August 8th, 2025

Dear Middle School North Families,

With the start of the school year just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to say how excited we are to welcome your students back to Middle School North or here for the first time. The energy in the building is already picking up as our teachers prepare classrooms, our PTO organizes welcome activities for students and staff, and our student activities begin to take shape, including opportunities like cross country and softball, which kick off soon!

At MSN, we’re committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where all students can thrive. Whether it’s through thoughtful attention to student well-being, clear routines and expectations, or opportunities to connect beyond the classroom, we want every student to feel seen and supported.

In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find a few important updates to help you and your student feel ready for the year ahead. Thank you for taking a few moments to review the information, and as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. 2 more sleeps until the school year starts!

~Mrs. Crowley

Important Dates

August 13th-First Day of Student Attendance

Monday, August 18th-Evacuation Drill at 8:55

Friday, August 22th-Bus Evacuation Drill at 1:30

August 22nd-6th Grade Activity Night, 5:00-7:00 pm

August 25th-6th Grade Curriculum Night at 6:15

August 26th-7th/8th Grade Curriculum Night at 6:15

September 4th-Picture Day and Vision/Hearing Screening

September 5th-6/7/8th Grade Activity Night, 5:00-7:00 pm

Update on Early Dismissal Procedures

We want to make you aware of a small adjustment to our early dismissal process this school year to ensure a safe and efficient experience for everyone.

Starting this year, families will use an electronic sign-out system located in the main vestibule. When arriving for an early dismissal, you’ll sign your student out using the Chromebook station provided. To support a secure process, especially as some of our front office team members are new and learning families, we may also ask to verify your photo ID.

Once signed out, your student will meet you directly in the vestibule.

To help us prepare and keep the process running smoothly, we kindly ask that you notify the office in the morning of any planned early dismissals. You can do this by calling (847) 719-3663 or submitting a request through ParentVUE.

Fall Needs Assessment

As we have done in years past, we will be collecting information from students during the week of 8/18/2025 regarding social-emotional and other related needs. This information will be used to plan for any additional supports for students, as well as for parent collaboration on student needs.

This process should only take a few minutes, will be administered during homeroom/BOC time, and will be minimally disruptive to your student’s school day. Students and families may view the items from the needs assessment HERE. If you do not wish for your student to participate in the needs assessment, please contact the building assistant principal, Ashley.Buchman@lz95.org

Attendance Information

As we prepare to start the school year, it is important that students and families establish regular routines to maximize student attendance to school. Students are expected to be at school daily, and with enough time to navigate to their first period class on time.

Please note that for students who struggle to maintain regular attendance, parents/families will receive additional communication, conference requests, and other interventions to support regular school attendance - in accordance with state law. Parents/guardians and students can find more information regarding attendance in the Parent-Student Handbook.

Additionally, there will be more information shared at our Curriculum Night on August 25th and 26th. We hope to see you there!

Safety Communication

We are excited to kick off the 25-26 school year with safety and behavioral expectations learning, to occur during the week of August 18th. During this week, students will engage in learning around the following topics:

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP), our emergency response protocol used to address safety concerns
Safe2Help, our new anonymous reporting tool for safety concerns
Collective responsibility for school safety (i.e., it takes all of us working together to maximize feelings of safety in the school community)
School-wide behavioral expectations

Families who want to learn more about the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the “I Love U Guys” Foundation may access information via the foundation’s website HERE. They can also view a previously-recorded safety forum HERE (select Safety Forum - August 2022).

District 95 has partnered with Safe2Help Illinois, a statewide school safety program. This replaced the current District 95 See Something, Say Something tool. Safe2Help Illinois features a 24/7 helpline (1-844-4-SAFEIL), free mobile app, and dedicated website. A QR code will also be available on the back of students’ ID cards in grades 6-12 for easy access to the reporting tool. Families who want to learn more about Safe2Help can visit the website at www.Safe2Helpil.com.

Thank you in advance for your partnership as we approach the start of the school year; it takes all of us working together to create safe school communities!

A Message From Our PTO

As we welcome students back to school, we'd also like to welcome our staff with a Back-to-School Lunch! The MSN PTO is organizing lunch for the hardworking teachers and staff of MSN. Please help us by donating gift cards, food, or your time to help fund the lunch. Click HERE to access the signup sheet.

A Message From Nurse Jill

6th Grade Health Requirements *Due upon the start of the School Year

A current physical examination on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form or DPH Form (Not a sports physical) is required for entry into the 6th grade – Must be dated after 8/13/24
All 6th-grade students must also show proof of having received the following immunizations:

Tdap – 1 dose
MMR – 2 doses
Varicella – 2 doses
Hepatitis B – completed series (3 doses)
Meningococcal Vaccine – 1 dose (on or after 11th birthday)

3. Dental Examination on the Proof of School Dental Examination Form. Must be dated after 11/15/24

When Does my Child Need a Sports Physical vs a “Regular” Physical?

A Certificate of Child Health Examination Form (“Regular Physical”) is required for all students entering K, 6th, and 9th grades
The Certificate of Child Health Examination Form approves your student to participate in sports for 13 months from the date of the exam (when approved and signed by physician) AND meets the 6th grade physical requirement.
An IHSA/IESA Pre-Participation Examination Form (Sports Physical) will also approve your student to participate in sports for 13 months from the date of the exam but it WILL NOT MEET THE 6th or 9th GRADE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT
When your student’s 6th-grade physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination Form) expires, and they are wanting to play sports, you can submit either another Certificate of Child Health Examination Form or a Sports Physical for them to be approved to play sports. They do NOT need both.
If your child will be playing sports in middle school, please be aware of the dates of your children’s physicals and keep copies of them for your records.

Real Life Scenarios:

My child is entering 6th grade and wants to play a fall sport. He has a physical from July of 2025 on the Certificate of Child Health Examination Form (Regular physical) from his annual wellness checkup. Does he need a sports physical to try out?

*NO- HIS JULY PHYSICAL WILL ALLOW HIM TO PLAY SPORTS AND MEET HIS SCHOOL REQUIREMENT. IF ONLY A SPORTS PHYSICAL IS SUBMITTED, HE HAS NOT MET THE SCHOOL REQUIREMENT

My 7th grade child wants to try out for POMS. Her latest physical is from July 2024. Does she need a new form and what form to try out?

*SINCE HER PHYSICAL EXPIRES IN AUGUST of 2025 (13 MONTHS) SHE WILL NEED A NEW PHYSICAL TO TRYOUT. THIS COULD BE A SPORTS OR A REGULAR PHYSICAL FROM A RECENT (WITHIN 13 MONTHS) WELLNESS CHECKUP. ONLY ONE OR THE OTHER IS NEEDED.

Main Street Construction

As we prepare for the start of school, please be aware that there is ongoing construction in downtown Lake Zurich as part of the Village of Lake Zurich’s Main Street upgrade project. Please allow extra time for travel to and from school!

Currently, there is ongoing roadwork on East Main Street (between Old Rand Road and Church Street) and on West Main Street (between Route 22 and Old Rand Road) where the road remains closed to all but local traffic.

The Village has advised us that East Main Street will remain open with one lane and flaggers directing traffic into the new school year. Closures will continue throughout the remainder of the project (late November) at times.

Cross Country Information

Hey MSN Students, are you looking for an activity to join this year?! Cross Country is the perfect thing for you! Everyone can join and all levels of experience with running are welcome! Informational meeting on August 14th after school until 3:15 and our first practice is on August 18th.

Welcome Back from Whitson's!

Please see a welcome back letter from our school nutrition program, Whitson's

Nominations Being Accepted – Distinguished Alumni Awards

Do you know an amazing Lake Zurich High School alumni who has made great contributions and achievements in the world? If so, submit a nomination for the LZHS Distinguished Alumni Recognition award!

Nomination Criteria: To be nominated, alumni must have graduated from Lake Zurich High School at least 10 years ago and made significant contributions in their chosen field of work or through service to community, country, or world. NOMINATIONS DUE BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd (at midnight)!!

Selection Criteria:

Graduated a minimum of 10 years prior
Models high standards of excellence in personal and/or professional life
Outstanding contribution to volunteer service or their community, country, or world
Post-secondary experiences reflect the values supporting our district mission: Academic Excellence, Accountability, Collaboration, Equity, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect

Click here to nominate a candidate meeting these criteria!

Inductees will be honored at the Homecoming football game and will have their pictures added to our Distinguished Alumni Wall at LZHS!

Service Animal Announcement

I hope this message finds you and your family safe and well. I am writing to inform you we have a staff member on our team this year who uses a service animal (dog- Labdoodle named Chewie). This service animal is trained to perform tasks or work for the staff member due to a disability. The right to have a service animal is protected under civil rights legislation, state law, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please reach out to Mrs. Crowley if you have any questions.