Eagle's Post - 8/29/25

Hello Middle School South Families!

Thank you to all of our families who joined us for Curriculum Night this week. Events like these are such an important way to strengthen the school-to-home connection. We are also grateful to our teachers for sharing their classrooms and curriculum with you.

We have had some really fun experiences going on in the last week! First was the success of our 6th grade activity night that saw our students participate in some pretty fun games! We also had a special treat this week when Chef Cam Dangerfield, who was featured on the Food Network’s Chopped, came to MSS to serve up some delicious chicken wings and bring a little extra fun to our students’ day!

Looking ahead, we’re excited for Carnival Night on September 5th, an all school activity night full of games, activities, and fun for our students. You’ll also find reminders in this newsletter about Picture Day, volunteer training, and important health and safety updates.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we continue to move through a great year together!

Anthony Dengler
Principal

Monday, September 1, 2025

No School - Labor Day

Friday, September 5, 2025

All School Activity Night (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

MSS Picture Day

It's Carnival Night at MSS!

All MSS students are invited to our next exciting PTO-sponsored activity night. Enjoy carnival games, Hippo Chow Down Bouncy, Hopper Races, and Paint Tattoos! This fun filled evening will take place at MSS on Friday, September 5th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and is just for our amazing MSS students!

There will be a $5 entrance fee (cash only), and snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. We hope to see you there!

If you plan on volunteering anytime this school year, you must have the linked form completed and have watch the linked video. This would include when volunteering for activity nights and other Middle School South events.

When coming to volunteer, we will have a clipboard in the office for you to sign, indicating that you have watched the volunteer safety video when you come to volunteer, or you can fill in the acknowledgement form below. Please make sure that you have both of these completed prior to volunteering. Please also note, that this only has to be completed once per year and if you have completed these when volunteering at another school, you do not have to complete it again.

Thank you for your support of our school!

Parent volunteer form

Volunteer Safety Video

Video Acknowledgement Form

Thank you to all of our families who joined us for Curriculum Nights this week! Events like these are an important way to strengthen the connection between school and home. We are also grateful to our teachers for sharing information about themselves, their classrooms, and their curriculum with families.

If you were unable to attend—or would simply like to revisit the information from our administrative welcome—you can find a copy of our presentation here.

The D95 Educational Foundation is excited to launch a district-wide project to bring birthday celebrations to families in need right here in Lake Zurich and throughout Lake County!

During September, each school will collect specific birthday items to help create "Birthday Boxes." At Middle School South we will be collecting Sprinkles! The collection bin is located in main entrance vestibule. Each box helps ensure someone feels seen, valued, and celebrated on their special day.

This collection will run from Monday, September 1st to Tuesday, September 30th.

As a system, we have been notified of several cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) district-wide in the first few weeks of school. While this virus is more common in younger students, it can be transmitted to older students and adults. Families can find more information about symptoms, what to do if you suspect your student has HFMD, and care by clicking HERE.

There are times when families may need additional financial assistance - such as after a job loss or a death in the family. Through our relationships with generous community partners, District 95 has the ability to cover the costs of a wide range of family needs - including utility bills, groceries, clothing, gas, medical or mental health costs, and more.

Families in need can reach out to a member of the Student Services team (i.e., social worker, school psychologist, counselor) or an administrator at school for additional information. Families may also contact the Student Services Department directly at 847.540.7060 (or by emailing Gaby Mascote, gaby.mascote@lz95.org). We know that there are certain situations that can make it incredibly difficult for families to navigate, and we are here to assist!

As we welcome students, families, and other visitors back to school buildings this school year, we wanted to take a moment to share some important safety reminders:

• All visitors must have an appointment in order to enter school district buildings (which includes the Administrative building); our front office staff are happy to help facilitate making an appointment if you need assistance (NOTE: this does not apply to quick drop-offs in the vestibule, such as when a student forgets an item)

• All visitors must present a form of identification and go through our visitor screening process for all visits that require entry into the school building; all visitors must also wear a lanyard or visitor badge provided to them for their entire visit

• Visitors are asked not to hold doors open for others when entering or exiting the building during the school day, as these well-intentioned actions are not in alignment with our security protocols

Thank you for your partnership on these items; we look forward to another successful school year where we all work together to maximize feelings of safety within our district buildings!

Picture Day is scheduled for September 5, 2025. After photos are taken, you’ll be able to view your images online, choose your yearbook photo (be sure to make your selection before one is chosen for you), and order packages that will be shipped directly to your home.

When your images are ready, you’ll receive an email with instructions to view and order. You may also visit vipis.com to search for your photos. For any questions or assistance, please contact VIP at support@vipis.com.

Please see the attached information from the Village of Lake Zurich regarding e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-dirt bikes.

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.

Chess Club begins September 3rd! No stress, no trophies—just fun games, friends, and maybe a few new moves. Come join us after school. Sign up using the QR code around school.

Do you love to play board games or card games? Are you looking for a chance to challenge your friends, or even make some new ones? Join us Thursdays after school starting September 11th! Please contact Ms. Warren with any questions.

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls interested in trying out for the basketball team. Tryouts will be Monday, September 15th and Tuesday, September16th after school. Your parents will need to register you online, along with making sure you have a current physical on file.

All students will need to be registered in ParentVUE and have a current physical on file with the nurse's office prior to tryouts.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Brown or Coach Leber!

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls interested in trying out for our POMS Team! Clinics will be held next week on Tuesday, September 2nd and Wednesday, September 3rd after school. Tryouts will be on Thursday, September 4th.

All students will need to be registered in ParentVUE and have a current physical on file with the nurse's office prior to participating in clinics.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Godwin.

Needed Forms Prior to First Day of Activity/Tryout:

For students interested in trying out and participating in a sport, students must have the following:

• Physical: All students participating in tryouts and a sport must have a current physical or sports physical on file. Physicals are good for one year and one month from the date the physical was conducted. Please check to make sure your physical is current prior to tryouts or the start of an athletic activity. The physical should be turned into the Nurse’s Office.

• Emergency Information Form: Students must have a completed and signed Emergency Information Form for each activity they are trying out for/participating in. They will need to turn this form in to the coach or sponsor at the time of tryouts. If try-outs are not required, then the form should be turned in at the first meeting of the sport or activity.

All registration for activities will be in ParentVUE and information about registration will be sent later this summer.