The North Shore Weekend, October 22nd, 2022

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PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

THE “E’S” OF EDUCATION

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

When it comes to academic accolades and awards, North Shore schools are second to none. But what those test scores and national rankings often fail to measure is the value of social and emotional learning—and that’s

where our local private institutions are raising the bar.

“Much more important than the content learned in class is that students come out of school knowing how to work hard, think rigorously, and build all their intellectual muscles,” says Niall Fagan, Headmaster of Northridge Preparatory School in Niles. “You have to step back to, ‘What's the big picture

of what we're trying to do for students?’”

Like many of his North Shore private school counterparts, Fagan has dedicated resources to close those gaps, including pro grams designed to increase communication among students and with faculty and parents.

He says Northridge has measures in place to help students who may be struggling— pairing them with a one-on-one mentor

from the faculty—while also empowering them to be independent.

“If you think about the emotional resil ience that you want any student to have as an adult, one of the challenges is we try to shield our children from age-appropriate hardship, and that's a shame,” Fagan says. “It's OK to

NORTH SHORE PRIVATE SCHOOL LEADERS REFOCUS ON EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD WITH EMOTIONAL LEARNING, EMPATHY, AND EMPOWERMENT.

lose. It's OK not to win a competition, and it's OK to get a bad grade. Students might end up doing better if their hands weren’t held 24/7.”

Fusion Academy in Lake Forest employs a unique teaching model with a student teacher ratio of 1:1. Students get one-on-one attention for every class, which helps students stay on track both academically and emotionally.

“The student-to-teacher relationship is es sential, but we also have other avenues in place as well. Within the ecosystem of our school, we have something called Homework Cafés,” says Fusion’s Head of School Mark Ostap. “The goal is for them to do their homework while they're still here at school, so they don't bring homework home with them.”

The Homework Cafés are staffed so students have support when they have questions or need assistance. It aligns with Fusion’s mission to love, motivate, and teach. Ostap says love is at the center.

“Love is at the bottom of the triangle because we believe that it's the foundation of everything that we do. We start at Fusion by building relationships,” says Ostap. “Then once we have those relationships, we're able to mo tivate students, and once those two things are accomplished, we're able to teach them.”

Alex Sheridan, Director of Enrollment, Marketing, and Financial Aid at Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS), says it’s impor tant to focus on the whole child, and a purely academic record might not tell the whole story.

“An 80 for one student might be a stron ger indicator of how a student is progressing than a 98 for another student,” Sheridan says. “I would say a school that is only evaluating

students based on their grades and deliverables like homework assignments or quizzes or tests, those schools are missing the mark because there's way more to a student's growth and development and successes and struggles than a

letter or number grade they received.”

Sheridan says it’s important for students to have support outside the classroom. At LFCDS’ upper school, each student has an academic advisor who is their point person to

go to for whatever they might need.

“When you have one teacher who's manag ing not just the academic experience but the social experience, it’s like we are flying at a very low altitude above our students,” says Sheridan.

“We have a very detailed understanding of who they are and what their day-to-day looks like.”

Like other administrators, Rocco Gargiulo, Principal of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, says the school experi ence is about preparing students for life.

“What we're doing is modeling for our students that learning isn't just for a grade, that it's that lifelong love of learning that we want our students to have well beyond their years and formal education,” Gargiulo says.

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

PREMIER

THE “E’S” OF EDUCATION From

Woodlands takes an individualized student approach where every student is known, valued, and cared for and that encompasses both the academics and the social aspect of school.

“Our teachers know what makes a student tick and genuinely cares for the success of each child,” Gargiulo adds. “We have the supports in place that when a student needs extra help that happens immediately, so no student ever feels lost or not successful in her academic pursuits.”

Kathy Thompson, Principal of the School of St. Mary in Lake Forest, says her school recently implement a program—called R.E.S.P.E.C.T.— designed to engage with students around emotional and social issues.

“Faculty went around and looked at social/

PREMIER

pertinent topics, such as the impact of social media on mental health, (for parents) how to recognize when their child has anxiety, and how to prevent bullying.

“We are setting up what I would describe as a series of relevant topics for our students and the parents of our students related to many of the challenges that we're experiencing,” says Tom Meagher, FHC’s Principal. “It’s a chal lenging time for middle schoolers and even 4th and 5th graders but, I’m seeing a lot of smiling faces.”

Meagher says the school recently sent to parents an academic progress report that shows that FHC students are testing well against national percentiles.

“We're very proud of that and we think part of that is related to the fact that they have been

emotional programs that we could purchase for the school and none of them really fit our needs,” Thompson says. “Because we are a Catholic school, being respectful to one another is important and acting the way Christ would act towards each other.”

Each letter in the word “respect” has a dif ferent social and emotional component to it. Every month there's a different letter and the students gather in small groups with an adult from the school to explain to them what it means. Most recently the students focused on empathy.

“They read it in their vocabulary books, but they have to live it and role play it and see it in action to understand it,” Thompson says. “It’s a huge space for creativity and connecting the dots for the kids. But the bottom line is we're encouraging them to talk and express them selves.”

Thompson emphasizes that the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. program is home grown.

Teachers identified a need in the students’ lives and a way to fulfill it and make the students feel better and supported.

A new initiative this year at the School of Saints Faith Hope & Charity (FHC) in Win netka will bring in special experts throughout the year to speak to parents and students about

in school during the last two years,” he says.

Margaret Webb, Principal of Sacred Heart School (SHS) in Winnetka, says when a child comes into her school and a specific need is identified, the school has people in place to support them.

“Depending on the need, it might be a small

group reading or a one-on-one session if it's a dyslexic child, and they’ll get one-on-one dys lexia services,” Webb says. “We can pull them out of class based on the child's need.”

Shee adds that since SHS is a private school it is not required to provide the services but because kids have different learning needs it’s the right thing to do for the student population as a whole.

“I've been doing this for 40 years and am very dedicated to the Catholic system, which has always filled a need in education,” Webb says. “We take kids where they are, and we work with them, and we've typically had a high bar as far as academics goes. But it’s not just academics. We educate the hearts and the minds of the children, so we're forming that moral compass in these kids so that socially they know right from wrong.”

Tom Flemma, Head of School at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, says the school’s priority is providing a safe environ ment where children can learn, both academi cally and emotionally.

“We know that a key prerequisite for kids

to learn at any age is for them to feel safe, to feel that they belong,” Flemma says. “I’m not talking just about physical safety, though we spend massive amounts of time on that topic, but emotional safety.”

NSCDS, Flemma says, has always been a place where kids are seen and known, and also a place where kids feel that they belong. With an increasingly diverse student body, it’s imperative that kids feel emotionally safe and connected.

The school also offers a wide variety of af finity groups, programming, and lessons that emphasize inclusion and empathy, and an academic curriculum that includes a broad array of voices and topics, ensuring that every student feels that they belong. It’s also about knowing the students.

“When I say that kids are known here, I don’t mean that we know their name. That’s ac complished in the first two days,” he says. “We truly know them as students and people—what they can do, where they need to grow, how best to get them where they want to be--and we use that knowledge to push them academically and personally to success.”

THE “E’S” OF EDUCATION From

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

LAKE

DAY

WEBSITE: lfcds.org

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 400

GRADES: Age 2 to Grade 8

TUITION: $5,400-$34,330

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Joy Hurd, Head of School

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: None

ADMISSIONS: The LFCDS admission process seeks to identify students and families who will contribute to and benefit from a program and community that develops the whole child. Applicants are invited to tour campus and participate in a shadow visit.

CONTACT: Alex Sheridan, Director of Enrollment, Marketing & Financial Aid EMAIL: admission@lfcds.org

ABOUT US: For over 130 years, LFCDS has provided a program that is rich in tradition. With a commitment to progressive education embedded in that identity, our students benefit from a learning experience that spans the pedagogical spectrum. We strive, intentionally, to maintain equilibrium between academic and social-emotional development.

ACADEMICS: A blended approach to learning allows LFCDS to subscribe to best practice while offering a curriculum that meets each child where they are. Small by design, with classes between 12 to 15 students and 7:1 student-teacher ratio across the school, size enables LFCDS the ability to individualize and differentiate based on student interest and need.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: The LFCDS program builds participation in the arts and athletics directly into the school day. Students participate in visual arts and music at every grade level, and drama is added for students in the Upper School (Grade 5-8). The athletic program is also a requirement for Upper School students, who are able to participate on three different teams during the course of the year. Teams meet at the end of the school day before dismissal, which not only gives students the opportunity to develop their skills and hone their sense of sportsmanship, but also to appreciate the value of participation and inclusion.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: You can’t talk about LFCDS without talking about its culture and sense of community. There is a rare spirit that lives across the school’s 33-acre campus and 150,000 sq. foot building that has often been described as a warm hug. Relationships amongst students, parents, and teachers live at the center of the LFCDS experience and campus serves as a second home for families across the community.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: LFCDS has families from 36 zipcodes, commuting from as far south as Willowbrook and as far north as Lake Villa.

FUSION ACADEMY

WEBSITE: fusionacademy.com/campuses/chicago-lake-forest/

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: Each campus serves between 50 and 100 students

GRADES: 6th-12th

TUITION: Customized per student

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Mark Ostap, Head of School at Fusion Lake Forest Annie Walchak, Assistant Director at Fusion Evanston Kait Mullahey, Head of School at Fusion Lincoln Park

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: N/A

ADMISSIONS: Use the following link to connect with an Admissions Consultant: fusionacademy.com/connect-with-us/ CONTACT: Jennifer Elm, 855-333-7075

EMAIL: Connect@fusionacademy.com

ABOUT US: Our Methodology: Love, Motivate, Teach. We meet students where they are and help them thrive from their unique beginning. While the majority of students entering Fusion have academic skills at or above grade level, many report previous struggles in school for various reasons. Through our thoughtfully designed approach, we see students change their understanding of themselves and the futures they have the power to create.

ACADEMICS: Fusion Academy students benefit from a curriculum that is individualized and customized to their unique learning needs. We offer over 250 core and elective courses at various levels. They are taught one-to-one, one student and one teacher per classroom, and provide students the opportunity to not only help them meet their specific academic goals, but also explore their unique interests and prepare them for whatever their next steps may be.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: We offer an array of classes in art, music, technology, and fitness. The student has a voice in the way the objectives of these classes are met. While so many schools today are cutting back on their enrichment offerings, Fusion continues to provide state-of-the-art equipment and studio spaces for students to develop their skills or explore their interests.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: The Homework Café has two separate areas—one designated for quiet, independent study, and one for students to socialize, work on less-focused assign ments, and collaborate on projects. Our Social Homework Café® is a mixed-use space. You will often see students studying or reading independently, working collaboratively on projects, hanging out between classes, receiving support from the HC teachers, and playing games.

Our Homework Café more closely resembles a home’s living room than a typical school study area. With comfortable couches, pillows, and blankets, students can truly relax while they complete their work.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: We’ve seen over the years that homework can be the leading cause of stress in the family unit. And we know from experience that the struggle to get some kids to do homework can rip apart the emotional wellness in the family. We believe that teenagers should be able to have time to explore, play, and figure out the world around them--and not spend all their time doing busy work.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We offer rolling enroll ment so students can start any time of the year, even mid-semester. If your current school choice isn’t working and your student is struggling, connect with us. We’d love to help with supplemental tutoring/mentoring, or help you transfer schools easily.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

NORTHRIDGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS

WEBSITE: northridgeprep.org

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 340

GRADES: 6 through 12

TUITION: $11,000 (Middle School), $16,350 (High School)

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Niall Fagan/ Headmaster

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic Independent School

ADMISSIONS: Building men of intellect and character is a team effort. We admit families, not just students. We look for families who share our values, and motivated young men. More information about the application process can be found on our website.

CONTACT: Director of Admissions: Joseph Egan (‘15)

EMAIL: jegan@northridgeprep.org

ABOUT US: Our mission to build men of intellect and character who love God is focused on educating the whole person. Northridge is a partnership between parents and educators dedicated to raising noble young men that strive to live by the highest ideals in life.

ACADEMICS: Middle School is designed based on the needs of students to both learn facts and subject matter and to grow in habits of study, organization, and an optimistic view of life. High School prepares students for college and builds men with a noble vision for life. Our Core + Elective model lays gives students flexibility and rigor suited to their God-given talents.

CO-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT/ARTS:

High School: Concert/Pep/Jazz Band, String Ensemble, and Acapella Choir, Theater Depart ment with multiple performances.

Middle School: Band, Strings, and Choir, Theater Department with multiple performances.

ATHLETICS: Athletics are an integral part of the Northridge curriculum and play a significant role in shaping the character of our young men.

High School Offerings: Soccer, Golf, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming (club), Baseball, Track and Field, Lacrosse (club), Tennis.

Middle School Offerings: Soccer, Golf, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Baseball, Track and Field.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: Northridge’s culture is rooted in relationships and role models. Friendships are at the core of our approach and make Northridge a wonderful place. We focus on high expectations rather than rules and allow students to be themselves.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: First class faculty, not just teachers, but mentors and role models to the young men at Northridge. We do not allow cell phones to be used on campus because numerous studies have demonstrated that smartphones and related electronics are frequently disruptive to the social development and learning environment for young men.

Recent graduates have been admitted to Ivy League schools and top private schools across the country. Gym class every day. Each student is assigned a mentor or “advisor” who meets with them on a weekly or monthly basis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

#1 Best All-Boys High School in Illinois

#3 Best Catholic High School in Illinois

Top 50 Catholic High School in America

SCHOOL OF ST. MARY

WEBSITE: schoolofstmary.org

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 420

GRADES: PreK 2-through 8th Grade

TUITION: Tuition varies within the range of $4,000 - $12,000. Multiple siblings, military, and parishioner discounts are available.

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Mrs. Kathy Thompson

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic

ADMISSIONS: Online applications open in November (see website)

CONTACT: Mandy Castle, Director of Admissions

EMAIL: mcastle@schoolofstmary.org

OPEN MORNINGS: Call to schedule a tour or fill out the online inquiry form on our website.

CURRICULUM: From the youngest Primary Grade Center preschooler to the most mature 8th-grader at the Upper Grade Center, a School of St. Mary (SOSM) Crusader demonstrates genuine school pride, a sense of community, personal confidence, Catholic values, and a deep commitment to serving others. Since 1917, SOSM has remained committed to educating the whole child within and beyond the classroom.

ENRICHMENT: Accelerated reading and math programs in middle school allow students to move beyond grade level as they prepare for high school. Extracurricular activities allow students to further their education and focus on their non-academic interests, forming wellrounded individuals.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY: The School of St. Mary partners with parents, parishioners, and staff to form a vibrant school community that engages, motivates, and supports students to be the best they can be! An active Parents Association and leadership team coordinates special events to engage students, build relationships, and broaden the community. Teachers pair Upper Grade Center students with buddies from our Primary Grade Center to mentor and assist them at school-related activities, including praying together at Mass, socializing at lunch, and sharing service projects.

NEW TO YOUR SCHOOL: Mrs. Kathy Thompson, a recent promotion to principal, received the prestigious Lead, Learn, Proclaim Award from the National Catholic Educational Association in April 2021. After 25 years of service to the School of St. Mary, Mrs. Thompson will lead students into the next level of academic excellence, leadership development, and the practice of serving others.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Three-time recipient of the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon award in the category of academic excellence. Only 38 private schools in the country have ever received this award three times..

• Two campuses provide age-appropriate learning as well as social-emotional well-being.

• Our 100-year history of traditions and adaptations.

• Small class sizes mean students get differentiated curriculum to reach their highest potential.

• A robust student services department with a Director of Student Services, learning disabilities teachers, a reading specialist, and a social worker to meet the needs of all students.

• Covering two-year-old preschool through 8th grade allows students to stay within SOSM Family for their elementary years. Allowing them to be known and nurtured as they grow into their true selves.

WEBSITE: nscds.org

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 547 GRADES: JK-12 TUITION: $22,910-$38,305

HEAD TEACHER: Tom Flemma, Head of School RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: N/A

ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: As part of the admission process, all families submit an application, fee and letters of recommendation, and participate in a student/parent interview. The application and information collected varies by the grade of the student’s entry.

CONTACT: Staci Hundt, Director of Admission and Financial Aid EMAIL: admissions@nscds.org

OPEN: nscds.org/inquire In-person tours and visits by appointment only. Please contact admissions to schedule.

CURRICULUM: At North Shore Country Day, we take pride in offering a well-rounded, skills-based education to students in junior kindergarten through 12th grade. Students are asked to apply their knowledge through a range of assessments and projects, developing strong analytical thinking, communication and creative problem-solving skills. While our program is challenging and college preparatory in nature, an emphasis on co-curricular participation in the arts, athletics and service to others ensures students explore their full selves.

ENRICHMENT: By participating in arts, athletics and co-curricular activities, NSCD students gain poise and confidence, as well as forge lifelong friendships. Our lower school offers a number of after-school enrichment programs, and the middle and upper schools offer more than 35 student-led clubs. North Shore has always had a strong, diverse athletic program. Students play sports every school day throughout the year. Participation in athletics is required from sixth through 11th grades.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY: NSCD boasts a school community founded out of the progressive education movement, guided by our mission and core values, and supported by generations of alumni, families, faculty and staff. We take tremendous pride in the commu nity ethos and vibrant school culture we have cultivated for more than a century.

NEW TO YOUR SCHOOL: Founded in 1919, NSCD was the visionary answer to a fundamental question: What matters most when educating a child? Since then, we have continually refined our answer to propel our educational model forward with purpose and passion, building a transformative JK-12 community on four essential pillars: Connecting, Challenging, Engaging and Exploring.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Student-centered education for 547 students in junior kindergarten through 12th grade; students are from more than 28 suburban communities and Chicago, and 30 percent are students of color; 8 to 1 student/teacher ratio and 2 to 54 college counselor/student ratio; $2.5 million in financial aid allocated to 20 percent of the student body. Our school motto is "Live and Serve."

THE SCHOOL OF SAINTS FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY

WEBSITE: faithhopeschool.org

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 280

GRADES: Pre-k (ages 3 and 4), K-8

TUITION: Varies

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Tom Meagher Ed.D., Principal

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Roman Catholic, Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Catholic Parish

ADMISSIONS: New families are invited to schedule a tour of the school and campus. Inquiries and applications may be made via the school website. Enrollment for Fall 2023 will open in mid-November.

CONTACT: Linda Ransford, Marketing and Recruitment Manager

EMAIL: office@faithhopeschool.org

ABOUT US: At Saints Faith, Hope and Charity, our vision is to enable our students to grow in heart, mind and soul. We do this by delivering an exceptional academic experience; grounded in faith. We offer a leading edge curriculum; as well as advanced classes for middle school, a Learning Lab to meet the needs of students of all learning levels, a school counselor, and full-time nurse.

ACADEMICS: Beginning in kindergarten, we follow the Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading, Writing, and Phonics, and the Wilson Reading System. Math classes are vertically aligned through all grades with a focus on students having the ability to master Algebra 1 prior to graduating. iReady Assessments are utilized to measure students’ academic attainment and growth. Faith is woven into each school day, and a school mass is celebrated once a week.

ENRICHMENT/ARTS & ATHLETICS: We offer both Intramural sports and interscholastic sports in competition with other catholic schools. Sports include football, basketball, volleyball, track & field, and cross country. Our after school enrichment program provides options such as art, chess, drama and technology. We also offer students high quality music, art, and french language instruction.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY: We're supported by an extremely dedicated and caring community of families; and we connect new families with current families in similar grades. Events such as daddy/daughter dances and mom/son bingo nights, May Crowning and hope ceremonies help to bring our community together.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Neighborhood and community-based environment.

• Engaging and challenging academics.

• Spiritual nourishment that supports the whole child.

• Families that connect closely with our school.

SACRED

WEBSITE: shwschool.org

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: Approximately 200 GRADES: 3-year-old Preschool through 8th Grade TUITION: Between $6,900 - $8,000 depending on program

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Mrs. Margaret Webb, Principal RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic

ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: 3-year-old Preschool, 4-year-old Junior Kindergarten, and 5-year-old Kindergarten should apply online quickly as these programs fill up. Applications for 1st through 8th grade apply online and enjoy meeting with the principal.

CONTACT: Mrs. Margaret Webb, Principal EMAIL: mwebb@shwschool.org

OPEN MORNINGS: Tours for the 2022-2023 school year can be scheduled online at www.shwschool.org or by calling (847) 446-0005.

CURRICULUM: Sacred Heart provides children with a premier, values-based educational experience where teachers and parents work together to help students in PreK-8th grade discover the joys of learning. All students experience music, PE, library, STEAM, and Spanish as a part of the school day with fully- certified teachers. We guide students as they grow to develop kindness, compassion, and self-control. Our goal is to develop life-long learners who are well prepared to be successful in high school and beyond.

ENRICHMENT: Sacred Heart students thrive academically, but there is so much more to their day—we offer year-round, no-cut sports, a highly regarded drama program, numerous after-school enrichment programs (beginning in 3-year-old Preschool), and a teacher-staffed Homework Lab.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY: Sacred Heart is a community where friendships for life are made amongst the children and the parents. We are a family who is always learning and growing together. We value our time together and believe that we are called to live the core values of love, service, perseverance, discovery, and engagement. The Root Beliefs of the entire commu nity of Sacred Heart are: we believe that we are all made in the image and likeness of God & we accept challenges as opportunities. Everyone is important, has dignity, and contributes to the greater whole.

NEW TO YOUR SCHOOL: Families have the option of either 1:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. dismissal as part of the robust JK program that prepares our students to succeed in our Kindergarten classes and beyond.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: As a National Blue Ribbon Award-winning school, Sacred Heart School continues its long tradition of educating children’s hearts and minds. Strong academics, meaningful service, and innovative technology are at the core of the Sacred Heart student experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Our mission is to educate children’s hearts and minds in a faith-filled, Catholic community. We are proud of our growing school, successful students, and innovative faculty. Come for a private tour to see what makes Sacred Heart School special.

WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART

WEBSITE: woodlandsacademy.org/admission/visit-apply

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 124

AGES: 14-18

TUITION: $29,500 tuition (day student)

DEAN/HEAD TEACHER: Susan Tyree Dempf, Ph.D.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Catholic

ENTRANCE PROCEDURE: Prospective students and their families start the process by filling out an Admission Inquiry form on the school’s website. Then they can schedule a Shadow Day visit allowing the prospective student to experience the spirit and energy Woodlands Academy students possess in the classroom. The next steps are to fill out an online application, apply for financial aid and register for an entrance exam. All these steps can be completed by clicking on Admission at the top of school’s homepage and then Admissions Process.

CONTACT: Greg Lobe

PHONE: 847-234-4300

OPEN MORNINGS: There are some upcoming opportunities to learn about the transformative educational experience at Woodlands Academy. The school will be hosting an open house Thursday, Nov. 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Check woodland sacademy.org/shadowday for upcoming opportunities. Contact the Officer of Admission at admission@woodlandsacademy.org to schedule a personal tour of campus any morning classes are in session

CURRICULUM: Consistent with the Goals and Criteria for Sacred Heart education, Woodlands Academy’s academic program seeks to instill in its students a deep respect for intellectual values, academic integrity, and a lifelong passion for learning.

ENRICHMENT: The Woodlands Academy Center for Global Studies engages students with comprehensive curricular, extracurricular, and service opportunities to immerse them in a global outlook, equipping them with the skills to act as responsible leaders on issues of global significance. Its students can participate in an international exchange program allowing them to spend some time abroad at one of the other Sacred Heart schools.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY: Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic day-and-board ing, college-preparatory school for young women of all faiths in grades nine through 12. It’s part of a worldwide network of 25 schools in the U.S. and Canada and more than 150 schools in a total of 41 countries on six continents.

The benefits of an all- girls' school do not come from separating girls from the boys, but from the ability of a girls' school to focus entirely on the education, development, and well-being of girls. At Woodlands Academy girls learn experientially that they have no limits.

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2020, Woodlands Academy was recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School. This coveted award, based on a school's overall academic performance, affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Woodlands Academy was once again named Illinois’ top all-girls high school in the 2023 report by Niche, an independent research company, which also ranks Woodlands #1 Best Catholic High School in Illinois.

A STORY IN NUMBERS

NEW DATA SHOWS THE PANDEMIC CAUSED SIGNIFICANT LEARNING LOSS AMONG 4TH GRADERS IN THE AREAS OF MATH AND READING. IMPORTANT CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

In late August, newspaper editors splashed front-page headlines about a report card released by the National Assessment of Education Programs that showed 9-year-old students had fallen significantly behind in math and reading, some of the largest drops in decades.

Then, just last week, a newly released report showed the high school Class of 2022 had the lowest composite ACT scores in 30 years. Forty-two percent of test takers failed to meet any benchmarks for the subjects of English, math, science, and reading.

and tell the story of what happened and, most importantly, identify what needs to happen next instructionally.”

Academic Approach analyzes a lot of data, including the recent national reports that have been published as well as other regional and local education test results. It also has col lected its own data since Pietrafetta founded the company in 2001, and he was struck by one recent finding.

“We have collected and analyzed our data since 2001, and we could make certain as sumptions based on that data. For example, approximately 20 hours of instruction and two practice tests equated to about five points of improvement on the ACT. Now, that’s an aver age, so it needs to be contextualized, but it was a stable average for many years. Most recently, those five points take more time and more testing to achieve—approximately 25 hours of teaching and 3 practice tests,” Pietrafetta says. “In short, students, on average, need about five more instructional hours and one or two more practice tests to get the same growth previous cohorts of students experienced for many years.”

Pietrafetta sees this data in context of larger national testing data trends; taken together, it appears that the starting line for students may have been pushed back.

public schools focuses on data collection, professional develop ment for teachers, and classroom course instruction. Recently, it started an innovative approach with some public high school partners to provide personalized tutoring for all students.

While both reports swiftly became sources of debate about the country’s response to the pandemic, a more pressing issue is how stu dents are going to catch up. Will students be able to repair educational deficits before those learning gaps compound? How will schools, parents, and students meet the challenges that lie ahead?

Matthew Pietrafetta is CEO of Academic Approach, a Chicago-based organization that provides one-on-one tutoring services for stu dents to prepare them for standardized tests and works with public schools to help assess and teach large cohorts of students.

Pietrafetta says that while the recently released data is concerning, it is also illuminat ing. The data can be used to tell specific sto ries—student by student—for how to catch up.

“If a score report reveals specific gaps in a subject like geometry, for example, students will say, ‘Well, that makes sense; when I took that class, I was remote and not really engaged.’ Or if we see deficits in reading, students will often say, 'Yeah, I didn't like reading online,' or 'I never really understood how to write a the sis.' As families and schools begin to reengage with testing data,” Pietrafetta says, “they're engaging with us more to analyze, interpret,

“We're building on foundations that are not as developed as they had been pre-pandemic,” Pietrafetta says. “Current juniors and seniors did not go through the typical 8th, 9th, and 10th grade learning experiences. Whether they missed reading time, breadth and depth of content review, or some key personaliza tion of instruction, they need something more instructionally now to attain their highest potential.”

In addition to ramping up personal tutoring services for students, Academic Approach has deepened previously established relationships with public schools. The company’s work with

“With many schools we have a decade of testing data on their students, so they can clearly see that this year’s entering 9th graders, for example, are testing far below historical benchmarks. Some school leaders are so committed to reversing this trend that they are adding one-on-one tutoring for all of their students, in addition to our traditional services. This is exciting work because these students do not have access to personalized, oneon-one learning, and our data shows that one-on-one tutoring is the most efficacious form of instruction in helping students grow the skills and scores they need most.”

The program involves having an Academic Approach staff member pull individual stu dents out of class throughout the day and provide more personal instruction based on the data the company has collected from that

particular school.

“Students receive consistent small group or one-on-one tutoring in the school for the entire school year with one of instructors,” Pi etrafetta says. “That to me is some of our most exciting programming. How much ground can we make up with consistent, data-driven instruction, personalized to the needs of each student? The visionary leadership of these schools and their commitment to tackling the issue head-on will make a huge difference for these students.”

He adds that the one-on-one tutorial allows teachers to drill down from classroom course instruction, which must appeal to a common denominator within the class, to the individual needs of every student.

“It's satisfying to see both one-on-one in struction and large-group school services in place at a school and know that we're address ing student learning loss from multiple angles. By allowing the analysis of testing data trends to drive solutions, we work with educators and families to innovate instructional programs that will strengthen educational deficits and maximize scores, skills, and learning.”

For more information, visit academicapproach. com/nsweekend or call 847-558-7468.

PREMIER PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Matthew Pietrafetta

BLATCHFORD ROAD, WATERVLIET

Nature meets nurture in this rare offering! 12 acres of beautiful woods, eye catching gardens accompanied by fragrant lavender fields, herb gardens, apple trees & complete with 2-acre stocked pond. That's just the beginning! An 18th century barn that has been lovingly restored offers multiple options; 5 stall stable with water & electricity or a wonderful wedding venue. The house is a 3-story traditional farmhouse with an inviting wraparound porch perfect for entertaining. Traditional in style but updated with modern amenities enhancing the warmth of the home. Handcrafted cabinets, granite counters, gourmet kitchen stainless appliances & hardwood floors throughout. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths including luxurious walk-in shower & 2,322 sqft of living space. Welcome home to Dream Acres Farm!

CONTACT ME FOR A PRIVATE VIEWING

PRIVATE

POND

Q+A with Brad Lippitz & Brittany Shapiro

Any real estate trends we can expect to see in the North Shore and Chicago?

Working from home (WFH) spaces are more critical now than ever and guess what: just one home office may not cut it anymore. With more people moving to WFH full-time or hybrid models, many couples are now seeking home offices for both spouses. These spaces are ideally private and away from the main living space, not tucked away in a basement and not right next to each other. Other trends? Many families are choosing to turn their garages into flex hang space for their tweens and teens; home gyms are a must; and, for some luxury buyers, separate primary bathrooms for both spouses.

Any home improvement tips for those prepping to sell this fall?

Your home has to be picture-perfect when it’s unveiled for the first time. Although it may go against your best design sense, do your best to neutralize and update it with paint, new carpeting (buyers don’t like used, worn-out carpeting), new countertops and lighting. And remember, in this digital era, how your home looks online in photos is more critical than ever. Fickle buyers scroll endlessly through housing websites and social media, often inundated with imagery and options. If the first picture doesn’t grab their attention, they’ve already moved on to the next property. We are happy to stop by and help decide which improvements will help maximize your bottom line…and which will not.

Are there any benefits to buying/selling in the fall market rather than spring?

Yes! While many sellers are waiting for the spring, you can capitalize on the opportunity when inventory is low: your home will stand out as one of the few opportunities for buyers to jump on when they need to buy.

Q+A with Julie Hartvigsen

helped us buy our first home. I would imagine first-time buyers are some of the toughest clients to have. She carefully navigated us through the process, going way above and beyond the call of duty while we undertook a challenging negotiation process, involving many standard issues that come up during home buying (water, asbestos, mold, etc). She is a fantastic, responsive communicator. We highly recommend her, and we believe she is the reason we are now in our home. Thanks, Julie!

JULIE HARTVIGSEN

Q+A with Kate Fisher

of The Skirving Group

Where can sellers get the most ROI in home renovation?

Updated kitchens and bathrooms tend to provide the most ROI for sellers. However keep in mind that a complete gut renovation isn’t always necessary when looking for a sizable ROI. If your kitchen has good bones and the right layout, you can work with what you have and make a few upgrades to your countertops, cabinets, etc. A minor kitchen remodel returns an average of 98.5% and a minor bathroom remodel returns an average of 102%*.

*According to Fortune Builders.

Are there any benefits to buying/selling in the fall market rather than spring?

It really depends on the individual needs of the buyer or seller. Historically, more buyers tend to be looking at homes in Spring because young families will want their kids to be settled in a new school prior to the year beginning in the following fall. That being said, if a seller knows that they want to sell soon, I would recommend getting their home ready to sell as soon as possible, even if that means selling in the fall. We never know what the future holds and less homes for sale in the fall means less competition.

What’s most unique about the the North Shore housing market in comparison to the national market?

Every real estate market is different and hyper local so what we see in the national headlines doesn’t always apply to the North Shore Market. Over the past two years Chicago’s North Shore has been a heavy seller’s market with most homes being sold over the list price and with multiple offers. The national headlines are indicating that the housing market is crashing, however on the North Shore, we still have very low inventory and plenty of buyer demand.

KATE FISHER

Paige Dooley on the Fall Market

Are there any benefits to buying/selling in the fall market rather than spring?

This fall is a good time to sell and buy!

Everyone is eager to see what lies ahead after recent blockbuster years, rising interest rates, high inflation, stock market volatility and national data headlines suggesting a broad market softening. Real estate trends are hyperlocal so we are constantly analyzing recent trends in OUR (New Trier) market as we try and predict what lies ahead.

Comparing Jan - Sept 2021 to the same period in 2022, local data demonstrates

• Number of transactions were down (less inventory)

• Pricing held firm

• Properties moved faster and

More of them sold over list in 2022

Further, local data shows the significant strength of the current market vs. 2019, a pre-pandemic and more “normal” year of comparison versus the unusually robust and artificially exaggerated 2021 & 2022 with lots of reactionary activity and growing pent up demand which we may be experiencing again now.

While the pendulum is swinging to center a bit more this fall, it is still a GOOD time to sell due to limited inventory and it is

also a GOOD time to buy as there is less competition due to some buyers sitting it out because of rising rates. There are some great values out there!

Happy to discuss the nuances of a successful strategy any time.

PAIGE DOOLEY

NEW PRICE!

Q+A with Carrie Healy

Any home improvement tips for those prepping to sell this fall?

Any real estate trends we can expect to see in the North Shore?

Their Clients Say it Best

“We are so happy that we found Meg and Katie. They truly listened to what we wanted, and worked hard to find us the right home. Their impressive knowledge of the North Shore and the competitive real estate market was key to getting us into our home. They were able to help us navigate against multiple offers. We are thrilled to be in our new home. A huge thanks to both Meg and Katie.” -Lake Bluff Buyers

“We must give a big thank you to Meg & Katie of Compass. They are exceptional realtors who went above and beyond to deliver on a successful sale of our house. They are kind and considerate people, always listening to our needs and answering all of our questions. They understand the stress of selling a home, how to navigate the emotional ups and downs and we highly recommend them for your realty needs.”

-Wilmette Sellers

Meg + Katie Group

Whether you are looking to buy or sell on the North Shore, who you work with matters.

left

right: Catherine King, Kelly Lundin, Laura McCain, Amanda Zick Joanne Hudson, Forrest Hudson, Rinne Evans

construction opportunity in east Winnetka’s Greeley

district. A flawless design offers an open and expansive layout with many special features including a coveted first floor office, designer’s kitchen with long island overlooking the family room, all ensuite bedrooms, 2nd floor laundry, and radiantly heated driveway and front walkway. Finished lower level boasts tall ceilings, a large rec room with kitchenette, exercise room and 5th bedroom with full bath. Short distance to schools, parks, downtown Winnetka and the Metra. Collaborate with this builder’s team to customize!

ESCAPE TO TYBEE ISLAND

BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Five years ago, we took a family vacation to Savannah, Georgia, and during that trip we spent a day on Tybee Island—located just 20 minutes east of the city.

We decided to return to Tybee earlier this summer to fully experience what the island has to offer.

As the trees lining the highway changed from pine to palm and the sea breeze filled the air, it was like stepping into a Kenny Chesney song. We drove through the historic town of Savannah before crossing several bridges into the lowlands where salt marshes spread as far as the eye could see.

We stayed in a rental condo called The Pelican’s Nest near the North Beach. This space was perfect for our family and our dog, Riley. It was in a quiet location and a twominute walk from the beach. The Pelican’s Nest was fully furnished with a kitchenette, two bedrooms, a back deck, a living room, and a washer and dryer unit. Cicadas sang in the trees and buzzed at my dog when she tried to investigate them on the ground.

After exploring the beach and driving around town, we had dinner at a restaurant called Pier 16. Our meal included excellent drinks, a great view of The North Beach,

were able to see a few dolphins playing in the surf as the shrimp boats headed out for their first catch of the day.

Our second day featured a trip to Savan nah for a meal at The Pirate House, a famous historic restaurant where pirates and sailors used to gather in the early days of Savannah. The interior mimics that of a ship in certain rooms and port taverns in others. I loved the lantern-lit atmosphere and the feeling of being in an 18th century establishment. We ordered the shrimp parmesan, which was perfectly creamy and the perfect por tion. After eating, we walked through many historical squares dotted across the town before returning to Tybee.

we had a safe and fulfilling trip out to sea.

A restaurant we were eager to visit again was The Crab Shack. Under Spanish moss trees on the banks of the salt marshes, this restaurant had a wonderful sense of stepping into a Louisiana bayou. Fans and misters helped combat the heat of the day and made it less muggy. We were seated outside and ordered their amazing crab platters com plete with sausage and corn on the cob. After eating, there were gators to feed in a nearby exhibit and a bird rescue off the gift shop. Boats can also dock at the pier off the marshes.

After lunch, we took another venture to Savannah to visit the Ships of the Maritime Museum where we perused their model ships collection, including the Pulaski and the Titanic. Starting in June, they have an exhibit about the expedition to bring the Pulaski wreckage back to the surface that will go till the end of 2022. These exhibits also include

artifacts from sailors during the 18th and 19th century, and some historical plaques about the house the museum is kept in.

That night, we attended one of Savannah’s many ghost tours, this one taking us through the different historical squares throughout Savannah. They have a mixture of walking tours, horse drawn carriages, hearse tours at the cemeteries, and The Ghosts and the Graveyards tour which includes bus travel throughout the town. Our tour led us to different locations where ghosts had been spotted throughout the town. This included several historical squares, a local inn, a cem etery where a child ghost has been filmed, and the Presbyterian church. Our tour guide brought these historical characters to life and beautifully weaved the tragic tales of their deaths and unfinished business, whether they are true or not.

On our last day in Georgia, we took one final walk around Savannah after we checked out of our rental. We brought our dog to a pet bakery where she received plenty of attention and some complimentary cookies from the employees. For a pet friendly lunch, we went to B&D Burgers followed by a walk to Leopold’s Ice Cream parlor. The burgers and chicken sandwiches served at B&D were perfectly cooked with a bit of a kick in their signature sauce, which was easily paired with a strawberry daiquiri. After eating, we ven tured to the riverfront and visited the famous Waving Girl statue. Much like Tybee, there were many stores and restaurants to visit along the riverfront and elegant riverboats docked in the harbor depending on the time of day.

Savannah and Tybee serve as an excel lent getaway for those who love the ocean, ghost stories, American history, and excellent food. We can’t wait to plan our next trip and explore more of these wonderful places.

and wonderful food. I enjoyed the Mermaid Lemonade, which was so smooth, I want to recreate it. The chicken marsala and crab stuffed mushrooms left us wanting more. Sit ting on the patio, we had a front row seat of several classic cars that drove through town. After dinner, we walked around the different shops and restaurants before returning to the house.

Every morning, my mom and I woke at dawn and walked down to the beach to watch the sunrise. Each day brought new discoveries of what creatures had journeyed onto the sand the night before. We found horseshoe crabs, starfish, hermit crabs, and a turtle’s nest on the last morning. We even

On the drive back from Savannah, we were crossing the salt marshes when we spotted water spraying among the grasses. There was a young dolphin playing in the marshes just off the road. We weren’t able to get a photo, but it was a great sight and a preview of what we would view later that night.

One of the great attractions of Tybee Island is Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours.

They have a Sunrise Tour, a Midday tour, and a Sunset Tour. This time we chose the Sunset Tour. As the shrimp boats finished their catch for the day, the dolphins swam around our boat and played in the waves while the sun sank towards the horizon. Even though a thunderstorm rolled in on the way back to shore, the captains did a great job ensuring

FROM HISTORY TOURS TO DELICIOUS FOOD, THIS SMALL HIDEAWAY EAST OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO RELAX.

Social Scene

AMERICAN CRAFT EXPOSITION (ACE) RETURNS

The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem’s 38th Annual American Craft Exposition (ACE) returned to the Chicago Botanic Garden September 29 with a Preview Party and a gala weekend of events. Featuring 100 artisans exhibiting unique, museum-quality work, ACE is one of the country’s longest running premier fine craft shows. The Auxiliary’s signature annual fundraiser, proceeds from ACE support innovative patient care programs at NorthShore—most notably SAVE MOMS, an initiative designed to protect and preserve maternal health before, during and after delivery. For more information, visit americancraftexpo.org.

LESLIE SEVCIK, DR. BETH PLUNKETT, GAYLE STELLAS, DR. RICHARD SILVER, MELISSA DAVID

REBECA MASSEY, CAROLINA SMITH

LEAH CORTES, CHERYL WONG

KAREN & KEN BAUWENS

KAREN BLANKSTEIN, LYNN BAER

GAYLE STELLAS, JUANITA GIRARDAN, LESLIE SEVCIK

LAURA METZ & DEAN WALKER

LESLIE SEVCIK, GAYLE STELLAS

DANA TURBAN, LIZ DANTEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN MCLEOD

Social

LESLIE SEVCIK, KARI LONNING, GAYLE STELLAS

MIRAV & POOJA SHAH

JOANNE MATSAKIS, ELENI SOUKOULIS, TEDDI GALANIS

LUKE & ALISON KOWAL

KARL & MARIA KNECHT

EKATERINA & MIKE LIVSCHIZ

ARCH ALLY

LAURIE PETERSEN’S LIFELONG LOVE OF ARCHITECTURE JUMPS OFF THE PAGES OF THE NEW AIA GUIDE TO CHICAGO

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

For Winnetka’s Laurie Petersen, who’s mad about Chicago architecture and thrilled to talk about it with anyone, a sit-down interview would not do.

“How about we walk/drive a short stretch of Sheridan Road near the Loyola (Univer sity) campus at Devon?” she offers in an email. “This is a road North Shore people drive on all the time, and it would be fun to show you some of the architectural treasures that are ‘hidden in plain sight.’

“By giving you a short, guided tour,” she continues, “I would focus on my love of Chicago architecture, especially the everyday buildings, and my evangelism that everyone should look around and look up.”

I’m all in. I’m up for learning from the engaging and knowl edgeable Petersen, the editor of the new fourth edition of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Guide to Chicago (University of Illinois Press, 2022).

And I’ve reached the point in my career where I can’t stand sitting anymore.

Our adventure begins at a Starbucks in Wilmette on a drizzly, chilly Friday morning. We sit, briefly, but only because the journalist in me wants to jot down important details about Petersen’s life, like the names of her family members (husband Michael and grown children Claire and Will); where she grew up (Milwaukee) and attended college (Yale); what she does for a living (writer, for Chicago Archi tecture magazine); and what she does for fun (tour guide, for groups and a certain writer who still forgets that the Sears Tower became the Willis Tower way back in 2009).

But this feature shouldn’t be about Laurie Petersen, Laurie Petersen in sists politely. It should be about the beauty and the strength and the variety of Chicago architecture and some of the compelling stories behind the structures that stand in the city’s 77 neighborhoods.

We head out to her car and then head south.

We chat about the AIA Guide to Chicago, the largest portable source of information on the city’s environment. The book serves both as an introduction to Chicago’s architecture for neophytes and as a sourcebook for those seeking to expand their knowledge beyond the well-documented buildings, notes the book’s “Guide to the Guide.”

Petersen has been an integral part of all four editions: 1993, 2004, 2014, and 2022, which contains almost 2,000 featured sites, compared to a tad more than 1,600 sites in the premier edition, and descriptions of two of the most significant recent projects—the extension of the Riverwalk on the south side of the Chica go River in the Loop and the 606, an elevated park and trail that runs east-west on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

Life is more interesting when you look around a big city

and see beauty. We’re so lucky to be so close to Chicago’s wonderful architecture.

cotta mural of the Chicago skyline and never notice it,” she notes.

About a half-hour later, we stop outside the Mundelein Center (Mundelein College), 6363 North Sheridan Road. It was built in 1930 by Nairne W. Fisher and Joseph W. Mc Carthy. “The first ‘skyscraper college,’ Munde lein’s thoroughly modern school for women was headquartered in the impressive fifteenstory tower,” the AIA Guide to Chicago informs.

Two colossal archangels—Uriel (Light of God) and Jophiel (Beauty of God)—flank the entrance. “Uriel holds a book inscribed with a cross and points skyward,” the guide describes, “and Jophiel holds aloft the torch of knowl edge and grasps a celestial globe.”

Marvels Petersen, looking up: “It never gets old, looking at those.”

She adores the striking cov er photo of the latest edi tion, “because it captures the city of Chicago from a neighborhood’s per spective.” In the guide’s acknowledgements, Pe tersen writes, “The hercu lean efforts and clear vision of Alice Sinkevitch created the first edition of the book. I was honored to work with her on that endeavor.

“All subsequent additions and altera tions,” she adds, “have built on that firm foundation.”

Petersen parks her vehicle near the Kir shbaum Building, 6560 North Sheridan Road. It was built in 1922 by Ronne berg, Pierce & Hauber. We get out and near the storefronts. Petersen tells me to look up at the Northwestern Terra Cotta Co.’s panorama of Chicago’s growth.

“Look up there, on the far left—that’s Fort Dearborn,” she says. In between Fort Dear born and a depiction of the newly completed Wrigley Building is a long panel showcasing the city’s contemporary skyline.

“Over there, on the far right, look at the smokestacks,” Pe tersen says. “A smokestack back then was a sign of progress.”

Petersen has admired the artwork dozens of times. The rookie admirer next to her scans the panorama a second time.

Petersen shakes her head.

“So many people drive past this terra

We walk some more, dodging phalanxes of Loyola University students at a couple of intersections. Lake Michigan looks dark gray and angry. The temperature dips, seemingly, a degree every other minute.

But my tour guide continues to exude warmth amid the chorus of chattering teeth. Petersen is entrenched, after all, in her ele ment.

“Life is more interesting when you look around a big city and see beauty,” she says. “We’re so lucky to be so close to Chicago’s wonderful architecture. Chicago was a mecca for the best and brightest architects before and after the Great Chicago Fire (in 1871). I’m not a designer, but I’ve always liked reading about architecture and researching it.”

I learn that Petersen, as a youngster in Mil waukee, loved every second of every visit to the Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Science and Industry. The University School of Milwaukee graduate majored in Art His tory at Yale and couldn’t get enough of college courses (Intro to Art History and Architecture History) taught by Professor Vincent Scully.

“You think I’m energetic about architec ture?” says Petersen, laughing. “Compared to Vincent Scully, I’d be considered super calm. He had such passion for every subject he taught.”

Halfway on our return to Wilmette, Peters en unleashes her delightful sense of humor. It freezes the pen of her passenger.

And elicits a series of chuckles.

“Two things that annoy Chicagoans—trees at the end of the fall season, without any leaves on them, and being stuck in traffic—are two things I truly enjoy,” she says. “I can see the buildings better and spend more time looking at them.”

Purchase the print version of the new fourth edition of the AIA Guide to Chicago ($42.95) from your local bookstore, online retailer, or from the University of Illinois Press. E-book is also available.

Dear Captiva,

May you find strength in the outpouring of love and support from all of us that love you. I stepped ashore in 1982 when my dad bought a 1 bedroom condo at South Seas. I was 8, and yesterday I turned 48. I call myself a simple woman as there is not a more beautiful place in this world than you. I don’t need to climb the steps of the Pyramids or walk the Great Wall of China or see the Great Barrier Reef because I always had you. Why would you need to see anything else when you know your heart is already full of the place that makes you feel the most fulfilled? Bubble Bread, Mucky Duck grilled chicken sandwiches, Dead Wings from Lazy, drives to count aligators in Ding Darlig, the best damn breakfast God could offer at The Lighthouse Cafe, the smell of the island when you cross the causeway, the familiarity of Tvimbers, the YOLO in me, Village By The Sea where my parents built the house of my dreams, Baileys Hardware Department, Ozzie the fisherman who never wants people on his boat that cannot really fish, and lastly Danny Morgan’s “Old Captiva”. You have given me everything Captiva...and now it’s our turn to give it back and rebuild with the love and beauty that you have brought all of us. I will look forward to the Chapel by the Sea’s first Christmas Eve service and I will look up into the stars and say thank you. Thank you for showing me that love is something

feel but when it’s

love it even more to bring it back to life!