Eagle's Post - 8/22/25

Dear Families,

We are off to a strong start, and it’s wonderful to see our students settling into the rhythm of a new school year. In this newsletter, you’ll find important information about upcoming events and reminders that will help set everyone up for success. For example, next week our students will be participating in MAP and Pre-ACT9 testing, and we’ve included details to help ensure your child is prepared. You’ll also see an update about student lanyards, one of our key safety measures, along with a reminder about Picture Day right around the corner.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through the full newsletter, as it includes details about activities, athletics, and other opportunities that make Middle School South such a vibrant place for our students. Thank you for your continued support—we are looking forward to a great year together!

Anthony Dengler
Principal

Friday, August 22, 2025

6th Grade Activity Night (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Monday, August 25, 2025
6th Grade Curriculum Night (6:15 PM – 8:30 PM)

Tuesday, August 26, 2025
7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night (6:15 PM – 8:30 PM)

6th & 7th Grade MAP Testing - Reading

8th Grade Pre-ACT9 Testing - Reading/English Sections

Thursday, August 28, 2025

6th & 7th Grade MAP Testing - Math

8th Grade Pre-ACT9 Testing - Math/Science Sections

Monday, September 1, 2025

No School - Labor Day

Friday, September 5, 2025

All School Activity Night (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Next week all of our 6th and 7th grade students will be taking the MAP assessment. The reading test will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, and the math test will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Tests will begin right at 7:20 AM and conclude at 9:20 AM. Beginning at 9:20 AM we will follow a delayed start schedule for the remainder of the school day.

All of our 8th grade students will be taking the Pre-ACT9 assessment through the Progress Learning Platform. The English and reading sections will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, and the math and science sections will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Tests will begin right at 7:20 AM and conclude at 9:20 AM. Beginning at 9:20 AM we will follow a delayed start schedule for the remainder of the school day.

Please help us ensure that your student(s) are on time and come with a fully charged iPad. This will help ensure a successful testing environment.

For more information on both assessments, please reference emails sent by Mrs. Aubrey Allen, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, & Data on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Now that we have settled into a new school year, we wanted to send an important reminder regarding one of our district safety measures. All students, staff, substitutes, and visitors are required to wear their school-issued lanyard and ID every day. For students especially, this means that their lanyard needs to be visible and worn around their necks from the moment they arrive at school or get on the school bus.

Additionally, student IDs are used to purchase lunch, and having their IDs ensures that the lunch line moves quickly and efficiently so all students have the most amount of time possible to eat. Beginning Monday, August 25th if a student forgets their lanyard, they will be sent to the office to receive a temporary sticker badge to wear throughout the day. Students with a sticker will sit at a designated tech-free lunch table for that day. This allows us to align our practices with Middle School North, while also serving as a gentle reminder to bring their lanyards daily.

Our goal with this system is to keep safety at the forefront while also encouraging students to take responsibility for remembering their lanyards each morning. We appreciate your partnership in helping your child build this habit—it makes a big difference in supporting a safe and secure school for everyone.

Next week will be our MS Curriculum Nights. Our 6th grade curriculum night will be Monday, August 25, 2025 and our 7th/8th grade curriculum night will be on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Both nights will begin with a welcome from our administration team in the West Gym beginning at 6:15 pm, followed by presentations from our teachers throughout the building. We look forward to hopefully seeing all of our families next week!

Picture Day is scheduled for September 5, 2025. After photos are taken, you’ll be able to view your images online, choose your yearbook photo (be sure to make your selection before one is chosen for you), and order packages that will be shipped directly to your home.

When your images are ready, you’ll receive an email with instructions to view and order. You may also visit vipis.com to search for your photos. For any questions or assistance, please contact VIP at support@vipis.com.

Please see the attached information from the Village of Lake Zurich regarding e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-dirt bikes.

6th Grade Activity Night is TONIGHT from 6 PM - 8 PM here at Middle School South.

There will be lots of fun activities that students will rotate through and concessions will be available to purchase. Students should wear white or a light colored shirt for the color wars fun of the evening. There will also be a quiet area with games and calming activities available to all students.

Students should be dropped off at the main entrance at 6 pm with pick up at 8 pm.

To Find more information about Free and Reduced Lunch Waivers and CUSD95 Fee Waivers, please visit our Business and Operations section of the LZ95 website: https://www.lz95.org/departments/business-operations.

There are two separate applications for 1)Free and Reduced Lunch Waivers and 2) CUSD 95 Fee Waivers. The School Board of Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 requires a separate application for a waiver of school fees (click here for board policy 4:130 on waiver of student fees) and free and reduced lunch.

Links to the forms, and information can be found under the section: Free & Reduced Lunch and Fee Waivers.

Chess Club begins September 3rd! No stress, no trophies—just fun games, friends, and maybe a few new moves. Come join us after school. Sign up using the QR code around school.

Below is information regarding tryouts, season schedules, and other information for our Fall athletic teams.

Pom Poms:

Clinics: Tuesday, September 2nd & Wednesday, September 3rd @ 2:20 PM

Tryouts: Thursday, September 4th @ 2:20 PM

Season Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Tryouts: Monday, September 15th & Tuesday, September 16th @ 2:20 PM

Season Schedule

Needed Forms Prior to First Day of Activity/Tryout:

For students interested in trying out and participating in a sport, students must have the following:

• Physical: All students participating in try-outs and a sport must have a current physical or sports physical on file. Physicals are good for one year and one month from the date the physical was conducted. Please check to make sure your physical is current prior to tryouts or the start of an athletic activity. The physical should be turned into the Nurse’s Office.

• Emergency Information Form: Students must have a completed and signed Emergency Information Form for each activity they are trying out for/participating in. They will need to turn this form in to the coach or sponsor at the time of try-outs. If try-outs are not required, then the form should be turned-in at the first meeting of the sport or activity.

All registration for activities will be in ParentVUE and information about registration will be sent later this summer.