Superintendent News
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95
A Message from Dr. Kelley Gallt
August 27, 2021
Dear District 95 Families,
I am so proud of District 95’s incredible start to the school year for our students, families, and staff! We have 5,529 students fully in-person and less than 10 students participating in a remote program. I am so impressed with the continued community and Board of Education support, especially related to our facilities district wide. May Whitney Elementary School’s opening marks the last school to become air-conditioned, providing all students and staff with more comfortable learning environments. Additionally, we have now accomplished renovating and/or providing newly designed future-ready learning spaces in 6 of our 8 schools (with more updates planned for the remaining schools in the near future)! Look below for photos of our recent ribbon cutting ceremonies. The support of our entire community in providing incredible learning experiences to our students is impressive!
As we continue to implement and comply with all State health expectations, please note the Governor’s press conference yesterday where he announced new mitigations for the entire state as COVID-19 metrics continue to climb and as hospital capacities continue to be stretched statewide. Please see the article below, Governor’s Order – New Health Mandates.
Our consistent approach for this school year is again grounded in health, safety, learning, and communication. I am so proud to offer fully in-person learning and to continue to provide transparent communications through our district and school communications, including recent summer updates to the website making key information more easily accessible (see the article below, District Website Updates). As always, Board of Education meetings can also be easily viewed through Livestream on our district website (click here).
Thank you so much for your partnership and for a great start to the school year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelley Gallt
May Whitney Ribbon Cutting
LZHS Learning & Innovation Hub Ribbon Cutting
Seth Paine Ribbon Cutting
Governor’s Order – New Health Mandates
As we continue to implement and comply with all State health expectations, please be aware that the Governor issued new mitigation strategies on August 26, 2021 for the entire state as COVID-19 metrics continue to climb and as hospital capacities continue to be stretched statewide.
Masking
The governor issued a statewide indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continue to increase. The masking requirements are effective Monday, August 30th.
Vaccination Requirements for Employees in PreK-12 Grade Educational Institutions
The governor also issued new requirements for employees of educational institutions:
Teachers and staff at pre-k-12 schools as well as personnel and students at higher education institutions are required to receive the vaccine. Workers and students in applicable settings must receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by September 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose.
Workers who do not receive the vaccine or those who opt out for medical reasons or based on a sincerely held religious belief must follow a routine testing schedule to detect cases early and prevent further spread. Testing will be required a minimum of once per week in schools and healthcare facilities. The frequency of testing may be required to increase in the event of positive cases.
Symptom Monitoring Reminders
We want to take this opportunity to provide a reminder that while the District is currently not requiring a daily health screener, all students, families, and staff members must remember that regular symptom monitoring is an important mitigation strategy to maintain the ability to continue in-person instruction. As such, please remember that students who are not feeling well CANNOT attend school, and families MUST report their symptoms to their school health office. In addition, siblings or family members of ill or symptomatic students CANNOT attend school until the symptomatic student has been cleared by the school nurse, which may include a negative COVID test. Finally, students and/or students of family members who have tested positive for COVID cannot attend school and must contact the school nurse.
COVID Information Update
This year, we have updated our website to report weekly COVID case information by school/District (rather than cumulative COVID information). Families and staff members can see updated information on the Health & Wellness webpage (select the Current D95 COVID Cases section). These numbers are updated at the end of each week.
District Website Updates
Based on feedback from parents, students, and staff, we have made some updates to the school and district webpages that makes helpful information more easily accessible.
Check out these icons under “Important Links” on the District 95 homepage:
Schedules & Learning Modes - check here to see our current learning status (in-person) along with the schedules for all schools.
Recent District Communications – check here for recent School Messenger emails sent from the District to all families.
Health & Wellness Information – visit this page for COVID health information and Social Emotional Wellness information.
Calendar – this is a quick link to the Calendar snapshot
Instructional Plans – this is a quick link the Instructional Plans for the 2021-22 school year.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please check the menus or click on the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the top of the page!
LZHS Distinguished Alumni – Nominations Being Accepted!
Do you know an amazing Lake Zurich High School alumni who has made great contributions and achievements in the world? If so, submit a nomination for the LZHS Distinguished Alumni Recognition award!
Nomination Criteria: To be nominated, alumni must have graduated from Lake Zurich High School at least 10 years ago and made significant contributions in their chosen field of work or through service to community, country, or world.
Selection Criteria:
Graduated 10 or more years ago
Models high standards of excellence in personal and/or professional life
Outstanding contribution to volunteer service or their community, country, or world
Post-secondary experiences reflect the values supporting our district mission: collaboration, continuous improvement, equity, high expectations, integrity, perseverance and respect
Nominees will be honored at the October 8th Homecoming football game and will have their pictures added to our Distinguished Alumni Wall at LZHS!
Click here to submit your nomination by end-of-day on September 7th.
LZPD Seeking Crossing Guards
The Village of Lake Zurich Police Department is in need of a full-time crossing guard for the morning at Seth Paine Elementary School. Click here to visit the Village website for more information on the position, as well as instructions on how to apply!