Friday Fanscout, February 10, 2023
from Principal Lenart
February 3, 2023
In This Issue
- Principal's Corner
Scouts Need To Know
- Talent Show
- AP Exam Deadlines
- Upcoming Assessment Calendar
- Prom
- Spring Break (Date Correction)
- Reminder - Tuesday, February 21st Is Now A Day Of Instruction
- D115 Referendum Information
- Senior Commemorative
- Employment Opportunities
- Help Needed Concessions
- Mobile Ticketing for Athletic Events
Scouts Nice To Know
Updated (Bivalent) COVID-19 Booster
Theater (Joe Pulio)
Athletics
LFHS Announces New Head Boys Lacrosse Coach
Parent Series 2 Transportation
APT
LFHS Foundation Spring Luncheon
Forest Scout Friday
- Booster Club
- CROYA
Principal's Corner
Happy Friday Scouts and Happy Early Valentines Day!
I have a huge shout out to Old Man Winter–it looks like he is taking a break for the next few days and giving us sunshine and slightly “warmer” (for February at least) weather. We’ll take it!
This has been another busy week. Our Math and Science departments were spotlighted at the Board meeting on Tuesday: As per the usual, the students stole the show. From robots to science projects to Math Team and challenges–there is a lot to be proud of! During my report, I reiterated the course registration reminders I shared in last week’s Fanscout; updated the community on our continued work with regards to SAT performance; and again, reminded everyone that attendance matters. The increase in absences in December almost negated many of the monthly gains we had made, so please help us reinforce this message at home and in the community. As I stated in my report: We cannot teach an empty seat.
On Wednesday, we opened our doors to building tours prior to the D115 Referendum Let’s Talk. Though we did not record this Let’s Talk (We couldn’t even get wireless microphones to work!), here is a link to Dr. Montgomery’s presentation to the Lake Forest City Council. The 9 minute presentation is from the same slide deck used on Wednesday, and many of the questions mirrored ones that were and continue to be asked.
Tonight, we will have Senior Night for Boys Basketball, Competitive Cheer, and Competitive Dance. Dance and Cheer have ended their seasons, both in State competition–more evidence that we are a small(er) high school, but we are mighty! Here is to a mighty end to many other sports, activities, and coursework for all of our Scouts!
Every evening, music is filling the hallway for the annual talent show. It is sure to be an event that can’t be missed, so get your tickets early–The QR Code is below!
Wishing you all the best,
Erin
Upcoming Events
- February 13: Jazz Festival 7:00 PM
- February 17: No-School
- February 20: No-School (Presidents Day)
- February 23: ELS Basketball Game (Competition Gym)
- February 23-25: Talent Show
- February 28: Community Safety Series 7:00-8:30 (Deerpath Middle School)
- March 2: Coffee with Principal Lenart (9:15-10:15 AM)West Campus Board Room) Sign Up
- March 2: Band Concert 7:30 PM - RMA
SCOUTS NEED TO KNOW
Talent Show
AP Exam Deadlines
The College Board AP Exams will be administered in school during the weeks of May 1-5 and May 8-12, 2023. To learn more about the benefits and structure of AP Exams visit this College Board link: AP Exams Overview.
AP Exams will be held at Lake Forest High School as shown on this calendar:
2023 College Board AP Exam Schedule
Calendario de Exámenes AP Del College Board 2023
Final Deadlines:
Registration & Payment:
March 1st is the final deadline to purchase your AP Exam. Please complete payment through REVTRAK on the LFHS website: https://lakeforest.revtrak.net/ Select AP Exams; choose the exam of your choice on the left side of your screen and that will bring you to the payment page.
Cancellation of Exam & Refunds:
An exam that has been paid for and canceled after 11/6/22 will incur a $40 restocking fee as charged by The College Board.
Partial refunds will not be available after 3/1/23.
If you need to cancel an exam, please contact Mrs. LaVitola so College Board materials can be removed from the students account.
Fee Reduction:
The College Board offers a fee reduction for eligible students with financial need. Please contact Mrs. LaVitola for further details.
Test Accommodations:
Students with an IEP or 504 Plan may be eligible for accommodations on AP Exams. In order to receive accommodations on AP Exams, a student must be approved by the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). For students that do not already have accommodations in place, the deadline for applying for accommodations to the College Board is January 18, 2023. Please contact the appropriate administrator for questions and the application process: for IEP Students - Joey Kowalik, Director of Special Education, jkowalik@lfschools.net and for 504 Students - John Maher, Director of Student Services, jmaher@lfschools.net.
If a student is approved for testing accommodations by The College Board and chooses not to use them, a parent must notify Mrs. La Vitola, dlavitola@lfschools.net, by March 1, 2023. Otherwise, students will be placed in the appropriate testing room as indicated on their approved accommodation documents.
Exam Scheduling Conflicts:
Occasionally, a student wants to take two AP Exams scheduled for the same time period. In such cases, the College Board will allow one of the exams to be taken during the late testing period (May 17-May 19) for no additional cost.
If a student is ill and misses an exam, a late exam can be ordered. The College Board will approve late testing for personal conflicts upon review. If the conflict is approved, the College Board charges an additional $40 for each make-up exam.
For both situations, please contact Mrs. La Vitola for scheduling.
Important Deadlines:
August - September 2022: Sign into your College Board account and join your AP Classroom.
September 26 - November 6: Pay for your AP Exam(s) through https://lakeforest.revtrak.net/ap-exams/#/list on the Lake Forest High School website to avoid a $40 late fee.
January 2023: Second semester only course students need to sign into their College Board account and join their appropriate AP Classroom.
January 18, 2023: Deadline to apply and submit ALL paperwork for College Board Accommodations.
March 1, 2023: Deadline to make all changes to AP Registration; order an exam with a $40 late fee; cancel an exam for partial refund.
March 1, 2023: Notify Mrs. La Vitola if you wish to waive approved College Board testing accommodations.
Test Day Instructions:
Testing room assignments will be available a few days before the exam. They will be distributed to teachers to share with their class, as well as posted in the Commons by student ID number for students to reference. Students must report to their rooms for the morning exams by 7:45 AM and 12 noon for the afternoon exams. Students who have two exams in one day should plan to pack a lunch to have between exams. Students with Accommodations who have two exams in one day should work with Mrs. La Vitola to opt into late testing for one of the exams.
Students who arrive after the test room has been seated and the reading has begun will not be able to take the exam.
Students should dress in layers and bring:
Student ID
Sharpened No.2 pencils
Black or blue pens
Calculator- freshly charged or with extra batteries for appropriate exams.
Further details will be shared closer to exam dates.
For all questions or concerns, contact:
Donna La Vitola
Assessment and Resource Coordinator
AP Coordinator
dlavitola@lfschools.net * 847-582-7332
Upcoming Assessment Calendar
For the list of assessments, and dates, please click on the link below.
Project Safe Prom
The Junior Class and the APT have been excitedly planning the "Dancing in the Moonlight" traditional Prom at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare for Saturday, May 6th since the beginning of the school year. Now it is around the corner!
Project Safe Prom officially launched last week and we need your support. Did you know the LFHS Prom is completely self-sustaining and we rely solely on ticket sales, junior class fundraising and your generosity? Your donations will help fund a truly magical experience for our LFHS students. Each ticket will remain $95 per person, which includes plated dinner, entertainment, transportation, and security. However, the actual cost to host prom far exceeds the ticket price. We are looking to our generous community to help raise $35,000 to underwrite various costs associated with this event, such as the transportation and security.
Any contribution you are able to make is tax deductible and greatly appreciated! Click the link or scan the QR code below to get started. THANK YOU!
Spring Break Date Correction
There was a misprint in a prior communication about our Spring break dates. Our Spring break begins on Friday, March 24th through March 31st. School resumes on April 3, 2023
Reminder - Tuesday, February 21st Is Now A Day Of Instruction
Tuesday, February 21st was originally scheduled to be an embedded emergency day. With Election Day being declared a day of non-attendance, we switched February 21st back to a day of attendance. The next embedded emergency day is scheduled for Friday, April 21st.
D115 Referendum Information
A Message from the Superintendent
Our historic, 88-year-old high school is in need of fundamental improvements to the basic, aging infrastructure elements like plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, windows, and roofing.
By placing a $105.7 million referendum on the April 4, 2023 ballot, District 115 seeks to preserve and protect our historic high school by addressing the building’s most pressing capital facility needs.
In addition, I’d like to share some of the most frequently asked questions that we have received about the referendum:
What is the total cost of the proposed improvements and how would the funds be allocated?
The District anticipates borrowing $105.7 million through a bond issue, with approximately half of the funds going towards infrastructure upgrades and the other half allocated to renovating science labs, classrooms, and other instructional spaces, technology upgrades, and enhanced student support services. The classrooms that would be updated were not addressed by the 2006 Referendum.
Did the District consider other proposals?
Yes. A larger proposal, totaling approximately $160 million, was considered. However, public opinion research indicated limited support for this size referendum. The Board of Education was able to reduce the request to $105.7 million by eliminating athletic-related upgrades, expansion of the cafeteria, additional improvements to the auditorium, and the addition of classrooms on the third floor.
When was the last time voters approved funding for building improvements?
It’s been 17 years since the District sought voter approval for capital improvement projects at Lake Forest High School. The improvements that would be addressed by the 2023 Referendum were not part of the previous referendum.
What is the estimated tax impact of the proposed referendum?
The estimated tax impact of the proposed 20-year, $105.7 million bond issue on a home with a fair market value of $1,000,000 is about $950 per year, or, roughly $79 per month.
Why is the District’s per-pupil funding higher than many of its peer districts if the District’s tax rate is lower than these other districts?
Our spending per pupil is higher because our school is smaller than several of our peers. The funds are distributed among a smaller number of students. We offer a greater variety of course options, giving our students more choices and a more customized learning experience.
- Some taxpayers argue that the District is top heavy. Is the number of administrators in the District growing?
- No. In fact, the District currently has the lowest amount of full-time administrators that it has had in the last five years, contributing to our balanced budget. The state of Illinois does not define how districts should classify and report on administrative positions. To be as transparent as possible, LFHS classifies Instructional Directors (department heads) as administrators, while other Districts classify them as teachers.
- How do you explain the Illinois State Report card data showing LFHS ELA SAT scores average at 61%?
- We are not satisfied with our results but they are also misunderstood by some. The 2022 Illinois State Report card offers data on the percentage of 11th graders scoring at each of the performance levels for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. In the state of Illinois, the average percentage of ELA exam scores meeting the state standard for “college readiness” is 30%. District 115’s percentage is 61%, placing LFHS in the 99th percentile, ranking 6th among all non-selective enrollment public school districts in Illinois. For Math, LFHS is in the 99th percentile, ranking 3rd among all public school districts in Illinois.
Would any of the funding from the 2023 Referendum go toward operations?
No. Proceeds of the referendum would be used specifically for capital improvements.
Would any of the bond proceeds be used for salaries or improving administrative spaces?
No.
When will the existing bond issue from the 2006 Referendum be paid off and how much will the tax rate go down when they are paid off?
- The last payment on the District’s outstanding 2006 bond issue will be paid off in 2025. In 2026, the tax rate for a $1,000,000 home will go down by $410.
Lake Forest City Council Meeting - February 6
Superintent Mongtomery presented to the Lake Forest City Council at their February 6 meeting during the Community Spotlight to talk about the important work underway in our District and discuss the facility needs at Lake Forest High School. You can watch the presentation and Q&A with members of City Council below.
Senior Commemorative
Class of 2023 Senior Commemoratives
Congratulate your 2023 senior and express your pride and love with an ad in the 2022 yearbook! Please look in the back of past yearbooks for an idea of what these look like when printed.
MESSAGE DETAILS:
1/8 Page Size Pricing:
$65.00 Early Bird By December 15th
$75.00 December 16th-January 31st
$85.00 February 1st-March 3rd
If you are interested in participating, but cannot afford an ad, please email Melissa Doucette mdoucette@lfschools.net or Ashleigh Malec amalec@lfschools.net.
HOW TO SUBMIT ONLINE:
Enter order number: 8581
Follow the prompts to design your ad.
Add it to your cart and purchase it.
Your ad is not complete until you add it to your cart and complete the checkout process!
ALL orders are processed ONLINE through the Herff Jones web orders.
TECH SUPPORT Contact Herff Jones Technical Support: 877.362.7750
Employment Opportunity for Students
Interested in building your college resume, making some extra money, and gaining valuable skills that will help you in your life?
There are numerous part time job openings in downtown Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff Area.
Athletes can work one day a week during season and more off season. Jobs are available for FRESHMAN THROUGH SENIORS. Don’t delay START TODAY
SEND MR. GILBERT AN EMAIL AT SGILBERT@LFSCHOOLS.COM OR COME TO ROOM 127
OR CALL MR. GILBERT at 847-582-7735
Help Needed Concessions
Looking to make some extra money or need to fill some service hours? Help support Lake Forest High School Athletics and work Concessions! Starting pay is $10 an hour. Contact Kristin O’Neil for more details at knoneil@comcast.net. Go SCOUTS!
Mobile Ticketing for Athletic Events
Lake Forest High School Athletics would like to remind our Scout Fans, for all home athletic events in which a gate fee is charged tickets must be purchased via www.GoFan.co and redeemed at the gate via mobile phone. CASH IS NOT LONGER ACCEPTED .
Lake Forest Students with an Activity Pass on their ID or Booster Members DO NOT need to purchase a ticket.
You can use the following link or QR code to purchase your tickets in advance.
SCOUTS NICE TO KNOW
Updated (Bivalent) COVID-19 Booster
Please click on the link below to read the latest update on the (Bivalent) COVID-19 Booster.
Theater
Athletics
Varsity Dance
We are so proud of our varsity dance team, they traveled to Disney World to compete at UDA Nationals. After competing in the preliminaries on Friday, they advanced to semi finals and finals, taking 4th place in the nation for poms and 8th place for jazz! Congrats ladies!
Boys Wrestling
Congratulations to our four Sectional qualifiers...126 Julian Olenick, 152 Seth Digby, 160 Colin Burton, 220 Yaree Sandifer. They will compete Friday/Saturday at Deerfield Sectional.
Intramural Bowling
Field Hockey...High School National Academic Squad Program
Field Hockey...The High School National Academic Squad program recognizes those high school seniors and juniors who have achieved a minimum cumulative, unweighted grade-point average of 3.50 out of 4.0 — or the equivalent — through the first quarter/semester of the 2022-23 school year, and were nominated by their NFHCA member coach.
Seniors and juniors who have achieved a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.9 out of 4.0 — or the equivalent — through the first quarter/semester of the 2023-23 school year have been recognized as Scholars of Distinction. Student-athletes who have earned Scholar of Distinction honors have been designated with an “SD.”
Congratulations to the following students!
Devin Balmelli - SD
Hannah Balmelli
Lissy Blume
Katie Bradley
Lily Cran
Megan Duncan - SD
Vivi Gramza
Maisie Henshaw
Kaylie Jaster
Caroline Keil
Katherine Malloy - SD
Matty Michael
Avery Morris - SD
Eleanor Sugrue - SD
Fall NSC All Academic
Congratulations to the following seniors and juniors with a 4.5 or higher GPA on a varsity sport!
New Head Boys Lacrosse Coach
Lake Forest High School is pleased to introduce the newest member of our coaching staff, Head Boys Lacrosse Coach, Mr. David Hone. As the head coach of Lake Forest High School boys lacrosse, David brings more than 40 years of playing and coaching experience to the program. Throughout his career, he has played at the youth, high school and collegiate level and coached at both the youth and high school levels.
David grew up with a stick in his hand and remains a passionate fan and lifelong student of the game. He played youth and high school lacrosse In Westfield NJ. He was an all-state player and captain for the Westfield High School lacrosse team and helped lead the team to the NJ state championship game. He played Division I lacrosse at Villanova University as an attackman.
Since moving to Lake Forest in 2011 from Darien CT, David has been rooted in the Lake Forest lacrosse community serving as a board member for the Lake Forest Lacrosse Association, active as a youth coach, and regularly assisting lacrosse players develop their skills in the offseason. David is founder of LCV Advisors, an investment advisory firm serving individuals and families. David also serves as Treasurer and Investment Committee Chair for the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Foundation
David and his wife, Sheri, are parents to two sons, Justin and Gavin, who attended Lake Forest schools from elementary through high school. Gavin played LFLA youth lacrosse and high school lacrosse for LFHS as one of the captains on the 2021 team that made their run to the state championship game.
“The opportunity to coach and lead a program like Lake Forest High School is a great privilege and opportunity to give back to a game and lacrosse community that have meant so much to me. I look forward to developing not only Scout lacrosse players, but also young men who can be leaders on and off the field”
Parent Series 2 - Transportation
Lake Forest Transition Center is hosting a second virtual parent series event on February 27, 2023 from 12:30pm-1:30pm. This event will feature a presentation from the Regional Transportation Authority and will cover topics related transportation, including Local Public Transportation Options, Accessibility features on CTA, Pace, and Metra, RTA’s Reduced Fare and Ride Free Program, and Travel Safety Tips as well as a Q & A sessions with an RTA Representative. Please RSVP and join us for the virtual event!
Google Meet Event Link:
https://meet.google.com/kpv-fyto-phb
RSVP Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TStiwjL4wZmx2mpdwaARVXHq7BCNL-oyHy-cQFcx5rQ/edit
Flyer Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10hHXHafxwrorA53kZafmkpzaHPReTlBX/edit
APT
The District 115 APT is currently looking for volunteers for the 2023/24 school year. If you are interested please reach out to Jane Duncan at jane.l.duncan@gmail.com
LFHS Foundation Spring Luncheon
We are excited to share that Dr. Matthew Dewar, one of our own LFHS teachers, will be our guest speaker at this year’s Spring Luncheon. We are in the process of expanding our event committee, seeking event sponsors, and soliciting items for the online auction. We encourage you to mark your calendar and plan to join us at Knollwood Club on Friday, April 28, 2023. In the meantime, if you are interested in joining the event team, sponsoring the event, or contributing to the auction please reach out. Links will access all event forms which can also be found at http://www.lfhsfoundation.org. Heather Minger heatherminger79@gmail.com is this year’s Event Chair. Jodi Cofer jodicofer68@gmail.com is the contact for Sponsorship and Liz Olsen lizolsen@comcast.net is the contact for the Auction.
Forest Scout Friday
Our latest issue of Forest Scout Friday
LFHS Booster Club
Booster Bash
Please mark your calendars for the LFHS Booster Club’s annual Booster Bash, Saturday, March 18th. This year, Boosters will be celebrating March Madness with their on Booster Madness! Join Boosters at Lake Forest Club to watch your favorite teams play, enjoy some upscale tailgate food and drinks, games, and ponder the silent and live auction. College basketball fans, text your bracket knowledge with the Bracket Challenge! Information to purchase tickets and your Bracket Challenge coming soon!
CROYA
- Auctions items include senior parking pass, spring and fall VIP retreat spots, and more!
- Visit https://givebutter.com/c/CROYABowl to donate and bid on items!
Principal, Lake Forest High School
O: 847-582-7315
Follow me on Twitter: @LenartPrincipal
Follow me on Instagram: principallenart