The new academic year started earlier this month for the nearly 5,600 students of Lake Zurich School District 95, with individual schools marking the return to the classroom with their own celebrations.
The Parent Teacher Organization at Isaac Fox Elementary school held a “Back to School Bash” Friday to help kick off the new school year for the 500-plus students there. Fox is one of four K-5 schools in District 95. May Whitney is Pre-K to 5.
“Our annual Isaac Fox PTO Back to School Bash is one of the many ways our PTO helps us bring our school community together, with this event in particular celebrating the start of a new school year,” said Principal Katie Culver. “This year, we were fortunate to be able to kick off the new year with a performance from the talented, energetic Jesse White Tumblers and a visit from our local Lake Zurich police and fire departments who allowed kids to see their vehicles up close.
The Jesse White Tumblers performed to an enthusiastic audience. Children also played volleyball and with other playground favorites, and posed in a photo booth.
Food trucks offered items for purchase. When fire and police vehicles arrived, the children took turns getting an up close look at them, inside and out.
Ethan Semenduyev, 3, sat in the fire truck, offering a thumbs up and smile to his mother Ivanka Melnyk.
Melnyk has a second grade child enrolled at Isaac Fox and, “she’s enjoying it.”
Taking a photo booth snapshot together were fourth-graders Natalie Chun, 9, and Morgan Habel, 9.
Natalie’s mother Peggy Chun recalled seeing The Jesse White Tumblers when she was a child.
“I remember seeing them and I was like, ‘Oh, wow, this has come around full circle,’ and it’s nice to be able to share it with the kids,” she said with a smile. “It was really cool.”
Natalie Chun said she was a bit nervous about returning to school from summer break.
“But I really love the new year,” the fourth grader said, revealing that her favorite subject is writing.
Morgan Habel said science, math and art are her favorites.
“Science and math for girls, I feel like they can change more science and math stuff and figure out new stuff,” she said.
Her father James Habel says he is excited for Morgan’s future, starting with an Isaac Fox new school year.
“I know she’s in a very awesome class with a very awesome teacher and they’re reading every day,” Morgan’s father said. “Honestly, I just hope she learns a lot and has a good time and makes some good friends.”
The new school year started Aug. 15 for the 5,600 students in District 95, which also includes Lake Zurich High School.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
