January 16th, 2026

Our community has several exciting opportunities and important updates to share with families. This month includes engaging student events such as the K–12+ Science Fair hosted by the LZHS Women in STEAM Club and 8th Grade Elective, Athletic, and Activity Night at Lake Zurich High School, designed to help students explore future learning and involvement opportunities. We are also sharing important safety and legal reminders regarding e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-dirt bikes to help keep students and our community safe. Finally, the PTO is seeking family partners for open and upcoming Executive Board roles, and we appreciate your support in helping spread the word.~Mrs. Crowley

January 19th: MLK Day (all buildings closed)

January 27th @ 2:10 MSN Battle of the Books

February 6th Student Recognition Assembly

February 6th @ 7 PM at MSS: MS Activity Night

February 3rd @2:25: Staff Meeting

February 13th: Institute Day (no student attendance)

February 16th: President's Day (all buildings closed)

Hosted by the Lake Zurich High School Women in STEAM Club, families are invited to a free Science Fair designed to spark curiosity and creativity for students of all ages!

📅 Date: Saturday, February 21
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Lake Zurich High School
💲 Cost: Free to attend
💙 Supported by: District 95 Educational Foundation

🧪 Who Can Participate?
👧🧑 Students in grades K–12+

🔍 How Students Can Participate:
🧠 Present a science fair project
👀 Attend as a participant and listen to presentations

🎉 What’s Included for All Students:
🔬 Hands-on science exploration stations
🎤 An exciting science show
🤝 A fun, inclusive STEAM learning experience

👉 Click here to learn more about the Science Fair and register for the event!

📩 Questions?
All parent questions can be directed to McKenna.Serowka@lz95.org

We would like to share important safety and legal information regarding non-registered motor-driven vehicles, including e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-dirt bikes, as defined under Illinois law and Hawthorn Woods Village Ordinance. Please review the guidelines below to help ensure safe and lawful use.

🚲 E-Bikes (Electric Bicycles)

To qualify as an electric bicycle in Illinois, the bike must:

• Have fully operable pedals

• Have an electric motor of less than 750 watts

• Have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph (28 mph for Class 3)

Important reminders:

• Riders must be 16 years or older

• E-bikes cannot be ridden on public sidewalks

• Riders must follow the same rules of the road as traditional cyclists (signals, stop signs, lane use)

• No more than two e-bikes may ride side-by-side

• It is illegal to modify an e-bike’s speed without a valid updated label

🛴 E-Scooters

Under Illinois law, an electric scooter is defined as:

• A device weighing less than 100 pounds

• Having 2 or 3 wheels, handlebars, and a floorboard

• Powered by an electric motor and/or human power

• Having a maximum speed of 10 mph without human propulsion

Important reminders:

• Riders must be 18 years or older, regardless of speed

• E-scooters cannot be ridden on public sidewalks

• E-scooters may not be operated on roadways or highways with posted speed limits over 35 mph

🏍️ E-Dirt Bikes

Operating an electric dirt bike requires:

• A valid driver’s license

• Registration with the Illinois Secretary of State

• Compliance with insurance requirements

Important reminders:

• E-dirt bikes may only be driven on streets if the driver is properly licensed, registered, and insured

• E-dirt bikes cannot be ridden on public sidewalks

🛑 Hawthorn Woods Village Ordinance – Applies to All Riders

• All riders, regardless of age, must wear a helmet

• E-bikes, e-scooters, and e-dirt bikes are not allowed on Village property, including:

  • Parks

  • Bike paths

  • Parking lots

• Riders must stop for police when signaled

• Penalties and enforcement details can be found in Village Code, Title 6, Chapter 8

As part of our Quarter 3 homeroom talks, school administration will be preparing a short video that students will view during homeroom and BOC. The video is aligned to our Student Behavior Re-Teaching Topics and focuses on reinforcing expectations around respectful interactions, bias awareness, and appropriate technology use. These lessons are grounded in our district values and Portrait of a Graduate traits, with an emphasis on creating a safe, inclusive learning environment for all students. We encourage families to review and discuss these topics at home to help reinforce shared expectations.

Conversation Starters & At-Home Review Topics for Families

Families may find it helpful to talk with their child about the following:

• Respect & Bias Awareness

  • What does it mean to treat everyone with respect, even when people have different backgrounds or beliefs?

  • Why are comments or jokes about immigration, nationality, or identity harmful even if someone says they are “just joking”?

  • What should a student do if they hear or see a bias-related comment at school?

• Technology & Privacy

  • Why is recording or photographing someone without permission not allowed at school?

  • How would you feel if someone recorded you or shared something about you without your consent?

  • What are responsible ways to use technology and social media during and outside the school day?

• Speaking Up & Seeking Help

  • Who can students talk to if they feel uncomfortable or witness inappropriate behavior?

  • Why is it important to report concerns to an adult rather than handling them alone?

These conversations support the work students are doing at school and help reinforce expectations around empathy, accountability, and responsible decision-making.

Christina Diaz Gonzalez, author of The Red Umbrella and Edgar Award-winning Concealed, will speak at MSN on March 13, 2026, in the cafetorium.

Students, staff, and families are encouraged to preorder a copy of her newest graphic novel, Offside.

Offside is about five kids on a co-ed soccer team who must confront insecurities, language barriers, and gender stereotypes to make a difference in the sport they love. This Breakfast Club-inspired story by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and illustrated by Mari Costa is a must-have graphic novel about soccer, friendship, and what it really means to work as a team.

Below are the links to preorder a hardcover or paperback copy of Offsides, which will be delivered to your address after July 2026 publication.

Hardcover: https://www.bookcellarinc.com/offside-graphic-novel-0

Paperback: https://www.bookcellarinc.com/offside-graphic-novel

The PTO is still seeking many inportant leadership roles for the upcoming school year. These roles are an important way for families to support our school community and partner with us in meaningful ways. If you are interested in a role, please email: middleschoolnorthpto@gmail.com

Join the fun at the “Studio 95 Gala”!

• Saturday, February 28, 2026

• 6-11:00 p.m.

• Concorde Banquets

• Dinner! Auction! Entertainment!

Tickets are now available: https://e.givesmart.com/events/LYH/

New this semester, we will be sharing additional information about a variety of student wellness topics for parent/guardian information. Please read on for additional information!

Screen Time: Setting healthy screen time limits and routines helps teach students responsible usage and promotes balance. Below is a information adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics on this topic:

Safe Technology Usage: Linked HERE is a presentation with some brief information/resources regarding safe technology usage and controls for district devices. (NOTE: Additional resources from previous district presentations and other information can be found on the Family Resource Center webpage.)

As we continue into flu season, please see below for important reminders from the Health Office Team:

• Please be sure to monitor your student for flu-like symptoms (e.g., persistent cough, sore throat, fever, body aches)

• If your student is experiencing any exclusionary symptoms (such as a fever above 100.4, vomiting or diarrhea), please do not send them to school

• During this time, preventative measures such as covering your cough, hand-washing, and others can prevent the spread of illness; please be sure to review these strategies with your child at home

For more information on the flu, families can access the Lake County Health Department resource HERE (Spanish version HERE).