Back-to-School Information
Get Ready for the 2026-2027 School Year!
Use this page as a hub for school supplies, upcoming dates, health requirements, and all things back-to-school! We'll be updating it frequently leading up to the first day on August 27.
Back to School Events
- All District APT and Spirit Events!
- Cherokee Elementary School
- Deer Path Middle School
- Everett Elementary School
- Sheridan Elementary School
All District APT and Spirit Events!
The APT (Association of Parents and Teachers) invites all parents to attend a kick-off meeting on Thursday, September 10 at CROYA, 400 Hastings Road. Join us for coffee and camaraderie at 9:00 am and stay for the meeting from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.
You're invited to the Spirit of 67 Foundation Home and Garden Tour on September 24! Tickets will be available soon, and interested volunteers can fill out this form.
The first Spirit of 67 meeting will take place on September 9 at 12:30 pm at Lake Forest Community High School West Campus (300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest).
Cherokee Elementary School
Please always check your school website for the latest news and events, and subscribe to your school calendars.
The start of the school year is almost here, and we have a lot of fun APT events in store! Mark your calendars for these Cherokee APT activities that will kick off the school year!
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Wednesday, August 5
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Lake Forest Day Parade - Sign up to march with your school here!
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Tuesday, August 18
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7:00 pm D67 Regular Board Meeting
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Wednesday, August 26
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8:00 – 8:45 am: Cherokee Walkthrough / School Supply Drop-Off (Grades 1–4)
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Thursday, August 27
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Full day: First Day of School (Grades 1–8)
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Friday, August 28
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District 67 Preschool Walk-Throughs
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Monday, August 31
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First Day of District 67 Preschool
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Tuesday, September 1
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8:15 - 9:15 am Kindergarten Walkthrough
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Wednesday and Thursday, September 2 and 3
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First Days of School for Kindergarten (Staggered Start)
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Thursday, September 3
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6:15 – 7:15 pm: Cherokee Parent Information Night
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Friday, September 4
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First Day of Student Attendance -- All Kindergarten
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Deer Path Middle School
Please always check your school website for the latest news and events, and subscribe to your school calendars.
Important Dates
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Wednesday, August 5
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Lake Forest Day Parade - Sign up to march with your school here!
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Tuesday, August 18
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7:00 pm D67 Regular Board Meeting
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Friday, August 21
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9:00 – 11:00 am: 5th Grade WEB Day
The staff and students of Deer Path Middle School invite all incoming fifth-grade students to Fifth Grade Orientation sponsored by the WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)The 8th-grade WEB Leaders will guide the new 5th graders in fun activities that are designed to build positive relationships and help with the transition to DPM. Drop-off and pick-up will be in the rear of the building.
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11:00 – 12:00 pm: Incoming 5th Graders APT Student Service Project at CROYA
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Wednesday, August 26
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9:30 – 11:00 am: Student Walkthroughs
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Thursday, August 27
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Full day: First Day of School (Grades 1–8)
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Thursday, September 17
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6:15 – 7:15 pm: DPM Back-to-School Information Night
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Everett Elementary School
Please always check your school website for the latest news and events, and subscribe to your school calendars.
The start of the school year is almost here! Mark your Calendars.
The Everett APT is looking forward to seeing you at these Great Events…
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Wednesday, August 5
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Lake Forest Day Parade - Sign up to march with your school here!
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Saturday, August 15
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4:00 – 5:00 pm: Kindergarten Playdate
Location: Everett Playground
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Tuesday, August 18
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7:00 pm D67 Regular Board Meeting
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Thursday, August 20
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5:00 pm: New Family School Tour and Playdate
Location: Everett Playground
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Wednesday, August 26
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8:00 – 8:45 am: Everett Walkthrough / School Supply Drop-Off (Grades 1–4)
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Thursday, August 27
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Full day: First Day of School (Grades 1–8)
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Tuesday, September 1
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8:15 - 9:15 am Kindergarten Walkthrough
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Wednesday and Thursday, September 2 and 3
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First Days of School for Kindergarten (Staggered Start)
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Thursday, September 3
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6:15 – 7:15 pm: Everett Parent Information Night
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Friday, September 4
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8:00 am: Flag Ceremony and All-Kindergarten First Day
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Tuesday, September 8
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6:30 pm: First Everett APT Meeting
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Thursday, September 10
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5:00 pm: Back to School Picnic
Location: Everett Playground
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Sheridan Elementary School
Please always check your school website for the latest news and events, and subscribe to your school calendars.
Mark your calendars for these Sheridan APT activities that will kick off the school year!
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Wednesday, August 5
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Lake Forest Day Parade - Sign up to march with your school here!
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Tuesday, August 18
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7:00 pm D67 Regular Board Meeting
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Wednesday, August 26
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8:00 – 8:45 am: Sheridan Walkthrough / School Supply Drop-Off (Grades 1–4)
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Thursday, August 27
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Full day: First Day of School (Grades 1–8)
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Friday, August 28
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District 67 Preschool Walk-Throughs
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Monday, August 31
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First Day of District 67 Preschool
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Tuesday, September 1
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8:15 - 9:15 am Kindergarten Walkthrough
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Wednesday and Thursday, September 2 and 3
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First Days of School for Kindergarten (Staggered Start)
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Thursday, September 3
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6:15 – 7:15 pm: Sheridan Parent Information Night
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Friday, September 4
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First Day of Student Attendance -- All Kindergarten
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Helpful Information
- Community Information
- Health Reminders
- Important Bus Route Information
- Classroom Technology
- Kindergarten Information
- School Lunch
- School Newsletters - How We Communicate with You!
- School Supplies
- Supporting Our Parent Partners
Community Information
Community information and programs will be posted throughout the school year on our school homepages, and in the school and District newsletters.
To view these opportunities, please also visit the Green Backpack.
Health Reminders
A physical exam recorded on the Certificate of Child Health Examination form must be completed within one year prior to kindergarten, sixth grade, and for new students entering the District from another state or country. All immunizations must be completed and up to date according to the schedule of the Illinois Department of Public Health. The exam must be completed within one year of entering school at the required grade.
All children entering kindergarten, second, and sixth grade are required to have a dental examination. A vision examination is required for all students entering kindergarten or an Illinois public school for the first time.
For more information, please review the State of Illinois Health Requirements. You may also find this information and required forms by visiting the Health Services webpage.
Health forms must be submitted to your student's school nurse.
Sport Physicals are required each year for students who are participating in any interscholastic or intramural sports at DPM. It is required that the physical examination form be completed before tryouts. Parents and students are also required to review and return a signed copy of the Concussion Information Form if the student is participating in any interscholastic sports.
Medication at School
District 67 policy authorizes the administration of “only those medications which are necessary to maintain a student in school and must be given during school hours or school activities.” With few exceptions, medications
given at school, prescription or non-prescription, must be accompanied by a written authorization signed by a licensed prescriber and a parent/guardian.
If your child requires medication during the school year, please have your physician complete the District 67 Medication Authorization form. Medicine cannot be given at school without this form on file.
Click Here for the School Medication Authorization Form.
If your child requires emergency medication for allergies during the school year, please have your physician complete the FARE Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan.
Click Here for the Food Allergy Emergency Care Plan
Return all completed forms and prescribed medication to the school nurse at the beginning of the school year.
Important Bus Route Information
Bus routes are set by our transportation provider, Olson Transportation and District 67. To aid in the efficiency of routes and ensure that students are transported to school in a timely manner, the majority of the stops are corner stops.
Bus routes will be emailed to parents/guardians before the start of the school year, and will be securely accessible throughout the school year using an app on each student's District-issued iPad.
Routes are subject to minor time changes due to adding or deleting riders, so please check routes often during the first few days of school.
Bus service is purchased during online registration. If you missed the registration window, you may still register and pay for bus service through the District Web Store (RevTrak), but we can not guarantee your child will be assigned a route before the first day of school. Your child may need to use the closest stop to your home until they are assigned to a route. For questions regarding bus registration, please contact Natalia Martinez, nmartinez@lfschools.net.
Please Note: No transportation refunds will be issued after September 30.
Transportation FAQ
Classroom Technology
All devices were collected at the end of the previous school year and securely stored in the schools over the summer. The district technology for students will be distributed during the first week of school. Kindergarten and 1st grade will be using shared devices in the classrooms. Grade 7 & 8 will be getting Apple Neo laptops. Grades 2,3,4,5,6 will have their iPads in cases returned to them. Teachers will guide students through the process to ensure a smooth and organized device distribution.
As in previous years, all devices in 2,3,4 will be kept in the classrooms. We are adding Grade 5 devices to be kept in the classrooms as we begin trimester 1. Grades 6,7,8 will be taking their district technology back and forth from home to school.
Device Repair/Replacement Fees
If the device, case, charger, or other accessories are stolen, lost, mistreated, or damaged beyond normal usage, the student/parent(s) is/are responsible for the cost of the replacement or repair. If you leave the District and you do not return the device upon leaving the District, you will be charged for all items not returned. No loaner devices will be given. Students must be responsible for their devices.
Kindergarten Information
Kindergarten Orientation Activities
Student information for all kindergartners is requested. Please take the survey below!
All kindergarten families are asked to sign up for a screening appointment
Kindergarten Teacher Placements
An email will be sent to families confirming their appointment date in a mail merge letter will staggered start date on Friday, August 21, 2026
Classroom teachers will be available to the parents via PowerSchool login on
Monday, August 31, 2026, by 4:00 pm
School Lunch
All District 67 students attending school during the lunch period eat in the school lunchroom under supervision. Students may bring their lunch from home or purchase a lunch. The lunch program begins on the first full day of school and is in operation each full day school is in session. Menus are posted online or can be viewed by downloading the FD MealPlaner App to access Weekly Menus (please scan the code below to download the App).

Elementary students may order the meal listed on their monthly school menu. Deer Path Middle School students can select either the meal listed on their monthly school menu, or the "a la carte" selections.
Load funds to your MySchoolBucks dining account for easy transactions.
The official payment software for your school is MySchoolBucks (www.myschoolbucks.com), which allows you to add funds to your student's account, set-up automatic replenishments, and receive notifications. Keeping this balance positive is an important way to create a seamless dining experience for your student, and setting up an account allows you to view the details of your student's dining transactions.
Students in our elementary schools make their lunch selection in homeroom each morning. At lunch, each student will locate their student ID in the cafeteria and the cashier will debit their account after service.
Deer Path Middle School students will swipe their student ID at the lunch line, the cashier will verify the student’s picture and the account will be debited. We are encouraging all middle school students to be responsible with their IDs, but if one is forgotten or lost, ID numbers and names can be searched on the computerized Point of Sale (POS) system to ensure the student has lunch for that day. Replacement IDs can be issued in the middle school office – the first replacement is free, but subsequent ones will cost $5 each.
The District's “charge” system will be implemented when your student's account is overdrawn at Deer Path. If your student’s account is overdrawn, they will not be allowed to purchase à la carte items such as beverages, chips and snacks. We will allow students to purchase a meal regardless of balance (this is for elementary and middle school). We suggest you set up auto payments and/or low balance alerts, so your account does not go negative.
For additional information, please visit the Food Services page.
School Newsletters - How We Communicate with You!
Building-Level Newsletters: Every Friday, each school disseminates an end-of-the-week newsletter with celebrations and important information from administrators, parent organizations, and community events to school households.
District Newsletters: The District sends out the "411 on 67" newsletter biweekly.
District 67 families are subscribed to receive District and Building-Level communications and newsletters upon completion of enrollment using the emails provided during online registration. If your information changes, please contact your school.
If you'd like to submit content or an upcoming event to our newsletters, please fill out our form.
School Supplies
School Supplies
School supplies are not included in the student fees. Supply lists can be accessed by visiting the Registration page of the District website or can be downloaded below.
School Supply Lists 2026-2027 School Year
NOTE: Teachers may request additional supplies, and supplies may need to be replenished throughout the school year.
Supporting Our Parent Partners
Association of Parents and Teachers (APT)

The core mission of the District 67 Association of Parents and Teachers (APT) is to promote good communication and cooperative working relationships among the community, school and home. The group works to enhance the educational experience of all District 67 students through school-based programs, organized and implemented by dedicated parent volunteers. These programs are predominantly funded by APT dues.
APT membership is different from donating to the Spirit of 67 Foundation. The Spirit of 67 Foundation is the fundraising arm for District 67 and works alongside the APT to help fund enrichment opportunities for the children, teachers, and parents.
Please support the District 67 APT and our myriad of wonderful programs that enrich the educational experience of all students with a $40.00 family membership. Included with membership is access to our new continuously updated online directory, as well as one complimentary copy of our print directory.
If you did not purchase an APT membership during online registration, please use this link!
Spirit of 67 Foundation

The Spirit of 67 Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) fundraising organization that plays an essential and transformative role in enriching the educational experience for all students in Lake Forest District 67.
Founded by dedicated parents and community members, the Foundation has spent over 40 years nurturing a tradition of innovation, opportunity, and excellence. With donations from the Lake Forest community, the Spirit has served its mission and awarded more than 900 grants, amounting to a $6.9 million investment in District 67 students’ educational experiences.
Catch the Spirit! Donate today to help students benefit from grants in fine arts, wellness, language arts, math, STEAM, emotional wellness, science, social studies, world language, and more.
Gardening 2 Grow (G2G)

Vision
Cultivating vibrant and educational school gardens at District 67 schools in Lake Forest, thereby fostering a hands-on learning experience that instills a love for gardening, healthy eating, a sense of wellness and well-being and environmental stewardship among our students.
Mission
To create engaging spaces where students can actively participate in planting, tending, and harvesting, which promote a deeper understanding of nature and sustainable food practices, thus enhancing the wellness and well-being of students.
Follow Us To see all the exciting things growing at our schools, and our garden clubs in action, follow G2G on Facebook and Instagram at lfgardening2grow.
If you did not donate during online registration, please use this link!
