E-News for KCSD96
Friday, February 21st, 2025
Dear KCSD96 Community Members,
As we near the end of another incredible school year, I want to take a moment to express deep appreciation for our extraordinary staff during Staff Appreciation Week. The dedication, passion, and care our staff brings to our schools each day make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for all that you do—you are the heart of our district. We'd also like to give a shoutout to our PTOs for their incredible themes, delicious treats, and wonderful celebrations they put on for staff!
This week also marked the end of an era, as we honored longtime Board of Education member Renee Klass at her final board meeting. Renee chose not to seek re-election this spring, closing a remarkable chapter of service that began in April 2001. Over her 23-year tenure, she held the roles of Vice President, Secretary, and Board Member, and served on every board committee. Her contributions were particularly impactful on the Finance and Policy Committees.
Beyond her work on the Board, Renee was a passionate and active leader in the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC), where she served as President. She has been a fierce advocate for social-emotional learning, equity, and supporting the whole child. Please join us in congratulating Renee Klass and thanking her for more than two decades of tireless service to our schools and community. With Renee’s departure, there is now a vacancy on the Board of Education. To learn more about this opportunity and how to apply, please visit: https://www.kcsd96.org/boe/board-elections.
And one final highlight—we’re thrilled to celebrate our 8th-grade graduates on May 27th! We look forward to honoring their achievements and sending them off with pride and excitement as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys.
Our final e-newsletter of the school year will be shared on May 30. Until then, thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Sincerely,
Katie Sheridan
Superintendent
Kildeer Countryside School District 96
KCSD96 is proud to share that the following staff members were honored as nominees for the Lake County Educator of the Year Awards. Nominated by their school administrators, these outstanding educators were recognized for the incredible impact they make across our district. Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved recognition! They were celebrated at the Lake County Educator of the Year Dinner this week at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Congratulations to all!
As we approach the end of the school year, we want to take a moment to touch base about student technology and expectations as we wrap up our time with students. Similar to this time last year, KCSD96 will collect all devices before break and return them when students come back in the fall. Please note, students will not be required to back-up any of their files as their data will still be in place when they get their iPads back in the fall.
Teachers will be collecting the following items:
For Grades K, 1, and 8:
iPad
Case
Logitech Crayon
Block Charger + USB-C cable
Optional: USB-C audio adapters
For Grades 2-7
iPad
Case
Logitech Crayon
Optional: USB-C audio adapters
This process allows us to track inventory, so everything is ready for the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to set clear expectations with students about responsible device use when they receive them in the fall. It also helps us protect our resources by reducing the chances of devices being lost, stolen, or damaged. Finally, by keeping devices at school, we support healthier summer habits focused on outdoor play, social-emotional growth, family time, and rest. If you have any questions, please contact your school.
We wanted to take a moment to touch base about some health information. While Illinois is among the states with confirmed measles cases, no cases have been reported in Lake County at this time. We simply want to communicate the following information for preventative measures. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is very contagious and can be serious. Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus.
Common Measles Symptoms Include:
- High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
- Cough
- Runny nose (coryza)
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Rash
What You Can Do:
-
For your own personal awareness-- If you are unsure of your vaccination status, check with your healthcare provider or use the VaxVerify system (available for Illinois residents).
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If you believe you may have been exposed to measles, contact your healthcare provider for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
For additional information about measles (Rubeola), visit the CDC website. If you have further questions, please reach out to your school's nurse.
Last month, we alerted you about construction on Checker Road. This month, we'd like to send out a reminder about construction at Fremont Way and Arlington Heights Road. This road work has impacted some of our bus routes-- and those specific families have received individual communication from KCSD96's transportation team.
But please know-- even if you are not directly affected by Fremont and Arlington Heights, it’s important that all families plan ahead and allow extra time in the mornings for possible traffic delays.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
We’re thrilled to announce that Lake County families can now participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—an inspiring early literacy program brought to the community by the Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation (LCROEF). Through this initiative, children from birth to age five will receive free, high-quality books delivered straight to their homes each month, regardless of family income.
To learn more or enroll a child, visit: www.imaginationlibrary.com
The Lake County ROE Foundation is committed to breaking down barriers to learning by providing students with essentials like food, clothing, school supplies—and now, books that inspire a lifelong love of reading.
