Newsworthy 95

 

Dear Parents, Staff, & Community Members, 

  
Like all of you I am deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut yesterday. The loss of so many young, innocent lives is incomprehensible and is a real tragedy for our nation. I hope you will join me in keeping the victims and their families in our thoughts or prayers.
  
I want you to know that student safety is our top priority at District 95. We have a district crisis plan that is practiced by faculty through regular drills. Our fire and police department officials have provided input into our plans. We update our crisis plans regularly and consult with industry experts about security improvements. The visitor management system, Raptor, that is being installed in all of our buildings is an example of one such improvement. While no crisis plan can totally prevent a random act of senseless violence like the one that took place yesterday, planning and preparation are the best methods for keeping our children safe.

If your child is having difficulties as a result of yesterday's tragedy, counselors are available to help. Please contact your student's teacher or a building administrator for help.
  
With just five days of school left before break, I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season. Enjoy your winter break, and be safe. We will see you back at school on Monday, January 7th, 2013. 
  
Sincerely,


Dr. Michael J. Egan
Superintendent
Community Unit School District 95

 

In This Issue
New Head Lice Procedures
District Board Awards
Student Film Festival
Save the Date!
January Assessments
Kudos!

 

 

 

New Head Lice Procedures 

   

District 95 has recently updated the head lice procedure to move to an updated evidence-based practice as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Association of School Nurses. District 95 procedure has been updated as follows:

  • Students who have been treated may return to school if no live lice are found. They will be checked by the health staff prior to their return to school to determine whether treatment was effective.
  • Classroom screenings are no longer recommended due to privacy concerns and effectiveness, and therefore will no longer be conducted. However, health staff has the discretion to perform classroom checks as needed.
  • Parents will be provided lice resource information through the Health Services webpage. Parents are encouraged to be ongoing partners in managing and preventing lice outbreaks by checking their own children regularly.
  • Staff will be trained every year on head lice management.
  • School health staff will continue to provide individual guidance to parents on identification and treatment.

There are many misconceptions about head lice, which has caused unnecessary anxiety and distress for some families. Here are some common myths about head lice and the real truth about this condition. A more comprehensive Fact sheet will be on the District Health Services webpage.

 

MYTH: Head lice carry disease.

FACT: Head lice do NOT carry disease. They are annoying but do not cause disease.

 

MYTH: Lice can hop or fly form one person to another.

FACT: Lice are wingless insects and cannot fly or hop. They move by crawling and are spread most often by direct head-to-head contact with an infected person.

 

MYTH: School is a common place for lice transmission.

FACT: School is a very rare source of transmission. Much more common are family members, overnight guests, and playmates that spent a large amount of time together.

 

MYTH: Lice can live a long time.

FACT: Lice live only 1-2 days off the head.

 

MYTH: Poor hygiene contributes to lice.

FACT: Hygiene makes absolutely no difference.

 

MYTH: All members of a family should be treated if one person has lice.

FACT: Only the person with lice should be treated, however all family members should be checked.

District Board Awards

For November, 2012

 

  

 

Each month the Board of Education recognizes students of the month, a staff member of the month, and a parent volunteer of the month. Congratulations go out to this month's recipients!

 

 

 

Students of the Month

Melissa Uhl, LZHS 12th grade

Mark Noll, LZHS 12th grade

Meagan Hughes, LZHS 12th grade

Jack Herman, LZHS 11th grade

Ryan Roach, LZHS 12th grade

Stephanie Johnson, LZHS 10th grade

Robert Rossdeutcher, LZHS 12th grade

Layne Self, LZHS 12th grade

Kirsten Mazurkiewicz, MSS 6th grade

Jesus Castillo, MSN 7th grade

Jacob Emmelot, IF 5th grade

Gia Galasso, SA 5th grade

Adarsh Raju, MW 1st grade

Suzanne Maniak, SP 5th grade

Greta Francis, SL 4th grade

 

Parent Volunteer of the Month

Dana Vaselopulos, MW parent (not pictured)

 

Staff Members of the Month

Laura Cohen, LZHS Science Teacher (not pictured)

Julie Gyarmaty, LZHS Science Teacher

Anne Hopkins, LZHS Science Teacher

Sandy Lesniewski, LZHS Science Teacher

 

 
Student Film Festival 
Funded with a grant from the District 95 Educational Foundation

This year, District 95 will be holding a student Film Festival thanks to a $1,000 grant from the District 95 Educational Foundation. 

 

The Film Festival will be held on February 12th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the LZHS Performing Arts Center.  Any District 95 student may submit an entry.  Entry categories are Comedy/Drama, Public Service Announcement, Animation, or Documentary.

 

For more information, pre-registration, and filming tips, please visit the Film Festival webpage.

 

 
Save the Date!
Joanie's Closet to Sponsor Parent/Child Valentine's Dance    

 

Date: Friday, February 8, from 6 pm-9pm

Location: May Whitney Elementary School

 

Geared toward elementary/middle school students and their parent(s).This "dressed-up affair" is a fundraiser for Joanie's Closet and will include dinner catered by Gianni's, dancing with a live DJ, photos, and more!  Watch for more information in January.

 

Want to keep up on what's going on with Joanie's Closet?...just "Like" us onFacebook! 
 

 
 
January Assessments
Schedule for MAP, CogAT, and ACCESS tests 

 

Preparations are completed for District 95 to continue to monitor student learning upon return from winter break. Here are the assessment dates for the various grade levels:

 

5th              January 8 - 11                      Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

K - HS         January 14 - February 15      ACCESS* for ELLS

2nd - HS      January 14 - February 1        Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

2nd              February 19 - 22                  Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

 

*        Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners

 
Kudos!
Sharing a letter of appreciation for our own Jill Kragseth!    

 

Recently, I received a letter from a district parent about Jill Kragseth, Middle School North teacher and LZHS Swim Team Coach.  I wanted to share some of this letter and publicly congratulate Jill.  Speaking from experience, there is no greater praise for a teacher than words of appreciation from a parent or student.

 

"Jill has dedicated much time and effort...to the entire team. She is a great role model for all of the girls. Jill has such a positive attitude and friendly personality. Lake Zurich is lucky to have Jill."

 

I concur with this parent and would add that Jill does an outstanding job for us in both the classroom and in her role with the swim team.   Kudos to Jill, and to our many wonderful teachers throughout the district.  Thank you all for living the District 95 mission every day!