Grayslake D127 Community Newsletter
AN UPDATE FROM GRAYSLAKE DISTRICT 127
Spring 2017
Community Report
Every Student, Every Day
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, upand-coming district comprised of a single high school. Today, we
stand proud as a nationally recognized district of two robust high
Dr. Catherine Finger,
D127 Superintendent
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.
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.
Inside this issue:
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.
Principal’s Desk ………….…....…2
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.
D127 Gets Real….…………....…...7
Sincerely,
Catherine Finger, Ed.D.
New Superintendent…….....…....…..3
Assessment Information …....…4 and 5
Knights Café…………. ….……....6
Solar Panels…..…………..….…..8
Summer School …...………...…….9
D127 Awards…..…….…..…...….10
Get Involved……..………..…….10
1:1 Chromebooks…….….……….11
Elected Board Members…….….…..12
Grayslake D127 Community Newsletter
FROM THE PRINCIPALS’ DESK
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
Grayslake North High School
Mr. Dan Landry
Grayslake Central High School
To learn more about Grayslake Central and Grayslake North go to www.d127.org
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Grayslake D127 Community Newsletter
Meet the New Superintendent
On December 8, 2016, the Grayslake Community High School District 127 Board of Education appointed 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 educational 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 students.”
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 Superintendent 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).
Dr. Mikkel Storaasli will assume the Superintendency on
July 1, 2017.
He holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University (2013) and a master’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. Working with School Exec Connect, the Board solicited input via forums, surveys, and dozens of conversations, 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.
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
ASSESSMENT IN DISTRICT 127
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 student’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 normal. 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.
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
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
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”.
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 intended 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.
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
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 students 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 [email protected]. We welcome all community partnerships!
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
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, mathematicians, historians, geographers, writers, performers, etc.? We strive to offer classes that foster deep learning, 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 information. 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 critical 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 involved, 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 experiences happen throughout the
classrooms of District 127
every day. Thanks to our
community, our Board of
Education, our staff, parents, and students for supporting our schools as they,
“get REAL”.
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
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.
Overhead view of the Solar Farm near the
intersection of Drury Lane and Lake Street.
Follow @Grayslake 127 at
and
and Communicationsd127 on
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
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 effects of this slide when they need to spend time relearning content 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 receiving 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 option.
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
Chicago Alive!
Engineering Boot Camp
Driver’s Education
Classroom Driver’s Education
Behind the Wheel Education
English
Freshman English
Sophomore English
Fine Arts
Rock Band
Mathematics
Algebra 1
Geometry
Geometry Honors
Advanced Algebra Trig
Advanced Algebra Trig
Honors
Science
Chicago Alive!
Physical Science
Social Studies
Chicago Alive!
U.S History
World History
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
Get Involved!
There are many ways to contribute to our District 127 Family!

·Our athletic programs
are
always looking for parent
volunteers and supporters!
To learn more about our athletic 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 productions.
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.
 Consider
joining the Parent
Advisory Committees which
meet regularly with the building principals to discuss topics of interest. Contact the
Principals for more information.
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.
Major General Whittington speaking at Veteran’s Day
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Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
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.
11
400 N. Lake Street
Grayslake, Illinois
60030
985-986-3400
Every Student, Every Day
GRAYSLAKE
Grayslake District 127
2016-2017 Elected School Board Officials
Mr. Edwin Brown
Vice-President
Mr. Douglas Nerge
President
Mr. Russ Chamberlin
Member
Mrs. Ann Dingman
Member
Mrs. Kathleen Conlon-Wasik
Secretary
Mr. Tom Halloran
Member
Mr. Ken Witkowski
Member
Board of Education Student Representatives
Yodiet Tesfu
Grayslake Central
Joel Thomas
Grayslake North
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