Superintendent News
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95
A Message from Dr. Kelley Gallt
May 28, 2021
Dear District 95 Families,
As I reflect back on our journey since March of 2020, when the pandemic raged through the world at large, I am filled with a deep appreciation and sense of pride at the perseverance, patience, and partnership shown by our students, families, and staff to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of our students and one another. This can-do collaborative mindset is yet another example of the resilience found throughout our community. Collectively, we have adapted and made the most of our circumstances at every pivot and turn.
As we plan and prepare for the coming school year, the Illinois State Board of Education has directed school districts to prepare for the fall with multiple learning models and the ability to easily pivot between those models as circumstances require. After carefully analyzing our survey feedback provided to us by students, staff and families, our School Year 21-22 draft plans have been created, and we are seeking feedback from each of our stakeholder groups. Please read about the upcoming public forum below to be held on June 2nd.
As our school year comes to a close, I remain extremely grateful that we were able to resume in-person instruction, resume athletic and activity schedules, allow our seniors to experience traditional spring milestones such as Prom, Senior Sunrise and the Senior Parade. Our eighth graders were honored with beautiful promotion ceremonies, and our graduating seniors enjoyed a beautiful, sunny and warm spring day as they came together on the LZHS football field to be honored as the graduating class of 2021. I truly hope that our families, students, and staff have a restful and restorative summer break. I wish all the best to our graduating seniors and hope that the world awaits you with great opportunity! For everyone else who is returning next year, I look forward to seeing you in August! Please enjoy the photos below from graduation and promotion ceremonies.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelley Gallt
LZHS Graduation
MSN Promotion Ceremony
MSS Promotion Ceremony
June 2nd - 2021-22 Instructional Plan Forum
On Wednesday, June 2nd, District 95 will host a 2021-22 Instructional Plan Forum to provide an opportunity for families to provide feedback on our plans for the coming school year. The Forum will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Lake Zurich High School at 6:30 p.m. Limited seating is available (approximately 160 seats). Remote viewing is also available at: https://livestream.com/accounts/23583809/events/9691116
Based on guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), District 95 has developed four instructional plans for potential implementation should an alternate form be required (by State or Health authorities) other than the traditional school model.
- Full Capacity without Classroom Physical Distancing Restrictions
- Full Capacity with Classroom Physical Distancing Restrictions of 3-6 Feet
- Hybrid Learning (Classroom Physical Distancing Restrictions of at Least 6 Feet)
- Remote Learning
Please note, District 95 plans to be fully in person unless the State directs us differently.
A draft copy of the plan will be available on the district website soon for public viewing.
We thought you’d like to know…
Recently, we have received questions as to how the district handles outdated or retired curricular materials.
District 95 does participate in book buyback options whenever retiring curricular resources due to a new adoption (this is a cyclical, regular process that most school districts typically follow). For those materials not eligible for buyback or resale, but that are still current/relevant, we look for opportunities to donate.
Some materials are outdated, not aligned to current standards, and are unable to be sold or donated due to the outdated content. In these cases, materials are recycled. Additionally, consumable student workbooks are purchased each year and any that are out of date must also be recycled. School districts often receive free sample materials from vendors that may also be recycled.
District 95 has recently moved toward more online resources when possible since those can more easily be updated on a regular basis and do not require reselling or recycling.
We thought you’d like to know!
Light it Forward Luminary Walk
The Lake Zurich High School senior class of 2021, in conjunction with the District 95 PTOs and the District 95 Educational Foundation, is sponsoring a “Light it Forward” Luminary Walk on June 1st, 2021 from 7-9:00 pm at Lake Zurich High School (rain date June 2nd). The Luminary Walk features a beautifully lit pathway around the track celebrating the end of the school year and is a family-friendly event for the District 95 community - students, families, staff, and community members are all welcome. All walkers are asked to practice social distancing and masks are required.
No purchase is necessary to walk the path, however anyone may purchase a luminary for $25 to honor a loved one, graduate, student, staff member, or special occasion.
Proceeds from the luminary sales will be used to purchase gift cards from local businesses that have supported our PTOs and our LZHS Seniors, especially this year with “Twenty-one Tuesdays” where LZHS seniors received free or discounted items. Proceeds from the purchase of luminaries will be used toward gift cards that will support District 95 families in need as we continue to navigate the pandemic.
For more details or to purchase a luminary, visit: https://www.district95foundation.org/light-it-forward.
We’re Hiring!!
Lake Zurich School District 95 is seeking qualified applicants to join our team! If you enjoy children, consider a rewarding career driving school bus.
Apply in person at 832 South Rand Road, Lake Zurich (next to the Walmart) -or-
online by visiting our website: www.lz95.org/jobs
- Click on Job Openings & Online Application
- Under Vacancies ~ Select Transportation
- New Screen opens ~ Select Apply on the desired Job Description
Qualifications:
Good Driving Record
Minimum of 21 years old (Drivers)
Pass required Federal Background check
Pre-employment/ annual physical & drug test
Enjoy working with Kids!!
Benefits Include:
Paid Behind the Wheel Training
Partial Paid Health Insurance
IMRF Retirement Benefits
employment/ annual physical & drug test
Personal Days
Monthly Attendance Bonus
Summer Employment Available – but not required
Upon completion of training, your children may ride with you (subject to limitations)
~ Lake Zurich CUSD 95 is an equal opportunity employer ~
Volunteer Coaches and Mentors Needed for INCubatorEdu!
Starting in the fall, Lake Zurich High School will offer a full-year INCubatorEdu course offering an authentic entrepreneurship experience as students develop their own product or service startup. Students participate in:
- Problem-Solution Identification: Student teams explore, pivot, iterate and develop resilience as they work to solve problems they care about.
- Customer and Idea Exploration: Real entrepreneurs and industry experts serve as volunteer coaches and mentors guiding student teams through the process of idea validation.
- Pitch for Real Funding: Student teams pitch to gain investment funds in a final shark-tank style pitch event.
District 95 is looking for volunteers to be coaches and mentors! To learn more about the coaching experience, watch this short video: INCubator, A New Reason to Volunteer
Click here to access the LZHS INCubatorEdu Volunteer Interest Form
Characteristics of a Volunteer Coach
- A role for business pro’s across industry and function who can commit to specific dates/times, and have an area of expertise. A coach is assigned to lessons within their area of expertise and teaches those lessons (lessons are already created and provided to the coach).
- Engaging personality, authentic, passionate about their expertise
- Excited to work with students and share their knowledge
- Willing to practice
- Corporate or entrepreneurial experience
- In the classroom, 2-5 days
Characteristics of a Mentor
- Experience running business
- Entrepreneurial background helpful
Time Commitment of a Volunteer Mentor
- One mentor per student team
- Weekly
- Offer strategic help
For questions, please reach out to beth.slaughter@lz95.org.
Returning Student Registration - Please Register NOW!
Online registration for students returning for the 2021-22 school year is open. Please register your returning students as soon as possible since the district uses this information to determine the number of teachers and classes we will need at each school. Payment is not due at this time.
If your child is not returning for the next school year, please notify the school office as soon as possible.
To register, log into Home Access Center at https://hmac.lz95.org. For more information, please click here to visit our website.
Upcoming Construction On Church Street/Midlothian Road
Roadway improvements by School District 95 are anticipated from approximately mid-May through late August, coinciding with the opening of school providing improved traffic flow and safe passage for students, staff, and families!
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 will begin a project in mid-May that will improve traffic by our schools on Church Street/Midlothian Road. In order to improve traffic flow in and out of the new May Whitney Elementary School and Lake Zurich High School, the school district is funding this roadway construction project that will incorporate the following enhancements:
- Lake Zurich High School driveway moving slightly south, featuring 2 entrance lanes and 2 exit lanes
- Left turn lane into Lake Zurich High School (southbound)
- Right turn lane into Lake Zurich High School (northbound)
- Left turn lane into May Whitney Elementary School (southbound)
- Crosswalks with beacon lights on Church Street in front of May Whitney Elementary and Lake Zurich High School, providing safe access between sidewalks on west and east sides
We apologize for any inconvenience or delays during this construction but hope these improvements will enhance overall traffic flow for the community!