LP Link
March 24, 2017
In This Issue
Superintendent's Column
Sendoff for Student Activities
April 5 Testing
Department Recognition
Athletics and Activities Fair
TMA Grant Recipient
Athletic Accolades
Summer Theatre Camp
Spirit of Excellence
College Planning Workshop
Community Connection
Important Dates
Superintendent's 
Column 
 

The third academic quarter has ended, assessment testing season is underway and spring break begins next week! The 2016-17 school year has certainly been moving at a rapid pace, and now we head into a time of much anticipation and excitement for our Lancers. We continue our focus of welcoming the incoming class through orientation programs, while preparing our seniors for end-of-year recognition programs and events.

Looking forward academically, a district wide decision has been made to sunset the reporting of class rank with the class of 2018. On Monday, March 20, the Board of Education listened to an administrative presentation to learn why this proposal is recommended. Nationally, the trend has been to discontinue reporting class rank because it disadvantages students when they apply to postsecondary institutions. Locally, high schools in six districts have discontinued reporting class rank, including Districts 86 (Hinsdale), 87 (Glenbard), 203 (Naperville), 204 (Indian Prairie) and Township High School Districts 211 and 214.

Lake Park counselors and department leaders strongly endorse the elimination of class rank because of the ways that students' college applications are negatively impacted. Through our research, we determined that class rank is no longer considered a major factor in admissions decisions. In fact, class rank appears to place more of our students at a disadvantage rather than in their favor. Therefore, during the 2017-18 school year, seniors (class of 2018) will be the only students to have class rank appear on their transcript.

We are confident that our thorough research and thoughtful discussions make this decision to sunset class rank one that is in the best interest of students. The proposal recommends the continued practice of calculating class rank. Some students may be required to provide this information for postsecondary institutions or scholarships that still require the information. Students will be able to submit a special request for this information to be provided as needed.

As this week concludes, I extend my best wishes for our students, staff and their families to enjoy a safe and relaxing spring break. Please note the campuses and administration center will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the week of March 27. We look forward to the safe return of our students and staff on Monday, April 3. 
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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 [email protected].
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Student Activities: Clubs and Teams Earn Top Honors
2017 IHSA Contest Play State Qualifiers 
On Thursday, March 23, the West Campus Student Activities Office hosted a spirit march, led by the Lake Park drumline, and a celebratory sendoff for several clubs and organizations that qualified for State and national level competition.

Congratulations and best wishes to:

Contest Play members, directed by Sara Keith, who will compete in IHSA State Competition at the University of Illinois-Springfield this weekend having finished in second place at the IHSA Drama Sectional. They will perform Anatomy of Gray by Jim Leonard. Amanda Brommel, Giuliano Catalano, Dominic Rose, and Grace Tolentino were nominated to the All-Sectional Cast list. 

The Rube Goldberg Team, coached by Jimmy Kryger, that will compete this weekend at the National High School Rube Goldberg Machine Contest Finals held at the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, OH. This marks their second trip to national competition in back-to-back years. Read more about the State Championship title earned at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory 21st annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest earlier this month.

DECA participants, sponsored by Katie Bestvina and Brittany Simpson, who will compete in mid-April at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA.
School Calendar Modified on Wednesday, April 5

Important communication was recently sent to parents regarding the upcoming standardized testing following spring break. Please review the appropriate grade-level message for additional information about the early dismissal and senior non-attendance day on
Wednesday, April 5.
Grades 9 & 10
Senior Department Recognition
Congratulations to the 16 seniors honored during a ceremony on Wednesday, March 22 designed to recognize their academic contributions to each department. The students were joined by their family members and introduced by a faculty representative of each department.

Art - Or Crotty
Biological Science - Krupa Patel
Business Education - Samuel Grimaldi
Drama - Allison Ford
Educational Services - Joshua Henry
English - Nikolas Callas
Family & Consumer Science - Jan Sancho
French - Stefania Triolo
German - Ian Marks
Mathematics - Ryan Pries
Music - Grace Tolentino
Physical Education - Emily Golab
Physical Science - Sameer Pardiwala
Social Studies - Joshua Malek
Spanish - Shana Abraham
Technology & Engineering - Lukas Decker
Athletics and Activities Fair to Welcome Class of 2021 
An Athletic and Activity Orientation for incoming students and parents will be held on Wednesday, April 5 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at East Campus. After a brief introduction in the gymnasium, families will then attend "Meet the Coach / Sponsor" breakout sessions throughout the building. Lake Park Boosters and sports and activities will display their offerings at the Activities Fair in the cafeteria. 

The orientation program is designed to benefit students and parents by learning about Lake Park's athletics and activities programs in advance of next school year. Attendees can have their questions answered by coaches, sponsors and students currently in the program. This provides Class of 2021 students with time to consider their choices prior to the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. 
View an electronic copy of the co-curricular opportunities available and start dates for next fall .
TMA Education Foundation Awards Grant to Lake Park
The Technology and Engineering Department received a $39,196 grant from the Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA) Education Foundation to purchase a Computer Numeric Control Mini-Mill machine and all associated tooling. 

The addition of this equipment will have a significant impact on the ability of Lake Park's manufacturing program to teach state-of-the-art precision machining and engineering skills to students, particularly those in level 2 precision machining class and Project Lead the Way Computer Integrated Manufacturing class.

Additionally, Lake Park will be highlighted in the April issue of MoldMaking Technologies, the online extension of MoldMaking Technology magazine and the most comprehensive website available for mold, tool and die shop managers. The feature article presents information about Lake Park's advisory council, curriculum development, internships and partnership with TMA.
Winter Athletic Accolades
This winter, 332 Lancers competed in athletic offerings. For these winter student athletes, 53 achieved the prestigious Dupage Valley Conference (DVC) Academic All Conference honor by maintaining an overall GPA of 4.5 or higher. 

Furthermore, seven winter programs achieved the IHSA All-Academic Team Award. Members of the following teams collectively maintained an overall combined GPA of 4.0 or higher during the season:

Boys Swimming - 4.92
Head Coach Dan Witteveen

Girls Basketball - 4.72
Head Coach Brian Rupp

Lancettes Competitive Dance - 4.63
Head Coach Julie Astrouski

Girls Gymnastics - 4.51 
Head Coach Jake Luketin

Boys Bowling - 4.49
Head Coach Greg Edwards

Girls Bowling - 4.28
Head Coach Theresa Czerniak

Competitive Cheer - 4.21
Head Coach Samantha LaLonde

Congratulations to all student athletes, teams and coaches for their accomplishments this season. View a complete list of student athletes recognized on Monday, March 20 by the Board of Education for their winter athletic accolades.
Last Chance to Register for Summer Theatre Camp 
Join Lake Park's Theatre Department for an exciting 2-week summer camp full of characters, stories and adventure! Enrollment is open to students in grades 5-12. All rehearsals will take place in the East Campus Dice Auditorium:
July 10 through July 13 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 
July 17 through July 20 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 

Culminating with a final performance at 7:00 p.m. on  Thursday, July 20 , the camp will include classes in acting, singing, dancing, technical theatre, and more. 

The registration fee of $250 per student includes a camp t-shirt and all educational programs and props for the final performance. Registration forms are due by Monday, April 3.
Celebrating Spirit of Excellence Recipients: RSVP Today! 
Spirit of Excellence Logo
Distinguished alumni, students and staff will be honored at the ninth annual Lake Park Spirit of Excellence Celebration Dinner on Thursday, April 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Medinah Shriners Banquet in Addison. Register online to reserve your tickets by Tuesday, April 4

The Lake Park Educational Foundation established the Spirit of Excellence Awards to support and recognize the accomplishments of Lake Park students, staff, and alumni.  Nineteen seniors, two staff members and three distinguished alums  will be recognized for their service, extraordinary effort, achievement and leadership. 
Save the Date: College Planning Workshop
The Counseling Department will host a "College 101" Information Night for sophomore and junior families on Thursday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the West Campus Auditorium.

The program will feature a college panel of admissions representatives from University of Chicago, Colorado State University,  Elmhurst College, Loyola University and Northern Illinois University to discuss the admission process. View the schedule of breakout sessions that include topics on highly selective schools, Illinois State Schools, College of DuPage, and college planing for students with disabilities. 

Families and students are encouraged to attend this important event on April 27. If you have any questions, please call the Counseling Office at (630) 295-5341.
Community Connection
 
DuPage Regional Office of Education Presents 
School Anxiety and School Refusal: How do I get my kids to go to school?
Tuesday, April 11, 9:00-10:30 a.m., 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton


Through a continued partnership with Glenbard High School District 87, Lake Park families are invited and welcome to attend the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families. Programs are free and open to the public; no registration is required.

Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 p.m., College of DuPage, McAnnich Arts Center
Important Dates
Mar 27    Spring Intermission Begins
Apr 3       School Resumes
Apr 4       Election Day 
Apr 5       PSAT 9/10 Testing 
Apr 5        SAT Grade 11 Testing  
Apr 5        Senior Non-attendance Day
Apr 5       Athletic and Activities Orientation Night (Incoming Freshmen)
Apr 12      SMART Day Schedule
Apr 14     Student Non-attendance Day

View the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic calendar .