411 on 115 - 8.30.23

What is a first for me is being the parent of a Lake Forest High School freshman. Seeing the start of school through the lens of a Scout parent has felt like a privilege. From the thoughtfully planned freshman orientation; to the dedication of our LINK Crew students and their coordinators Maggie Hamsen, Rebeccca Inukai, Laura Stetson, and Frank Lesniak; to the tradition and excitement of the freshman clap in—I have watched our newest Scouts begin their high school experience with a warm and inclusive welcome. Next week, I will attend our first LFHS Open House and I am confident we all will have a similar experience.

These early days of school are moving fast and I am reminded that, before we know it, we will be clapping out our seniors. I am hopeful that, as we work together to meet our many 2023-2024 goals, we pause along the way to appreciate our students, faculty, and staff who work together to make LFHS a Place for Every ONE.

Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D.

Superintendent

• ❗Monday, September 4 - NO SCHOOL: LABOR DAY FEDERAL HOLIDAY❗

• September 6

• School Portraits
  

• September 7

• School Portraits
• Parent Coffee with Principal Lenart at 9:00am
• Open House at 7:00pm

• September 8: Late Start at 10:15am

• September 12: D115 Board of Education Regular Meeting at 7:00pm

• September 18-20: Freshman/Sophomore Play Auditions

• September 22: Homecoming Varsity Football Game at 7:30pm

• September 23: Homecoming Dance at 7:00pm

• September 12, 2023 - Regular Meeting
• October 10, 2023 - Regular Meeting
• November 7, 2023 - Regular Meeting

Agendas will be posted prior to the meeting on the District 115 Board of Education website.

• Agenda
• Recording of Meeting
• Superintendent's Report

The online payment portal for student lunches (MySchoolBucks) is now 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 Jay Herr, LFHS Food Service Director, jherr@questfms.com or visit the Food Service page of the District website.

• 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 welcoming back students AND celebrating our amazing new D115 staff members! Today we’re excited to spotlight two new additions to the D115 team - Jonathan Silver and Alina De Garcia Escobar!

⭐ Jonathan Silver - Dean of Students

Fun Fact about Jonathan: “I have an amazing wife and two precious daughters. I am a beleaguered White Sox fan. While most of my time is spent at home and at work, the gym is the next best option if you cannot find me. I have taken up weeding this summer, which is quite cathartic, even though they grow right back.”

⭐ Alina De Garcia Escobar - Spanish Teacher/MTSS Resource Interventionist

Fun Fact about Alina: “I like hiking and the best has been El Camino de Santiago in Spain! I also cook and dance zumba, but I am not a good dancer.”

First Home Football Game / Revealing the Wall of Excellence: Friday, September 1, 2023
We are excited to present the 2023-2024 mural highlighting the selected Scouts from the Class of 2023 at our first home football game. Lake Forest vs Carmel Catholic, 7:30-9:30pm. New this year, the Booster Concession stand will feature the Scouts Tailgate provided by Donati's, Bratski’s, Duffer’s and Puck’s.This Friday they will be grilling brats, burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.

Lake Forest Students with an Activity Pass on their ID or Blue and Gold Level Booster Members DO NOT need to purchase a ticket.

Tickets must be purchased via https://gofan.co/app/school/IL15544 and redeemed at the gate via mobile phone. CASH IS NO LONGER ACCEPTED.

The Boosters Store

Stop in during our regular school year hours: Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am-3pm.

Become a Booster
What’s the best way to support ALL of our Scouts athletes? Become a Booster member today!
Already a Booster member? Upgrade to the Blue or Gold membership level and enjoy perks like free admission to any regular-season athletic event for the whole family!

https://lfhsboosters.org/become-a-member/

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

Congratulations to LFHS senior and Honors Graphic Design student Landon Milz who has won the DriveSmart Chevy Camaro #91 Paint Scheme design contest! Landon will have his award-winning design put on a real life race car, driven by Kyle Weatherman at the NASCAR XFinity Race at the Texas Motor Speedway on September 23rd at 2:30pm CST.

Landon will be at the race in Dallas to represent his design and will be involved in many exciting activities and events throughout the weekend. He will be given a pit pass and will get to be in the garage, in the pit, and on the track! It’s exciting to see our Scouts making dreams come true!

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.

For District 115, the most notable changes emerging from this effort are twofold:

1.) Peanut and tree-nut free classrooms

2.) The increased availability of undesignated epinephrine injectors (epi-pens) in Lake Forest High School.

Below are the major highlights specific to the high school setting:

Lake Forest High School Classroom Avoidance Measures

• Classrooms should not be used as a lunchroom to the maximum extent possible.

• If snacks are allowed in the classroom, all classrooms will be peanut and tree-nut free.

• Students should not bring food to share with their classmates in the classroom.

• Teachers should not provide food as a reward in the classroom if students with life-threatening allergies are in the class. All desks should be wiped down at the end of the class period when food or snacks are consumed.

• Classroom curriculum should be adapted to substitute non-food items to the maximum extent possible.

• Curriculum materials should be reviewed for sources of the common big nine allergens and the big nine allergens should be avoided (i.e., allergens are sometimes found in counting aids, science projects, seasonal activities such as garden projects, art materials, etc.) to the maximum extent possible.

• Students and teachers are encouraged to wipe surfaces such as desks, lab equipment, computer keyboards and musical instruments after food is eaten in the classrooms.

Further information is available in this District 115 anaphylaxis and food allergy response summary.

Please contact Dr. Jenny Sterpin (jsterpin@lfschools.net) with questions. Thank you!

• August LFHS Choir Newsletter
• August Band Notes Newsletter
  

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!