Lake County Leader and Educator Essentials

January 2026

Dear Lake County Community,

As we begin the new year, we are reminded of the powerful impact collaboration has across Lake County. When educators, families, and community partners work together, they create supportive learning environments that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

In this month’s edition, we are pleased to feature Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115. Together, these districts serve students from early childhood through high school graduation, united by a commitment to learning that extends beyond the classroom.

This collaborative approach is reflected in initiatives like Gardening2Grow (G2G), a parent-led program within District 67 that connects students to hands-on learning through gardens, wellness, and service. Through strong partnerships, Lake Forest Schools continue to model how community engagement enriches student learning.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the role you play in helping Lake County students learn, grow, and thrive.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Karner

Regional Superintendent of Schools

Lake County, Illinois

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Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115

Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115 serve students from early childhood through high school graduation, with a shared commitment to educating the whole child. Across both districts, learning is enriched through strong partnerships with organizations that extend opportunities beyond the classroom. One example of this collaborative work is Gardening2Grow (G2G), a new, board-approved District 67 parent organization dedicated to supporting student learning through gardens, nature, and hands-on experiences.

Founded by District 67 parents in collaboration with the Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest and Quest Food Management Services, G2G supports school-based garden clubs while advancing a broader mission centered on wellness, service, and authentic learning.

Each District 67 school now has an active garden club, with students engaging in hands-on experiences both inside and outside the classroom. At Cherokee Elementary School, students shared a fall tomato harvest with classmates, learning firsthand about growing food and giving back. Deer Path Middle School students cultivated hundreds of pounds of produce, which was shared with families and, in partnership with our food service provider Quest Food Management Services, incorporated into cafeteria meals. At Everett Elementary School, garden club leaders collaborated with the art program on a four-week garden-and-art project, while students harvested and prepared marigold seeds for a future school market. At Sheridan Elementary School, students across grade levels planted garlic and spring bulbs and explored food webs through lessons led by local environmental educators.

A standout example of G2G’s impact is the new Everett Elementary School Sensory Garden. Made possible through community partnerships and grant support, the garden features a sensory walk, fairy garden, and interactive elements designed to promote calm, curiosity, and inclusion.

At its core, G2G exists to foster community using plants, nature, and partnerships. By connecting gardening to nutrition, service, and social-emotional growth, the organization offers an aspirational model for how schools can cultivate empathy, responsibility, and meaningful connections—one garden at a time.

Visit Lake Forest School District 67 & 115 website