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A Year to Remember: Celebrating Growth, Creativity & Community | |
As the school year comes to a close, we're excited to share our annual Year in Review—a tradition that celebrates the people, achievements, and moments that make District 57 such a special place to work, learn, and grow. This year was filled with accomplishments big and small, from student successes in the classroom, on the stage, and in competition to meaningful community celebrations, leadership opportunities, and exciting progress on our Building Brighter Futures projects.
As you look through these highlights, we hope you'll see what we see every day: students who inspire us, staff who go above and beyond, families who support our schools, and a community that continues to invest in the future of District 57.
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Building Brighter Futures Takes Shape | |
What a year for our Building Brighter Futures construction projects! Since breaking ground at Lincoln Middle School in the fall, we've watched exciting progress take shape right before our eyes. Construction preparations also began at Westbrook, bringing us one step closer to expanded learning spaces for our youngest students in time for our state-mandated transition to full-day kindergarten in the 2027-28 school year. We also loved seeing our Lincoln student leaders share updates at a Village of Mount Prospect Board Meeting and give tours of the Lincoln construction site to community leaders.
Check out the January episode of "Construction News" where our Lincoln Student Board members give Mayor Paul Hoefert a tour of the construction site!
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Planning for Full-Day Kindergarten | |
District 57's Kindergarten Council began its important work this year as it prepares for the implementation of Full-Day Kindergarten in the 2027-2028 school year. The council includes staff, families, and district leaders working together to design a program that supports our youngest learners.
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| Celebrating Culture, Connection & Community | |
This year, schools across District 57 hosted special events that celebrated the cultures, traditions, and experiences that make our community so unique!
🍦 At Lions Park's Popsicles in the Park event, multilingual families gathered for a fun evening of connection, conversation, and community-building.
🌎 At Westbrook's Celebration of Cultures, students and families explored books, languages, flags, and cultural displays that highlighted the many backgrounds represented in our school community.
🎉 At Fairview's Global Gathering, families shared foods, traditions, cultural presentations, henna, face painting, a storybook walk, and so much more—creating an evening filled with learning, pride, and connection.
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Lions Park Named a Top 50 Elementary School
District 57 celebrated a major achievement this year as Lions Park Elementary was named one of Chicago Magazine's Top 50 Elementary Schools in Suburban Cook County. Ranked #33 out of hundreds of schools, Lions Park earned recognition for strong student achievement and attendance. This honor reflects the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community. Way to go, Lions Park!
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Congrats, Lincoln Class of 2026!
We’re so proud of our 2026 Lincoln graduates as they take their next steps into high school! From their first days in District 57 to crossing the graduation stage this spring, they’ve grown into thoughtful leaders, learners, athletes, artists, and friends. We can't wait to welcome them back in four years for one of our favorite new traditions—the Senior Walk.
Go get ’em, Class of 2026!
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Senior Walk: Welcome Back, Class of 2026!
One of the highlights of the year was welcoming back our District 57 alumni from Prospect High School and D214's Specialized Schools for the annual Senior Walk. Watching these graduates return to the halls where their journeys began is always a powerful reminder of how much they've grown—and how bright their futures are. Congratulations, graduates! We can’t wait to see what comes next.
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Student Leadership in Action | |
This year, student voice continued to grow across District 57 in powerful ways! Our Superintendent Advisory Council brought together students from Lincoln Middle School to meet directly with district leadership, share their experiences, and help guide important conversations about teaching, learning, and school culture.
We also continued to expand opportunities for student leadership through Student Board Members, Principal Advisory Councils at each school, and student councils across the district. These groups gave students meaningful ways to collaborate with school and district leaders, share ideas, and take an active role in shaping their school communities.
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Student Sports Shine Across D57!
From championship seasons to state-level performances, District 57 student-athletes showed outstanding dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship all year long!
🏃♂️ Cross Country State Success: Lincoln runners had an impressive showing at the IESA State Meet. The girls' team placed 4th, and the boys' team finished 20th, with several athletes earning individual state medals, including top finishes by Amelia K., Alex K., and Julia A.
🏐 Volleyball Champions: Both 7th and 8th-grade girls volleyball teams captured regular-season and tournament championships, capping off their seasons with a win in the Staff vs. 8th Grade match.
🏀 Girls Basketball Dominance: Both teams earned conference regular season and tournament titles, showcasing strong teamwork and consistency throughout the season.
🏀 Boys Basketball Success: 7th and 8th-grade boys basketball teams had a great season, showing strong teamwork, effort, and school pride throughout their competition schedule. The 8th-grade team capped off an outstanding year by winning the MSMSAC Championship!
🏃♀️🏃♂️ Track & Field Excellence: Lincoln athletes delivered strong state performances with multiple top finishes and relay medals. The 7th-grade boys team earned an impressive 2nd-place overall finish.
🏅 Special Olympics Pride: Our Special Olympics athletes shined with multiple medals across events, including first-place finishes in the 50m run by Yasir M. and Caleb W., representing District 57 with heart and determination.
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The Arts Shine Across D57! | |
From the stage to the art room, creativity came alive across District 57 this year!
🎭 At Fairview, 5th grade students brought Willy Wonka Kids to life with a fun and energetic performance.
🎭 At Lions Park, 5th graders impressed audiences with Olympus: The Rock Musical, showcasing their talent and confidence on stage.
🎭 At Lincoln Middle School, students delighted audiences with Willy Wonka Jr., a memorable production filled with music, energy, and teamwork.
🎨 Creativity also filled our elementaries and Westbrook for Art & Chorus Nights, where student artwork and voices were on display.
🏆 We are also proud to celebrate Lincoln Middle School’s recognition at the District 214 Art Expo, where our students were named the top-voted middle school in the competition—along with a first-place artwork selection. See more below!
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Lincoln Student Wins 1st Place in District 214 Art Expo
We are proud of all our Lincoln Middle School artists who represented District 57 at the District 214 Art Expo this year. Competing against seven other middle schools, Lincoln was named the overall top-voted middle school—a wonderful recognition of the strength of our visual arts program.
A special congratulations goes to Zunairah H., whose artwork was voted the #1 piece of the entire expo. Thank you to art teacher Myles Moroney for his continued dedication to inspiring and supporting our young artists.
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EmpowerHer Club Inspires Leadership at Lions Park
What started as a small student-led idea at Lions Park Elementary quickly grew into something that captured the attention of the wider community. The club, which meets monthly, encourages students to share ideas, discuss important topics, and support one another through simple but powerful activities like a “compliment jar,” where students celebrate kind words they’ve received.
The EmpowerHer Club has sparked so much interest and positivity that it was recently featured in the Daily Herald for its inspiring work building confidence, leadership, and connection among students.
| | LEGO Robotics Season Success | |
Lincoln Middle School LEGO Robotics teams had an exciting and successful season this year, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving throughout their competitions. Both Team 492 (Root Force) and Team 493 (Bronze Builders) earned recognition at their regional events and advanced through qualifying rounds, representing Lincoln with enthusiasm and strong collaboration.
We are proud of all of our robotics students for their dedication and for the way they represented Lincoln Middle School throughout the season!
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A Strong Year for Music
This year marked incredible growth for our District 57 music programs, with students shining in chorus, orchestra, band, jazz band, and a cappella performances throughout the year.
A special shout-out goes to the incredible educators who inspire, encourage, challenge, celebrate, and help shape our young musicians each day. Thank you to Tim Janiszewski, Sean Spenner, Brendyn Dobbeck, Leslie Thomas, Christine Happ, Claire Koehlinger, and Sara Mungovan for sharing your passion for music and helping students discover their talents and confidence through the arts.
| Westbrook STEAM Night Sparks Curiosity | Westbrook’s youngest learners and their families enjoyed an exciting 1st Grade STEAM Night filled with hands-on exploration and discovery. Students engaged in activities that encouraged them to tinker, build, create, and problem-solve while moving through a variety of interactive stations. The evening was full of curiosity and excitement as students and families learned together through meaningful, play-based STEAM experiences. We are grateful to Kim Stortz and Carol Capra for organizing this wonderful event, and to the Mount Prospect Public Library for joining us and adding to the fun. | Collaboration in Action: Bringing Fairview's Willy Wonka Kids to Life | Lions Park Hosts First-Ever Spelling Bee | Lions Park Elementary proudly hosted its first-ever Spelling Bee this year, giving students the opportunity to showcase their spelling skills, confidence, and school spirit on stage. Participants worked hard to prepare and took on the challenge with enthusiasm and pride. We are incredibly proud of all of our student spellers for their effort and courage, and we extend a special congratulations to our winners for their outstanding achievement in this inaugural event. | |
Fairview Launches One School, One Book
This year, Fairview launched its first-ever One School, One Book initiative, bringing the entire school community together through a shared reading experience. Every student received a copy of Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test, creating excitement and connection as families read the same story together at home.
To make the experience even more special, Fairview staff recorded daily chapter readings for families to enjoy together each evening. From classrooms to living rooms, the initiative sparked conversations, built a love of reading, and strengthened connections across the Fairview community.
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Celebrating Tenured Staff
This year, District 57 proudly recognized two educators for achieving tenure—a significant career milestone that reflects their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to students. Congratulations to Cindy Larson, LRC Director at Fairview Elementary School, and Grace Brunzell, 1st Grade Teacher at Westbrook School.
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Honoring Our Retirees
This year, we honored eight retirees whose combined service to District 57 totals more than 215 years—a remarkable legacy of dedication to our students, schools, and community.
We are grateful for the lasting impact of Michele Logar, Carol Gray, Dave OBrill, Alicia Driver, Robin Moran, Loretta Rose, Roseann Schmitz, and Kathy Minogue. Each has played an important role in shaping the lives of students and strengthening our district.
While we will miss them dearly, their influence will be felt for years to come.
Congratulations and thank you to all of our retirees!
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Logar Receives WGN Teacher of the Month Award
We are thrilled to celebrate Fairview 2nd-grade teacher Michele Logar, who was named WGN’s Teacher of the Month after being nominated by a former student. This special recognition highlights her incredible impact over her 41-year career in District 57 and the lasting relationships she has built with generations of students.
As she heads into retirement, this honor is a beautiful reflection of the care, dedication, and love for learning she has brought to her classroom every day. Congratulations, Michele—and thank you for everything you’ve given to District 57!
| | | | | Honoring Board Member Ciok | After four and a half years of dedicated service, we said a heartfelt farewell to Jen Ciok as she stepped down from the D57 Board of Education to become Director of Government Relations for the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). Jen helped guide key initiatives, including the District’s strategic plan, Portrait of a Graduate, successful referendum, and transformative facility projects. We’re grateful for her collaborative leadership, commitment to student voice, and passionate advocacy for public education. | | | |
Board Corner: Leadership Updates & Honors
We’re excited to share updates from the D57 Board of Education for the 2025-2026 year! Corrin Bennett-Kill continues to serve as Board President, with Chris Lettow serving as Vice President. We also welcomed new Board member Alan Deitch, whose experience and commitment to public education strengthen our work on behalf of students and families.
This year, our Board was recognized with the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) School Board Governance Recognition—an honor awarded to only a select number of districts across Illinois for demonstrating strong governance practices and a commitment to continuous learning. This achievement reflects the Board’s dedication to thoughtful leadership and their focus on supporting student success in every decision they make. We extend our sincere thanks to all Board members for their ongoing leadership and service.
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Building Empathy Through the Mobile Museum of Tolerance | This year, our fifth-graders participated in the Mobile Museum of Tolerance, an immersive educational experience that brought powerful lessons about civil rights, empathy, and social responsibility directly to our schools. The experience encouraged students to think critically about fairness, kindness, and standing up for others—bringing our Portrait of a Graduate to life in meaningful ways. The Mobile Museum of Tolerance left a lasting impression on students and inspired important conversations about building a more inclusive and compassionate world. |
Visiting Authors Inspire Young Readers
This year, students across D57 were excited to welcome visiting authors Geo Rutherford, Jarrett Lerner, and Candace Fleming. Classrooms across our schools immersed themselves in these authors’ works in preparation for their visits. These authors created treasures such as Spooky Lakes, A Work in Progress, EngiNerds, The Enigma Girls, and Clever Jack Takes the Cake.
Memorable experiences like these were made possible through the generosity of our PTOs, dedicated staff, and a strong community partnership with the Mount Prospect Public Library.
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| Welcoming State Representative Nicolle Grasse | |
This year, District 57 was pleased to welcome Illinois State Representative Nicolle Grasse to Lions Park Elementary School. During her visit, Representative Grasse toured classrooms alongside Principal Katie Kelly and Superintendent Dr. Mary Gorr, gaining firsthand insight into the engaging learning experiences taking place across the school.
The visit highlighted the many ways District 57 supports students through general education, special education, multilingual learning, and innovative library programs.
| A Lasting Tradition: The 2nd Grade History Tour | Our 2nd graders once again enjoyed the annual Mount Prospect History Tour, where they explored local landmarks and learned about the rich history of our community. This hands-on experience helps students connect more deeply with the place they call home. This meaningful tradition is one of many we are grateful to retiree Michele Logar for helping to establish and inspire, leaving a lasting impact on students and learning in District 57. | | | | | |
