Superintendent News

February 5, 2025

Dear District 95 Families,

As February kicks off, the sometimes cold and bleak weather has not slowed down the learning and activities across the district. Our students are busier than ever with so many different, exciting opportunities!

It's also important to remember that the adults in our learning community are also continuously learning and growing - you may not realize, but this is the focus of our institute days, where our staff receive important, targeted professional learning. Since our staff are always busy teaching and supporting students, institute days are important days for the district to provide professional learning on a variety of topics, aimed at making our system even stronger. Staff also participate in other collaborative work throughout the year including leadership training, committee work, and Professional Learning Committees (PLCs) to name a few. Our photo features for this newsletter highlight staff learning and collaboration.

Please be sure to see the articles below for information about the 2025-26 Snapshot Calendar, some awesome upcoming events, an inspiring classroom visit, and a letter from another Board member in The Board Corner series.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelley Gallt

Superintendent

As you may recall, last year the district surveyed parents/guardians and students to learn more about what they hoped to see from our food service providers in an effort to help guide us in selecting our food service vendors. Now, nearly a year later and with two new providers in place, we are interested in hearing about your experiences with food service during the 2024-25 school year.

This week you will be receiving an email from our business office asking you to participate in a short survey. If your student participates in the school lunch program, we hope you will take a few moments to provide some feedback!

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 a cup of coffee and a chat!

March 21, 2025

Après Pastry & Bakery

17 S. Old Rand Rd.

8:30 - 10:00 am

Subject Matter Experts: Portrait of a Graduate - Strategic Planning (Part 2)

Join us on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the LZHS cafeteria.

The District Art Festival is a vibrant celebration of art, design, and media education programs within District 95. This event is an excellent opportunity to appreciate the creativity and talent of our students across all grade levels. All are welcome, and attendees will park in the PAC lot, enter the PAC lobby doors, and walk down to the cafeteria.

What to Expect:

• Student Art Exhibits: Enjoy a diverse array of artworks created by K-12 students, showcasing their skills and artistic growth.
• Interactive Art Activities: Participants can participate in hands-on art activities suitable for all ages, providing a fun and engaging experience for everyone.
• Live Demonstrations: Watch live art demonstrations by talented students and educators, offering insights into various artistic techniques and processes.
• Community Engagement: Connect with fellow art enthusiasts, educators, and families, fostering a sense of community and shared appreciation for the arts.

Each year, a dedicated group of individuals meet throughout the year to develop a calendar for the upcoming school year. The Calendar Committee consists of staff, students, parents/guardians, and administrators who offer differing perspectives and who collaborate thoughtfully to put forth the best possible calendar. Viewpoints from many lenses are considered in the process including recent survey data (Fall 2023) from parents/guardians, students, and staff. Thank you to our many Calendar Committee representatives!

Click here to see the 2025-26 Calendar Snapshot (also found on the District website under District -> Calendar).

Join us for the D95 Foundation’s annual Gala, “Derby Dreams - A Night For Education,” on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Grove Country Club in Long Grove. This celebration of education and community seeks support from those who believe in the power of educational initiatives.

We invite you to attend the event, host a table, donate silent auction items, or become an event sponsor. Your contributions are crucial in raising funds that directly benefit our students and programs.

For more information visit our website www.district95foundation.org/gala

In this feature article, “Innovation in the Classroom", we highlight the Superintendent as a member of a classroom for one full period. A different school and class are highlighted each month, allowing readers a view into the classroom from a new perspective!. These lessons highlight certain aspects of the District 95 Instruction Learning Model.

One of the greatest joys of being a superintendent is stepping into our classrooms to witness firsthand the incredible learning experiences our students engage in every day. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in an engineering-focused lesson that truly exemplified our district's instructional model: authentic learning and a dynamic learning environment.

The lesson began with a mini-lesson led by the teacher, Ms. Victoria Jiron, at Middle School North, which was designed to build understanding and connect learning to previous activities and to real-world problem solving. Ms. Jiron introduced students to universal joints and the importance of their design. The real-world connection? When a vehicle drives over uneven road surfaces, its driveshafts must move up and down with the suspension while still rotating to maintain power to the driving wheels. Without universal joints, this process wouldn’t be possible.

With that foundation, the real challenge began. In teams, we worked to construct a cat toy using universal joints, following sketches to guide our builds. At first glance, the task seemed straightforward, but we quickly realized that constructing and problem-solving in real-time was not as easy as it appeared on paper. It required collaboration, engagement, and curiosity, all hallmarks of our dynamic learning environment.

Prior to building the cat toy, we examined the differences between Sketch A and Sketch B. We found that Sketch B, with its clear labels, made the process significantly easier. Once our build was complete, it was time to test the toy. We placed the toy flat on the table with no obstacles, ensuring the drive shafts were fully extended. Cranking the handle one full rotation clockwise caused the wheel to move to the right. Then, turning the handle two full rotations counterclockwise allowed the wheel to move all the way around and lift. As a collective class, we discussed how the universal joint supported the wheel’s movement and the real-world applications of this mechanism.

This experience was a shining example of authentic learning in action: innovative, connected, and relevant, with students fully immersed in hands-on problem-solving and critical thinking. Watching students take ownership of their learning, embrace problem-solving, and make meaningful connections to real-world applications was truly inspiring. Experiences like these reinforce the transformative power of education, highlighting the value of innovation, creativity, and teamwork in our classrooms!

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.

Dear District 95 Community,

As we start a new year, it is an opportunity to think about what we have accomplished and where we are going. The end of 2024 marks the end of the first quarter of this century. If we think back to our preparations and uncertainties for Y2K, the changes we have experienced are astounding. We use our phones to search the internet and we are learning how to best utilize artificial intelligence. As the world around us evolves, education must take a leading role in teaching today’s students the skills they will need for their lifetime, responsibly using technology and encouraging curiosity to create tools that do not yet exist. I am excited to play a role in this continuous movement forward.

January marked an anniversary for me personally. In January 2012, I was honored to be named to the CUSD 95 School Board of Education. As I begin my 14th year of service to District 95, I reflect on what has been accomplished. The financial health of District 95 has gone from an entity needing to borrow money to cover operating costs to one with an AAA credit rating, the highest available. Our fund balances are healthy. With the strong support of our community, the 2017 referendum passed and allowed us to build a new elementary school and make improvements to all the other school buildings. We were able to obtain a new loan that lowered the debt cost to the community and executed projects under budget. These savings allowed for improvements beyond what was listed in the referendum language.

One of the advantages of being a unit school district is the ability to create consistent and integrated curriculum throughout all grade levels. The benefits of this work is now being seen in the higher standardized testing results at each school and the Blue Ribbon Award granted this year to two schools, Lake Zurich High School and Middle School North. The SEL (social and emotional learning) work throughout the district and outstanding services provided to students with special needs has enhanced our school learning environments and contributed to increased academic success for all. Of course, all of this would not be possible without our outstanding staff and administration. The recent designation of District 95 as a “Great Place to Work” underscores the wonderful work environment that has been created by all staff members and our community working together.

I would be remiss to not also mention the Green Ribbon Award that was granted in 2024 to the district as a whole. Only ten districts nationwide have received this distinction. The sustainability practices at each building are remarkable, we should be proud of how much our students and staff care about the planet and their community. Their efforts not only improve the world around them but also their learning environment.

I am very proud of District 95 and all that has been accomplished and I am honored to serve on your School Board. As we start the New Year, I am committed to continue to learn, grow, listen and evolve with our community and to continue to support the District’s mission to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence.

Lisa Warren

Please join us in celebrating members of our staff with a 'thank you' or a kind email in honor of these upcoming recognition days!

February 3rd - National School Counseling Week

February 15th - National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

February 22nd - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

March 3rd-7th - National School Social Workers Week

March 7th - Maintenance Workers Appreciation Day

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

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