May Newsletter

Hello D95 Community!

As we head into the final few days of the school year, there is so much to celebrate across District 95. This season always brings a mix of reflection, excitement, gratitude, and anticipation for what comes next. It is a time to pause and recognize not only the milestones our students have reached, but also the growth, resilience, creativity, and leadership they have demonstrated throughout the year.

On Sunday, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 as they crossed the stage and prepared for the next chapter of their journeys. Today, our 8th graders celebrate their promotion and begin looking ahead to high school this fall. I know firsthand how meaningful these transitions are for students and families — and I also understand how very full and emotional these final weeks of school can be.

This month’s newsletter highlights just a few of the many reasons we are proud of our District 95 community. From the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by our INCubator students at Pitch Night, to the extraordinary compassion and leadership demonstrated by this year’s Gary W. Robillard Leadership Award recipient, Patricia Linares, these stories are powerful reminders of what makes our schools so special. We are also looking ahead to one of our favorite community traditions — the D95 Educational Foundation Annual Golf Outing on June 8th at Kemper Lakes — and I hope many of you will join us in supporting opportunities for students and staff across the district!

Thank you, as always, for supporting the D95 Educational Foundation and for continuing to invest in experiences that help our students and educators thrive. As the school year comes to a close, I hope your family has the opportunity to celebrate the milestones, reflect on all that has been accomplished, and transition into summer with joy, rest, and time together.

With gratitude,

Tessa Zevallos

Executive Director

District 95 Educational Foundation

foundation@lz95.org

P.S. We are in the home stretch of our fundraising campaign to bring a cutting-edge 3D Interactive Anatomy Table to D95. Please consider making a gift to help us reach our goal!

On April 30th, Lake Zurich High School’s INCubator students took center stage at Pitch Night, presenting innovative business ideas to a panel of investors, judges, mentors, and community members after months of research, collaboration, and product development. The event showcased not only impressive entrepreneurial thinking, but also the confidence, professionalism, and creativity of our students.

This year’s three finalist businesses — Fusion Brush, Eco Eternal, and Next Step — each earned $5,000 in investment funding to continue developing and growing their ventures. Led by talented 10th and 11th grade students at LZHS, these businesses demonstrated an incredible ability to identify real-world problems, develop thoughtful solutions, and communicate their ideas with clarity and passion.

We are incredibly proud of all of the students who participated this year and are especially excited to follow the journeys of Fusion Brush, Eco Eternal, and Next Step as they continue to grow their businesses during the coming school year!

The D95 Educational Foundation is proud to recognize Patricia Linares as the recipient of the 2026 Gary W. Robillard Leadership Award. Established in 2007 in honor of former Board of Education President Gary W. Robillard, this award recognizes a District 95 professional whose leadership has made a profound and lasting impact on the school community through integrity, vision, courage, trustworthiness, and high expectations.

As District 95’s Parent and Guardian Liaison, Patricia embodies these qualities every single day. In announcing the award, Superintendent Dr. Kelley Gallt described Patricia as “a bridge” and “a lifeline” for families navigating the intersection of school and home. She is a constant and compassionate presence for students and caregivers alike — advocating tirelessly for families, especially those within special populations, and ensuring every voice is heard with dignity and care. Whether helping connect families with essential resources, supporting students in times of need, or simply making herself available whenever someone needs guidance, Patricia leads with extraordinary selflessness and heart. Her impact can be seen not only in programs or initiatives, but in the countless stories of resilience, trust, and hope she helps create throughout our district community.

There’s still time to join us for the D95 Educational Foundation’s Annual Golf Outing on June 8 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club — but registration closes on June 1st!

This favorite community tradition is more than just a great day on the course. It is an opportunity for families, community members, local businesses, and district supporters to come together in support of innovative learning opportunities for District 95 students and staff. Whether you are registering a foursome, signing up as an individual golfer, or participating as a sponsor, your support directly helps fund impactful programs and experiences across the district.

We would love to see you there as we celebrate another incredible school year and invest in the future of District 95. Spots are filling quickly, so be sure to reserve your place before the June 1st deadline.

The 3D Interactive Anatomy Table has the potential to transform science learning at LZHS by giving students an immersive, hands-on way to explore the human body in incredible detail. This innovative technology would provide meaningful real-world learning experiences while helping prepare students for future careers in science, healthcare, and medicine.

We are incredibly close to making this vision a reality for the next school year, and every donation helps move this project one step closer to our students!

Indra Josephs, President

Azure Smith, Treasurer

Ashley Scott, Vice President of Development

Savannah Haeger, Vice President of Communications

Andy Spetter, Vice President of Grants & Initiatives

Willy Borkowski, Secretary

Deacon John Sfire, Trustee

Joe Janicki, Trustee

Vas Russis, Trustee

Feliks Kravets, Trustee

Olga Golumbovski, Trustee

Brad Beckner, Trustee

Dr. Kelley Gallt, Superintendent