School News

Eighty-seven percent of graduates in the class of 2020 will continue their studies at four-year colleges, two-year community colleges, and vocational and technical schools. Fifty-eight percent of students are pursuing degrees at four year colleges and universities. Students earned $6,476,150 in scholarships.

The class of 2020 will study in 28 states. McHenry County College, Illinois State University, and Harper College are the top three schools students will attend this fall. Thirty-five percent of students are interested in studying STEM, 16 percent in marketing/communications, and 15 percent business. Eight students plan to serve in the armed forces. 

Thirty-five percent of the class of 2020 earned an industry credential in agriculture/food/natural resources, arts/communications, human/public services, information technology, manufacturing/engineering/technology/trade, and health/sciences. 

There were 402 graduates in the class of 2020. District 155’s graduation rate is 96 percent and the state’s graduation rate is 86 percent.  

Community High School District 155 has conducted a uniform, district-wide senior survey for the last 13 years.

Five District 155 students were recognized for their performances in this year’s musicals by the Broadway in Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards. Over 200 students submitted entries, and 24 students across the state received the Outstanding Actors and Actresses Award. 

Three Cary-Grove High School students, Spencer Bethers, Lauren Henriques and Allan Lopez, received awards for their performances in “The Drowsy Chaperone”. Bethers, a senior at Cary-Grove, portrayed the comedic lead Adolpho. Lopez played Robert Martin and Henriques starred as The Drowsy Chaperone in their final performances at Cary-Grove.

Quinn Welder, a senior at Crystal Lake Central High School, was recognized for his role as Motel in Central’s production of “Fiddler On the Roof”. Ricky Falbo, a senior at Crystal Lake South High School, played Frank Abagnale Jr. in this year’s production of “Catch Me if You Can”.

The Broadway in Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) celebrate excellence in high school theatre throughout the state of Illinois. The IHSMTA recognizes the top submissions based on their excellence in musical theater and a clear commitment to their role. 

Due to COVID-19, all submissions were reviewed by video. The IHSMTA was able to virtually acknowledge the outstanding performances of students across the state despite COVID-19 related cancellations. 

Watch Devon's #WorkforceWednesday video here!

Devon Hubbard Tessmer, a 2001 Crystal Lake Central graduate, has co-founded Project Front Line McHenry County, a grassroots coronavirus relief effort with a mission to aid local restaurants and give back to workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Tessmer and a committee of four other community members have raised nearly $45,000 towards the cause. 

After recognizing this area of need in the community, the Project Front Line team began collecting donations that have been put towards meals for healthcare workers all across the county. 

“The idea was to raise money from the community and deploy that money at local restaurants to bring a little bit of happiness, joy, a smile to the front line workers,” said Tessmer.

To date, the team has supported 35 to 40 local restaurants and delivered food to approximately 4,000 front line workers. Tessmer and her team aim to raise $50,000 by the end of the Illinois stay-at-home order. 

The project also collaborated with Crystal Lake Central art teacher, Kerry Parrish, who enlisted her art students to create thank you messages that appeared on hundreds of donations, and the deliveries aren’t done yet. 

“We’re hoping to do one last final push, where we deliver to all of the hospitals in the county and all of the employees,” she said. 

Aside from her career in business development at Exemplar, her family’s wealth management firm, Tessmer has always had a passion for philanthropy and giving back. 

“I grew up with the ethos that you give back to your community more than you take, so I was lucky to be raised in Crystal Lake,” she said.

With the unexpected transition to remote learning, District 155 summer construction kicked off early this school year. The accelerated schedule will allow for projects to be completed sooner, with time to “deep-clean” to ensure buildings will be ready prior to fall semester. The D155 Board of Education approved approximately 17 major projects across the district to maintain basic upkeep of facilities and improve the learning environment for students. The total approved budget for summer construction projects is $10,872,364. Renovations include cafeteria and auditorium remodels, air conditioning, stadium improvements, safety upgrades, and parking lot replacements. 

“The summer projects were approved in January by the Board of Education as part of the district’s long-term capital improvement projects, and align with our strategic plan to improve safety and enhance learning environments for all students and staff,” said Steve Olson, D155 Superintendent. 

District 155 will publish summer construction videos on its website, www.d155.org, as well as its social media platforms, to keep the taxpayers and community members updated on the progress of the projects.

 

Cary-Grove High School

• Asbestos Abatement- Floor Mastic

• Raise Fire Hydrant per Cary Fire Protection

• Facilities Condition Assessment Work

Crystal Lake South High School

• Asbestos Abatement- Floor Mastic

• Facilities Condition Assessment Work

• Auditorium Remodel 

 

Crystal Lake Central High School

• Asbestos Abatement- Floor Mastic and Pipe Insulation

• Facilities Condition Assessment Work

• Cafeteria Remodel

• Air Conditioning- Science Wing

• Collaborative Learning Space

• Parking Lot Replacements

Prairie Ridge High School

• Facilities Condition Assessment Work

• Fire Alarm 

• Stadium Site Improvements 

 

District Office

• Parking Lot Replacement

• Facilities Condition Assessment Work