411 on 67 - 8.30.23

Dear District 67 Families:

Last Wednesday, all four of our school buildings opened their doors to welcome back our students and staff for a new school year. The first day back is one of my favorite milestones and I always spend it in the buildings visiting classrooms, talking to students and teachers, and witnessing precious moments like drop-off hugs and interactions between our learners and their new classmates. It's a day that represents the best of school - hope, a fresh start, and a place where everyone can thrive. That feeling is unrivaled and I wish that I could bottle it up.

That feeling also embodies our D67 kickoff theme this year, Get Ready to Thrive, which directly connects to the purpose of our Portrait of a Learner - giving our students the academic foundation and skills that they need to thrive in future life.

Our team and I are incredibly excited to see the Strategic Plan come to life this year and capture the six Portrait of a Learner competencies - adaptability, citizenship, confidence, communication, critical thinking, and empathy. We can't wait to see what 2023-2024 brings, and if the first day of school was any indication, District 67 truly is ready to thrive!

Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D.

Superintendent

• August 31
• First Day of School for all Kindergarten Students
• 6:15-7:15pm - EV, CH, and SH Family Information Nights at Each Building
• ❗September 4 - NO SCHOOL: LABOR DAY FEDERAL HOLIDAY❗
• September 7
• 5:30pm - EV Back-to-School Family Picnic
• September 8
• 5:30-7:00pm - SH Back to School Bash
• September 13
• 9:30am - D67 APT Community Safety Series: Role of the School Resource Officer with LFPD, LBPD, D115, and D65
• September 14
• 9:00am - All-District APT Meeting
• September 15
  
• 9:30-11:30am - New D67 Families Coffee
• 4:30-6:30pm - CH Back-to-School Family Picnic
• September 19
• 9:30am - DPM APT Meeting
• September 20
• 9:30am - CH APT Meeting
• 5:30pm - EV APT Meeting
• September 22
• 7:30pm - Lake Forest High School HOMECOMING Varsity Football Game - All Scout Alumni and D67 Families Welcome!
• September 26
• 7:00pm - D67 Board of Education Regular Meeting
• September 27
• 9:00am - SH APT Meeting
• September 28
  
• 10:00am-2:00pm - Spirit of 67 Fall Home & Garden Tour
• 6:00-8:00pm - DPM Open House for Parents/Guardians

• September 26, 2023 - Regular Meeting
• October 24, 2023 - Regular Meeting
• November 14, 2023 - Regular Meeting
  
  

Agendas will be posted prior to the meeting on the District 67 Board of Education website.

• Agenda
  

• Recording of Meeting

• Superintendent's Report

Welcome to the our new Education Committee community members: Vanessa Nowlin, Betsy Mackey, Tanner Van Dusen, and Riley O'Neil.

Welcome to the our new Finance & Operations Committee community members: Jeremy Choy, Laura Gutting, George Metrou, and Steve Serwy.

The safety of our students remains our top priority. Please consider these guidelines when discussing scooter and bicycle safety with your students:

The online payment portal for student lunches (MySchoolBucks) is open and ready to accept payments for the 2023-2024 school year. Please read this document for additional information regarding MySchoolBucks and Quest Food Services: 2023-2024 School Year Dining Information.

If you have questions, please reach out to Margaret Black, District 67 Food Service Director, mmblack@questfms.com. Menus are posted on the Food Service page of the District website.

On August 30, students, staff, and community representatives gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sheridan Elementary School to celebrate the grand opening of the newly revamped early childhood playground.

We are grateful to the District 67 Board of Education for their support, and to the Spirit of 67 Foundation for underwriting the playground equipment we see here. Through their generous grant, the Spirit allowed us to thoughtfully reimagine this space, including updated climbing frames, the replacement of wood chips with a soft fall ground surface, and the addition of a swing set! We are so excited for your youngest learners to enjoy this new and more accessible space.

• What brought you to Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115?
• As a recently retired law enforcement officer with 32 years of public service, thousands of hours of training, and a lifetime of experience, I couldn't just retire and not share my knowledge, skills, and ideas to keep our schools safe with best practices. Many school districts are creating safety director positions but few have the resources to address a multitude of safety concerns. Districts 67 and 115 understood the need to work with a safety professional who understands priorities and budget accordingly with a transformational leadership team.

• What made you want to work with K-12 students and staff?
• I have always enjoyed working with youth and know our future leaders are being developed every day in our schools. In order for students to thrive and reach their potential a safe environment is necessary. It is an honor to work with students and staff so all feel safe and secure as we succeed in developing our Portrait of a Learner.
• What are your proudest professional accomplishments to date?
• I have provided security for US presidents, residents and visitors to my city, and advocated for safe schools to ensure all students have access to safe and secure educational opportunities. I have seen people at their worst and best and enjoyed helping others be their best!

• What are your goals for the 2023-2024 school year?
• Goal #1 is to ensure our buildings are secure and safety protocols are followed. Goal #2 is to work with the community to align around best safety practices, create a sense of belonging and community for everyone in Districts 67 and 115, and ensure resources are available to deal with safety issues.
• Tell us more about yourself. What do you like to do in your free time and do you have any favorite hobbies?
• I have been married for 30 years to my wife Kris and we have three children and a dog. I golf, bowl, and like a good game of cornhole. I am a veteran of the Air Force who served during peacetime and member of VFW Post # 9284. I am a consumer of ice cream and it is my greatest weakness, all kinds and flavors.

Back to school means the return of an old favorite, welcoming and celebrating our amazing new D67 staff members! Today we’re excited to welcome three new Deer Path Middle School additions to our team - Adam Wiesen, Anite Koenitz-Hudac, and Carolyn Anderson!

⭐ Adam Wiesen - Executive Functioning Teacher
“I am excited to join the team that has a commitment to rigor and success for all students. I am looking forward to collaborating with my new colleagues and working closer to home!”

⭐ Anita Koenitz-Hudac - School Psychologist
“I am excited to join District 67 and be a part of an inclusive community of educators supporting students!”

⭐ Carolyn Anderson - School Psychologist
“After teaching middle school math in Illinois for over 13 years, I spent the last four in a different role, as an instructional coach and math specialist. I learned more about how math instruction sequences PreK-12 and how it all fits together. I am excited to share my knowledge with my students and colleagues and to reach, inspire, and positively influence not only the minds of my students but their hearts as well.”

The District utilizes Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Follow us to learn more about celebrations, student achievements, and District news!

As we begin planning for this year's Winter and Spring Sings, we'd like your feedback on timing and logistics of the events. We only ask that you complete the survey once, even if you have more than one child. Responses will be anonymous. Please share your feedback by Tuesday, September 5. Thank you!

Survey link: https://forms.gle/SRWoAAHx1t3zy63X7

The District is seeking to fill parent/guardian vacancies for a three-year Curriculum Coordinating Committee (CCC) term. Appointments to the committee will be based upon interest and qualifications. Please use this link for additional information.

Those interested in serving on the CCC should apply using this application form. Qualifications include the ability to analyze and discuss curricular issues, to participate in collective decision-making, and to communicate effectively. Applications are due by 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023.

School districts in Illinois are required by ISBE to update anaphylaxis and food allergy guidelines every three years. Last spring, we invited community members, staff, and administrators from District 67 and District 115 to participate on the Anaphylaxis and Food Allergies Response Plan Committee. Beginning in May and throughout the summer, a group of 20-30 met three times to review and revise the document. We are sharing the near-final draft of the handbook, HERE.

The most notable changes emerging from this effort are twofold:

1.) The increased availability of epinephrine injectors (epi-pens) in all District 67 and District 115 school buildings

2.) A pilot program of recommended allergen-free classroom snacks

• Please note: the classroom snack list primarily applies to grades PreK-4. Per DPM policy, food and drink (other than water) are allowed in the classroom at the teacher's discretion.

Allergen-Free Snack Pilot

This pilot will run for six weeks (August 23 - October 6). We will continue to listen closely to our community and will be sending out a parent and staff survey at the end of the pilot to gather collective feedback. At that point, we will determine how best to proceed.

The pilot snack list may be found HERE.

• If a child is unable to eat any of the allergen-free daily snack items due to medical reasons, parents are asked to contact the Building Nurse.

• During the pilot period, if a child is unable to eat any of the allergen-free snack items (for reasons other than medical), parents may submit the District 67 Snack Approval Request form to suggest an additional snack item be added to the approval list. The request will be reviewed by an administrator and a decision will be made and communicated within 14 school days.

Further information may be found in this District 67 anapylaxis and food allergies response summary.

Please join the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in collaboration with the Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative for a virtual listening session on September 20 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. about mental health screening of students in schools. This session is for parents, guardians, caregivers, community members and school personnel. Spanish Language Interpretation will be included.

Those seeking more information about the initiative can learn more here. Should you have any questions about this initiative, please contact mentalhealth@isbe.net.

Please click below to sign up and you will be emailed a zoom link closer to the date.

Register for the Listening Session

Be a part of the Race to ReNew 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, September 30, 2023. It all happens at the West Lake Forest High School Campus. Race the grass LFHS Cross Country team course, then get the K-8 kids out for the Fun Run.

Please use this link for more information, and to sign up!