at Libertyville High School and Vernon Hills High School celebrate individuals, families and businesses who have contributed $5,000, $10,000, $40,000, $80,000, and $128,000 to the Foundation since its inception in 2007.

Beyond recognizing donor support, the walls also pay tribute to Anne Landgraf, a longtime champion of District 128 schools. Landgraf served on the District 128 Board of Education from 1999 to 2009, including as board president from 2005 to 2009. She later served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2008 to 2015 and chaired the board from 2009 to 2014. In addition, Landgraf played a key role in referendum committees that helped pass two important ballot initiatives for the district. She is also the mother of two Libertyville High School graduates and the grandmother of several current and future Vernon Hills High School Cougars.

In recognition of her dedication and passion for District 128, Landgraf’s husband, John Landgraf, approached Foundation leaders last spring with the idea of creating donor recognition walls. His vision was to both honor the Foundation’s supporters and pay a lasting tribute to his wife’s commitment to the schools.

When the Foundation expressed concern about using donor funds for the project, Landgraf generously offered to personally fund the cost of the donor walls at both high schools.

Nearly 40 members of the school community attended the unveiling and dedication ceremony at Vernon Hills High School. Donors are recognized through engraved “donor paws,” which will be updated annually.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of our donors, and especially to the Landgraf family for their continued support,” said Foundation Chair Erica Rendall.

Since 2007, the D128 Foundation for Learning has contributed more than $655,658 to Libertyville High School, Vernon Hills High School, and Transition Pathways through DARING Innovation Grants, scholarships, and support for students in need. Read more about the Foundation at d128foundation.org.

Join the Foundation for its Annual Giving Campaign, Jan 28 - 31, 2026.