PARENT 411 on 67 - 2/22/23

February 22, 2023

With the District 115 referendum for capital facility improvements at Lake Forest High School on the April 4 ballot, we have been asked about the status of facility planning in District 67.

A Quick Look Back

Facility planning is an active and ongoing process in District 67. Over the past ten years or so, we have replaced flooring in all D67 buildings, upgraded safety and security by reconfiguring all front offices and building entrances, and addressed some ADA needs in the district. At DPM, we also reimagined the libraries to create the 5/6 Cube and the 7/8 Haskins, painted all core classrooms, and provided updated lighting, audiovisual equipment, and furnishings. In 2020, we completed renovation of the DPM science labs, creating cutting-edge spaces for student inquiry, collaboration, and scientific experiments not possible in the past.

Partnerships Enhance the Work
Key partnerships have further contributed to this work. The Spirit of 67 Foundation significantly enhanced many of these projects (including outfitting the new science labs with much-needed equipment and supplies), while also providing new sport courts and playgrounds at DPM, Sheridan, and Cherokee. The City of Lake Forest’s Parks and Recreation Department provided an updated playground space at Everett, the Bock family and Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry renovated the Cherokee staff lounge and, just last summer, a group of District 67 parents contributed time, talent, and treasure to update the DPM staff lounges. We remain grateful for all of this generous support.

Next Steps

Looking ahead, work will take place over the summer to remove certain physical barriers at Cherokee that currently make it difficult for those navigating the building in a wheelchair. The Board has chosen to seek efficiencies by taking advantage of this construction opportunity to also provide two new Cherokee classroom spaces – a science lab and a multipurpose classroom that can be used for inquiry projects, STEM projects, and other innovative learning opportunities. While these projects at Cherokee were prioritized due to the needed ADA work, the district intends to provide similar classroom spaces and science labs at Sheridan and Everett, as well as other upgrades at DPM in the future.

In conjunction with our next Health and Life Safety review, the Board will take a more comprehensive look at facility master planning across District 67. Based on our financial forecasting models and available resources, we currently anticipate addressing facility needs and future capital improvement projects without seeking a referendum. We will continue to make improvements to our facilities that enhance our educational environment and are aligned with our Portrait of a Learner core competencies. As always, we will keep our stakeholders engaged and informed as we go.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Sands

President

District 67 Board of Education

Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

District 67 and District 115

• Agenda will be posted prior to the meeting on the District 67 Board of Education website.
  
• Livestream Link

• Agenda

• Recording of Meeting
• Board President's Report
• Superintendent's Report

• School Spotlight: Sheridan Early Childhood Preschool - Watch Below!

District 115 seeks to protect and improve its 88-year-old historic, landmark community high school by addressing the building’s most pressing capital facility needs. The proposed improvements would help create a healthier, safer, and more secure school while extending the building’s useful life, reduce costly and disruptive emergency repairs, enhance ADA accessibility, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the District’s ability to provide continued excellence in education.

D115 invites all elementary and middle school parents from District 67 schools, District 65 schools, Lake Forest Country Day School, School of St. Mary's, and any other feeder schools in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff communities to join us on Monday, March 6 at 5:00 pm at Lake Forest High School (1285 N. McKinley Rd. Lake Forest) for a referendum informational session with Superintendent, Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery, and his team. This session is designed for parents and guardians of future Lake Forest High School students.

Tours by current LFHS students and staff will be provided!

Do you have questions about the D115 Referendum? Dr. Jennifer Hermes has the answers! Hear two answers to your questions about the proposal amount and tax rate below. Stay tuned for more!

If you’re interested in learning more, Forest Scout Editor-in-Chief Saige Joseph and Staff Writer Henry Thomas discuss the referendum in this video. The Forest Scout is the Lake Forest High School student news outlet.

Last week, District 67 Director of Teaching and Learning Vail Kieser and Literacy Coach, Denise Galatsianos, shared an update about the new reading resource pilot program with District 67 parent leaders. Watch the presentation below!

All are welcome to join us on March 8!

In honor of World Language Week, we invite all District 67 families to join us in the Deer Path cafeteria on Wednesday, March 8, 6:00 - 7:00 PM for a night of traveling around the globe and visiting the different cultures represented throughout the District. Families and school groups will be there to share information representing a variety of countries, languages and cultures.

All incoming kindergarten students must provide proof of residency. Acceptable documents for proof of residency are listed below and on our district website. Proof of residency documents and birth certificate will be accepted via online pre-registration by uploading documents at the end of the process or at our in-person collection event at the District Office on March 8th from 11:00 am-4:00 p.m. (by walk-in).

Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Administration Center, Lake Forest High School West Campus, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest (please enter under the blue awning and follow the signs to the 2nd floor.)

Please use this link for complete information!

Thanks to the District 67 Association of Parents and Teachers (APT), students across our D67 schools made cards for first responders, municipal employees, and other members of the community through a "Share the Love" card-making initiative!

City employees loved getting the inspiring and thoughtful cards and almost everyone had their cards displayed on their desks (and vehicles!). From the folks in Public Works’ Fleet Section to the first responders, everyone felt so appreciated and valued.

A special thank you to the APT Social Emotional Learning representative, Annie Kavanaugh!

The DPM and LFHS orchestras collabrated to create a special musical experience on Thursday, February 9th. The students were able to work together with peer models and a guest conductor, Patrick Pearson.

This event was made possible by the generosity of D115 Applause (LFHS Music Booster Parent Group) and the support of both districts. You can watch a live stream of the the concert by clicking the button below!

“Rock the Spirit” is Coming Up Soon!

SAVE THE DATE and BRING A DATE!

Music, Food, Beverages, Auction, Raffles, Paddle Raise and MORE!

Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks!

Lake Forest High School Transition Center is hosting a second virtual parent series event on February 27, 2023 from 12:30pm-1:30pm. This event will feature a presentation from the Regional Transportation Authority and will cover topics related transportation, including Local Public Transportation Options, Accessibility features on CTA, Pace, and Metra, RTA’s Reduced Fare and Ride Free Program, and Travel Safety Tips as well as a Q & A sessions with an RTA Representative. Please RSVP and join us for the virtual event!

• Google Meet Event Link

• RSVP Link

• Flyer Link

We are so excited to present the 61st Annual LFHS Talent Show on Feb 23-25. The theme is 80’s!

The LFHS students are working hard all month to bring the RMA alive with music, comedy, dance, and other surprises!

This is the only major fundraiser for the LFHS APT, and all proceeds benefit LFHS students, teachers, and community members in need.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via Eventbrite at this link: LFHS TALENT SHOW TICKETS

Thank you to our sponsors:

Donovan Family, PostNet , Ann Lyon - realtor, Blue Sky Video, Boberski Family, Clifford Shaffer Families, CROYA, DeLuca Family, Forest Greens, Kiesling Family, Lake Forest Health & Fitness, Lake Forest Open Lands, Laufenberg Family, Left Bank, LF Boosters, LF Juice, LFHS Foundation, Loiacano Family, Pasquesi Home and Garden, Pasquesi Plumbing, Rubinstein Family, Strong Family, Uihlein Family, Webb Insurance Group, Apex Acupucture, Chiefs Pub, Donatis/Duffers, DroNation Video Services, Engelland Family, Foodstuffs, Forward Focus, Gerhards, Kiddles, Lake Forest Bookstore, Sage Explorers, Sara Campbell, School of Rock, Sushi Kushi.

We hope to see you at the show!!

Amy Francetic
Monica Brown
LFHS APT Talent Show Committee

Christine Farrell
LFHS APT President

February 28, 2023

7:00 - 8:30 PM

Deer Path Middle School Gym
95 W. Deerpath Rd., Lake Forest

This training prepares the public to save lives by learning how you can help in an emergency situation. Brought to you by the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Police Departments and the District 65, 67, and 115 Parent Organizations.

Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW

Licensed therapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace and The Set Boundaries Workbook.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Three-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and multimedia entrepreneur. Host of the podcast Professional Troublemaker.

Monday, March 13, 2023, 7:00 PM CT

Evanston Township High School Auditorium

1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

Every family has a story. For some of us, our family of origin is a solid foundation that feeds our confidence and helps us navigate life’s challenges. For others, it’s a source of pain, hurt, and conflict that can feel like a lifelong burden. In Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships, licensed therapist and bestselling relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW offers clear advice for identifying dysfunctional family patterns and choosing the best path to breaking the cycle and moving forward.

APS TrueNorth Virtual Family Education - IEP’s - The Basics and Beyond
March 2, 2023

11:00 AM or 7:00 PM via Zoom

Please register here for the daytime or evening presentation of IEP’s - The Basics and Beyond. You will receive a zoom link closer to the Presentation date.

District 67 Spring Break 2023 begins Monday, March 27 - Friday, March 31. Schools will reopen Monday, April 3, 2023.