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Since 2001, juniors have taken a state-funded ACT as part of the State of Illinois school accountability model and for purposes of college admissions. We work diligently to prepare our students for success, which is reflected by our above state average scores on the ACT. For spring 2016, the State of Illinois intended to fund a college admissions test for all juniors. However, due to the State's budget impasse in Springfield, ISBE does not know if money will be appropriated to fund a college entrance exam. All public high schools are now in a tenuous position: wait for the availability of State funds or allocate local district funds to provide a college admissions test for juniors. In the best interests of students, Lake Park is committing district funds to pay for an ACT (juniors with 14+ credits) on Tuesday, April 19 during the school day. However, the 2015-16 school year represents the last time that Lake Park will offer the ACT funded through local dollars due to ISBE's adoption of the SAT. We feel strongly about administering the ACT exam to juniors this year since their high school coursework has been aligned to the standards reflected in the ACT. Lake Park is proactively planning for the upcoming assessment changes. As a result, the transition to the SAT begins this spring. On April 19, freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT 10 to collect meaningful data and provide exposure to SAT's content and format. This experience paves the way for a revised assessment model aligned to the SAT for grades 8 through 11 with full implementation during the 2016-17 school year. The State's decisions about assessment, accountability, and school funding have had a profound impact on local school districts. We appreciate our families' continued support of Lake Park during this challenging transition period.
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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 sanderson@lphs.org.
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Welcoming the Class of 2020!
An Incoming Ninth Grade Family Night program will be held on Wednesday, January 20 in the Lake Park East Campus auditorium. The orientation program is designed to benefit students and parents. This important evening will include review of placement information, interpretation of Explore test results, and an explanation of elective course offerings.
After the presentation, families are invited to an open house in the cafeteria where they will have an opportunity to meet faculty from each department and ask specific questions of counselors.
To accommodate all attendees, the program will have staggered start times depending on the school that your student currently attends:
6:00 p.m. Spring Wood, Trinity Lutheran and Queen of the Rosary
6:45 p.m. Medinah Middle, Peacock, St. Walter and St. Isidore
7:45 p.m. Roselle Middle, Westfield, St. Luke and St. Matthew
Lake Park counselors visited middle schools this week to preview and discuss the Academic Planning Guide, which is an important educational planning resource for families. View an electronic copy of the guide. Following the program, parents and students will have all the information needed to complete the registration and course selection process for the 2016-17 school year.
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Daily Herald Leadership Team
Congratulations to Lake Park seniors, Sameer Goyal and Isabelle Michaels, for being named to the Daily Herald Leadership Team. Both students received an honorable mention among selected high school students from DuPage County. This annual recognition program is based on community service, leadership and academics. High Schools can nominate only two students for this award. Sameer and Isabelle were featured in the January 14 issue of the Daily Herald.
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FAFSA Completion Workshop to Assist Senior Parents
Do you need one-on-one assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form? Please join Lake Park's Counseling Department for a workshop on Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the West Campus computer lab.
Representatives from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be available to help students and families as they file the FAFSA. ISAC is the state agency in Illinois that helps students and families prepare for college and financial aid. To complete the FAFSA, you will need to bring:
- 2015 Federal Income Tax documents (2014 can be used if 2015 is not yet completed)
- Student social security number
- Student Alien Registration Number (if applicable)
- Bank and financial statements (most up-to-date information about checking accounts, savings accounts and the value of other assets)
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Technology Center of DuPage Hosts Open House
Lake Park freshmen, sophomores and juniors are invited to explore career possibilities at the Technology Center of DuPage's Community Open House at 301 S. Swift Road in Addison on Wednesday, January 20 from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m.
TCD offers advanced career electives to Lake Park students. Through TCD's 21 career programs, students can explore a career interest in a project-based learning environment; earn both high school and free college credit at the same time; discover career paths and their post-secondary education requirements; obtain industry certifications and network with professionals in the field; and develop skills critical for success in college and today's workforce. Visit www.tcdupage.org or call (630) 691-7572 for more information.
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Automated Tardy Notification System Pilot Launched
Prompt arrival to class is an important part of the learning process. Likewise, timeliness is an important life skill that translates well beyond school. To that end, Lake Park launched a pilot communication system this week to keep parents informed of their student's tardiness to class. New this semester, the notification system will auto-generate messages to students via their Lake Park email accounts following the first tardy to a class. Communication to parents begins via email following the student's second tardy to an individual class and continues with each subsequent tardy during a given semester. The email notification will indicate the date, period, class, teacher and teacher email address. Parents have access to their student's tardiness and attendance records via Home Access Center at any time. After a student's third tardy to a single class, a dean will speak personally with the student to explain the consequences that occur upon receiving a fourth tardy. Following the fourth tardy to an individual class, or tenth cumulative tardy across the school day, the Dean's office will assign consequences to students. Please note that tardies received during the first semester do not carry over to second semester. The pilot notification system is designed to keep students and parents aware of tardies as well as to promote dialogue with teachers about any discrepancies in attendance records. Parents are asked to contact teachers directly with questions or concerns about their student's timely arrival to class. Information and expectations about this implementation were communicated to students during SSP presentations last week.
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Seal of Biliteracy Demonstrates Multiple Language Proficiency
Starting this school year, juniors and seniors who are enrolled in a World Language course (Advanced Placement or Level 4) and/or those students with bilingual skills have the opportunity to earn a new honor based on their second language abilities. The Seal of Biliteracy will be awarded to qualifying Lake Park students who demonstrate proficiency in English and another language or multiple languages. The Seal of Biliteracy, offered by the State of Illinois, will appear on the student's diploma and official school transcript. Earning this distinction will be an honor that students can share with universities, future employers, and service organizations who value individuals with bilingual skills.
In order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must meet approved proficiency levels on state approved English and foreign language assessments, as outlined on the Intent to Participate form. Applying for this recognition is voluntary and students are responsible for the cost associated with taking the qualifying assessments. An Intent to Participate form must be completed and returned to West Campus Assistant Principal, Mr. Ian Smith, by Friday, February 12 in order to be eligible for the Seal of Biliteracy.
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Pride in Performance
Congratulations to our Pride in Performance winners for the second grading period:
East Campus
Academics: Andrew Beugnet and Steven Beugnet are straight "A" students with challenging schedules. Their work ethic, level of engagement and positive attitudes are top notch. They are two of the highest achievers at East Campus and happen to be twin brothers!
Achievement: Zach Luke overcame personal adversity that made him miss a lot of school. In order to get caught up, he worked with a tutor during week nights for several months. His hard work and persistence has paid off as he earned High Honor Roll status this past semester.
Activities: Quinn Fulmer has been the leader of the Earth Club at East Campus. He came up with the idea for building a purple martin birdhouse at East Campus. He has been at every meeting and led a group for "Make a Difference" Day hosted in October 2015. Quinn also sold over 250 lollipops for the Earth Club fundraiser.
Athletics: Diamante Smith is a sophomore who played varsity football in the fall athletic season and is now on the varsity basketball team. He has a level of confidence, leadership and maturity that is rare for his age. Diamante sets a great example for other student athletes.
West Campus
Academics: Ryan Pries is an outstanding student in AP Chemistry. He helps classmates and often explains things to others in different words that help them understand. Ryan is helpful every day, always on time with his homework and earned the highest percentage in the class for first semester.
Achievement: When a math teacher had a serious health issue, Kenny Magnana heard what was going on and jumped right in to help the situation by using his medical training. His quick thinking and action of applying CPR made the difference in saving Mr. Roloff's life.
Activities: Nick Gricus is an all-around outstanding young person who is very active in a variety of clubs including Lancer Hero, Student Council, Key Club and LPTV. He also handles the daily morning announcements. Nick always puts himself second and will do whatever he can to help others.
Athletics: Kenny Bogus has demonstrated the growth and maturity that led the Lake Park varsity basketball team to a 3rd place finish at the Wheeling Holiday Tournament.
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LPEF Announces 26 Scholarships Totaling $19,500 
The Lake Park High School Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of 26 scholarships totaling $19,500 that are available for seniors in the Class of 2016. View a summary of the scholarships available.
Students and parents are encouraged to download the information packet that provides a listing of the scholarship offerings, individual criteria and supporting materials to be completed for consideration.
Students must attach a completed Common Scholarship Application, essay(s), and appropriate supporting materials for each scholarship to the Career Center at West Campus by Thursday, March 10. (Note: The deadline for the Scott Bradley Memorial Scholarship is Friday, February 26.)
LPEF Welcomes New Executive Director
The Lake Park Educational Foundation welcomes Becky Wyatt as the new Executive Director, effective January 4, 2016. A district resident and Lake Park graduate, Becky brings experience managing over 300 volunteers; designing policies for volunteer and community service programs; and developing and maintaining relationships with the community, vendors, and donors. |
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Board of Ed Announces Appointment, Second Vacancy
During the Lake Park High School District 108 Board of Education Special Meeting on January 11, board members voted to appoint Mrs. Janice Gatbunton to fill the vacancy declared on December 9, 2015 following the sudden passing of board member Doug Denson. Gatbunton will take the oath of office during the Board of Education meeting on Monday, January 25 and serve until the next election in April 2017.
An Itasca resident and practicing attorney, Gatbunton brings experience from her prior participation in Itasca School District 10's Board of Education and her involvement as a member of the School Law Committee of the local bar association. Gatbunton has two children and demonstrates a student-centered approach in accepting this position. "I expect and desire that my passion for quality public education will prove to serve as an asset to an already effective, accomplished and successful Lake Park District 108 Board of Education," commented Gatbunton in her application.
Following the interview process and recommendation, Board of Education President Barb Layer commented, "I believe Janice is an excellent choice and will provide meaningful contributions as the Board continues to focus on district priorities including teaching and learning, student achievement and fiscal management."
On January 12, the Board of Education received a letter of resignation from long-serving board member Judith Briggs. She cited changes in her personal life as the reason for ending her 12.5 year tenure and commented how impressed she was with the interest, knowledge and commitment shown by the pool of seven candidates. "Consequently, I have decided to resign at this time so that the Board can move smoothly along with two new members for the remaining 13 months of my term," stated Briggs.
The Board of Education will reconsider the initial qualified pool of applicants as well as accept other interested candidates who submit an application by Tuesday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m.
A special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20 at 7:30 a.m. to announce the appointment filling the vacancy created by Briggs' resignation. The newly named Board of Education member will also take an oath of office on January 25 and serve until the next election in April 2017.
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Important Dates
January 18 MLK Holiday (Student non-attendance)
January 25 Institute Day (Student non-attendance)
January 25 Board of Education Meeting
January 27 SMART Day
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