Superintendent News
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95
March 21, 2025
Dear District 95 Families,
Happy Spring Break! Whether you are traveling next week or simply enjoying some down time right here at home, I hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable week - especially since the school calendars get very busy once we return with spring sports and activities, graduation and promotion, and much more!
A few reminders about important current or upcoming events...you should have received a survey earlier this week relating to your experience with math classes (parents/guardians of K-12 students, and students in grades 4-12) as part of a partnership between District 95 and Loyola University. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey as it will help Loyola provide us with feedback in order to continually improve.
Also, please remember that Tuesday, April 1st is an election day and there are four District 95 Board of Education seats on the ballot, so be sure to mark your calendar and vote.
Lastly, thank you for your patience and understanding as our district was in the news this week regarding charges filed against two former district cheer coaches for financial irregularities. It is never easy to see our name in the news in a negative way, but as mentioned in my email, I am incredibly proud of our business office for detecting and investigating these issues, and for our strong partnership with the Lake Zurich Police Department.
Have a wonderful Spring Break!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelley Gallt
Superintendent
Join Us for Sip 'n Chat - Evening Hours!
This year, in conjunction with the District 95 Board of Education and administration, we began a new initiative called “Sip ‘n Chat” where up to two Board members, one or more administrators, and I will be available at various locations in the community for people to drop in for conversations relating to our school district. We will have key people on hand who are subject matter experts in particular areas, but discussions are not restricted to only that topic. We hope to have room for up to 20-25 people at one time, though it is also fine to come and go – I hope you will consider stopping by for our last Sip 'n Chat of the school year!
April 21, 2025
Ela Library
275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Subject Matter Experts: Teaching, Learning, & Student Performance
Summer Semester
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 Course Offerings
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 Aubrey Allen at aubrey.allen@lz95.org or (847) 540-5489.
Summer Semester Registration
Summer Semester 2025 registration will open on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and run through Friday, May 16, 2025 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 May 1, 2025 - May 16, 2025.
Registration will be conducted exclusively through ParentVue, accessible via the district website (www.lz95.org) including for non-District 95 families.
5Essentials Survey
We value your input! The 5Essentials Survey is now open for parent feedback. This survey provides valuable insights into our schools and helps guide future improvements. We encourage all families to participate and share their perspectives. The survey is open now through March 31st.
Click the link to complete the survey: 5Essentials Parent Survey
Thank you for your time and support!
I continue to be so proud of the instruction and learning happening in each of our classrooms across the district! It is such a privilege to get to visit classrooms and join in the learning at least once a month. During March, I had the opportunity learn alongside students in a third-grade classroom, co-taught by a talented teacher, Ms. Queffelec and an instructional coach, Ms. Powers. The experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
The lesson began with a review of how to use SchoolAi, a tool designed to support student-driven inquiry and research. As students, we received whole group information related to a review of its functionality and how it could enhance our learning process. We were then divided into groups to research student-driven topics, with my team focusing on endangered animals—how to identify them and what actions we can take to ensure their survival.
Through the SchoolAi platform, we gathered information about protecting natural habitats and explored different ways the tool presented information—sometimes in paragraph form and other times in bullet points. This differentiation allowed us to personalize our learning, helping us understand how we best process and retain information. Additionally, our group had to reach a consensus on the questions we wanted to ask SchoolAi, fostering critical thinking and collaboration. It was inspiring to see how efficiently and respectfully my team worked, ensuring all voices were heard and valued.
This experience was a powerful reflection of our district’s instructional model, which emphasizes authentic learning, student agency, and innovative practices. The hands-on, inquiry-based approach kept all students engaged, encouraged problem-solving, and reinforced the importance of teamwork. The excitement and curiosity in the room was remarkable, making it clear that this method of learning resonates deeply with our students.
I left the classroom energized and eager to return to see the students’ final products on endangered animals. This visit reinforced my belief in the importance of innovative instructional practices and the role of technology in enhancing student learning. Witnessing firsthand how our educators and students embrace these opportunities reaffirms our district’s commitment to fostering dynamic and meaningful educational experiences.
A special thank you to Ms. Queffelec and Ms. Powers. The insights we as learners gained from this experience were invaluable - and for me the joy of learning alongside our students is truly unmatched.
Get to know your Board of Education members! The Board Corner is a new article series for the 2024-25 school year which features a letter from a different Board of Education member each month.
For more information about the Board of Education, including meeting schedules, how to contact the Board, and much more, click here to visit the District 95 website, then select the "School Board" menu.
A Letter from Board Member, Peter Etienne
Dear District 95 Community,
When my wife and I moved to Lake Zurich from Palatine over 30 years ago with our newborn daughter, we were not sure what life had in store for us. But we found a good church, made some lifelong friends, and encountered a great educational environment in District 95 as our family grew.
All our three children attended District 95 schools (Isaac Fox, Seth Paine, Middle School North, and Lake Zurich High School). I became one of the dads who attended my children’s music, football, track and other events and recorded so many videos that few, if anyone else, will ever watch.
I do not take what we have in District 95 for granted: award- winning schools (two national Blue Ribbons) and a district nationally recognized with a Green Ribbon for something I care about deeply, environmental sustainability, while maintaining an excellent financial foundation.
I know what our community has in District 95 is remarkable. My own history with parents who had less than a fifth-grade education and as the only one of my mother’s nine children to get a 4-year college degree, made me acutely aware of the special opportunities District 95 provides to all our learners who are dreaming and striving to achieve personal excellence.
Since joining the Board in 2020, at our meetings I try to picture that student who perhaps has less means than others but for whom a great education can change the trajectory of that student’s entire family. So, I try to support our amazing teachers, staff and families to enable that student, and all our learners, to succeed, regardless of background and further the district’s mission “to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence.”
Education has been a consistent thread throughout my personal history. I taught in a public school in Florida after completing my undergraduate degree at Trinity College in Illinois. I was an academic advisor to undergraduate students while at law school at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. While practicing law as an environmental attorney, I served over ten years on a university board and joined the District 95 School Board in 2020. I currently serve on the District’s Teaching and Learning Committee and Sustainability Committee.
My service on the School Board has deepened my appreciation for the remarkable students, teachers, staff and families that form the District 95 community. I feel blessed to have this opportunity to contribute to the district’s progress. I appreciate the district’s value of equity and our efforts to responsibly and ethically harness the amazing promises of artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare all our students to live in a world that is rapidly changing.
I am excited about District 95’s future. I hope you will feel comfortable letting us know how we can continue to build on our remarkable achievements, improve where we need to, and make the district even better for generations to come.
Peter Etienne
Celebrating Staff Appreciation Days
Please join us in celebrating members of our staff with a 'thank you' or a kind email in honor of these upcoming recognition days!
April 2nd - Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th - School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 7th - National Assistant Principals Week
April 21st - Public School Volunteer Week
April 23rd - Administrative Professionals Day
District 95 Job Openings
In addition to an ongoing need for bus drivers (see below for more information), District 95 also has many other current employment needs including playground/lunchroom supervisors, classroom aides, and more. For a current list of openings, please visit our online job listings by clicking here.
Bus Drivers
Looking for an opportunity to give back to the community? Retired and looking for a way to stay active and connected? A parent wanting to have the same schedule as your children? Want to bring your preschool aged child to work with you? Join our amazing team of bus drivers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
Benefits Include: · Paid Behind the Wheel Training · Partial Paid Health Insurance · Retirement Benefits · Sick Leave · Personal Days· Competitive Pay including pay for prior experience
Qualifications: · Good Driving Record · Minimum of 21 years old (Drivers) · Pass required Federal Background check · Pass a pre-employment/ annual physical & drug test · Enjoy working with kids!!
If you have any questions, contact the District 95 Transportation Department at 847-438-2834.
Click here to apply online by visiting our website or go to www.lz95.org/jobs ~ Click on Job Openings ~ Select Transportation ~ Select Apply button
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95
Email: feedback@lz95.org
Website: www.lz95.org
Location: 832 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL, USA
Phone: 847-438-2831
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LZdistrict95
Instagram: @LZdistrict95
X(Twitter): @LZdistrict95