LRE Renovation Updates -

As the community is aware, we are excited to embark on a partial renovation of Lakeshore Road Elementary school. Lakeshore Road Elementary was originally opened in 1958 and over the past 65 years, has had a few minor additions and renovations but most of the building is from the original construction. In December 2022, our community approved a capital project renovation of Lakeshore Road Elementary School. The renovation will fully renovate about 50% of the building including the current library, cafeteria, main office wing, gymnasium and the front instructional wing (currently K-1). This project will take place across the 2024-2025 school year.

In March 2022, a meeting was held at Lakeshore Road Elementary School to share the overall scope of the project and answer some preliminary questions from the community. Since then, a renovation committee has formed which includes 22 various stakeholders (parents, teachers, support staff, maintenance and operations staff, building principal, architects and district administration). This committee meets regularly to review design plans, discuss and recommend relocation options and provide ongoing support and feedback throughout all stages of the renovation.

In order to complete this renovation, we will need to close the entire building for the entire 2024-2025 school year. We have reviewed all viable options and our central focus has been on creating a relocation plan centered on keeping as many students and families together as possible. Displacing an entire school is a necessary but complex situation. After much consideration, discussion and planning, we have finalized the transition plan.

The Renovation Team is implementing procedures to help our students make a smooth transition regardless of what building they will attend. Orientations and tours will be available in August before school starts. We are also working to ensure all programs are still available to our students, such as fire safety events and REV theater shows and will be part of our school yearbook and invited to our PTO events. It is important that we continue to maintain our relationship and community, even if we are in different buildings.

Our 2024 - 2025 Kindergarten students will be attending Cicero Elementary School. Kindergarten registration will occur at Lakeshore Road Elementary on Thursday, March 14 from 1:00 - 7:00. Kindergarten screenings will also take place at Lakeshore Road Elementary in June. It has been decided that we will keep our K students together with our Lakeshore Road Elementary teachers and service providers to better assist with the transition back to our building. Our incoming kindergarten students will still be a part of our Lakeshore community and in our Lakeshore Road Elementary Yearbook. There will be a Kindergarten Orientation that will occur in August at Cicero Elementary.

Grades 1-3 will be housed in the St. Margaret's Building with the LRE staff and School Resource Officer. The district is making many improvements to the building, including adding cameras and security features and all technology will be updated. Tours will also be available before school starts.

Our Fourth Graders will be going to Gillette Road Middle School with our LRE fourth grade teachers. They will follow the same curriculum and classroom routines. Tours and visits will also be available for our students going into fourth grade. Arrival time at Gillette Road Middle School is between 8:00 - 8:10 and the day ends for students at 2:45.

There have been many questions regarding transportation. How long will the bus ride be? How many students on the bus? It is too early to know at this point, but transportation is aware and will relay the information when more information is available. Transportation is looking at similar travel times around the district. Routing is based on enrollment and often takes place in July and August.

We are currently in conversations with the Y Program Supervisors and are looking at options for those families that utilize the program.

To maintain class sizes, we will not be able to accommodate additional students at Cicero Elementary due to the intake of additional K classrooms. As a district we do our best to keep class sizes equitable across the district and Cicero will not have the capacity for any additional sections in the upcoming school year.