The Weekly Bulletin
September 18, 2026
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear LFCDS Community,
With Early Childhood, Lower School, and Upper School Curriculum Nights in the rearview mirror, the school year is in full swing, and I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for taking the time to join us. Your presence throughout these evenings reflects the shared commitment that exists between home and school, a partnership that lies at the heart of our mission and one of the defining strengths of the Lake Forest Country Day School community.
Curriculum Night serves an important purpose. It provides an opportunity for families to gain a deeper understanding of the educational experiences that await their children this year while also offering a glimpse into the care, expertise, and intentionality that our faculty bring to their work each day. Whether in an early childhood classroom, a lower school homeroom, or an upper school academic setting, the evening is designed to strengthen the connections that help students thrive.
I also want to recognize and thank our remarkable faculty. The presentations, classroom experiences, and conversations that took place across all three divisions were the result of countless hours of preparation and thoughtful planning. More importantly, they reflected the professionalism, passion, and genuine care that our teachers bring to their roles every day.
As I moved from presentation to presentation throughout the various Curriculum Nights, I was struck by the level of engagement in every classroom. Parents were attentive, thoughtful, and enthusiastic. Teachers communicated with confidence and warmth. The atmosphere throughout the building reflected a community united by a common purpose: helping children grow into the best versions of themselves.
While there were many highlights over the course of these evenings, one unexpected moment stands out.
About halfway through Lower School Curriculum Night, while parents were gathered in homerooms, a Lake Forest police officer appeared at the door of my office. Looking out at the full parking lot, he wanted to make sure everything was okay. I assured him that all was well and explained that we were hosting Lower School Curriculum Night.
He smiled and then asked, “Does Ms. Dohnke still teach here?”
When I told him she did, he immediately lit up.
The officer, Officer Ortiz, a recent graduate of Illinois State University and now in his second year with the Lake Forest Police Department, shared that Ms. Dohnke had been his fifth-grade teacher years ago in Gurnee. He wondered if there might be a chance to see her and take a picture together so he could send it to his mother.
So, I walked him down to the Lower School, where teacher and former student were reunited. They happily posed for a photo and spent a few moments reminiscing about classroom experiences and the creative teaching he remembered so vividly all these years later.
As I watched the interaction, I was reminded of something that Curriculum Night ultimately celebrates: the lasting influence of great teachers. Long after a lesson is forgotten or a grade has been earned, the impact of a caring educator endures. It lives on in the confidence they inspire, the curiosity they cultivate, the values they reinforce, and the lives they help shape.
Seeing a young police officer pause in the middle of his evening just to thank a former teacher was a powerful reminder of the goodness that educators bring into the world every day. As I walked Officer Ortiz out of the building, he asked if he could return sometime when students were on campus. I told him that he would always be welcome at Lake Forest Country Day School.
Thank you again for joining us throughout these Curriculum Nights and for entrusting us with the education and care of your children. We are grateful for your partnership and look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and community together.
In partnership,
John
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