Weekly Bulletin

Dear LFCDS Families, 

As we turn focus together on the spirit of Thanksgiving—a season grounded in gratitude and service—I want to take a moment to reflect on the LFCDS CARES event that took place on campus this morning. CARES stands for Community – Action – Reach – Engagement – Service. This special program invited us to pause, give thanks for our community, and put that gratitude into action. 

The morning began in house families with a shared reading of Last Stop on Market Street, a story that beautifully aligns with our mission and core beliefs. In the book, CJ and his Nana ride the bus through their city, and along the way, Nana helps CJ see the magic in what at first seems ordinary or even disappointing. She encourages him to notice the beauty in everyday moments, appreciate the diverse people around him, and understand that gratitude and joy are choices we make. These lessons remind us of the important work we do with families to champion childhood, highlighting that curiosity, reflection, and discovery are gifts of these formative years. They also reinforce our belief that community is at the heart of all we do, calling us to honor the dignity of every person and to find strength in the relationships we build. 

Following our reading, students in all grades brought these themes to life through meaningful acts of service that included packing food donations and making blankets for Serving and Learning Together (SaLT), collaborating with Misericordia residents on art projects, and supporting animals in need through activities for Orphans of the Storm. These efforts are a testament to what happens when we aim high, trusting our students to lead with empathy, purpose, and care. 

Thank you to our faculty, staff, and students for the heart and effort you brought to this morning’s work. By joining together in service, you deepened your connections to one-another and embraced others on the Northshore in need. And that is the thing that I am most thankful for in this season of gratitude. 

I wish all of you a Thanksgiving holiday filled with family, friends, and an extra measure of gratitude for the blessings in our lives—a gratitude that, in the words of Maya Angelou, “makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” 

Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

Warmly,
John Melton

Dear Lake Forest Country Day School Families, 

This past Wednesday, November 5, our community gathered for a moving Veterans Day Program that honored the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have defended our country. We were privileged to hear from Chief Machinery Repairman Franklin R. Alvarez, United States Navy, an LFCDS parent who spoke thoughtfully about service, commitment, and what it means to be part of something larger than oneself. Our students also shared personal stories about the history of the armed forces and their own family members who have served, helping us all appreciate the deep connections between our school community and the values of honor and duty. 

This program beautifully reflected our belief of “Community is our core—that honest and respectful relationships formed through conversation and collaboration build trust and a sense of belonging, honoring the dignity of every person.” Coming together to honor our veterans exemplified this belief in action, as everyone in attendance shared in collective meaningful reflection, gratitude, and connection. 

Looking ahead, we are eager to continue celebrating this spirit of service at our Thanksgiving Program, to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 21. In the days leading up to the Program, our House System Canned Food Drive will challenge Mason, Alcott, Farwell, and Bell—who will win? This friendly competition is just one element of the “Days of Service” initiative that engages LFCDS students of all ages in community service several times throughout the year.  As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In this spirit, we continue our work towards fulfilling our vision of “empowering students to emerge as confident, compassionate learners, ready to lead, serve, and shape what comes next. 

I hope to see you in the gym for our Thanksgiving Program on Friday, November 21! 

With gratitude, 

John Melton
Head of School 

Dear LFCDS Community, 

There’s something unmistakable in the air this week. The hum of excitement, the echo of laughter, and the rustle of green and white as students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families come together to celebrate LFCDS Homecoming. Since Tuesday morning, the energy has been palpable in the hallways, where spirited decorations (thanks to a large and committed group of parent volunteers) have set the tone for a week filled with tradition and timeless community spirit. Homecoming is a return to the heart of what makes LFCDS so special. It’s a time to reflect on the traditions that bind us, the friendships that sustain us, and the pride we share in being part of the LFCDS family. 

Throughout the week, students have embraced school pride with enthusiasm and creativity. These included themed dress days in the Upper School, guessing jar games for prizes, and a high-energy pep rally today. We are especially thrilled to welcome back our alumni and alumni parents, and are honored to host more than 30 members of the Class of 1975, returning from across the country and overseas to celebrate their 50th Reunion. Their presence is a visual reminder of the lifelong connections that began for many of them in JK.  

As we gather for a weekend full of community spirit, we invite everyone to don your green and white and cheer on our Panthers! Thanks to our incredible Parent Association events team, there will be activities for all ages; and keep those fingers crossed the weather holds! Hayrides winding through crisp autumn air, pumpkin decorating stations bursting with color, face painting, food vendors, spirit wear, and more will all take place behind the big gym.  

Homecoming reminds us of what makes a community: shared memories, enduring friendships, and the power of connection. We look forward to celebrating all that makes LFCDS such a special place to call home. 

With gratitude and Panther pride, 

Sarah Thomas

LFCDS hosted our annual New Parent Dinner this week. After spending several years in an outdoor and breakfast model, we returned to the dinner format last year at the encouragement of veteran parent volunteers who felt the tradition was an essential element of how we onboard our newest families. They each recalled their own formative experiences with one consistent theme: it was anchoring them as parents, and in being new to LFCDS. After witnessing another memorable event Lisa Horstmann put together on Wednesday, the evening always serves as a reminder of how community is our core.  

Perhaps it was being amongst 100 guests floating between the Green Bay Atrium and cafeteria, or the throng of 8th grade students participating as servers (collecting precious service hours) and meeting the loftiest of expectations under Tracie Tatz’s leadership, or our two alumni speakers from the Class of 2022 – Shalin Chhabria and Elizabeth Grace – who shared reflections on LFCDS from the perspective of high school seniors purposefully pursuing their path, but the feeling was unmistakable: this is what belonging looks like. The room buzzed with conversation, laughter, and genuine connection—a living expression of the values we hold dear. 

Moments like these remind us that LFCDS is not just a school; it’s a community that grows stronger with every handshake, every story shared, and every student who carries our spirit beyond these walls. Thank you to everyone who helped make this tradition shine once again—you remind us that our partnership with families is the heart of all we do. 

Alex 

The Early Childhood Team, alongside Mrs. Hempen and Ms. O’Shaughnessy, joyfully hosted our first EC Community Meeting of the year. From the moment students entered the EC Atrium, they were immersed in a warm, welcoming experience that included a thoughtful introduction, our beloved school song, and a joyful birthday celebration. Smiles stretched from ear to ear as children and teachers came together—not just as classmates, but as a true community.

At LFCDS, community is our core—and our EC Meetings are a beautiful reflection of that value. These gatherings celebrate the joyful learning journeys of our 1st STEP, Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten students, while reinforcing a deep sense of belonging. From the very beginning, children learn that they are part of a larger team -- not just supported by their homeroom teachers -- but uplifted by every Early Childhood educator. This shared support is foundational to how we teach, learn, and grow together.

Each Community Meeting is thoughtfully designed to highlight student discoveries, creative expressions, and collaborative projects. As children share their voices and ideas, they build confidence, develop public speaking skills, and learn to appreciate the contributions of others. These meetings mirror the vibrant Community Meetings held in Lower and Upper School, reinforcing our school-wide commitment to connection, celebration, and shared purpose.

Beginning in January, we’ll officially welcome families to join us for the first public Community Meeting hosted by Preschool, offering you the chance to witness and celebrate the incredible work happening in your children’s classrooms.

These shared celebrations strengthen the partnership between home and school, build pride and curiosity, and foster a deep sense of belonging. We’re excited to continue this journey with you—together, as a community.

With gratitude,

Abby Acuna

Head of Early Childhood

Dear Lake Forest Country Day School Families,

We are delighted to invite you to Curriculum Night in the weeks ahead, an annual tradition that offers parents the chance to step into the classrooms of the Early Childhood, Lower School, and Upper School Divisions. This evening is designed to give you a window into your child’s learning experience—to see the classroom through their eyes and to witness firsthand the inspired teaching that lies at the heart of our mission.

Curriculum Night also reflects another essential element of who we are at LFCDS: our deep commitment to partnership with families. The opportunity to engage with your child’s teachers, learn more about the curriculum, and hear from school leadership is an important way to strengthen the connection between home and school. Together, we share in the joy and responsibility of nurturing each child’s growth and development.

The evening will begin with a welcome from leadership in the Green Bay Atrium followed by classroom visits in the Early Childhood and Lower School Divisions and meetings with grade level teams in the Upper School. These breakout sessions will include opportunities to learn about the year ahead, explore the curriculum, and experience the learning environment your child knows so well. 

Following these sessions, we warmly invite you to join us for a social hour back in the Green Bay Atrium. This gathering will be a time to connect with other parents in your division and to spend time with the teachers and leaders who guide your child’s educational journey.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special evening of learning, connection, and community.

In Partnership, 

John Melton
Head of School

Dear Families,

We are out of the gate with the 2025-2026 school year off to a strong start. At Thursday's opening convocation, I had the opportunity to speak with students about the meaning and importance of community. It was a dialogue offering thoughtful ideas about the definition of community; what it looks like here at LFCDS and in other areas of their lives.

Ultimately, we landed on the truth that healthy and robust communities form when we seek to see and understand others, and when we are seen and understood ourselves. It is a complicated and messy at times. In the end, honest and respectful relationships form as we seek understanding; along the way we build trust and a sense of belonging. If we aim high and aspire to honor the dignity of every person, we must model what a strong, resilient, and caring community looks like for our children. The alternative is darkness and tragedy; consequences of exclusion, loneliness, and a lack of purpose.

We are fortunate to be part of a school where students’ safety – emotional and physical – is our highest priority. The supportive community we create together is paramount to the learning experience; it is also our greatest advantage as we work together to prepare our students to shape what comes next.

On behalf of my colleagues, we are excited to partner with you in the year ahead.

Here’s to a great year,

John