DPM Newsletter - 10.16.26
Dear DPM Families,
We are looking forward to welcoming you for Parent-Teacher Conferences next week! This dedicated time is one of the most vital opportunities we have all year to strengthen the partnership between home and school.
Conferences provide tremendous value for everyone in the Deer Path community:
For our educators: Conferences allow teachers to gain deeper insight into your child's learning style, motivations, and life outside the classroom, which helps us tailor our instruction more effectively.
For our students: When students see their teachers and parents collaborating, it reinforces the message that their academic growth is a shared priority, building a more supportive environment for them.
For our families: This is your best chance to understand your child's progress, celebrate their strengths, and gain concrete strategies you can use at home to support areas of growth.
As always, a big thank you to the DPM APT who are again generously providing dinner for our teaching staff for staying late on Thursday evening.
Securly Home
Securly Home is a system designed to give parents and caregivers oversight and control over their child’s school device outside of school hours. This platform will allow you to easily monitor and set boundaries out of school for your child’s online activities, supporting a healthier, more focused approach to technology that aligns with each family’s individual goals and values. Whether it’s limiting access to specific sites or setting device “downtimes,” Securly Parent provides a range of tools to support a balanced, secure digital environment in your home.
If you would like to participate in this program, please add your name and contact information to the sign-up list here
October: Celebrating Inclusion, Communication, and Belonging
Welcome to the October edition of the DSS Parent Newsletter!
Happy October! As we settle into the school year, we are excited to see our students building relationships, growing in confidence, and finding new opportunities to learn and belong. October is a wonderful time to reflect on the importance of celebrating differences, strengthening connections, and ensuring every student feels valued and supported.
This month, we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. Both remind us that every learner brings unique strengths and abilities to our school community and that communication comes in many forms. Whether through spoken words, gestures, pictures, or assistive technology, every student deserves a voice and opportunities to connect with others.
As we continue celebrating the Magic of Belonging, our October focus is on including others and making room for one more. Together, we can create welcoming classrooms and communities where every student is seen, heard, included, and empowered to thrive.
Help Us Treat Our DPM Teachers & Staff During Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are coming up, and the DPM APT will be providing dinner for our wonderful teachers and staff during their long conference days.
We’d love your help! Contributions of any amount are appreciated and will go directly toward providing conference meals for DPM teachers and staff.
To contribute via Venmo:
Margaret White — @Margaret-White-LF
If prompted, the last four digits of the phone number are 6308.
Thank you for helping us take care of the teachers and staff who take such great care of our students!
Parent Voice Survey: Strengthening Family Partnerships
District 67’s Partners for Every Learner Council invites parents and guardians to share their experiences with school-based problem-solving, 504, and IEP meetings. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Your feedback will help guide Council discussions on ways to strengthen communication, collaboration, and family engagement before, during, and after these conversations.
Health Requirements Reminder
Remember to submit your health forms to your nurses' office! Information by grade is below:
Requirements by Grade Level:
Sixth Grade Students (6th)
Physical Exam (Sports Physical not acceptable) and Updated Immunization Record (including the required complete Hepatitis B series, TDAP, and Meningococcal vaccines) on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Dental Exam on Illinois Form dated between November 15, 2025 - May 15, 2027
Students New to District 67
Physical Exam and Updated Immunization Record on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Dental Exam on Illinois Form dated between November 15, 2025 - May 15, 2027
Eye Exam on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Religious/Medical Exemptions: If your child does not receive immunizations for religious reasons, a parent and health care provider must complete the “Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations” form prior to the first day of school.
Sports Physicals: If your child will be trying out for any sport (including intramural), they must have an IHSA sports physical on file prior to the season’s first practice. Incoming 6th graders may use a school physical in lieu of a sports physical; however, a sports physical cannot be accepted as proof of a physical examination for mandated physicals. Sports physicals are valid for 395 calendar days from the date the physical was issued.
Support the Great Full Market
The Great Full Market, a free farmers’ market and festival, will take place Sunday, October 18, at Beacon Place in Waukegan, providing fresh produce, pantry staples, and personal care items to Waukegan community families experiencing food insecurity. Hosted by students from Districts 65, 67, and 115 in partnership with Beacon Place and Quest Food Management Services, the event relies on community support. Consider making a tax-deductible donation or signing up to volunteer to help make this year’s market possible.
CROYA News
CROYA's Middle School Meetings for 7th and 8th graders are every Tuesday from 4:00-4:30pm.
Cooking Club is every Thursday from 4:00-5:00pm
Now - CROYA's Poinsettia Sale has begun! Place an order at croyapoinsettia.com
Fri., Oct. 16th - Crumbl Club
Sun., Oct. 18th - Great Full Market at Beacon Place 11am - 1pm.
Fri., Oct. 23rd - Middle School Fall Fest is from 1:00-3:00pm
Top 10: https://conta.cc/4rKKF8a
All students need a signed waiver to participate. You may find the waiver here or at CROYA.com
Stay Gold: The Outsiders Oct. 15-17
A rumble, a lot of hair gel, a sunset worth talking about, and a story that readers have loved for almost sixty years. LFHS Theater is bringing S.E. Hinton's unforgettable story to life, so grab your friends, round up your family, and get ready for a night you won't forget.
Whether you've read the book over and over or you're meeting Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally for the first time, this show will stay with you long after the lights go down.
D67 Brainstormers Take the Stage
Our after-school District 67 Brainstormers took the stage at Cherokee, Everett and Sheridan, turning the room into a full-on concert and dance party! From practicing harmonies to showing off their favorite choreography, these kids brought 100% energy and pure joy.
Enrollment is now open for Session 2 of "Acting, Singing and Dancing", featuring a Beauty and the Beast theme.
Register Today for Lake Bluff's "The Promise of Liberty" Event
The Lake Bluff History Museum and Lake Bluff 250 Committee invite the community to “The Promise of Liberty” on Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m. in the Raymond Moore Auditorium at LFHS.
The program will feature Seth Kaller, a leading expert on historic American documents, who will present early printings and replicas of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
As part of the educational experience, 8th-grade and high school students will attend a daytime presentation with Kaller, giving them an opportunity to engage with these historic primary sources and learn more about the ideas and principles behind them.
Admission is free, but advance reservations are required.
Friday, October 16 | 6:30 PM
Deerpath Golf Course
Bring your family and friends, along with blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy a free outdoor showing of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in a beautiful setting.
Fall Family Happy Hour at Gorton Center
Saturday, October 17 | 5:00 pm
Join us outside the Oktoberfest tent for Fall Family Happy Hour, a festive outdoor gathering for all ages. Enjoy kid-friendly activities, fall crafts, and quality time with family and friends.
Friday, October 23 | 5:00 pm
Lake Forest Rec Center
Bring the family and join us for an evening full of Halloween fun at the Recreation Center! Step into the spooky Haunted Gym, wander through the thrilling Scare Zone, and take a ride on the always-popular Hayride. These highlights are sure to get everyone into the Halloween spirit.
Wednesday Afternoons with Mr. V
Wednesdays, September 30 - November 18
Attention kids! This fall, join award-winning music educator and composer Bill Vaananen for 8 educational and inspirational Wednesday afternoon sessions of exciting songs and activities. Classes will wrap singing and movement into a tapestry of history, geography, and adventure!
Gorton Center Class: Comics Lab
Thursdays from October 1 - November 5
Bring your ideas to life in Comics Lab! This supportive six-week class gives students the space to start or continue their comics journey.
Upcoming Community Events at Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Glassman Symposium Reception and Poster Session
Friday, October 30 | 4:30–7:00 pm
Engage with students during an opening reception, then take the opportunity to review posters and exhibits featuring original student/faculty research conducted at Lake Forest College, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and several other Chicago area research universities.
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Exhibit Opening Reception of Sonic Revolutions: The Photography of Paul Natkin
Thursday, November 12 | 5:30–7:30 pm
Enjoy an incredible exhibit featuring the works of rock and roll photographer Paul Natkin and his collection of live performance photography. View the photographs, speak with the artist, and interact with the students who helped curate the exhibit.
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Band and Orchestra Concert
Friday, December 4 | 7:00–9:00 pm
Start your weekend with a spirited Forester reception followed by an evening performance of student music at the Gorton Center, featuring a special collaboration between the College’s band and orchestra ensemble.