North Shore 112 Monthly
August 2025
You’ll start seeing plenty of back-to-school communications (we know, we send a lot ), but be sure to pay special attention to messages from your principal. They’ll have the most school-specific information.
If you have any questions, reach out to your school or use the contact form on our website.
In this newsletter...
- Important upcoming dates
- 2025-2026 school calendar
- Board of Education news
- Community updates
- And a whole lot of back-to-school information!
Important Dates
- 8/8: Schedules and Teacher Assignments sent via ParentSquare (around noon)
- 8/18-8/20: Institute Days (no student attendance)
- 8/19: Regular Board of Education Meeting
- 8/21: First Day of K-8 and Morning Early Childhood (early release)
- 8/22: First Day of Afternoon Early Childhood
- 9/1: Labor Day (no school)
2025-2026 School Calendar
Back-to-School Hub
More back-to-school information is available on our Back-to-School Hub at www.nssd112.org/BackToSchool. The page will be updated as needed in the days leading up to the first day of school.
Important Reminders
Registration
All students, including returning students, need to be registered for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have not done so, please visit www.nssd112.org/registration to complete the process.
If you have any questions about registration, please email parentportal@nssd112.org or call 224-765-3052.
School Locations
As Phase 2 of our Long-Range Facilities Plan moves forward, please note the following updates about school locations for 2025-2026:
- Ravinia Elementary School is back at its normal location at 763 Dean Avenue.
- Sherwood Elementary School is located at 2031 Sheridan Road (formerly Elm Place Middle School) and will remain there for the entire school year.
- Braeside Elementary School is located at 1936 Green Bay Road (formerly Green Bay School) and will remain there for the entire school year.
Schedules and Teacher Assignments
Schedules and teacher assignments for the 2025-2026 school year will be shared with parents and guardians on Friday, August 8. You will receive an email from the district via ParentSquare around noon.
Please note that many factors are considered when creating student placement. This includes parent/guardian and teacher input, student needs and student dynamics.
Phase 2 Update
Phase 2 of the Long-Range Facilities Plan has made incredible strides this summer, and we couldn’t be more excited about the progress.
Fresh spaces and bright futures: Ravinia’s new entrance, library and classrooms are ready to welcome students and staff.
Ravinia Elementary
Ravinia has been fully renovated and is set to open for the 2025-2026 school year. The modernized building features flexible classrooms, updated technology, enhanced safety measures and spaces designed to support a wide range of teaching and learning styles.
Recent news stories:
Sherwood Elementary
Construction is well underway at Sherwood Elementary, where work began earlier this year. The project includes updated classrooms, enhanced safety features, and improved accessibility. Students and staff will remain at Elm Place for the 2025-2026 school year while the building is transformed, with the renovated Sherwood scheduled to reopen for the 2026-2027 school year.
Braeside Elementary
We’re ready for work to begin at Braeside, the fourth elementary school and sixth school overall to be modernized. Students and staff will be at the Green Bay building for the 2025-2026 school year and part of 2026-2027 while construction is completed.
Wayne Thomas Elementary
Wayne Thomas will be the final school modernized in Phase 2 of the district’s facility upgrades. The project is currently in the design stage, with construction set to begin in 2026. During the renovation, staff and students will relocate to Elm Place at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.
Board of Education News
Front row: Jenny Butler (secretary), Art Kessler (president), Melissa Itkin (vice president)
Back row: Dr. Mike Lubelfeld (Superintendent), Bennett Lasko, Lisa Hirsh, Jaret Fishman, Lori Fink, Dr. Monica Schroeder (Deputy Superintendent)
Regular Meeting - Tuesday, August 19
Summer Meetings
K-5 Dual Language Program Transition
In June, the Board of Education approved the consolidation of the K-5 dual language program at Oak Terrace Elementary, with full implementation set for the 2027-2028 school year. As part of this plan, Red Oak Elementary will close at the end of the 2026-2027 school year. This decision followed extensive discussion and community input. Read more about the decision on our website.
What's next in the transition process?
This school year, the district will form a Superintendent’s Task Force to guide the transition process for the K-5 dual language program. More information about the task force, including how to get involved, will be shared with Oak Terrace and Red Oak families on Thursday, August 28.
A dedicated Dual Language Transition page will also be updated throughout the process to keep families informed and engaged.
Curriculum Corner
New Middle School Resources and a New Course!
Students at Edgewood and Northwood will begin the 2025-2026 school year with newly adopted curricular resources in English language arts (ELA), math, world language and a new course — Postsecondary and Career Exploration (PaCE). These updates are part of the district’s ongoing commitment to offering relevant, effective and engaging learning experiences for all students.
Learn more about the resources and the adoption process in the video below.
- If the video does not play properly here, you can also access it on our Vimeo page.
- Watch a Spanish-language version of the video, translated using artificial intelligence.
Family Resources
Cartwheel Care
Cartwheel is a national mental health provider for students/adolescents. They provide rapid access to care for students by providing them access to a licensed clinician within seven days of referral (virtually). Clinicians are available during school hours, after school, nights, weekends, and breaks. Additionally, Cartwheel offers the ability for psychiatric evaluations and medication management.
To learn more about Cartwheel, please reach out to your child's school or to Dr. Holly Colin, assistant superintendent for student services, at hcolin@nssd112.org.
ReferraGPS
ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students, staff and community in finding local mental-health and substance use related treatment. The service complements the district's existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow up care.
Families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
- Contact a member of your school's student services team (social workers, psychologists) or your school principal
- Visit https://referralgps.com/find-help/NSSD112 to search for treatment resources
Safe2Help Illinois
Safe2Help offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. It is available 24/7 and offers students a safe outlet to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. It can be accessed via a free app, text/phone, and website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com).
- Call: 844-4-SAFEIL
- Text: SAFE2 (72332)
- Email: help@safe2helpil.com
112 Education Foundation
FUNd Run 2025
Registration is now open for the 2025 FUNd Run, happening Saturday, September 27 at Ravinia Festival. This annual event includes a 5K run and Family Walk, with all proceeds benefiting needs-based scholarships for District 112 families and supporting other Foundation initiatives. Learn more or register at 112foundation.org/fund-run.
What is the 112 Education Foundation?
Founded in 1995, the 112 Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities for all students in North Shore School District 112. Since it operates separately from the district and doesn’t receive tax revenue, the Foundation relies on community support and fundraising to bring innovative programs to D112 schools.
Community
Highwood Library and Community Center
The Highwood Library and Community Center offers free programs, resources and services for all ages. From literacy support to cultural events, it’s a welcoming space for learning and connection. Explore upcoming programs at highwoodlibrary.org/events.
Highland Park Public Library
The Highland Park Public Library offers books, digital resources, events and programs for all ages. Highland Park residents enjoy full borrowing privileges, and the library is a welcoming place for reading, learning and community connection. Explore upcoming programs at hplibrary.org/events.
Lake County Health Department
The Lake County Health Department encourages families to schedule school physicals, dental and vision exams, and update immunizations before the new school year begins. Local resources for vaccines, dental, hearing and vision are available through the Lake County Health Department at lakecountyil.gov/health.
Safety and Security
Standard Response Protocol
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. District 112 follows the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which provides a clear, common language for responding to any emergency. The SRP is based on five simple actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
Staff are trained in these actions, carry quick-reference cards, and reinforce the protocol through posters in every school. Learn more on our Safety and Security page or by watching the video below from our director of safety and security, Solvei Jurmu.
Technology
Artificial Intelligence at D112
The district is now using generative artificial intelligence tools to support learning, teaching and productivity in a safe and secure way. Magic School AI and School AI are available districtwide for staff and students to explore and use responsibly. You can access both platforms using the links below:
If you’d like to engage further and explore the reasoning behind our use of these tools, check out a new assistant created by Dr. Lubelfeld.
Infinite Campus
Infinite Campus is the district’s secure online portal where parents/guardians can access their child’s grades, attendance, schedules, school fees and more.
ParentSquare
ParentSquare is North Shore School District 112's primary communication tool. It is used by the district office and schools to send emails, text messages and phone calls to parents/guardians, staff members and the community.
Every parent/guardian who is in the district's database already has a ParentSquare account and is set to receive notifications via email, phone call and text message. However, by accessing your ParentSquare account, you will have more control over how you receive notifications.
Access your ParentSquare account at parentsquare.com/signin.
If you are accessing your account for the first time:
- Visit parentsquare.com/signin, use the email address that we have on file for you, then click on "Forgot password." After completing the process of resetting your password, you will be able to access your account.
- Or you can access your account with the "Sign in with Google" option, if your Gmail account is the email we have on file for you.
Technology Help
Having an issue with your student's device? Need assistance with district software, such as Infinite Campus? Submit a support ticket and a member of our tech team will reach out as soon as possible.
Strategic Change Agenda
We’re excited to share the next chapter for North Shore School District 112! In March, the Board of Education approved a new Strategic Change Agenda, a plan shaped by the voices of more than 200 parents, staff, students and community members. The agenda sets a clear path for our future, focused on student success, well-being and strong relationships.
We're Hiring!
Why choose us?
Our staff works hard to create schools where students want to learn and teachers want to teach. High-quality materials and technology give our staff and students the tools needed to be innovative and highly engaged. As a member of District 112, you’ll be working to advance yourself as well as fulfill a long legacy of District 112 being the home of pioneering educators, dedicated staff, and innovative instructional practices. Visit careers.nssd112.org to learn more!
Guest Teachers
Do you want to choose your own hours and make a difference in our students' lives? Consider becoming a guest teacher (substitute) for North Shore School District 112. Please feel free to reach out to Valerie Kilen (vlariviere@nssd112.org) with any questions or apply to be a guest teacher today!
Address: 445 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: 224-765-3000
Website: nssd112.org
Facebook: facebook.com/nssd112
Instagram: instagram.com/nssd112
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nssd112
Contact Us: nssd112.org/contact
If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact Ben Finfer at bfinfer@nssd112.org.