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.
Lancers Helping Lancers and Beyond During COVID-19
Campuses may be closed, but what's happening behind the scenes? "Lancer Pride" 

Last week following the implementation of remote learning, Lake Park High School launched an online survey to parents and students to understand what is working, what is not, and how we can improve the experience for all Lancers. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to share your feedback before the Remote Learning Survey closes at the
end of today . 

Please know that your feedback is already making a difference and the District will soon provide a remote learning schedule with the goals of alleviating student workload, providing a regular schedule to expect assignments, and to the extent possible, preventing overlapping virtual meetings. 

Meal Assistance
Since the school closure began, Lake Park has partnered with Sodexo Food Service and First Student Transportation to provide free meal assistance to qualified families. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during weekdays through April 30, or longer if extended , families can pick up grab-and-go breakfast and lunch service at East Campus or any of the following middle school and community-based locations .

Donation of PPE
Thanks to the generosity of Lake Park's Science Department and Nurses Offices for donating personal protective equipment (PPE) last month  to help healthcare workers on the front line. The donations  included safety glasses, goggles, sterile gloves and N95 masks to Central DuPage, Northwestern Memorial and University of Chicago Hospitals.

Art Supplies
Members of the Art Department spent a day collecting art supplies and scheduling pick up times to accommodate social distancing of 36 students enrolled in AP Art Studio. Now with the materials needed, these Lancers can successfully continue remote instruction and demonstrate their creativity and skills for AP. 

Chromebase 
District technology team members have been responding daily to C hromebook-related questions, repair issues or technical assistance by phone, email and a contact less system. If families are in need of a new device or equipment, instructions and a PIN are provided to pick up in an individually locked charging tower in the East Campus vestibule. Please send any questions by email to [email protected] .
Students Earn 5.0 Academic Distinction
Lancers achieve academic excellence during high school career.

Spring traditionally marks the "first of the lasts" for the senior class, but this has been like none other for the Class of 2020. This is their time to shine and celebrate the many milestones that define high school. Future editions of the  LP Link  will continue to recognize the achievements of the senior class. 

Congratulations to the following 94 seniors who have earned a cumulative  5.0  grade point average or higher through seven semesters at Lake Park:

Rachel Abraham, Demi Apostolakos, Luis Arias, Max Armas, Yazmine Armas, Harryson   Azank, Samantha Baliukas, Allison Banayat, Rachel Barbanente, Cassandra Barbanente, Jazmyne Barnhill, Chad Berkich, Simran Bhagat, John Bialek, Alia Bicbic, Daniel Bokuvka, Lilija Briedis, Kaija Briedis, Katrina Campos, Joseph Czaja, Victoria Czochara, Ryan Dein, Maya Deren, Ethan DeValk, Tetyana Dyakun, Michael Eischen, Cheyenne Fischer-Zimmermann, Jacob Foster, Abbey Frank, Jenna Frank, Zachary Frye, Mariya Georgieva, Aneesa Goyal, Frank Guida, Holly Hanssen, Nathan Harmon, Joseph Harrington, Dylan Hunn, Yomna Ibrahim, Shana Jose, Wajeeha Kamal, Evan Karner, Jacquelyn Kawczynski, Julia Kurek, Leah Ludwig, Erin Mack, Antonia Marsico, Grayden McClellan, Jenna McNally, Hima Mekala, John Michicich, Andrew Miller, Aneek Mirza, Trevor Montiel, Kelli Moy, Luke Nelson, Sarah Novak, Alexis Noviskis, Rebecca Nygren, Milan Patel, Anishi Patel, Jayna Patel, Janaki Patel, Ayush Patel, Nicholas Paterala, Michael Paterala, Nicolas Pelagio, Jacob Perez, Mia Perri, Jenny Petrova, Edward Pinkston, Ola Rodowicz, Haifa Sahouri, Shivani Saluja, Amanda Samaras, Sanjot Sandhu, Luke Schelling, Matthew Scimeca, Anthony Slade, Jacob Sowizral, Justin Stanly, Jonathan Summers, Norbert Szczotka, Olivia Szylar, Seena Thomas, Shina Trivedi, Olivia Turman, Jennifer Vazquez Saraul, Joshua Volland, Nolan Vrba, Cindy Wang, Brook Wang-Swionek, Jacob Wortsman, Olivia Wroblewski
Social-Emotional and Mental Health Resources
Students' social-emotional well being is equally important as their academics.

Lake Park's Student Services team is excited to launch "Wellness Wednesdays" that will assist with providing a weekly social-emotional check in for students. Beginning Wednesday, April 22, Lancers will receive an email each week that will contain tips and suggestions for handling this change in social contact with peers and their daily routine of school and activities. Lake Park Social Workers and Psychologists (SWaP) are working hard to provide helpful videos and resources for students to view each Wednesday.

As shared on the District's COVID-19 website , Lake Park's counselors remain available to our Lancers via email. Additionally, the   Lancer SWaP Website provides contact information for the SWaP staff assigned to each graduating class and information to community resources . If you need help in an emergency, please call 911 or contact local authorities for immediate assistance.

Furthermore, resources aimed at helping people maintain mental health during the COVID-19 crisis are available on the DuPage County Health Department website .

Illinois Call4Calm Text Line is one of the resources promoted. Those struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic who need emotional support can text TALK to 552020 (text HABLAR al 552020 para español). This free service is available 24/7. People seeking assistance will remain anonymous by providing only a first name and zip code, enabling the service to link to a counselor in their area who is knowledgeable about available local resources.
Advanced Placement Testing Continues Despite Closure
College Board announces at-home testing option for students from May 11-22.
      
Every effort has been made by the College Board to support students across the nation who remain committed to taking their Advanced Placement (AP) exams despite school closures. With over 1,000 Lancers enrolled to take AP exams this year, Lake Park has worked collaboratively with the College Board to ensure that each Lancer has access to the shortened 45-minute AP exam from the comfort of home. 

The scope of material on the revised exams was taught in-class prior to the school closure, thereby allowing Lancers to use this remote learning time to review content in preparation for the new AP testing schedule . With so many changes, families are encouraged to visit the FAQ page on the COVID-19 website for additional AP updates . 

Lake Park AP teachers have also created a special APtitude website to offer support to students as they unite in preparation for these exams. The site provides students with resources and perspectives that will encourage AP students to keep aiming for their goal - to successfully earn college credit in these rigorous AP courses despite COVID-19.
IHSA Schools Turn on "Lights for the Fight" 
Tonight's actions demonstrate support for Lancer seniors and COVID-19 heroes.

Lake Park is joining the Illinois High School Association and other high schools statewide in an initiative to turn on athletic field lights from 8:00 to 8:20 p.m. on Friday, April 17. This unified action demonstrates a sign of support for our Lancer seniors as well as for the healthcare workers, first responders, and all other essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic. The symbolism of these 20 minutes represents "20:20" in military time to honor the Class of 2020.

Families can support this initiative by turning on their house and porch lights while following the stay-at-home executive order. Due to the statewide quarantine measures, no one should gather at the school or fields while the lights are illuminated, the gesture is simply a sign of support.

Follow the Lake Park Athletics Department on Twitter to see #LightsForTheFight shine at both campuses.
Community Connection
Families invited to access free resources from Glenbard Parent Series workshops.

Through a continued partnership with Glenbard High School District 87, Lake Park families were invited and encouraged to attend the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families. This workshop series has also been impacted by the statewide school closures. Please read a statement about free resources still available to Lancer families: 

" Thank you for your patience as we work to reschedule our spring Glenbard Parent Series events for the 2019-2020 school year. We have options to keep you connected to our renowned speakers along with amazing content and resources. The Glenbard Parent Series has established a GPS Take 5 video library highlighting presentations of the most recent speakers with bite-size videos for both students and families. 

A new thread to the video library is the Take 5 PREVIEW series videos from speakers to be hosted in the 2020-21 school year.  The videos are filled with insights to assist families at this most challenging time. New videos will be added regularly. Also, be sure to search  previous speakers'  materials that are available
 on each presenter's page on the GPS website. 

The well-being of our participants is our highest priority. We wish you and your loved ones the very best. Thank you, and please stay safe."
Administrative Personnel Change for 2020-21
District seeks a new Principal following Dr. Manola's announced departure.

As Lake Park High School continues to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the very real potential of not returning this school year, Superintendent Dr. Lynn Panega announced an important administrative personnel change for the 2020-21 school year.

Last evening Lake Park Principal Dr. Dominic Manola was appointed Principal of East Leyden High School and will assume his duties effective July 1. This decision, which he described as "absolutely bittersweet," means he returns to where his teaching career began before joining Lake Park in 2014. In a recent message to staff, he acknowledged the opportunity as one "personally and professionally that I could not pass up."

We wish him well in his future educational endeavors and now look future forward to Lake Park's next steps. The Board of Education has been in regular communication about this important districtwide hire with Superintendent-elect Dr. Jeff Feucht, who will assume the helm on July 1 following Dr. Panega's retirement.

The vacancy posted today launches an external search for a new educational leader. During these unprecedented times, this critical role will need to be fulfilled by a candidate who can embrace change, unite a school community, and deliver an authentic vision that supports students, families and staff during transition.

Thank you for your active engagement in remote learning and supporting our Lancers during the uncertainty of this school year. Board members and the administrative team continue to carefully process the statewide school closure's impact on prom, graduation, summer school, summer camps and more. Please know that Lake Park remains committed to announcing final decisions soon.

Important Dates:
Apr 27           Virtual Board of Education Meeting
  
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