BULLDOG BULLETIN

Dear Bulldog Families,

What a wonderful start we've had to our school year! The first week and a half together has been filled with excitement, joy, and community. Our hallways and classrooms are buzzing with energy as students settle into their new routines, build connections with their teachers and peers, and begin embracing the year ahead.

One of the highlights of our opening days was our all-school assembly, where we read Maybe by Kobi Yamada. Together, we explored the importance of the potential that lies within each of us. Students then reflected on their own greatest potential and personal goals for the year. These thoughtful reflections now decorate their lockers, serving as daily reminders to inspire and motivate them to bring their very best to all they do. Ask your child what they reflected on!

Students are also learning and practicing school routines and expectations, and we are so proud of the way they are demonstrating their Bulldog Best behaviors: being respectful, responsible, safe, and kind. Soon, our Bulldog of the Week recognition will be coming back, and we are excited to celebrate those students who are persevering and showing their Bulldog Best within school.

We are incredibly grateful for the support and partnership of our families. The turnout at both Curriculum Night and Family Fun Night this week was outstanding, and it was wonderful to see so many families engaged and connected to our school community. These events remind us of the strength of our close-knit community and the important role we all play in helping our students thrive.

Thank you for your continued partnership and encouragement as we launch this exciting school year together. We look forward to all the learning, growth, and memories ahead.

Warm regards,

Dr. Colleen Conway

As an extra layer of safety, and to help keep our office less congested, we have moved our student check-in/check-out system to our vestibule. You may use the chromebook there to sign your child in/out.

IMPORTANT: When your child leaves, they must exit through the main office, and not go straight through the vestibule. There are stop signs up to remind students, but we ask that you also help direct your child(ren) where to go. We ask that students leave through the main office, so we know they are safely exiting the building. Thank you for your support with this new procedure!

The safety of our students, staff, and community members is a top priority at Sarah Adams, and in LZ95. In order to ensure the students arrive and are dismissed in a safe way, please take few moments to review the detailed slides here, describing our arrival and dismissal procedures. Safety before and after school is everyone's responsibility, especially with so many cars in our front lot; please help keep our parking lot and drop off safe for all!

General Reminders:

• All car riders can be dropped off in the front of the building; parents/guardians must stay in the vehicle so that the line moves quickly.
• Parking in our lots are reserved for staff or students with needs. If you need to park, you can park and walk from Staples Park or near a side street.
• Car riders and walkers will line up in the front of the building (see the slides for where to line up).
• Busers and day care students will line up in the back of the building.
• Students can be dropped off no earlier than 7:55. Doors open at 8:05. School starts at 8:15. Please have your child at school by 8:10 to ensure they have time to get into the building, find their classroom, and can unpack belongings before the day begins.
• School is dismissed at 2:50; Kindergarten students will be dismissed first so that they can easily find their adult.
• Parents/guardians using the pick up lanes must stay in their vehicles at all times.
• Drivers in the pick up lane must pull ahead to help the flow of traffic.
• Busers and daycare students will be dismissed out of the back doors, where they entered.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to view our drop off and pick up procedures, so we can ensure all students, staff, and families are safe!

If your child has a different way of going home, other than their originally planned routine, we ask that you please let both the classroom teacher and the main office know as soon as possible. This thorough communication helps us ensure your child goes where they need to be at a busy time in the day. You can contact our main office 847.438.5986 or email SAAttendance@lz95.org.

📌 August 25, MAP testing begins

📌 August 28, Bus Evacuation Drill

📌 September 1, Labor Day- No School

📌 September 3, Picture Day

📌 September 8, PTO Meeting

As we prepare to start the school year, it is important that students and families establish regular routines to maximize student attendance to school. For younger learners, sometimes this means helping students feel more comfortable about a transition away from home and caregivers. Parents can find additional resources for students struggling with thinking about the transition back to school HERE.

Please note that for students who struggle to maintain regular attendance, parents/families will receive additional communication, conference requests, and other interventions to support regular school attendance - in accordance with state law. Parents/guardians can find more information regarding attendance in the Parent-Student Handbook.

Additionally, there will be more information shared at our Curriculum Night on August 20th. We hope to see you there!

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.

As we approach the start of the school year, we want to remind all of our students and families of bus behavior expectations. Please take some time to review the information below with your student(s) before the start of school:

• Drink water only while on the bus; other food or drinks should be kept put away

• Use a voice level of 0 (voices off), 1 (whisper) or 2 (conversational volume, such as talking to someone next to you) at all times while on the bus

• Keep the aisle clear when students are loading or unloading

• Keep all body parts within the bus during the entire route

• Remain seated during the entire route

• Report to and stay in your assigned seat during the entire route

• Follow loading/unloading/crossing directions provided

• Exit through the designated doors only

• Take all trash and personal items with you when exiting the bus

• Keep all personal items with you during the route

• Use your assigned bus stop

Families can find additional information regarding bus expectations in Chapter 4 of the Parent-Student Handbook; students will also receive additional instruction on this topic during the first few weeks of school. We look forward to your partnership in these efforts, and to a successful start to the school year on transportation!

Please see the following for brief reminders regarding snacks. Students in grades K-5 will have a designated snack time daily, and families should plan to send a snack daily with their student to school.

For families who do not have the resources to send a daily snack, we do have a supply at school for students in need. Additionally, if your student occasionally forgets their snack, they may access school-based snacks.

Students should only visit the main office for snacks if they do not have them available to bring from home or if they forgot their snack for the day (students should NOT visit the main office for a snack if they simply do not like what they have packed for the day).

Thank you for your partnership in reviewing these expectations with your student before we start the school year!

Do you know an amazing Lake Zurich High School alumni who has made great contributions and achievements in the world? If so, submit a nomination for the LZHS Distinguished Alumni Recognition award!

Nomination Criteria: To be nominated, alumni must have graduated from Lake Zurich High School at least 10 years ago and made significant contributions in their chosen field of work or through service to community, country, or world. NOMINATIONS DUE BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd (at midnight)!!

Selection Criteria:

• Graduated a minimum of 10 years prior

• Models high standards of excellence in personal and/or professional life

• Outstanding contribution to volunteer service or their community, country, or world

• Post-secondary experiences reflect the values supporting our district mission: Academic Excellence, Accountability, Collaboration, Equity, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect

Click here to nominate a candidate meeting these criteria!

Inductees will be honored at the Homecoming football game and will have their pictures added to our Distinguished Alumni Wall at LZHS!