During the last weeks of school, colleagues, students and parents had opportunities to thank eight faculty and staff members who departed at the end of this school year. After one great year as Auction Associate, Amyanne Cope resigned her staff role in the Development Office, promising to continue sharing her invaluable knowledge and skills as a volunteer. Next, after capably guiding Upper School students for the past three years in their respective roles, history teacher Matt Ohnemus and band instructor Suzanne Labowicz depart LFCDS. Matt Ohnemus and his wife, Heather, are heading back to Matt’s hometown of Dewitt, Iowa where Matt will teach tenth and eleventh grade history and coach wrestling at his old high school. As an expectant mother, Suzanne looks forward to spending time with her new baby.

After teaching French in the Lower and Upper Schools for the past seven years, we say bon voyage to Sylvie Vanhoozer who is moving to the western suburbs as her husband, Kevin, departs from his present position to become Blanchard Professor of Theology at Wheaton College and Graduate School in Wheaton, IL. Also departing the LFCDS faculty after many years in the English department is David Kulieke. We cannot thank Sylvie and David enough for their contributions to the lives of LFCDS children, families, and colleagues and wish them all the very best in all their future endeavors.

From the ranks of LFCDS staff, we say good-bye to three colleagues. After seventeen years of serving the School’s maintenance needs and always sharing his friendly smile, Ed Whitmore has retired. Also departing are Wendy Cullitan and Fred Hamburg, as we reorganize the Communications and the Maintenance departments, respectively, to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness. We thank them all for their positive and professional contributions to the School.


The process of identifying and hiring skilled and experienced professionals who demonstrate a strong moral and nurturing character is one of the most important responsibilities of a school administration. Announcements of this year’s faculty vacancies were widely publicized. The result of this effort yielded a large number of applicants and, more importantly, an impressive array of skills, credentials, and teaching experiences.

Following a review of the applicants' resumes and related materials, candidates were invited to campus for an initial visit and interview with faculty, Division Heads, and the Head of School. In the hiring of teaching faculty, each candidate prepared a demonstration lesson. Participating faculty members had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the candidates. During the finalist phase, conversations with candidates' current school principals or headmasters and other personal and professional references were conducted. For the coming school year I am pleased to announce the following new hires:

Kate Starns will join the upper school faculty as an English teacher. Kate earned her BA from Duke University and her MAT degree from Tufts University. Most recently, Kate taught at Derryfield School in Manchester, NH. She is an avid outdoors person who is sure to bring much to the classroom and to the lives of children and teachers outside the classroom, as well.

Janie Hodgkinson will join the upper school faculty as a history teacher. Janie earned her BA from DePauw University and her MAT and MA in Counseling degrees from National-Louis University. Most recently, Janie has taught and counseled at Warren Township High School. In addition to many academic honors at DePauw, Janie has been recognized numerous times by the NCAA and other athletic associations in volleyball and basketball. In the classroom, as an Upper School advisor and as a coach, Janie will be a strong contributor on the Upper School faculty.

I am pleased to welcome Jennifer Lydigsen to the Fine Arts Department as our band instructor. Jen earned her BM in music education from Illinois Wesleyan University and her MM in music education from VanderCook College of Music. Most recently, Jen taught general music and was director of bands in East Maine District 63 and Harrison District 36.

Sally Stephenson will join the faculty of our important and successful 1st STEP Program for two-year-old children as it expands in its second year. Sally earned her BM (music education) from University of Illinois. Before coming to Illinois, Sally taught at the Community School of Naples and Seacrest Country School also in Naples, FL.

In the Development Office, it is our good fortune to have Coni Carfagno join us on staff in a part-time capacity to support the school’s very important auction efforts. Coni has served the school in a wide variety of critical volunteer roles over the years.

As LFCDS embarks on its 121st year, opportunities for refinement of the strong program are at hand. The introduction of new faculty and staff members allows us to build on our strengths, to re-think aspects of our rich curriculum and to continue to grow and develop as a school. These teachers join the faculty at an exciting and vibrant time. Lake Forest Country Day School is a very special community of students, faculty, staff and parents dedicated to providing the very best education for our children in a nurturing, academically strong environment. When we come back together again in September, I know you will join me in welcoming these new faculty and staff members. They are excited and honored to have these new opportunities, and I am confident that we will delight in their contributions.