Every Student, Every Day

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Desk ………….…....…2

New Superintendent…….....…....…..3

Assessment Information …....…4 and 5

Knights Café…………. ….……....6

D127 Gets Real….…………....…...7

Solar Panels…..…………..….…..8

Summer School …...………...…….9

D127 Awards…..…….…..…...….10

Get Involved……..………..…….10

1:1 Chromebooks…….….……….11

Elected Board Members…….….…..12

Spring 2017 Community Report

A N U P D A T E F R O M G R A Y S L A K E D I S T R I C T 1 2 7

Grayslake D127 Community Newsletter

Mission Statement

Students will engage in

challenging tasks in which they

draw upon personal strengths

and diverse experiences, create

meaningful connections, and

develop innovative problem

solving skills.

With the confidence and

character gained from these

experiences, students pursue

their individual passions and

participate responsibly and

effectively in their communities.

Members of the District 127 Community,

As I enter my final semester as the Superintendent of Grayslake

Community High School District 127, I reflect with joy on this

wonderful community that has been home to me for the past twelve

years. It seems only yesterday that we were a rapidly growing, up-

and-coming district comprised of a single high school. Today, we

stand proud as a nationally recognized district of two robust high

schools serving a broad and diverse student body of over 3,000

students.

Grayslake Community High School District 127 students can choose from 23 different

Advanced Placement courses, participate in more than 50 clubs and activities or play

on one of 23 IHSA athletic teams. Students can engage virtually with classmates on

their Chromebooks, and explore the world through academically –supported

international travel. Our students are pursuing their passions through outstanding art,

music, and theater programs and are giving back to their community by donating time

and raising awareness and funds for local charities.

Our school district is flourishing because of the tremendous support of our

community, the heart and passion of our students, and the dedication of our faculty

and staff. We flourish because we are truly a community of learners who support,

challenge, and care for one another in the common pursuit of educational excellence.

We are so very grateful for the vibrant partnerships we enjoy with our parents and

school community members. The success enjoyed by our students and staff at

Grayslake North and Grayslake Central High Schools is the result of the continued

collaboration between our schools and our communities. Thank you for all you do as

we share in the service of every student, every day.

During my last season as your superintendent, I enter each day with as much

excitement, joy, and hope as on my first. Please know that the smooth transition to a

new superintendent is well underway and that that the flame of District 127 burns

brighter than ever as we pass the torch to Dr. Mikkel Storaasli. Already an amazing

place, Grayslake Community High School District 127 will only grow stronger in the

years to come.

Sincerely,

Catherine Finger, Ed.D.

Dr. Catherine Finger,

D127 Superintendent

2

Grayslake D127 Community Newsletter

PURSUING THE MISSION

The collective agreement we made to ourselves, to students and families, and to our

communities is that we do whatever it takes to ensure that the mission of Grayslake Community

High School District 127 is not simply a mission statement, but an action statement that we live and

breathe every day.

Grayslake Community High School District 127 Mission Statement

"Students engage in challenging tasks in which they draw upon personal strengths and diverse

experiences, create meaningful connections, and develop innovative problem-solving skills.

With the confidence and character gained from these experiences, students pursue their individual

passions and participate responsibly and effectively in their communities.”

This mission statement exemplifies the work we do every day in preparing students to meet their

potential for success now and in the future by providing a variety of unique, enriching, and dynamic

learning experiences.

At Grayslake Community High Schools students engage in challenging tasks by enrolling in

rigorous courses that stretch their thinking and by taking a risk in trying new experiences. Students

build and contribute to school culture by participating in activities that bring unity and by

supporting the endeavors of their classmates. Students and staff are encouraged to innovate and

collaborate as we work to make classrooms a place of discovery. Utilizing the spirit of inquiry,

students learn from their mistakes and build academic resilience so that they can conquer more

difficult problems later in life.

Students pursue their individual passions through the elective courses they take or extracurricular

activities they participate in, whether that be a fine or applied art, a world language, or athletics,

clubs, and activities. These one-of-a-kind experiences allow students to explore interests inside and

outside the classroom. They foster connectedness to a larger group, skill development, and the

ability to maintain long-term commitments. Student passions manifest when they bring their newly

honed skills to the larger community, first as students and later as contributing members to our

global society.

We are committed to the action of our mission by providing students the tools necessary to become

pioneers, leaders, innovators, critical thinkers and responsible citizens.

Best,

Dr. Jim Roscoe Mr. Dan Landry

Grayslake North High School Grayslake Central High School

To learn more about Grayslake Central and Grayslake North go to www.d127.org

FROM THE PRINCIPALS’ DESK

3

Grayslake D127 Community Newsletter

Meet the New Superintendent

On December 8, 2016, the Grayslake Community High School District 127 Board of Education ap-

pointed Mikkel Storaasli, Ed.D. to the position of Superintendent of Schools. Storaasli is currently the

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Leyden Community High School District

212 in Franklin Park, a position he has held since 2010. The appointment will be effective July 1,

2017. Dr. Storaasli will work with current retiring Superintendent Catherine Finger to ensure a

smooth transition for the staff, students, and Grayslake community.

On behalf of the Board, former President Ann Dingman stated: “Dr. Storaasli is an exceptional edu-

cational leader who will continue to build on the tradition of excellence and the culture of caring that

exemplifies our district. Dr. Storaasli shares our commitment to improving student achievement and

expanding opportunities for our stu-

dents.”

Storaasli is looking forward to joining

District 127 and states, “I am excited

and honored to be joining the Grayslake

family. To serve these amazing students

in such a supportive community with

this dedicated and professional staff is a

wonderful opportunity and privilege.”

Prior to his tenure as Assistant Superin-

tendent for Curriculum and Instruction

at Leyden, Storaasli also served District

212 as an Assistant Principal at East

Leyden High School (2007 – 2009),

Mathematics Department Chair (2003 –

2006), and Mathematics teacher (1996 -

2002).

He holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University (2013) and a mas-

ter’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching of Mathematics (2000) from the University of

Illinois at Urban/Champaign. Dr. Storaasli also obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of

Illinois (1996).

The Board engaged the services of School Exec Connect to conduct the superintendent search. Work-

ing with School Exec Connect, the Board solicited input via forums, surveys, and dozens of conversa-

tions, and then adopted a comprehensive profile for the new superintendent. Former Board President

Ann Dingman stated, “The search process worked well and brought us together as a community. Dr.

Storaasli is a great match for our district and we are certain that every student will benefit from his

proven track record and dynamic leadership. We look forward to welcoming him into our District 127

community.”

Join us in welcoming Dr. Mikkel Storaasli to the Grayslake family.

Dr. Mikkel Storaasli will assume the Superintendency on

July 1, 2017.

4

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

Springtime means many things for high school students; the crack of a bat echoing through the

baseball and softball diamonds, the promise of longer days and fun-filled spring break vacations,

and the beginning of assessment season. Advanced Placement Exams, SAT tests, the Illinois State

Science Assessment (ISA) and final exams seem to dominate the spring

semester.

Required Assessments

The State of Illinois has shifted this year from requiring all juniors to take an

ACT test (as part of an assessment known as the PSAE) to instead requiring an

SAT test. Per the Illinois School Code, all juniors must take this measure of

college and career readiness in order to graduate high school. The SAT score appears on the stu-

dent’s transcript unless a formal written request to remove it is sent to the school’s registrar. This

year, the state-required SAT exam will be given to all juniors on Wednesday, April 5. Each

school will mail home details of the day’s events in the coming weeks. Due to the SAT start time

requirements, this particular Wednesday will be an early release date, NOT a late start date like

most Wednesdays. While juniors are taking the SAT, all other students will attend classes as nor-

mal. More to come on the early release schedule.

SAT and College Board have partnered with KHAN academy to provide FREE SAT practice.

Create a free Khan Academy account at www.khanacademy.org. College Board has integrated

these platforms so practice tests done either through the College Board site or Khan Academy will

inform a personalized practice program in Khan Academy based on student performance.

In addition to the SAT, the State of Illinois also requires that all students take an Illinois Science

Assessment once while in high school. All students enrolled in any level of Biology will be

required to take the Illinois Science Assessment. This online assessment can be completed in about

50 minutes, so we hope to minimize the impact on other classes. The state-allowed window for ISA

testing is March 1- April 28 and each high school can develop a testing schedule within that

window. Communication about the ISA and planned examination dates will be sent to students in

the next few weeks.

Advanced Placement exams occur during the first two weeks of May, with each subject-area test

assigned its own date and time. While these tests are optional, we strongly encourage all students

enrolled in an AP course to take the associated exam(s). For less than $100.00 per exam, students

may earn up to three college credits for passing the assessment. Illinois law requires that all public

Illinois institutions of higher learning must accept a score of three or better

on an AP exam for college credit. The type of credit is up to the individual

institutions. Registration for AP exams opened the first week of February.

ASSESSMENT IN DISTRICT 127

Learn more about College Board, Khan Academy and the SAT at

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/about/benefits/khan-academy-practice

Follow @Grayslake 127 at and and Communicationsd127 on

5

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

Doing your Best on Test Day

Standardized tests are only one measure of student achievement. But

to do your best, follow the suggestions below:

Relax. This one test score does not define you. Moreover, you can always retake the SAT or

ACT on another date to try to improve your score.

Get some exercise. Research tells us that students who are physically active before taking a

standardized exam outperform those who do not.

Sleep tight. Be sure to get a full night’s sleep. You cannot “cram” for a standardized test, so

there is no need to pull an all-nighter in preparation.

Eat a hearty breakfast. Do not test on an empty stomach. Eat a healthy breakfast, which ideally

includes protein to help maintain consistent blood sugar levels during the lengthy exam.

Bring a snack. You can bring a small snack (like a granola bar) and leave it with your personal

effects. It is ok to eat during the testing break.

Prepare. Working hard in your classes is the best possible preparation. The new SAT is intend-

ed to capture what you have learned in classes, not just how well you take a multiple-choice test.

However, there are tips and tricks for tackling an SAT or ACT test. Make use of Khan

Academy free SAT prep, or take an SAT prep class. Finally, research shows us that students

practiced in sitting for long exams perform better than those who have not. Maintaining stamina

for the duration of a four-hour exam takes practice.

More than a Score

With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, standardized assessments became the

primary measure of student success, and by extension, school success. What schools have known all

along is that standardized tests are an incomplete measure of student achievement. A single

assessment, representative of one point in time, which attempts to gather student understanding on a

“bubble” sheet, serves only as one data point. We know that students are richer, more complex, and

more creative than any one multiple-choice assessment could ever measure. That is why high schools

measure student achievement with more depth. Grades reflect ongoing mastery of content,

demonstrated in myriad ways and our new Cum Laude program recognizes students for their

contributions inside and outside the classroom, including community service and extracurricular

involvement. Our students excel not just in Advanced Placement classes, but also in our art, music,

theater, engineering, technology and culinary programs, to name just a few. Our students are staying

true to the District 127 mission by vigorously pursuing their individual passions. In short, students are

more than a score. As revealed in a recent, Daily Herald Article, superintendents from across the state,

including our own Dr. Catherine Finger, have been working to gain support for a new definition of

College and Career Readiness, one that is inclusive of measures other than just test scores.

We are hopeful this new approach will “Redefine Ready”.

6

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

STUDENTS LEARN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS

The Knights Café is an in-school work program for students with unique abilities from Grayslake

North High School’s special programs. The Knights Café sells a variety of delicious beverages to stu-

dents and staff, while also providing students the opportunity for authentic employment training in a

safe and supervised school setting.

Students participating in this work training program learn skills needed to meet future employment

requirements, such as how to communicate with supervisors, co-workers and customers. They also

receive real-world practice in money management and inventory control skills. Furthermore, students

learn how to problem-solve and use technology in the work setting.

How can you get involved in our Knights Café?

Business Partnerships – students benefit from touring local businesses and learning about various

employment skills.

Business partners can come to GNHS to talk to students about employment skills too!

Resources and Donations: we welcome any donations of supplies or money to help purchase

drinks, cups, coffee supplies such as aprons, technology, etc.

If you or your business, would like to get involved in Knights Café, please contact Dr. Jim Roscoe,

Principal, at jroscoe@d127.org. We welcome all community partnerships!

7

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

DISTRICT 127 “GETS REAL”

The schools of Grayslake Community High School District 127 are nationally ranked because of the high

levels of preparation our students receive for post-secondary pursuits. In our ongoing quest to prepare

21st century students for the modern, global world into which they graduate, District 127 is committed to

offering REAL experiences, Relevant, Engaging, and Authentic Learning, to our students.

We will soon launch the #d127getsREAL hashtag to encourage teachers and students to post examples of

authentic learning in action. How are our students engaging in the act of being scientists, mathemati-

cians, historians, geographers, writers, performers, etc.? We strive to offer classes that foster deep learn-

ing, connectedness with the world, substantive conversation, and broad student participation embedded in

tasks authentic to the discipline.

Gone are the days of mere rote memorization and regurgitation of facts, only to forget the information

shortly after the unit test. In the years prior to the technology age, when basic facts and information were

found only in the dusty spines of the public library or in the impressive mind of a classroom teacher, this

type of instruction made more sense. Students had to come to school to find and remember that infor-

mation. But now, when both basic facts and complex resources are available on any smartphone, at the

touch of a button, new pedagogical approaches are required.

The needs of 21st century learners require an overhaul in the way classroom instruction is organized and

delivered. According to a 2015 Critical Skills Survey, the skills most desired by employers include criti-

cal thinking, problem solving, communication, technology savvy, collaboration and team building, and

creativity and innovation. These types of skill sets are best developed when students are actively in-

volved, are asking questions, evaluating sources, prototyping, finding alternate solutions to problems,

reading a variety of often competing primary and technical sources, sharing their contemplations with a

larger audience, and applying what they’ve learned to real-world contexts. Technology, and its ability to

allow on-demand learning and access to resources and platforms outside the school walls, plays a central

role in this pedagogical shift.

Follow the

conversation at

#d127getsreal

We are excited to be on the

forefront of such a shift, for

these kinds of REAL experi-

ences happen throughout the

classrooms of District 127

every day. Thanks to our

community, our Board of

Education, our staff, par-

ents, and students for sup-

porting our schools as they,

“get REAL”.

8

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

Grayslake High School District 127 Goes Green

Grayslake Community High School District partnered with Performance Services to install a total of

9,115 solar panels on the roofs of Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake North High School, and in a

ground-mount on otherwise unusable GNHS land on the north side of Shorewood, west of Lake Street.

The solar panels will cut energy costs by as much as 31.0% and become a revenue source by selling the

unused energy generated by the panels. “Essentially, the district is buying the option to sell excessive

energy credits we don’t use back to energy companies.” Superintendent Dr. Catherine Finger said. “It’s

big bucks. We can make a lot of money over time, and that’s what made it super attractive to us.”

The district borrowed $5.9 million through debt service certificates to fund the project. Even after

making the loan payment, the district should see a positive cash flow of over $100,000 in the first year of

operation. Over a 25-year period, the projected utility savings are $6.6 million at Grayslake North and $2

million at Grayslake Central. The cumulative cash flow from the panels will fluctuate each year, but is

projected to be as high as $9,000,000 by year 25.

The panels are expected to generate the equivalent of the electricity needed to power 268 houses in one

year. If greenhouse gases are reduced as

projected by 2,542 metric tons annually,

that would be like removing 537 cars

from the road in a year.

In addition to the financial benefits, the

solar panels will serve as wonderful

teaching and learning tools. Classes will

have access to a data dashboard which

displays real-time information on energy

production. To support the inclusion of

energy education in the classroom,

Performance Services will sponsor the

curriculum program developed by the

National Energy Education Development

Project, allowing teachers access to the

associated instructional materials.

Follow @Grayslake 127 at and and Communicationsd127 on

Overhead view of the Solar Farm near the

intersection of Drury Lane and Lake Street.

9

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

Summer School While summer brings warm days at the beach and a long respite

from homework, research shows that summer break can also

result in the “summer slide”, or a loss of learning that occurs

over the summer months. Students have probably seen the ef-

fects of this slide when they need to spend time relearning con-

tent from the year before, or when fall assessment scores come

in lower than ones taken in the spring. Summer school has

been shown to not only reduce or eliminate this slide, but offers

students the opportunity to advance their learning and explore

unique course offerings.

District 127 has a robust set of summer school offerings to appeal to diverse student interest.

Whether looking to take an advanced math class or participate in Rock Band, our summer program

has courses to engage all interests. In addition, we offer small group learning settings to students re-

ceiving Extended School Year services through our Special Education Departments. To help students

get to and from summer school, we have low cost bussing available for those who would like that op-

tion.

This year, summer school will be held at Grayslake Central High School, Monday-Thursday from

8:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Semester one runs from June 5th through June22nd. Second semester runs

from June 26th through July 18th, with July 3rd and 4th holidays. Go to www.d127.org to register.

SUMMER SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS

Career and Technical Education Mathematics

Chicago Alive! Algebra 1

Engineering Boot Camp Geometry

Geometry Honors

Driver’s Education Advanced Algebra Trig

Classroom Driver’s Education Advanced Algebra Trig

Behind the Wheel Education Honors

Science English Chicago Alive!

Freshman English Physical Science

Sophomore English

Social Studies

Fine Arts Chicago Alive!

Rock Band U.S History

World History

10

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

Get Involved!

There are many ways to contrib-

ute to our District 127 Family!

·Our athletic programs are

always looking for parent

volunteers and supporters!

To learn more about our ath-

letic boosters, visit http://

gchsboosterclub.org/ for

Grayslake Central Boosters

and https://sites.google.com/

site/gnhsboosterclub/Home

for Grayslake North Boosters

Follow us on social media!

You can follow D127 at

@Grayslake 127 on

Facebook and Twitter and

follow Communicationsd127

on Instagram

Attend our Fine Arts events.

Our Fine Arts web pages list

upcoming events and link

you to our electronic ticket

vendor for theatre produc-

tions.

Consider joining the Parent

Advisory Committees which

meet regularly with the build-

ing principals to discuss top-

ics of interest. Contact the

Principals for more infor-

mation.

2017: Another Great Year for D127

Grayslake Community High School District was ranked 17th best district

in the state according to Niche. Read about us here:https://k12.niche.com/

rankings/public-school-districts/best-overall/s/illinois/

The 2017 Washington Post and Newsweek rankings are announced in the

spring. If last year’s awards are any indication, we are in for another year

of recognition:

Grayslake Central was ranked in the top 3% of the nation on the

Washington Post’s Most Challenging High Schools list.

Grayslake North was ranked in the top 4% of the nation on Washington

Post’s Most Challenging High Schools list.

Grayslake Central was recognized as being among the top 2.7% best

schools in the nation, ranked 765th, by U.S. News and World Report.

Niche ranked District 127 the 16th best high school district in the state.

Niche ranked Grayslake Central and Grayslake North 36th and 60th best

high school in the state, respectively.

Major General Whittington speaking at Veteran’s Day

District 127

chooses to remain

in school on

Veteran’s Day so

students can learn

about and honor

those who serve

and fight to

protect our

freedoms.

Students attend

assemblies, host a

veteran’s

breakfast, and

hear stories from

those in uniform.

It is an experience

students never

forget.

11

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

District 127 Providing Students with 24/7 Access to Learning

The 2016 – 2017 school year has brought a new

level of student engagement to our classrooms in

District 127. All freshman and sophomore students

are participating in a 1:1 Chromebook program this

year. This unprecedented access to learning beyond

the classroom walls has been exciting for our staff

and students.

Having the 24/7 access to learning has meant that

teachers can create lessons that allow all students

(not just those students with laptops/tablets that they

brought from home) to access online resources,

notes, and assignments. Students are able to produce more “polished” work and collaborate with others

both in the classroom and afterschool. Students are better able to manage the workflow of school,

reduce paperwork, and receive more immediate feedback from teachers through Schoology and Google

Docs. Technology has not replaced the teacher or the art of teaching but is a tool that has taken learning

beyond the fifty-minute class period to learning anytime and anywhere for District 127 students.

In Algebra classes, some teachers are having students use their Chromebooks to work on problems in

groups using the touchscreen on the Chromebook and a RealTime Board application to collaborate as

an entire class. At the end of the math lesson, the teacher’s notes can be uploaded to Schoology for

students to have as a resource for studying, homework, and test review. Gone are the days of the

misplaced notebook or work assignment as all of the work is now saved in the cloud.

Additional subject areas are also leveraging the Chromebook as a tool to enhance learning. In an art

classroom, the teacher has her students blogging about artists and their interpretation of artwork. Other

students in the class can comment, ask questions, or even challenge a student’s interpretation with their

own. World Language, Science, and Reading classes are using Quizlet to learn vocabulary as the

students create and share their ideas with the rest of the class. In Social Studies classes some teachers

are using QR codes to provide students with web resources, students are making videos, creating digital

brochures, and allowing their classmates to ask questions about their various topics of study. The 1:1

Chromebook program provides opportunities for students to engage with content at a deeper level, use

their time more effectively, and collaborate with others both in and out of the classroom.

Overall this new instructional tool is preparing our students with the skills they need in school and

beyond by fostering more communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity in our

classrooms.

12

Every Student, Every Day

G R A Y S L A K E

Grayslake District 127

2016-2017 Elected School Board Officials

Mrs. Ann Dingman

Member

Mr. Douglas Nerge

President

Mr. Edwin Brown

Vice-President

Mr. Russ Chamberlin

Member

Mrs. Kathleen Conlon-Wasik

Secretary

Mr. Ken Witkowski

Member

Mr. Tom Halloran

Member

Board of Education Student Representatives

Yodiet Tesfu

Grayslake Central

Joel Thomas

Grayslake North

400 N. Lake Street

Grayslake, Illinois

60030

985-986-3400