October 24th, 2025
Important Dates
October 24th @6 pm-Halloween Activity Night
October 27th @ 5 pm-Feed My Starving Children MSN Family Night
October 28th-Culver's Dine and Share
November 5th- 3:00-6:00 pm-Parent Teacher conferences (online only)
November 10th-Student Non-Attendance Day
November 11th @ 7 pm-MSN PTO Meeting
November 13th-12:40-2:30, 3:00-6:00 pm-Parent Teacher Conferences (in person)
November 20th-22nd @ 7 pm- MSN Musical
November 21st-12:40-2:30 pm - Parent Teacher Conferences (online only)
Adalyn and Grace selected as Red Ribbon Poster Winners
Navig8 Lake Career Exploration Event
Fall Orchestra Concert
Unlocking Student Potential: APA & ACT Night - Post Meeting Information
In October, 2025, District families joined us at Lake Zurich High School to learn how the ACT and Illinois Accelerated Placement Act (APA) support student growth and guide course placement for 2026–2027. A recording, presentation slides, and APA guidelines are attached so all families who were not able to attend have the information needed to guide students in testing and course selection.
Service Opportunity: Feed My Starving Children
Join us in making a difference!
When: Monday, October 27, 2025 | 5:00–6:30 PM
Where: 742 East Park Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
We’ll be volunteering together at Feed My Starving Children, helping pack nutritious meals for children around the world. It’s a fun, meaningful way to give back and connect with our community.
👉 Click here to sign up using the Join Code: 87E12V
IMPORTANT!! OPT-IN FOR TEXTING - STAY INFORMED AND CONNECTED
In an effort to always be prepared to deliver timely/emergency communications, the district contracts with two mass communication vendors - our primary vendor, Blackboard, and a secondary vendor, School Messenger (to be used in the event of an outage with our primary system). These tools enable us to contact you via email, voice mail, and SMS (text message), including during a crisis.
School Messenger requires that all recipients opt-in to receive text messages. Please take a moment to opt-in from your device for text messages so that we are able to reach you when important or emergency information arises if we need to use the School Messenger system.
Opting in is quick and easy - just text “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.
October Portrait of a Graduate Student Shadow Day – Dhruv Kiran
On Monday, I had the privilege of shadowing 6th grader, Dhruv Kiran for a full school day at Lake Zurich Middle School North. It happened to be a Canvas LMS outage day, which meant many teachers had to adjust their plans quickly. What stood out immediately was how flexible, collaborative, and calm the students and staff were in response. Learning continued in creative and thoughtful ways, and students like Dhruv showed adaptability and positivity throughout the day.
As we moved from class to class, I saw the Portrait of a Graduate alive in action.
Effective Communicator
Dhruv’s day was full of opportunities to express ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue. In Social Studies, he took an informational comprehension assessment about the Asheville Flood. He annotated carefully, used a graphic organizer to plan his response, and revised his writing several times using criteria for success. When I asked where he felt confident or where he got stuck, he reflected, “I was able to read and reread the text, but finding the right evidence was a little challenging.”
In Science, Dhruv debated how the shape of a nerve cell supports its function and asked, “Does that mean your brain is connected to your feet?” The question drew laughter and sparked deeper discussion.
Global Citizen
Dhruv’s learning experiences reflected awareness of community and culture. In German, he practiced alphabet pronunciation and compared letter shapes from different alphabets while learning from classmates who shared about their home languages. During lunch, he listened as a local police officer spoke about Red Ribbon Week and its connection to community responsibility.
In Social Studies, his reading on the Asheville Flood connected environmental events to human experience, prompting reflection on local and community challenges.
Advocate for Self & Others
Throughout the day, Dhruv demonstrated care and confidence in his interactions. During a science demonstration, when students were hesitant to hold hands for a nerve activity, Dhruv said, “It’s ok. You have to be ok with this later in life.” His words brought humor and comfort to his group.
In Social Studies and Design & Modeling, he relied on success criteria to evaluate his work and make revisions. His teachers modeled emotional safety by encouraging students to “expect imperfection,” and Dhruv reflected that same sense of calm and perseverance.
Future Ready
Dhruv’s schedule was filled with hands-on and applied learning experiences. In PE, he monitored his heart rate using a polar heart rate monitor and set a goal to stay in his target zone for 80 percent of the time. In Science, he tested nerve speed and explored biological structures through observation and experimentation. In Design & Modeling, he created 3D models and practiced isometric drawing, focusing on precision and persistence.
In Math, he worked with peers to solve problems using tape diagrams on vertical whiteboard spaces. Even without Canvas, students communicated, reasoned, and adapted seamlessly.
Growth Oriented
Dhruv’s day was full of examples of perseverance, curiosity, and resilience. In ELA, students worked on personal reading goals which was supported by a choice board and one-on-one teaching conferencing. In Science, he took academic risks by asking creative questions and sharing new thinking.
Dhruv leaned into risk-taking throughout his day. In Band, he sight-read “First Suite for Military Band." In Design & Modeling, he showed focus and determination while drawing complex isometric models. He also supported a tentative Mrs. Crowley with her drawing.
Personal Reflection
As principal, I will admit that I was most self-conscious about two classes: PE and Math. By the end of the day, those became my biggest successes. Both classes had a strong sense of collaboration, motivation, and belonging. Students cheered each other on, problem-solved together, and supported one another through challenges.
Watching Dhruv and his classmates work together, adapt to change, and maintain such a positive attitude reminded me of how capable and kind our students are. Even when the technology failed, their learning didn’t. They simply found new ways to succeed. Dhruv’s day reflected the balance of high expectations and relationships that define Middle School North while exemplifying what it means to be a D95 Portrait of a Graduate.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and District 95 is raising awareness about online safety for our students, staff, and community.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X at LZdistrict95 as we highlight practical ways families can stay safe online—such as recognizing phishing emails, using strong passwords, keeping devices updated, and enabling extra account protections.
Talking with your children about these habits helps everyone stay safer in today’s digital world.
Culver's Dine and Share
Treats for Troops
Hi Middle School North Families! After trick or treating, please think about the military across seas. MSN is participating in the Treats for Troops candy drive. If you have extra candy or candy that you don’t want to eat, then consider donating to the military overseas as a gift from home. Thank you all for participating with MSN.
Bricks for Hope
Next week, October 27, 28, and 29, Student Council is sponsoring a fundraiser for Bricks for Hope, an organization that donates new LEGO sets to children with cancer and other illnesses.
How to Participate:
Donate a new LEGO set or make a cash donation before school outside the main entrance.
Each donation earns you a chance to guess the number of Skittles in a jar to win prizes!
Prizes include:
$20 gift card
$5 gift card
Goodie bags
Tickets:
1 ticket for donations valued at $10–$25
2 tickets for $26–$50
3 tickets for $51–$75, and so on!
Every donation helps bring joy and creativity to kids who need it most. Let’s show our MSN spirit and make this fundraiser a huge success!
Learn more here: Bricks for Hope Flyer