PARENT 411 on 67 - 5.10.23

May 10, 2023

As we near the end of the school year, I want to include an update from Vail Kieser, Director of Teaching and Learning. At the April 25th regular meeting, the Board of Education adopted Amplify for the K-8 English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum to replace the Lucy Calkins Units of Study resource. Amplify will offer a rigorous and systematic approach aligned with the Science of Reading to support students to thrive academically and develop strong literacy skills. Mrs. Kieser is excited to talk about what the implementation looks like leading up to the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent

Dear District 67 Families,

Our District is well on its way to a successful Amplify curriculum training and implementation for the upcoming 23-24 school year. Over the coming months, we will be ordering supplies, engaging in professional development (PD) around the Science of Reading and new curriculum, and preparing to welcome our students back with an exciting new resource that will inspire their passion for reading and writing.

Earlier this week at an all District Continuous Improvement of Instruction (CII) session on Monday afternoon, Amplify representatives joined our K-8 staff to kick off our implementation and talk through the Science of Reading. This was a critical first step to begin our implementation journey - it is integral that every single educator, not just our ELA teachers, be comfortable with and aware of Amplify’s curriculum and the methodology because reading, writing, literary skills, listening, communication, and speaking impact every content area.

Between now and the first day of school, we will be offering professional development and training opportunities for staff working directly or indirectly with the curriculum, including our instructional coaches, to put plans in place to begin the school year smoothly. They will meet to not only continue Science of Reading instruction, but to also pace out the curriculum units over the year to ensure that all grade-level standards are taught with assessments in place to evaluate evidence-based instruction. As the school year continues in the fall, there will be ongoing job-embedded PD for Amplify and Science of Reading. We also look forward to hosting a LET’S TALK: Amplify ELA Curriculum for families in the early fall where we will answer questions, including answering how to support your students at home.

Many of you are wondering, “how is our staff feeling about this change?” We asked them! Here are just a few answers to the questions “what excites you about our future with the adoption of Amplify?”:

• “I am so excited for students to learn how to read according to the Science of Reading research and to be immersed in foundational phonemic awareness and phonics instruction from the beginning.”

• “I'm excited to have a program that incorporates word work and vocabulary (instead of using multiple resources) and looks at reading and writing as an ELA block altogether.”

• “I'm excited that we are incorporating Science and Social Studies into our ELA instruction. I love that, through our reading and writing instruction, our students will learn so much about science, culture, and the world.”

• “I am excited about the tie in with the ‘knowledge’ domains. The various content students will be delving into will really excite the students!”

• “It addresses all pillars of reading and foundational skills”

• “I absolutely loved the presentation! Before, I was skeptical how it would relate to me being a math teacher but I walked away super excited for the ELA teachers and students next year with this new curriculum. I wish I was taking the class!”

Thank you to our families and staff for your continued partnership. We have incredibly talented professionals in our District who are ready to go on this journey with our students and lead with confidence, empathy, and expertise. We wish you a wonderful and restful summer and look forward to welcoming all of our D67 learners in August!

Sincerely,

Vail Kieser

Director, Teaching and Learning

There is no better time to celebrate the hard work of our District 67 teachers and staff than during National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12). This week provides us an opportunity to acknowledge, appreciate, and support the professionals who dedicate themselves to serving our Lake Forest students and families. Today and everyday, let's thank them for bringing what makes them truly special: their love for learning, their passion for professional development and growth, their ability to adapt and be flexible, and their dedication to every learner in our District.

Students who are entering 2nd grade through 7th grade for our 2023-2024 District 67 school year will be taking their devices home over the summer.

8th grade graduating students will turn in their District iPads, chargers, and Logitech crayons on May 24. Kindergarten students will be turning in their iPads to their homeroom teachers before June 5. A new iPad will be given to all 1st graders during the first week of the 2023-2024 school year in their new classrooms.

Below are basic care instructions for your student’s device and options for technical support over the summer.

What resources will continue to be available for my students over the summer?

All the apps & subscriptions students use throughout the year are available on iPads during the summer for them to explore their creativity, interests and knowledge.

Does my student need to bring their device to any summer programming?

If your student is registered for Summer Offerings/Extended School Year (ESY) courses that use technology, please send your student with their device to their summer classes.

What if technical support is needed over the summer?

If you are having problems with your iPad over the summer, please email the Tech Department studenttechhelp67@lfschools.net. If it is necessary to bring in your device to have it repaired or serviced, a member of the Tech Team will be available by appointment only.

What if we are moving and need to turn in the District iPad?

Email the Tech Department studenttechhelp67@lfschools.net to coordinate when you can turn in your iPad, charger, and Logitech crayon to the Tech Department.

You may have noticed the green ribbons adorning our school signs. The ribbons were placed by the District to raise awareness about Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a national movement to help fight the stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.

If you would like additional information, please visit the websites below.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Mental Health America
• LEAD
• Youth.Gov

For support in our schools, please visit our website or speak with your school principal.

• Health Services
• Student Services

To support a loved one in crisis:

• Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

• LEAD Text-for-Help is a mental health crisis text hotline that is available 24/7, fully confidential, and staffed by licensed mental health counselors.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988

• Safe2Help Illinois Helpline: Dial 844-4-SAFEIL 24/7, Free & Confidential

• CANCELLED: May 23, 2023 - Regular Meeting
• NEW DATE: June 20, 2023 - Regular Meeting
  
  

• Agenda

• Recording of Meeting

• Board President's Report

• Superintendent's Report

On May 2, the District 67 Board of Education met for its organizational meeting. We welcomed our newest Board members Megan Engelberg, Mark Remus, and Monica Yaun and thanked our outgoing Board members President, Suzanne Sands, Richard Chun, and Jennifer Mason Marek.

We want to congratulate Annie Geraghty Helms, our new Board of Education President, Alice LeVert, the Board Vice President, and Emily Bernahl, the Board Secretary.

Our thanks go to all of our current and former Board members for their hard work and dedication this year. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Board during this upcoming school year and beyond to positively impact our students, families, and staff.

With the passage of the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 $105.7 million 20-year bond referendum, District 115 will now move into the next phase of planning with the assembly of a District 115 Capital Projects Advisory Committee to provide community consultation on projects funded by the bond. Thank you to all of our community members who applied for our committee. The District is currently reviewing applications and will announce committee members the week of May 15.

For more information about the bond, please visit our District 115 referendum website.

On May 8, fourth graders from all three District 67 elementary schools attend a pep-rally/welcome event in which they will toured the middle school building and learned about Deer Path from administration, teachers and students. They were paired with a Buddy Class to meet and interact with current DPM 5th graders. Our fourth graders had a blast and it's safe to say they are ready to begin their middle school adventures!

On August 18, 5th grade students will be invited into Deer Path for an exciting day of celebration. They will tour the school (again) and participate in a series of team building/get-to-know-you activities. They will be paired with incoming 5th grade students from all three elementary schools and led by a group of our 8th graders during the activities. Times will be shared in a summer invitation.

Student Walkthrough

On August 22, families (students and guardians) will be invited into school to walk through their child’s schedule and meet their teachers. This is a time to quickly say “hi” to teachers and to help your child settle into DPM. The purpose of the event is for students to familiarize themselves with their schedule, class locations, and locker location. Times will be shared in the “Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year Communication.”

District 67 is thrilled to share that several Deer Path Middle School Mandarin students have excelled in the CLASS (Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools ) 2nd Annual National Poster Contest! All of our Mandarin students displayed exceptional skills and did an outstanding job in this competition. We are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to the following students on these remarkable achievements!

• Rebecca H. - Gold Award (5th grade)
• Riya K. - Silver Award (7th grade)
• Henry K. - Honorable Mention Award
• Hailey L. - Participation Commendation
• Tavin W. - Participation Commendation

Congratulations to two of our DPM students for placing in the Spring 2023 DPM Chess Club Tournament! Chess Club is an excellent opportunity for middle school students to learn and/or practice the fundamental problem-solving skills of chess in a low-key, friendly environment with other students at all levels of play.

1st Place: Rex P.

2nd Place: Samuel F.

We are excited to continue our 411 series celebrating this year's retirees. Our “graduating class” of seven talented teachers and staff members represent a total of 140 years of service. Together, they have taught and supported thousands of students during their careers. We will share their profiles in each issue of the 411. Please join us in thanking and congratulating them!

The Lake Forest District 67 APT is proud to share our generous families donated over 11,000 lbs. of food to the North Chicago Community Partners food pantry located at the North Chicago High School. Notability, this was a threefold increase from last year’s annual APT sponsored “School’s Out Food Drive.” Students and families from all Lake Forest District 67 schools – Cherokee, Everett, Sheridan and Deer Path – collectively rose to answer the needs of our neighbors.

A few highlights to share:

• Nearly 100 students and parents participated in the food sorting to package the food for the pantry.

• Sheridan brought in the most donations.

• Deer Path has steadily increased its donations each year, especially on the 5/6 side. Last minute reminders from the Principals added to the strong turnout on the last day of the drive.

• Everett’s food donations doubled from last year.

• Cherokee had many student volunteers at the food sorting who were very helpful!

• 11,000+ lbs. of food was donated, including the food staples of: peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, rice, dried beans, baking items, granola bars, after school snacks, easy to prepare food items like Mac n cheese, and more.

• Today, North Chicago high school students helped unload the food for the pantry.

• The food donations will be put to immediate use.

A Huge Thank You to...

CROYA. As always, they are a dependable partner to the District and served as our “Food Drive Headquarters” for a second year in a row!

Our School APT Representatives. It take a village to transport this much food, and our reps do a ton of heavy lifting to make this event possible by helping load the food and drive it to the pantry!

North Chicago Community Partners. They bridge the opportunity gap and support children in North Chicago by leveraging resources from within and around the neighborhood

Our School Community. We are very grateful for this generous community who takes fighting food insecurity seriously. Way to go District 67!

Zoom registration link: www.bit.ly/HershfieldFANSponsor

We've all had the desire to travel through time and see what our lives will be like later in life. While we want the best possible future for ourselves, we often fail to make decisions that would truly make that a reality. Why are so many of us so disconnected from our future selves?

Based on over a decade of groundbreaking research, Hal Hershfield, Ph.D.’s new book "Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today" explains that, in our minds, our future selves often look like strangers. Many of us view the future as incredibly distant, making us more likely to opt for immediate gratification that disregards the health and wellbeing of ourselves in the years to come. People who can connect with their future selves, however, are better able to balance living for today and planning for tomorrow. "Your Future Self" presents the science, describes the mental mistakes we make in thinking about the future, and gives us practical advice for imagining our best future so that we can make that a reality.

City of Lake Forest Master Plan for Northcroft Park

The City of Lake Forest is looking for community input to help develop a Master Plan for Northcroft Park. During the first phase of the process, we’re gathering input to better understanding how residents currently use the park and identify opportunity for improvements.

The City is planning to host a meeting titled “Planning and Pizza in the Park” on Wednesday, May 24 from 4-6 pm at Northcroft Park, located at 1365 South Ridge Rd. Drop-in anytime to participate in interactive activities for adults and children, grab some pizza, and help shape the future of Northcroft Park!

CROYA’s 6th Grade Welcome Party is Tuesday, May 16 from 3:45pm-5:00pm! All current 6th grade students are welcome to attend and check out the CROYA facility!

Read the latest CROYA newsletter for more upcoming events!

Summer Early Focus Educational Camp at Gorton

Monday, June 19 – Friday, June 23, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Grades: Entering Kindergarten – 2nd

This program builds on children’s learning from the school year. Two local certified teachers will provide a highly engaging program that offers academic support to prevent summer learning loss as well as other opportunities for growth and exploration. There will be daily educational small group activities that incorporate reading, math and science aligned with the district’s curriculum. Link: https://gortoncenter.org/event/summer-early-focus-educational-camp/

Lake Forest Open Lands Summer Program

Summer is the perfect time to connect with nature and explore outdoors with LFOLA!

Lake Forest Open Lands summer programs encourage children to discover the wonders of the natural world while having fun outside. For preschoolers through age 12. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER