Dr. Ackley’s Message . . .
WELCOME BACK
It was great to see all the smiling faces and start a new school year so smoothly. I have a few staffing updates to share with you.
- Mrs. Margaux Franke is the new K-8th grade Art teacher.
- Ms. Julie Westcott is expanding her role to include Assistant Principal.
- Mrs. Jill Lesch is taking on Assessment and Gifted and Talented duties.
You can read more about these super staff members below.
BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTO GALLERY
Located at the end of the WAVE
SCHOOL SAFETY TRAINING
North Lake School partnered with the Village of Lac La Belle Police Department to improve our intruder response protocol. Detective Rob Kassens spent several hours with North Lake teachers physically practicing appropriate responses to threats. The teachers were very engaged and had excellent questions. North Lake students will participate in an announced LOCKDOWN DRILL next week.
Staff continued safety training with our District nurse, Beth Gatzow, with CPR and AED simulations.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
The North Lake School District prioritizes protecting your child’s confidentiality in the digital world. Therefore, teachers will communicate via phone, email, and Google classroom/sites. Class Dojo became a distraction from teaching and learning. Thank you for your continued support and engagement in your child’s North Lake education.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Julie Westcott on her appointment as our new Assistant Principal.
Many of you already know Ms. Westcott well through her dedicated service as our special education teacher and Pupil Services Director. In this new capacity, she will be adding the Assistant Principal role to her existing responsibilities, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of care for our students and programs.
Ms. Westcott is incredibly excited to begin working with students, parents, and staff in this expanded role.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Jill Lesch on her new appointment.
Mrs. Jill Lesch has extensive experience with student data. This skill set will enhance her expanded role to include District Assessment Coordinator and Gifted & Talented Coordinator.
Feel free to contact Mrs. Lesch with questions about your child’s academic, behavioral, and social development.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Margaux Franke, our newest staff member.
Mrs. Margaux Franke is an artist and designer. She formerly worked as a corporate designer and design manager for Trek. Mrs. Franke has 2 sons, 2 dogs, and 1 husband. Mrs. Franke’s favorite color is grey because when the light reflects the color grey it can look blue or green or purple.
Let’s “Learn it all” with Mrs. Franke in K-8th grade art classes. You can see her own art at Roots in Oconomowoc.
LEARNING LAB
Beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2026 our school library will be open Monday through Thursday from 7:00-7:30 a.m. and 2:35-4:00 p.m. This is a community project and we welcome students, parents, and guardians to join us in the school library for homework help and computer usage. This program is not for childcare.
Students younger than 4th grade must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The space is open for quiet reading, individual or group assignments and projects, specific study and research purposes. Parents and guardians are asked to pick up their children promptly at 4:00 p.m. at Door G.
BRING YOUR OVER THE COUNTER STUDENT MEDICATIONS TO THE OFFICE
Students are not allowed to self medicate over the counter medications at school. These items should not be in student lockers. All medications must be stored in the office and given by the healthroom staff.
Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medications will be administered when parents have provided the Medication Administration Authorization Form AND the over-the-counter medication. The office does not stock over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Pepto-Bismol, etc. Please drop off your own medication in the office. Thank you for your cooperation.
GIRLS BASKETBALL PAPERWORK DUE
This is a reminder that all 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade girls basketball paperwork is due Tuesday, September 8th to the office or Mrs. Tarkowski.
At this time, North Lake will not have any teams as no one has signed up. Let’s represent Lakers!
NLS ROBOTICS LEAGUE
Join NLS FLL Robotics – design, build, code, test, and solve problems as a team! We’re stepping up our game! This isn’t the LEGO Club of years past – this is NLS Robotics! We’re looking for students who are serious about STEM and ready to learn robotics. See flier attached for more details!
MYVIEW – BUS APP
Currently, the MyView app is unavailable for the NLS bus routes. Once Dousman has all of the routes set for the year, we will notify you when it becomes available toward the end of September.
ANNUAL NORTH LAKE DADS’ OPEN
How it started…A handful of North Lake dads. One tee time. One idea.
On the first day of school this year, four of us planted the seed for what we hope becomes a great North Lake tradition — the Annual North Lake Dads’ Open.
We teed it up at Fairways of Woodside, played some golf, had plenty of laughs, and quickly realized: We need to do this every year.
The first event came together last minute, and a lot of dads who wanted to join simply couldn’t make it.
So let’s plan for next year!
Mark your calendar.
Take off the first day of school.
Come meet and connect with other North Lake dads.
The first group teed off. Now let’s fill the course.
NL HARVEST FEST – PARK ROAD CLOSURE
The Town of Merton will shut down Park Road for Harvest Fest.
Park Road starting by the Pavilion at North Lake Park to the tennis courts will close starting, Friday, September 18, 2026 thru Monday, September 21, 2026.
See the North Lake Harvest Fest flyer at the end of the WAVE for information on Harvest Fest.
Next WAVE – September 18
Counseling Corner
Hello North Lake Families!
It’s been a great week. I love getting the students back in the building!
Each year, I like to remind families and students of my role here as School Counselor. I am here as an advocate for students and a support for families and teachers. I see all students throughout the year as I deliver Developmental Guidance and 7th/8th grade Health lessons. Students will also have opportunities to take part in small groups on various topics, as well as to request to see me individually. I am here to be a resource for you, also! If you have questions or concerns about your child socially or emotionally, please let me know. If you would rather that I do not meet with your child individually or in a small group, please let me know as soon as possible.
Our Leadership Group spent time together before school started planning for this year. I will update you more on that, but wanted you to know that we have planned our first spirit day already!
GOLD DAY
9/18
Wear your gold to show your support for ending childhood cancer!
Show your spirit and have fun!
We are excited for a great school year at North Lake! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help your child find success academically, socially and emotionally. We are all in this together!
Take care-
Jill Lesch
September Dates to Remember
7
No School – Labor Day
11
Grandparents Day – 11:00a.m. – 1:00p.m.
September 11th Observed
14
Culver’s Night – 5:00-8:00p.m.
16
Mildred Fish Harnack Day
Budget Hearing – 5:30p.m.
Followed by Annual Meeting & Regular School Board Meeting in Conference Room
17
U.S. Constitution Day
Wisconsin Day
18
POW-MIA Recognition Day
GOLD SPIRIT DAY
19
North Lake Harvest Fest
22
Student & Staff Picture Retake Day including LCK – 8:00a.m. – 1:00p.m.
28
Frances Willard Day
7th Grade Field Trip at Camp Whitcomb
Girls Basketball Practice Begins
Back to School Photo Gallery
