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.
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Spotlight on Campus-based Principals (2023-2024) |
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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 restructuring the building-level administrative team to provide dedicated instructional leadership at each campus. In November 2022, Lake Park High School was excited to announce plans to return to a two-principal model effective with the 2023-2024 school year. Now more than ever, this leadership is needed given the learning loss that resulted from the pandemic and the ever-increasing academic and non-academic expectations for students.
This structural change is occurring following several years of careful consideration. Furthermore, two years of a pandemic highlighted the importance of the many differences between the buildings. East Campus focuses on best serving students transitioning into high school, while West Campus is designed to better serve our Lancers preparing to transition into the post-secondary world.
Following a thorough search process involving students, parents, staff, and Board members, two candidates emerged who were unanimously and enthusiastically approved by the Board of Education during the regular meeting on Monday, January 23.
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Principal
East Campus
Currently serving as the Associate Principal for East Campus, Dr. Sean Potts has earned tremendous respect from the teachers, students, and community during his 18 months in the District. Prior to Lake Park, he gained leadership experience as an Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction as well as the Dean of Students at DeKalb High School. Dr. Potts also served as the Director of Bands at Huntley Middle School. Recently, he completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.
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Principal
West Campus
Dr. Alexia Ellett brings a dedication to building strong relationships, knowledge about many facets of education, and a passion for serving the Lake Park community for many years to come. She joins Lake Park from Wheaton North High School where she served as an English teacher, department chair, and is currently in her ninth year as an Assistant Principal. Recently, she completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Illinois University.
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Both Dr. Potts and Dr. Ellett will officially start their new roles on July 1, 2023 with a renewed focus on the unique student needs of each campus while working towards a shared vision. |
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State Spirit March and Sendoff
First IHSA State Sendoff for winter athletic season celebrates the Lancettes.
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Congratulations to the Lancettes Competitive Dance team who captured the second-consecutive IHSA Class 3A Sectional title on Saturday, January 21 at the South Elgin Sectional competition advancing to this weekend's IHSA State Finals in Bloomington! This continues an impressive streak for Lake Park's dance program, which has now qualified for the IHSA State Championships every year since the IHSA implemented a Competitive Dance State Finals in the 2012-2013 school year. Since that inaugural competition in January 2013, Lancettes have qualified for state 11 years in a row and won five sectional championships. Lancettes are coached by three Lancers/Lancettes for Life: Head Coach Francesca Leone, and Assistant Coaches Cassie Spear and Lauren O'Brien.
The State Qualifying squad includes:
Adriana Abbas (10), Alessia Bavaro (10), Siena Bavaro (10), Ella Biernacki (11), Lucy Bicbic (10), Maddie Buck (10), Mina Carey (9), Isabella Catalano (12), Nevaeh Fetzer (10), Dominique Gironda (10), Nicole Guida (10), Abigail Hatfield (12), Sophie Hatfield (10), Dior Hearn (9), Sophia Kazan (10), Camryn Kellogg (12), Talia Leuzzi (12), Ashton Lovell (10), Mia Marzullo (9), Alyssa Mathew (11), Adrianna Mazzeo (11), Alexis McNally (12), Ana T. Panagakis (11), Emma Raymond (11), Nikola Sawicki (11), Kerri Thoms (9), Giuliana Vasilevich (12), and Kendall Zanni (9).
The Lancettes will compete in the IHSA State 3A Preliminaries today, Friday, January 27 at 7:21 p.m. at the Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington. The team is looking to advance to the 3A Finals on Saturday, January 28 for a chance at the program's 6th IHSA State Trophy!
2022 - State Champions / 2020 - State Runner Up / 2019 - State 3rd Place / 2015 - State Runner Up / 2014 - State Champions
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Music Department Accolades
Congratulations to two Lancers who were selected for ILMEA All-State.
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Every year, the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) hosts the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria ( Wednesday, January 25 through Saturday, January 28). Thousands of students and directors from across Illinois come to participate in the many festivities.
After students auditioned and competed in the ILMEA regional band and choir performances, the top musicians from each of the concert bands and vocal jazz groups are selected by the ILMEA leadership team to participate in the All-State Concert Band and Chorus. Musicians selected to be in this group represent the pinnacle of musicianship in Illinois—this is the highest honor that a high school band and choir student in Illinois can achieve.
Congratulations to our Lancers attending the Illinois Music Education Conference this week (L-R):
Mike Lehman (Director of Bands); Connell Travis (12), All-State Concert Band and third consecutive year accepted into ILMEA; Akul Sharma (11), All-State Chorus; and Sam Baker (Director of Choral Music)
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FirstView Bus Tracking App
Access bus routes and GPS data, pick-up/drop-off times, and more.
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In October 2022, Lake Park High School launched FirstView®, a bus tracking and parent communications app for use on a smartphone or desktop. Offered in partnership with our transportation provider, First Student, the app allows families to access bus routes and GPS data, determine estimated pick-up/drop-off times, and enable custom notifications.
With second semester underway, and winter weather potentially delaying routes, families are strongly encouraged to register for an account using the password-protected information that was sent again to families this week. Please check your email and follow the instructions provided, if you have not yet signed up.
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Winter Dance
Ticket sales available online and on-campus until February 10.
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Ready to chase away the winter blues? Lancer Nation will be hosting a semi-formal Winter Dance at Lake Park's West Campus on Saturday, February 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Winter Spirit Week will include a volleyball tournament (Wednesday 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.), hallway decorating, and spirit days.
Dance Information:
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Winter Dance tickets can be purchased using credit/debit cards online or in-person (by cash or check made out to Lake Park High School).
- Guest tickets must be purchased with cash/check by Thursday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m. accompanied with the completed guest form. No guest tickets will be sold at the door.
- Lake Park student ticket prices will increase to $25 beginning on Friday, February 10 at 3:00 p.m. through Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m. No tickets will be sold after 7:30 p.m.
Read the FAQ document for more information about ticket sales, guidelines, and spirit week activities. |
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PAVE Partnership
February 13-17: Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week
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Committed to creating and maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment, Lake Park High School and the Educational Foundation have partnered with PAVE (Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment) to offer assemblies and activities during February in support of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
In 2001, “Lancer for Life” Angela Rose founded this non-profit organization to create education and action surrounding the issues of sexual violence. PAVE’s unique approach works both to shatter the silence and prevent sexual violence through education, social advocacy, and survivor support.
On Monday, February 13 ( West Campus) and Tuesday, February 14 ( East Campus), all students will follow a modified bell schedule to attend an assembly featuring PAVE keynote speaker Delaney Henderson. She is a nationally known survivor of sexual assault and bullying in high school and has been featured in numerous media outlets including CBS, NY Times, and People Magazine. The assembly content may evoke difficult feelings or memories of past or current events for some students. Parents/Guardians should check their inboxes for details on how to opt-out their student by Thursday, February 9.
Families are encouraged to view this 10-minute video about survivor support to help individuals in the event a person discloses an incident of sexual assault. Additional videos about consent and bystander intervention are available through PAVE University, an online learning platform that offers free courses. Oftentimes, survivors are suffering in silence and are waiting for an opportunity to disclose a traumatic situation. Please review this flyer for five ways you can respond. |
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LPEF to Award Scholarships Totaling $32,000+
Class of 2023 Lancers should complete applications by March 8 deadline.
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The Lake Park Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of 34 scholarships totaling over $32,000 available for Lake Park High School graduating students in the Class of 2023. There are more than 20 unique scholarships offered with varied criteria based on activities, athletics, academics, career focus, financial need, and more.
New this year, scholarship applications can be found on the Going Merry website. Don’t miss your opportunity! Scholarship applications are due by Wednesday, March 8. Please visit www.lphs.org/Foundation to view all the scholarship information. |
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Looking Ahead: Black History Month
Black Student Union to host activities and spirit week in February.
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Lake Park's Black Student Union (BSU) sponsors Paige Harlston, Kevin Parker and Joel Zedrow have been working with Lancers to finalize plans for Black History Month that begins on Wednesday, February 1.
Opportunities for involvement include a spirit week, classroom door decoration contest, karaoke in the cafeteria, bake sale fundraiser, free film screening of Creed II, and honoring influential African Americans in the hallways. Watch for more details in the next edition! |
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Important Dates:
Jan 27.................Institute Day (Student non-attendance)
Feb 1...................SMART Day
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Follow Lake Park High School on Twitter @LPLancers |
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