July Newsletter

Hello D95 Community!

Every year, it seems like summer flies by a little faster. While I'm not quite ready to let go of these long, sun-filled days, there's something exciting about the anticipation of a new school year. With class back in session on August 13, our Foundation is looking forward to another year of creating opportunities that help make District 95 such an incredible place to learn, grow, and thrive.

Before we turn the page, this newsletter gives us a chance to celebrate what we accomplished together during the 2025–2026 school year. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, educators, and community partners, we invested in innovative learning opportunities that are making a real difference for our students.

I'm also excited to share a few new beginnings. Please join me in welcoming Joe Janicki as our new Board President and Olga Golumbovski, as the newest member of our Board of Trustees and our new Vice President of Communications! Read more about Joe and Olga's leadership and passion for District 95 below. You'll also be introduced to our new D95 Foundation Community Partners Program, an exciting way for local businesses to invest in our students while demonstrating their commitment to public education and our community.

As always, thank you for believing in our mission and for making extraordinary opportunities possible for District 95 students. I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer, and I look forward to seeing many of you as we begin another fantastic school year together!

With gratitude and excitement,

Tessa Zevallos

Executive Director

District 95 Educational Foundation

foundation@lz95.org

P.S. Be sure to save the date for Thursday, October 29! The Harlem Wizards are returning to Lake Zurich High School to take on our District 95 teachers and staff in one of the Foundation's signature community events. More than 1,000 students, families, staff, and community members are expected for an unforgettable evening of laughter, school spirit, and fun. Watch for ticket information coming soon!

• Thursday, October 29
• 6:30pm Game (Doors Open at 5:30pm)
• LZHS Field House
• Ticket Info Coming Soon!

The D95 Educational Foundation is excited to welcome Joe Janicki as our new Board President and Olga Golumbovski as our new Vice President of Communications!

A Foundation Trustee since 2022, Joe brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in business strategy, operations, and entrepreneurship. His commitment to serving the Lake Zurich community extends well beyond the Foundation, having held leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Lake Zurich, the Lions Club of Lake Zurich, and the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce.

As Board President, Joe's vision is to build on the Foundation's strong momentum while positioning us for an even greater impact. He is passionate about expanding community awareness, growing our donor base, and strengthening the Foundation's ability to support transformational initiatives that create new opportunities for District 95 students. Under Joe's leadership, the Foundation will continue to invest in innovative programs while building the capacity to fund larger, high-impact projects that benefit students and schools for years to come.

Olga joins the Foundation's leadership team with 25 years of strategic communications experience and a passion for community engagement. She has led corporate social responsibility initiatives, is an active member of the Lions Club of Lake Zurich, and has served on the board of Caring Women's Connection. As Vice President of Communications, Olga will help elevate the Foundation's storytelling, strengthen community connections, and share the impact of donor support across District 95.

Please join us in welcoming Joe and Olga as they help lead the Foundation into an exciting new chapter of growth and impact for our students!

Every investment tells a story. Whether it's funding an innovative classroom grant, supporting a family in need, inspiring student entrepreneurs, or bringing cutting-edge learning tools to our schools, your generosity is creating opportunities that have a lasting impact on District 95 students.

Together, we raised more than $60,000 toward the new 3D Interactive Anatomy Table at Lake Zurich High School, awarded $23,000 in innovative classroom grants, invested $20,000 in young entrepreneurs through the INCubator program, provided $15,000 in support for under-resourced students and families, and awarded $14,000 in scholarships and recognition programs. Since 2007, the Foundation has invested more than $1.3 million in Lake Zurich schools—and none of it would be possible without the generosity of our donors, volunteers, business partners, and community. Thank you for believing in our students!

Strong schools are built on strong community partnerships. That's why we're excited to introduce the D95 Foundation Community Partners Program—a new opportunity for local businesses to make a lasting investment in District 95 students while demonstrating their commitment to education and our community.

With four partnership levels, businesses receive year-round recognition and meaningful opportunities to connect with District 95 families, staff, and community members. Most importantly, their support helps fund innovative grants, student programs, scholarships, and transformational initiatives that expand learning opportunities for every student.

Together, we're building partnerships that strengthen our schools, support our students, and invest in the future of our community!

Joseph Janicki, President

Azure Smith, Treasurer

Andy Spetter, Vice President of Grants & Initiatives

Olga Golumbovski, Vice President of Communications

Willy Borkowski, Secretary

Deacon John Sfire, Trustee

Ashley Scott Trustee

Vas Russis, Trustee

Feliks Kravets, Trustee

Dr. Kelley Gallt, Superintendent