The Principal's Pawprint

Dear Isaac Fox Families,

Although with the blustery wind and snow this morning, it didn't feel as though we are heading into the final week before spring break, that is what the calendar tells us! During this time, we’re encouraging our students and staff to “Lock In, Foxes!” and stay focused on learning while we finish this stretch strong. Our classrooms continue to be filled with curiosity, collaboration, and growth, and I’m incredibly proud of the dedication our students and staff show each day. The energy and commitment across our school community truly make Isaac Fox a special place to learn and grow.

While we remain focused on learning this week, we’re also looking forward to celebrating together as we count down to spring break with a fun Spirit Week!

Students and staff are invited to join in the festivities by participating in the following themed days:

• Monday – Sports/Jersey Day: Root on your favorite team!

• Tuesday – Happy St. Patrick’s Day: Wear green!

• Wednesday – Hoodie Day

• Thursday – Vacation/Tourist Day: Dress like you’re headed somewhere warm!

• Friday – PJ/Cozy Day

Thank you to our families for the continued partnership and support you provide our students and staff. Together, we have so much to celebrate—from academic growth to the strong sense of belonging that defines our Isaac Fox community.

Whether your plans include traveling somewhere new or enjoying a relaxing staycation close to home, we wish everyone in our community a safe, fun, and well-deserved spring break.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back and reconnecting as a school community on Monday, March 30th.

Let’s lock in, Foxes, and finish strong!

Warmly,

Mrs. Kelly Olivero
Principal, Isaac Fox Elementary

Lost and Found items are now nicely folded on tables located in our vestibule area. Please stop by to take a peek or encourage your child to look for any missing items! All items that remain after Friday, March 20th will be donated.

Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open! We encourage families to complete registration as early as possible, as early registration helps our school plan staffing, class placements, and resources to best support students for the upcoming year. Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete registration promptly and for helping us prepare for another successful school year at Isaac Fox!

This is the time of year where our staff will begin the process of student/teacher assignments for the 2026– 2027 school year. The entire staff plays a role in this process, as we work to place each of the children into the very best setting. We consider learning styles, student personalities, girl/boy ratio, class size, and student academic strengths and needs, all while striving for a heterogeneous class make-up (full range of abilities).

If you would like to share something about your child’s learning style or personality that would help us with this placement process, please submit your letter to me, Kelly Olivero, @ kelly.olivero@lz95.org no later than end of the school day Wednesday, April 15, 2026. We trust that you will rely on our professional judgment, as we group each of the children with the idea of creating the best learning environment possible for everyone. With that being said, requesting particular teachers will not be accepted.

As summer approaches, District 95 will once again be offering a variety of Summer Semester programs for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, including Extended School Year (ESY).

Summer Semester 2026 registration will open on Monday, March 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and run through Friday, April 10, 2026 for in-district families. Families who are not residents of District 95 will be able to register for a limited number of courses at the high school level from April 27, 2026 - May 15, 2026.

Registration will be conducted exclusively through ParentVue, accessible via the district website (www.lz95.org) including for non-District 95 families

Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open! We encourage families to complete registration as early as possible, as early registration helps our school plan staffing, class placements, and resources to best support students for the upcoming year. Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete registration promptly and for helping us prepare for another successful school year at Isaac Fox!

Please click the links below to access further information about the summer semester and the programs that will be offered. If you are having trouble viewing any of these resources or need translations, please contact Todd Jakowitsch at todd.jakowitsch@lz95.org or (847) 540-4929.

• K - 8 Summer Semester Course Guide

• LZHS Summer Semester Course Guide

• Monday, March 16th: Chorus Rehearsal before school
• Monday, March 16th: IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) continues this week for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders
• Monday, March 16th: Grand Battle of the Books @ 9:00am
• Monday, March 16th: Chess Club after school
• Monday, March 16th: IF PTO Meeting @ 6:30pm
• Tuesday, March 17th: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
• Tuesday, March 17th: 4th grade Orchestra (@IF) & Band Rehearsals (@ MW) before school
• Tuesday, March 17th: Green Team after school
• Tuesday, March 17th: Sticky Fingers after school
• Tuesday, March 17th: IF Musical Rehearsal after school
• Wednesday, March 18th: Young Rembrants after school
• Thursday, March 19th: 5th grade Orchestra before school
• Thursday, March 19th: IF Musical Rehearsal after school
• Friday, March 20th: Chorus before school
• Monday, March 23rd-Friday, March 27th: SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, March 30th: School Resumes

This March, our school is buzzing with the sound of Effective Communicators! To our elementary students, being a great communicator means more than just speaking up—it’s about active listening, sharing ideas clearly and meaningfully, and being responsible and kind with the information they create and consume. At home, you can help your student grow by practicing "mirroring": after they tell you a story, summarize it back to them to show you were truly listening. You can also encourage them to explain a new concept they learned in class in just two sentences. These small moments help build the empathy and clarity they need to connect with the world around them!

Spring Sessions of Young Rembrandts & Sticky Fingers!

District 95 will host the Options Fair on April 16 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Lake Zurich High School. The Options Fair provides individuals with disabilities and their families an opportunity to connect with community agencies and essential resources that support future planning.

Discover something truly unique while supporting local businesses! Join us at the Lake County Spring Transition Market on April 24, 2026, and explore a variety of products and experiences created by talented transition entrepreneurs in our community.

Be sure to stop by the Young Adult Center booth, where you can enjoy delicious taste tests and purchase a selection of flavorful dried dips and marinades—perfect for adding something special to your next meal or gifting to someone you love.

Shop local, connect with the community, and celebrate the creativity and entrepreneurship of Lake County’s transition businesses. We can’t wait to see you there!

When dropping off or picking up your student, parents are able to park in the lot near the soccer fields located along Deerpath Road. During these time, we ask families to please cross only within the designated crosswalk area from the soccer field parking lot to the school grounds. Guardians, staff, and buses all use this route, and it can become quite busy during these times. By following crosswalk procedures and traffic expectations, you help ensure the safety of all members of our community while also modeling positive habits for our children. Thank you for doing your part to keep Isaac Fox a safe and caring place for everyone.

There have been an increase in the number of cars that have been avoiding the car drop off line and turning left to drop off directly in front of the main entrance. It is vital that our bus line remains open during this time. As you enter through the front entrance off Cuba Rd., please turn right and follow the drop off line. Our supervisors ensure that the line moves with efficiecy and also remains safe. Your cooperation is appreciated!

When dropping off or picking up your student in the car lane near MSS, it is important that you remain in your car at all times. Students need to be exiting the vehicle on the side nearest the sidewalk and schools. If students need help unbuckling, buckling, gathering and carrying items, then it is best to park in a spot in front of MSS or alternatively use the back lot near the soccer field and walk your child into school. Following this procedure helps maintain safety and efficiency as we get our students from home to school and back again each day. Thank you for your cooperation!

During the colder weather months, we often see an increase in the number of students being driven to school and dropped off in the morning. As a result, it is important that our drop-off procedures remain both efficient and—most importantly—safe. There is no need to pull all the way up to the stop sign before your child exits the vehicle. The designated drop-off zone, marked by two large orange cones, begins at the Middle School South entrance and extends up to the stop sign. Once you have come to a complete stop within this zone, it is safe for your student to exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side. Please take a moment to review the standing reminders included later in this newsletter, and thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and smooth arrival process for everyone.

If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please contact the school office. This includes times such as lunch and recess. Our office staff will make sure your message is delivered or will connect you with your child if it’s necessary in the moment.

We also remind students that if they need to reach you, they should always ask an adult in the building for assistance. Please take a moment to talk with your child about what to do if they need to contact you during the school day and model appropriate communication practices.

By following this process, students can stay focused on learning, and our staff can best support them if a need arises. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership!

Parent Student Handbook: 6.80 Student Use of Electronic Devices

Parent Communication Guidelines

School staff work diligently to create environments that foster learning with minimal distractions. A personal electronic device (i.e., cell phone, smart watch) can be a distraction for a student during the school day. District 95 seeks to partner with parents/guardians so that we can minimize distractions during class time. To this end, parents are discouraged from communicating to their student's personal electronic device during school hours – apart from exceptional/emergency situations.

When visiting Isaac Fox, you will need to bring your license or ID in with you each time you enter the school for use with our Raptor system located in our vestibule. Please have patience while all visitors to our community check in and out. The office staff is always available to help if needed. Thank you for doing your part to help keep our school and safe and inviting environment for all!

We strongly discourage students from being dismissed between 2:30-2:50 pm due to the dismissal lines and buses at that time. If you need to pick your child up early, please arrange for a time prior to 2:30pm.

Understand that no changes in student transportation will be made without a written or verbal request from a parent or guardian.

Once we have established your designated travel, you must notify your child’s teacher and the office in writing or via phone call each time a change is made from that routine. If a change in transportation is necessary please adhere to the following guidelines: Notify the office of the dismissal change via note or phone call prior to 2pm.

If you'd like to volunteer this year at any time as Isaac Fox you must do the following:

1. Complete a volunteer form and return a paper copy with signature to the front office.
2. Watch the volunteer video.
3. Complete this form that serves as your verification that you've complete steps 1 & 2.
4. Look for opportunities throughout the year to volunteer at Isaac Fox and sign up!

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.