Weekly Bulletin

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