LP Link: August 23, 2024

The LP Link is published bi-weekly during the school year to highlight the latest districtwide news and events at Lake Park High School. Contact Sherri Anderson, Director of Communications, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for content.

Spotlight on District Safety and Security

Each month, the LP Link will spotlight an area of District focus with the goal of sharing valuable information and resources with our school community. This month’s focus on safety and security aligns with the upcoming drills scheduled for Safety Week from August 26-30.

The safety and security of students, staff, and community members who use and visit Lake Park High School facilities is always of utmost importance to the Board of Education and the leadership team. This commitment is demonstrated by not only staffing safety and security personnel who operate with a philosophy of prevention, presence, and preparedness but also providing ongoing training opportunities.

New Director of Safety and Security to Join the Team

Pending Board of Education approval on Monday, August 26, Lake Park looks forward to welcoming Pablo Castro as the Director of Safety and Security for the 2024-2025 school year. Mr. Castro is a Suburban Law Enforcement Academy Graduate from College of DuPage and brings tactical police training from 24 years as a police officer and over 12 years as a Carol Stream School Resource Officer (SRO). With extensive experience training over 600 school staff members in Homeland Security Run/Hide/Fight, school active shooter training, and emergency crisis management, he prides himself on building trust and strong relationships with students, families, and the community. His ability to solve conflicts while maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating professionalism will be an asset to the District.

Student Drills: Week of August 26

Teachers have spent time reviewing the safety practices and protocols for evacuation, severe weather, and active threat procedures in each new classroom. During first semester Safety Week, Lancers will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned by participating in emergency drills. Parents/Guardians recently received communication about Safety Week with more detailed information.

Staff In-service: Wednesday, August 28

Following next week’s early release, all Lake Park employees will participate in an annual safety in-service presented by members of the Roselle Police Department. This comprehensive training will include protocols to help prepare staff for decisions they may face in an emergency situation. Furthermore, key messages will stress the importance of recognizing and reporting observations of threatening behavior that may be indicators of people who are potentially harmful to themselves or others.

“Hold in Place and Teach”

Lancer families received communication this week about a brief “Hold in Place and Teach” conducted at Each Campus. The decision to “Hold in Place and Teach” helps to keep hallways clear in a non-threatening situation while teachers continue with educational instruction. Families will continue to be notified when circumstances require a “Hold in Place and Teach.” These non-threatening situations are often resolved swiftly and cause minimal disruption to the school day.

Reunification Sites

As part of a DuPage County Regional Office of Education (ROE) initiative, members of Lake Park’s administrative and safety teams participated in joint training this summer with the sender school districts and the I Love U Guys Foundation. This is a national organization committed to the development and training of school and community safety and family reunification programs. Lake Park is grateful for a number of community partners who have agreed to welcome our students and staff to their locations should the need to evacuate and relocate to an alternate location occur.

“See Something, Say Something”

Lake Park’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign encourages anyone to report information regarding student concerns, bullying behavior or information regarding anyone who appears to be a threat to themselves or others by calling or texting the District’s Tip Hotline at (630) 250-6039. In addition to banners hung throughout the campuses with this information, the back of student ID cards contains contact information as well as a QR code to submit tips electronically.

Thank you for your partnership and understanding that safety and communication are shared responsibilities.

Curriculum Night and Lancer Library Book Fair

Follow your student's schedule and shop for English novels at East Campus.

Lake Park faculty and staff invite parents/guardians to attend the annual Curriculum Night at East Campus on Wednesday, August 28 and West Campus on Wednesday, September 4. Both events run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

During the East Campus event, attendees will have the opportunity to follow their student's schedules and learn more about each teacher's learning objectives and expectations. Your student’s counselor, the school nurse, and additional student support staff will be available to meet with you to answer any questions during your student's study hall or lunch period.

Watch for more info about the West Campus schedule and exciting changes to the traditional format!

In addition to the use of classroom textbooks, which are included in student registration fees, novels for English classes must be acquired by students at an additional cost. For your convenience in purchasing the required titles for fall semester, Anderson's Book Fair will be held on-campus from Monday, August 26 through Friday, September 6. The book fair will also be available in the library during Curriculum Night. During those times, books can be purchased at the school library using cash, credit card, or with a check payable to Lake Park High School (with student ID# in the memo line.) During the book fair, books can also be ordered with a credit card through our online bookshop and picked up in the library or shipped to your home. To determine which titles to purchase and the prices of the books at the book fair, refer to the English class listed on your student's schedule, available in the Home Access Center (HAC). For questions, contact East Campus Librarian Jennifer Sutton or West Campus Librarian Aimee Allison.

New School Year, New Opportunities

Upcoming activities fair to showcase opportunities for student involvement.

Next week during lunch periods on Tuesday, August 27, Lancers will have the opportunity to participate in an Activities Fair to learn about the wide variety of club offerings and ways students can get involved. In addition to accessing club sponsors, current members, and information during the Activities Fair, students are encouraged to complete an interest form.

View the Activities Fair slides or visit the Activities website to access resources along with other Activities-related announcements.

Lancer Bell Period Schedule

Monthly program dedicates time to support the development of essential skills.

While maintaining the same start and end times for each campus, Lake Park designed a Lancer Period Bell Schedule to allocate 38 minutes for whole-school programming that falls outside the traditional curriculum. Returning for the second year, the Lancer Period is scheduled approximately once per month on Thursdays. All students and staff are assigned to a designated classroom for the Lancer Period to ensure whole-school participation in each activity. The lesson conducted this week introduced students to the Lancer Period process and reviewed Attendance and Behavioral Expectations for the 2024-2025 school year. Future Lancer Period dates and topics will be previewed in coming editions.

#LancerStories

Lancer for Life sets American record for competing in three Summer Olympics.

Congratulations to Lancer for Life and former standout student-athlete Zach Ziemek (Class of 2011) who made U.S. Track & Field history when he completed in his third decathlon at the Olympic Games in Paris.

As a decathlete competing in 10 grueling events over two days, Zach's impressive professional career includes a sixth-place finish at the 2021 Tokyo Games and a seventh-place finish at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

As a 4-time IHSA state qualifier, Zach's accomplishments contributed to leading the Lancers Boys Track & Field team to two of their 4-straight team titles 2010-2013. These highlights include:

2010 - IHSA Class 3A State Champion Pole Vault

2010 - IHSA Class 3A State Triple Jump (2nd Place)

2011 - IHSA Class 3A State Champion (Pole Vault, Triple Jump, and Long Jump)

2011 - Gatorade Illinois Male Track & Field Athlete of the Year

Following Zach's journey fills us with Lancer Pride - we can't wait to see what's next! Go Double Z!

Community Connection: GPS Parent Series

Lancer families can participate in free, virtual workshops throughout the year.

Now celebrating it's 30th year, the GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families offers free programs to empower and strengthen families, individuals, and communities by sharing practical strategies to help humans of every age thrive. World-renowned authors and clinicians present relevant, research-based information to support positive youth development.

As in past years, Lake Park is one of many schools that partner with GPS to promote these events to our families and staff. GPS programs are offered in multiple languages and presented at both 12 noon and 7:00 p.m. Events are free, virtual, and open to all. No registration is required.

View the 2024-2025 calendar of programs and events. Topics range from mental health to college/career and high school and beyond. Links to the weekly events and speaker resources are available at gpsparentseries.org.

District Office Notifications

Important annual information available for families and community members.

Prevention Resource Guide

In partnership with Lancer families, Lake Park is committed to keeping students as safe as possible, and this includes sharing helpful resources for continued dialogue at home. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) developed a resource guide for families, Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide. While parents/guardians may not know the indicators of a child being abused, and may not feel prepared if their child discloses abuse to them, help is available. This is why the resource guide was created. In addition to conduct expectations already shared with students, the Lancer Period lesson on Thursday, November 14 will deliver important resources related to Erin’s Law and Faith’s Law to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves.

Insurance Options

Lake Park High School District 108 offers all families the option to purchase non-school related accident coverage as well as dental accident coverage. Any enrolled student is eligible for coverage plans that are offered by Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc. To research the available coverage plans - including costs, benefits, exclusions and any reductions or limitation - view the student accident enrollment application and instructions. Parents or guardians of students are responsible for enrollment and premium payment. Visit the website to enroll online or mail the application with payment to the plan administrator.

Integrated Pest Management

Lake Park High School District 108 has adopted an Integrated Pest Management program that minimizes the use of pesticides in school buildings and on school grounds. The policy, in accordance with state laws, also includes a registry whereby residents can be notified in writing two days before any pesticides are used in the school buildings or on school grounds.

If you would like to receive written notification prior to the application of any pest control materials, download and complete a form with your contact information. The form must be returned to the main office at either campus or district office by Friday, September 20 to receive written notification.