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 highlights the District’s Facilities Assessment process since the Board of Education approved hiring ARCON Associates in August 2024 to conduct a comprehensive district-wide facility assessment to create a multi-year master facilities plan to guide the District’s capital projects. Most school districts typically complete this process every decade. However, Lake Park has waited two decades while still actively addressing life safety needs (i.e. concrete sidewalk replacement, parking lot repairs); routine maintenance and equipment replacement; and renovation projects to art classrooms and the culinary program to name the most recent.

Discovery Process

During this initial phase of the process, the building administrative teams started assembling facility “wants/needs” in the following categories: athletics, activities, classrooms, maintenance/custodial, safety and security, and technology. This information compiled valuable insight about the teaching and learning environment from department leadership and staff who have firsthand experience interacting with students–both inside and outside the classroom. Concurrently, ARCON staff conducted thorough site assessments through the use of video recording at both East and West Campus to evaluate and identify facility related areas of work.

Stakeholder Focus Groups

The next important step in the process involved conducting focus groups to assess the District’s facilities, identify facility-related needs, and envision future needs and space utilization through the unique experiences and lens of stakeholder groups including students, parents, licensed staff, support staff, activities, athletics, building administration, and District administration. Conducted over three days in mid-March, the 60-minute focus group sessions conducted by ARCON asked participants to identify challenges and areas for opportunity as well as vision for future needs and space utilization. 

Presentation of Findings

Following the face-to-face engagement with stakeholders, ARCON started analyzing the feedback received from the focus groups and merged it with the information gathered from the comprehensive building walk-throughs that spanned from late 2024 through early 2025. During the Monday, April 28 Board of Education meeting, the ARCON team presented preliminary findings and common themes regarding the District’s existing facilities, current and future needs, and possibilities. Among the themes for both campuses were a lack of commons spaces that support blended and collaborative learning, and career pathways; PE/athletic spaces that do not align with the space types, quantities and adjacencies needed; a lack of appropriate teacher collaboration spaces; and the need for washroom upgrades and more.

Next Steps

Since February, the Board of Education has made “District Facility Assessment” a standing discussion item and will continue to provide updates during all regularly scheduled meetings. Additionally, the ARCON team shared a timeline from the discovery process (now completed) to visioning/planning concepts (summer to fall 2025), through a decision-making process in 2026. The next steps include ARCON generating preliminary planning diagrams, budget, and schedule options and conducting Visioning Committee workshops beginning this summer.

The Board of Education and administrative leadership teams look forward to keeping the Lancer school community informed throughout this significant process. The variety of Lancer stakeholders–from students, staff, and parents to those in specialized areas like activities and athletics–truly provided great insights and forward thinking that will help shape an exciting future for the District.

National Letter of Intent Signing Ceremony

Student-atheltes commit to college athletics and academics.

Congratulations to the following Lancer student-athletes who participated in a College Commitment Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, April 30 hosted by the Athletics Department. Lake Park students and their families attended a recognition ceremony that included brief highlights of their individual accomplishments and recognition of their commitment to play collegiate athletics at their respective schools.

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Junior inductees recognized for scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

During a ceremony on Wednesday, April 30, the Lake Park High School Chapter of the National Honor Society presented the new student inductees. View the complete list of inductees who have been accepted into NHS.

The National Honor Society recognizes students who excel in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. In addition to an academic requirement of a weighted 3.90 cumulative grade point average, participation and leadership in school activities are essential. No student is inducted simply because of a high academic average. The National Honor Society strives to recognize the total student - one who excels in all four of the above areas.

On Tuesday, May 6, students from several DuPage County high schools displayed their green building projects to the public at the annual Sustainable Design Challenge held at DuPage County's Administration Building in Wheaton. Student teams collaborated to research, design, and present their model to a panel of professionals from design fields including architecture and engineering.

Lancer students Rylan Bauernfreund(12), Lily Farsalas (12), Ashley Mallqui (12),and George Moore (12) won the Best Overall LEED Design category. "The Lotus Lattes" designed a coffee shop using recycled steel, low-carbon glass, and cork flooring. The coffee shop features a greenhouse, a pond with an energy-producing water wheel, solar and wind energy as well as piezoelectric walking tiles. Judges commented on the creative ideas and thoughtful consideration of the environmental impacts of the design. They were inspired by the fantastic design concept and well-researched presentation.

Student teams presented models of their designs in-person to a panel of judges, as well as County Board members and County and municipal staff. Students discussed the design elements that made their buildings sustainable, including renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines and water conservation elements such as native plant landscaping, rain barrels and other green infrastructure for stormwater management.

Each year, DuPage County Stormwater Management sponsors the event, and SCARCE coordinates the Challenge. The contest encourages students to construct building and landscape models using environmentally friendly and water-conserving design practices.

Second Semester Final Exams

Prepare for the 3-day exam schedule.

Lake Park's second semester final exam schedule will take place over three days on Tuesday, May 27; Wednesday, May 28; and Thursday, May 29. View the final exam daily schedule. During these exam days, Lake Park students will have access to tutoring and bus transportation (pick-up/drop-off) that is provided on a typical school day. Students who require transportation between campuses during the day will have a bus provided for them.

Lancers remaining for the make-up period must provide their own transportation. No after school activity or late bus transportation will be provided.

Class of 2025 Countdown to Graduation: May 29

Important announcements and dates in preparation for graduation.

Lancer families with graduating students should have received a mailing with information about diplomas, final transcripts, immunization records and more. Please consult this packet for additional information.

Cap and Gown Distribution

Graduation caps, gowns, and 4.0 medallions will be distributed during lunch periods on Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13 in the student cafeteria. or starting Wednesday, May 14 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the Main Office at West Campus. 

Scholarship Recognition

Lake Park will host the 45th Annual Scholarship and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the West Campus auditorium to honor graduating students for national, state, school, and community-level scholarships. Families with students who will be recognized should have recently received an electronic invitation. Students must RSVP by Friday, May 16.

Graduation Rehearsal

Once again this year, students will be required to attend graduation rehearsal at Willow Creek in South Barrington on Wednesday, May 28 from 1:15 to 3:00 p.m. Graduates will learn their seating arrangements, practice the processional/recessional, and receive final instructions to make everything run smoothly during the graduation ceremony. 

Graduation 

Lake Park's 68th Commencement will be celebrated on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Willow Creek. Tickets are not required and doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for open seating. Families with graduating students are encouraged to visit the Class of 2025 Graduation website for additional resources. 

Graduation Videos

Purchase a keepsake today! For a minimum donation of $20.00 to the Lake Park Educational Foundation, graduation videos will be available approximately a week after the event (shared via email as a video file). Visit www.lphs.org/GraduationVideo for more information and to complete an order form. Please note the last day to order the 2025 graduation video is Wednesday, June 25. For questions, contact Executive Director Becky Wyatt at (630) 295-5264.

Annual Textbook Adoption Process

Community members can preview textbook recommendations before May 19.

During the Monday, April 28 meeting, the Board of Education previewed three textbooks requested for adoption for the 2025-2026 school year: 

Social Studies AP African American Studies, Freedom On My Mind

Social Studies AP Government, American Government Stories of a Nation

World Languages Heritage SLA (Spanish Language Arts), Anecdotas 1

Annually, when a new textbook is recommended, teachers must complete a thorough process. The textbooks have been reviewed by the departmental committee according to District textbook selection guidelines and procedures. If approved, the adoption will reflect a combination of online and hard copy editions.

The community has an opportunity to view the recommended textbooks at Lake Park’s Administration Center, 590 S. Medinah Road, during normal hours through Monday, May 19 when the Board of Education will vote on textbook adoption as an action item.

Student Handbook Updates

Handbook Committee recommends revisions for next school year.

During the Monday, April 28 Board of Education meeting, East Campus Assistant Principal Melinda Perez-Carter and West Campus Assistant Principal Jeff Henrikson presented recommended updates from the Handbook Committee and as reviewed by the District’s legal counsel.

The District’s Handbook Committee includes students, parents, teachers, deans, librarians, counselors, psychologists, support staff, community members, administrators, and a Board of Education member. The proposed revisions fall into three key categories: New Language Additions, Attendance Revisions, Discipline Revisions.

Pending any questions or concerns related to the recommended revisions, the 2025-2026 Attendance & Behavioral Expectations handbook will be voted on at the Monday, May 19 Board meeting.

TikTok Challenge

The Roselle Police Department has shared a public service announcement about a dangerous trend circulating on social media platforms such as TikTok that has recently come to our attention. Some students have been inserting objects, such as paper clips or pencil graphite, into Chromebook USB ports and electrical outlets in an attempt to cause an electrical short circuit. This behavior is extremely hazardous and has led to serious incidents in other schools, including damage to devices and small fires.

Not only is participating in this challenge dangerous, but it is unacceptable behavior. Any student who is found engaging in these activities will be held financially responsible for the damage to their Chromebook and/or other property, as well as be subject to disciplinary consequences in accordance with the District behavior policies and student handbook.

Families are urged to speak with their students about the importance of using school equipment and facilities safely and responsibly.

Village of Itasca

Need a spot for prom or graduation photos while Usher Park in Itasca is closed for construction? There are lots of great options around town! Check out Springbrook Nature Center, the Historical Depot Museum (101 N Catalpa Ave.), or the arboretum behind Village Hall (550 W Irving Park Rd.) for a great backdrop. More details on the reopening will be shared once construction is complete. In the meantime, the Village appreciates your patience as the improvements continue. Visit itasca.com/usherpark for more information.

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