LP Link
December 4, 2015 
In This Issue
Superintendent's Column
Holiday Events
End of First Semester
Community Connection
Improvedy
Illinois State Scholars
ACT Test Prep Course
LPEF Annual Report
Important Dates

Superintendent's 
Column 
 
Dr. Lynne Panega
 
As we near the end of the calendar year, I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on significant technology initiatives that are improving communication, providing convenience for parents, and offering enhanced student learning opportunities. 

In May 2015, Lake Park launched a newly designed district website to offer a more user-friendly experience for online visitors. Highlights include the responsive design to mobile devices, search capabilities and translation abilities. Furthermore, the creation of four global icons - grades, calendar, directory and e-pay - provides one-touch access from any device to the areas visited most frequently on the website. Their prominent position at the top of the district homepage allows parents and users easy access to these high-touch areas without further navigation.

The summer months of June, July and August greeted families with a registration process that was entirely online for the 2015-2016 school year. The technology department developed a program to help parents navigate through the required documentation and provide real-time access to fees owed. The benefits of transitioning to this system included greater efficiency, improved accuracy and the convenience of 24/7 access.

When the school year began, Lake Park launched a technology pilot to learn more about whether a 1:1 technology deployment is feasible. As part of the trial, a number of classroom sets of Google Chromebooks were deployed across six departments including English, math and world languages. Freshman students in selected sections of World History and Honors Biology have been using a district-owned Chromebook for instructional purposes at school and home. The first semester pilot results are positive, and we look forward to finalizing implementation plans for the incoming freshman Class of 2020.

The start of this school year also marked a technology initiative that eliminated the traditional printed report card mailed home at mid-term and semester, but rather promotes real-time access to student's academic progress via the Home Access Center. Each quarter and semester have designated dates when grades are required to be posted to HAC. The next scheduled date is Tuesday, December 22.

Lake Park's technology landscape in 2016 looks exciting with the rollout of automated tardy notification to students and parents as well as developments to offer Home Access Center in other languages. Stay tuned for future innovations that will benefit our school community!
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The Lake Park High School Community Relations Office publishes the LP Link bi-weekly during the school year to highlight the latest news at Lake Park.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sherri Anderson, director of communications, at [email protected].
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Lancer Holiday Season Kicks Off 

Lake Park High School will host a number of festive events open to the community this month beginning with its 34th Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 5. The holiday craft show will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the West Campus field house. Nearly 100 crafters will offer handcrafted gift items for sale. Admission to the fair is $2.00 for adults and free for senior citizens and children. Proceeds from the Holiday Craft Fair will benefit Lark Park student organizations.

The schedule of holiday events continues when the Lake Park High School Band and Choir Programs present the annual Holiday Festival of Music on Tuesday, December 8. A crowd favorite and special tradition of the event includes inviting all Lake Park choral alumni to come on stage and sing Handel's "Hallelujah!"

The joint performance begins at 7:00 p.m. in the West Campus Auditorium, and doors open at approximately 6:30 p.m. for first-come, first-served seating. Plan to come early as this event sells out every year! Ticket prices are $3 for adults, $2 students (other high schools and college), and free for senior citizens, Lake Park students with ID and children under 13 years old.

Finally, mark your calendars for a not-to-be-missed event as the Lake Park Theatre Department presents the holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life. This inspiring tale of George Bailey's journey from despair to the realization that it truly is a "wonderful life" has been a holiday film favorite for years, and now it is coming to life on the Lake Park stage. The cast and crew have been working hard to create a truly magical experience that the whole family can attend.

It's a Wonderful Life runs December 10 at 7:00 p.m, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., December 12 at 7:00 p.m., and December 13 with a 2:00 p.m. matinee in the East Campus Dice Auditorium. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 students (other high schools and college), and free for senior citizens, Lake Park students with ID and children under 13 years old.
Preparing for the End of First Semester

The first semester of the 2015-2016 academic year ends on Friday, December 18. 

Lake Park's final exam schedule this year is different from prior years. A new exam schedule addresses an Illinois Board of Education mandate which requires a full day of school (5 hours) for the last day of the school year. The new schedule will be paralleled at the end of the school year as well. Additionally, the new format allows for methods of assessment beyond a traditional multiple choice test. Prior to exam week conducted Wednesday, December 16 through Friday, December 18, teachers will communicate the daily activities and assessment expectations they have for students. 

Similar to typical school days, all class periods will meet and meal service is provided; however, the class periods vary in length. There will be no early releases on final exam days. 
Only senior students who have earned a first semester final exam exemption will be permitted to exit campus during that exam period if their teacher is administering a traditional final exam. The teacher will communicate the exam schedule and all planned curricular activities and assessments for the week to the students. West Campus will also provide dedicated areas in the building where senior students who have earned the exemption can relax, study and stay on campus. 

Bus routes will make their morning runs, delivering students to each campus at the regular start time. Return bus runs will begin 10 minutes after the last class period. A shuttle bus will run between campuses each exam day to accommodate after school activities and athletics.

All textbooks for semester courses must be returned by December 18 to avoid a bill. Students need to ensure they are turning in the book that was issued to them. This can be confirmed by checking the barcode in the library. Books must be returned prior to winter break to adequately prepare for second semester.
Community Connection: Exam Cram 
Students can prepare for finals at the Bloomingdale Public Library's "Exam Cram" hosted during December 14 through December 16 from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

This event is open to all high school students (Grades 9-12), including non-Bloomingdale residents. Students will have access to group and quiet study areas, Wi-Fi, computers and reference help. The library will provide caffeine, snacks and serve pizza at 7:00 p.m.
Rescheduled: Comedy Troopers Return for Improvedy

Since Mother Nature interrupted the November date, students and staff members will finally get to participate in the quick-paced, laugh out loud "Improvedy" on the rescheduled date of Monday, December 14. This annual faculty vs. thespians improv show starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be hosted on stage in the East Campus Dice Auditorium.

In the spirit of Star Wars, "The Faculty Strikes Back" by trying to overcome a 0-7 record from recent years.  And back by popular demand: lip-sync battles made famous by Jimmy Fallon! With new and veteran members on both teams, the event promises to be another great night at the theatre. 

Admission is $5.00 and the proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots, a project of the Woodfield Area Children's Organization.
Recognizing Academic Achievement 

Lake Park High School is proud to announce that 93 seniors have been named Illinois State Scholars for the graduating class of 2016. Presented annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this prestigious recognition honors the top 10 percent of high school seniors statewide for their academic performance. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or and scores on the Prairie State Achievement Exam. Congratulations to the following Lancers for their academic achievements:

Syed Abidi, Laila Afsar, Abdulraheem Amodi, Christopher Apuzzo, Kevin Baczek, Jean-Luc Belous, Kaela Beugnet, Maryam Butt, Julia Caesar, Gianfranco Cali, Nicholas Castaldo, Ella Cichon, Anthony Clark, Andrea Deleon, Jenna Drolen, Timothy Dublin, Phillip Duncan, Isabella Duran, Naba Durrani, Angela Dylewski, Sarah Eischen, Bryan Eisenhard, Karolina Fedurek, Noel FioRito, Daniel Fitzgerald, Kamila Gardocki, Alyssa Gaynor, Angelina Gervasio, Sameer Goyal, Nicholas Gricus, Lilian Gulyk, Nicholas Hernandez, Sarah Hochstadt, Daniel Hynes, Sylwia Iwanicka, Mitchell Jarosinski, Emily Joyce, Allison Karpinski, Shannon Kearns, Kaitlyn Keith, Brandon Kennedy, Sebastian Kieltyka, Lauren Kim, Ivanna Kovalenko, Katarzyna Krawczyk, Michael Kuhfuss, Joseph Kwengwa, Piotr Lada, Troy Lewis, Alison Little, Samuel Little, Camilla Macias, Philip Macias, Jacob Marcheschi, Stefani Martinez, Minnara Mathew, Connor McMahon, Ariana Miceli, Adam Michals, Anne Mou, Lily Nickisch, Shelby Noviskis, Isabelle Olejniczak, Skye Palumbo, Thalia Panoutsos, Kush Patel, Rashaan Patel, Saahil Patel, Emily Petrucci, Marina Presta, Leah Proctor, Matthew Reilly, Jordan Rezman, Alexandra Ricchio, Antoinette Ricchio, Matthew Rutty, Anna Sampson, Justin Scafidi, Anna Schlueter, Jackson Schoen, Laura Sienkiewicz, Jaspreet Singh, Joshua Solarz, Karina Sowa, Michael Tarchala, Riley Tithof Steere, Hunter Treiber, Jovana Vasilic, Martin Vazquez, Damian Waga, Abigail Weisensee, Claire Wrobel, Kassandra Zakic
ACT Exam Preparation Course Deadline Nears

In preparation for the ACT test dates available next spring for juniors, Lake Park will begin offering a course in January 2016 to develop the study skills to improve ACT scores. In addition to English, science, reading and mathematics preparation, the course emphasizes test-taking strategies and techniques. Students will gain exposure to ACT testing situations, practice and remediation, and explanations about ACT style correct questions and types of answers meant to distract from the correct response.

Students can choose to take this course either on Saturday mornings, or Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Registration before December 18 is $190; after December 18 is $210. Registrations are accepted until the January 4, 2016 deadline or until all spots are filled. View the course brochure for additional details and to complete an application.

The Lake Park High School Educational Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships to students whose families have a financial need. If your student wishes to apply for a scholarship, contact Sheila Finstein at (630) 295-5321 or [email protected].
Lake Park Educational Foundation Publishes Annual Report

The Lake Park Educational Foundation is thankful for the support from Lake Park staff, parents, retirees, local businesses and the community. Each year, the Foundation seeks to enhance its efforts in making a difference at Lake Park High School and we celebrate those whose generosity has allowed us to continue providing quality opportunities and educational experiences in support of this mission. The Lake Park Educational Foundation hopes that you will enjoy reading the 2014-2015 Annual Report which shows various ways the work of the Foundation aids the students, faculty, staff, and members of the Lake Park community.  
Important Dates

Dec 5            34th Annual Holiday Craft Fair 
Dec 8            Holiday Festival of Music
Dec 9            SMART Day
Dec 10-13     Theatre Production of It's a Wonderful Life
Dec 14           Board of Education Meeting
Dec 14           Improvedy
Dec 16-18      Final Exams
Dec 18           End of Second Quarter
Dec 21           Winter Intermission Begins
Jan 4, 2016 Classes Resume
 
View the 2015-2016 academic calendar.