North Shore 112 Monthly

• Celebrating student achievement in the 2025 Illinois Report Card
• Wildly Important Goals (WIGs): Literacy and Dual Language updates
• Sherwood and Braeside Construction Progress
• Day of Giving 2025 – how to donate or get involved
• SmartSocial Webinar on Snapchat and Instagram Safety
• Upcoming Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting

As we approach the season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to reflect on the positive things happening in our schools and community. We’d love to hear from you. What are you most thankful for this year, either at school or at home? (Submissions are anonymous.)

SHARE WHAT YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR WITH THE D112 COMMUNITY

• 11/04: Bilingual Parental Advisory Committee Meeting - 6:30 p.m. at Oak Terrace
• 11/11: Veterans Day (No School)
• 11/18: Regular Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at Northwood
• 11/21: Early Release (No Early Childhood)
• 11/24-11/25: Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
• 11/26-11/28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

• Full 2025-2026 school calendar
• Month-by-month overview of 2025-2026
• 2025-2026 Calendar Highlights Graphic (English)
• 2025-2026 Calendar Highlights Graphic (Spanish)
• District website calendar page

The 2025 Illinois Report Card, released on October 30, shows strong results for North Shore School District 112. Braeside School earned an exemplary designation, placing it in the top 10 percent statewide, and our other schools were rated commendable, the second-highest ranking. Districtwide, compared to all other elementary school districts in Illinois, our student proficiency reached the 88th percentile in English language arts and the 90th percentile in math.

These achievements reflect the hard work of our students, staff, and families, as well as our ongoing focus on literacy growth through our district’s Wildly Important Goal.

Read Dr. Michael Rodrigo’s full message about our student success.

A Wildly Important Goal, or WIG, is part of the “4 Disciplines of Execution” framework. WIGs help us focus on the priorities with the greatest impact, track progress clearly, and work together toward shared success. This does not mean other work is ignored. It means we give special attention to what matters most for our students. In the 2025-2026 school year, we’ll be focusing on two key areas.

Increase the percentage of students meeting and exceeding grade-level proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), as measured by IAR, by 6% by the end of the 2026-2027 school year.

Why this goal?

A 6% increase is ambitious and significant. Literacy includes reading, writing, listening and comprehension. By setting a goal that pushes us to grow, we are committing to the skills that open doors for all learners. Achieving it will take everyone working together to support every student’s growth.

Keep an eye out every Wednesday on social media, where we showcase what students are learning in English language arts. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to see their work in action.

From August 2025 through April 2026, concluding with a formal report to the Board of Education in May 2026, the Superintendent’s Task Force will design and launch a comprehensive stakeholder-informed implementation plan for the phased consolidation of the K-5 dual language program into Oak Terrace, ensuring the plan is inclusive and cultivates trust and engagement across the K-5 dual language program community.

Why this Goal?

In 2027, the K-5 dual language program will consolidate at Oak Terrace, and Red Oak will close. Recognizing the significance of this change, we are committed to ensuring it is carried out thoughtfully and effectively.

Important Work Already Underway

On October 23, District 112 held the first meeting of the Superintendent’s Dual Language Task Force. Subcommittees will now meet throughout the year to help guide the district’s work as it prepares to bring the K-5 program together at Oak Terrace for the 2027-28 school year.

The task force includes parents, staff, administrators, and board members, ensuring the work reflects the voices of the entire community. Members began outlining priorities for student success, family engagement, and facilities and operations, and participated in a visioning activity to define what success will look like by 2027-28.

The Dual Language Task Force met on October 23 to begin planning the unification of the K-5 dual language program, which will come together at Oak Terrace in 2027.

We’ve launched a dashboard that makes it easy to follow along as the district measures progress. The dashboard includes clear indicators and milestones, and it will be updated regularly so families and community members can see how the work is moving forward.

Visit www.nssd112.org/OurWIGs to find the dashboard.

Front row: Jenny Butler (secretary), Art Kessler (president), Melissa Itkin (vice president)

Back row: Dr. Mike Lubelfeld (Superintendent), Bennett Lasko, Lisa Hirsh, Jaret Fishman, Lori Fink, Dr. Monica Schroeder (Deputy Superintendent)

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOARD

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18 at Northwood Middle School. It will begin at 7 p.m. You can find an agenda and livestream link on our website.

The Board of Education celebrated Principal Appreciation Week, heard updates on the district’s data privacy recognition, discussed the future of the TrueNorth cooperative, and approved the 2026 student trip to the Dominican Republic. Read the full recap to find out more.

Work continues at Sherwood Elementary, where the full building renovation is transforming learning spaces for students and staff. The new gymnasium addition is taking shape, interior walls are being framed, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are being installed throughout the building. Site work is also progressing, including sidewalks, curbs, and parking areas. The project remains on schedule and will provide modern, flexible spaces designed to support collaboration and hands-on learning.

Clockwise from top left: the new gymnasium addition connects to what was once an exterior wall, now becoming part of the interior; a hallway where new walls are taking shape; a classroom under construction; and the expanding front reception area.

Work is underway at Braeside Elementary, where the early stages of the full building renovation are taking shape. Crews are focused on site preparation, interior demolition, and foundational work that will set the stage for the larger construction to come. Once complete, the project will provide modern, flexible learning spaces designed to support collaboration and hands-on learning for students and staff.

Join the Day of Giving this holiday season to support hundreds of local families! On December 6, 2025, families in need will receive bags of groceries and personalized holiday gifts.

You can help by donating food, clothing, essential items, or gift cards to stores like Jewel, Walgreens, and Target. Visit the donation registry or drop off items at Northwood (945 North Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035). Please check with your school on what they are collecting.

This event is made possible through partnerships with the North Shore School District 112 PTOs, the 112 Education Foundation, SaLT (Service and Learning Together), and the Highland Park/Highwood Rotary Club.

• For questions, contact Jamie Cohn at jcohn@nssd112.org.
• Interested in volunteering? Email Ida Fiore at ida@saltservice.org.

To view the donation page, please click on the image above or visit the Day of Giving 2025 Wishlist.

The district's food service program serves students at Edgewood, Northwood, Oak Terrace, Ravinia and Red Oak.

Families at Edgewood, Northwood, Oak Terrace, Ravinia and Red Oak can explore interactive menus provided by OrganicLife. These online menus, available in English and Spanish, make it easy to view breakfast and lunch options, check nutritional information, see allergen details, and even filter or print menus.

You can find a link to the interactive online menus, as well as printable menus, at www.nssd112.org/menus. Families can find step-by-step instructions for OrganicLife’s interactive menus on our website, as well.

If you have any questions related to food service, please contact our district’s food service manager, Ms. Georgette Franco, at gfranco@nssd112.org.

Families can now use a new online form to report food service issues so they can be addressed quickly. The form will be monitored throughout the year. Urgent needs should still be directed to your school. Access the form at www.nssd112.org/food-concern.

District 112 offers the FirstView bus tracking app to give bus-riding families real-time information and peace of mind during the school day. With FirstView, you can securely monitor your child’s bus location, see estimated arrival times, and receive notifications about delays or schedule changes.

Learn more and get started with FirstView on our website.

The app is managed by FirstView and not by North Shore School District 112. If you require support with the app, please email support@myfirstview.com.

For non-urgent but still important concerns, families can use our new transportation concern form to notify the district. This form helps ensure we follow up on all issues and maintain a clear chain of communication. It is monitored regularly.

BPAC brings together parents, guardians, staff, and community members to support English Learner students by sharing resources, giving input on programs, and building connections across our schools. Parents of dual language students at Northwood, Red Oak, Oak Terrace, and children receiving English Language services at any NSSD 112 school are automatically members.

The first meeting of the year featured guest speaker Sergio Negri, who shared practical advice on how parents can support their children’s academic success from the earliest grades through high school.

Upcoming meetings:

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Oak Terrace School

• Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Oak Terrace School

• Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – Oak Terrace School

Meetings begin at 7 p.m., are conducted in Spanish with translation provided, and childcare is available. To learn more, visit www.nssd112.org/BPAC.

Cartwheel is a national mental health provider for students and adolescents. It offers rapid access to virtual care with a licensed clinician within seven days of referral. Clinicians are available during school hours, after school, nights, weekends, and breaks, and Cartwheel also provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management.

Parents can begin the referral process by visiting the Cartwheel website. For additional information, contact your child’s school or 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

North Shore School District 112 is partnering with SmartSocial for the 2025-2026 school year, giving your family free access to resources that help keep kids safe and successful online.

This is a go-to hub for staying informed about AI, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, video games, and online challenges, while also helping you build stronger connections with your child.

With SmartSocial, you’ll have access to:

• 54+ live parent events: Ask questions and learn directly from online safety experts.

• 450+ on-demand resources: Quickly search apps, trends, and topics your family is navigating. Watch short videos, explore expert-backed guides, and use conversation starters to talk with your kids.

Coming up this month are live parent Q+A events (that are also kid-friendly):

• Snapchat & Instagram Teen Risks (Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., Nov. 13 @ 6 p.m., Nov. 19 @ 6 p.m.)
• (In Spanish) Snapchat & Instagram Teen Risks (Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.)
• Register to access past live events, including the recent session "AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills." In this event, Dr. Lubelfeld joined a conversation on how AI can be used safely and responsibly, just as we do in District 112.

Register with our district’s SmartSocial account to unlock these valuable resources

National Native American Heritage Month is dedicated to recognizing the rich histories, diverse cultures and significant contributions of Native American people. It is a time to honor the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American communities and to acknowledge the important role they have played in shaping the nation's history. It provides an opportunity for all Americans to learn more about the cultures, heritage, and histories of Native American people and to celebrate their contributions in fields such as agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges Native Americans have faced historically and continue to face today and to promote policies and practices that support Native American rights and sovereignty.

Indigenous History of Our Area

North Shore School District 112 is located on the ancestral homelands of the Council of Three Fires, which includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations. Other Indigenous people who lived in this region include the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and Sauk and Meskwaki nations.

Nominations for the 2026 Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) Golden Apple Award are now open! This annual award honors and recognizes teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession as well as those who leave a lasting positive impact on their students. The HPCF Golden Apple Award will be presented in the spring of 2026 to a teacher in grades pre-K-5 who demonstrates these qualities:

• Strong content knowledge in their subject area

• Effective and engaging instruction

• Positive and supportive interaction with staff and students

• Meaningful contribution to the school and community

• Dedication to making a difference in students’ lives through academic guidance and encouragement

Nominations for the HPCF Golden Apple Award will be accepted for full-time teachers currently working in North Shore School District 112 in grades pre-K-5. Community members, students, parents, colleagues, and administrators may submit nominations; however, nominations by family members and self-nominations will not be accepted.

• Please visit the Highland Park Community Foundation’s website to find a nomination form.
• You can find a Spanish version of the form on our website.

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.

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.

For middle school families...the Lake County Health Department needs your input! They're inviting parents and guardians of Lake County students to take a brief (under 10 minutes) confidential survey about perceptions related to youth and alcohol. Please answer with your oldest student currently in grades 6-12 in mind. Participation is voluntary, and you may skip any question.

Your input helps inform local efforts that support the health and safety of young people. Demographic questions are only used to understand the diversity of survey participants — no individual will be identified in any reports.

• Take the health department's survey
• Read the health department's November 2025 newsletter

For the second year in a row, Indian Trail earned the trophy for the highest participation in the 2025 FUNd Run. Districtwide, more than 1,200 participants joined in the day’s events, making it another great community celebration.

Founded in 1995, the 112 Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities for all students in North Shore School District 112. Since it operates separately from the district and doesn’t receive tax revenue, the Foundation relies on community support and fundraising to bring innovative programs to D112 schools.

Learn more about the 112 Foundation or Donate

As temperatures drop, we want to remind families about our cold-weather and emergency-closing guidelines. These outline how decisions are made during severe weather, including when schools may close or start late, and how families are notified. If conditions require it, the district will utilize a traditional snow day rather than an e-learning day.

Review our cold weather and emergency closing information

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. District 112 follows the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which provides a clear, common language for responding to any emergency. The SRP is based on five simple actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

Staff are trained in these actions, carry quick-reference cards, and reinforce the protocol through posters in every school. Learn more on our Safety and Security page or by watching the video below from our director of safety and security, Solvei Jurmu.

Infinite Campus is the district’s secure online portal where parents/guardians can access their child’s grades, attendance, schedules, school fees and more.

• Access your Infinite Campus account
• Learn how to reset your Infinite Campus password

ParentSquare is North Shore School District 112's primary communication tool. It is used by the district office and schools to send emails, text messages and phone calls to parents/guardians, staff members and the community.

Every parent/guardian who is in the district's database already has a ParentSquare account and is set to receive notifications via email, phone call and text message. However, by accessing your ParentSquare account, you will have more control over how you receive notifications.

Access your ParentSquare account at parentsquare.com/signin.

If you are accessing your account for the first time:

• Visit parentsquare.com/signin, use the email address that we have on file for you, then click on "Forgot password." After completing the process of resetting your password, you will be able to access your account.
• Or you can access your account with the "Sign in with Google" option, if your Gmail account is the email we have on file for you.

The district is now using generative artificial intelligence tools to support learning, teaching and productivity in a safe and secure way. Magic School AI and School AI are available districtwide for staff and students to explore and use responsibly. You can access both platforms using the links below:

• Magic School AI
• School AI

You can also explore Google Gemini AI, now available to staff and students in District 112.

Having an issue with your student's device? Need assistance with district software, such as Infinite Campus? Submit a support ticket and a member of our tech team will reach out as soon as possible.

Contact the NSSD112 Tech Department

We’re excited to share the next chapter for North Shore School District 112! In March, the Board of Education approved a new Strategic Change Agenda, a plan shaped by the voices of more than 200 parents, staff, students and community members. The agenda sets a clear path for our future, focused on student success, well-being and strong relationships.

Learn more at www.nssd112.org/strategic-agenda.

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!

Do you want to choose your own hours and make a difference in our students' lives? Consider becoming a guest teacher (substitute) for North Shore School District 112. Please feel free to reach out to Valerie Kilen (vlariviere@nssd112.org) with any questions or apply to be a guest teacher today!

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.