March Newsletter

Dear D95 Educational Foundation Supporters,

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our recent Gala such a success. Whether you attended, sponsored, donated silent auction items, or supported us in any way, your generosity and enthusiasm made this event truly special. Because of you, we were able to raise important funds for our Foundation Cares and Gives Back Fund - an initiative dedicated to recognizing, appreciating, and supporting the incredible educators and staff who pour their time, energy, and passion into our schools every day.

Education is about so much more than what happens in the classroom. It’s built on relationships, encouragement, and a shared commitment to something bigger than ourselves. Through this fund, we hope to show our gratitude to teachers and staff in meaningful ways - whether through appreciation events, small gestures of thanks, or initiatives that remind them just how valued they are.

But appreciation isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s about fostering lasting connections between our schools, families, local businesses, and the greater community. That’s why we are so excited about this initiative - we believe it will create a ripple effect of kindness and support, strengthening the foundation of our schools for years to come.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your support makes all the difference, and we can’t wait to see the lasting impact we’ll create together.

Have a wonderful rest of your Spring Break!

Liz Hartke

Executive Director
District 95 Educational Foundation

We are thrilled to announce a $2,000 grant to support the German Exchange Student funding at LZHS! Each year, we welcome students from our partner city, Nittenau, Germany, in the fall. This grant will help cover the costs of excursions, meals, and cultural activities when we host our German guests, ensuring a meaningful and enriching experience for everyone involved.

We’re proud to support this incredible exchange program and foster global connections for our students!

We're gearing up for the 2025-2026 school year and looking for passionate individuals to join our team! If you're interested in contributing your talents as a trustee or liaison, we'd love to hear from you.

We’re especially looking for expertise in:

• Website design
  
• Event planning
  
• Marketing
  
• Accounting
  

Your skills can make a big impact! If you're interested, or to learn more about becoming a trustee, please reach out to Liz at Foundation@lz95.org.

Indra Josephs, Chair

Joseph Janicki, Vice Chair of Communications

Brittany Tjardes, Treasurer

Andy Spetter, Vice Chair of Grants & Initiatives

Willy Borkowski - Secretary

Jennifer McGrath, Trustee

Kelly Cranstoun, Trustee

Vas Russis, Trustee

Billy Heisler, Trustee

Ashley Scott, Trustee

Dr. Kelley Gallt, Superintendent

John Sfire - Trustee Emeritus