District 60 is preparing to approve school year calendars for the next three years (2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023). Our calendar committee, made up of staff from across the District, created the proposed calendars based on feedback we have heard over the years.

January 23, 2020 Dear Waukegan Community I am writing today to share my feelings and frustration related to an incident that occurred at one of our high school campuses on Wednesday, January 22. Prior to dismissal at the Brookside Campus, there was a classroom altercation between three students, which resulted in two students seeking medical attention -- one for a laceration and another for back pain.

The Special Meeting of the Board of Education scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, for the purpose of reviewing, and possibly taking action on student discipline matters, has been canceled. As a result of a technical issue, the online agenda for the January 21 meeting was not viewable to the public for several hours. Therefore, in compliance with ILCS 120/2.02, the meeting is being canceled. A new Special Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 23, also for the purpose of reviewing, and possibly taking action on student discipline matters. The Board of Education will meet in closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m. with an open session scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

In conformity with Illinois School Code section 105 ILCS 5/10-10, the Board of Education of Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 hereby gives notice that the application for persons desiring to be considered for appointment by the Board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of School Board Member Vice President, Mr. Michael Rodriguez on January 14, 2020.

Special Recognition and Presentations -The Board of Education presented a resolution of Honor in recognition of former Carman School Principal, Ms. Isabelle Buckner. - Staff from Clearview Elementary presented on the school’s new Community Time is intended to promote positivity. - Representatives from Mano a Mano discussed the organization’s Census 2020 efforts.

Waukegan Public Schools will be hosting two Lake County exclusive premiere screenings of PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools in observance of Black History Month. The screenings will take place February 6 and 7, and begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Trapp Auditorium. Tickets are free, and can be reserved online here: https://tinyurl.com/uvnyo8p

Open House is an exciting and informative evening for parents and students to begin the transition process to Waukegan High School. During this event we will showcase the many wonderful opportunities our high school has to offer and respond to any questions that you may have. We hope that after participating, you and your son or daughter will have a greater understanding of the high school with regards to: course and program offerings, expectations and extra-curricular opportunities.

Waukegan families will have the chance to explore Chicago's Adler Planetarium during the District's upcoming Family Field Trip. The cost of the trip is $5, which covers admission to the Planetarium as well as transportation to and from the event. Families will have to preregister in order to secure a spot.

Update to yesterdays Water Main Break: Crews working on the break were successfully able to restore water service to Lightfoot and Clearview, and both schools will be open tomorrow, January 9. Bottled drinking water will be provided.

Washington Elementary School teacher, Ms. Erica Jacobo is among the most recently recognized National Board Certified Teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Last month, Ms. Jacobo, a 3rd grade dual language teacher at Washington Elementary School, learned she was among a select number of educators across the country to earn NBPTS certification. Ms. Jacobo has taught in District 60 for six years, spending all of her tenure at Washington.

A water main break was identified today, Tuesday, January 7 under the Lightfoot Early Learning Center parking lot. Crews are on the scene and are working to repair the issue. It is anticipated that the break may be repaired overnight, and water will be restored to the buildings, however, there is a possibility that the work will not be completed in time for classes tomorrow. In the event that main is not repaired, or that adequate water service is not restored in time for classes tomorrow, both buildings will be closed on Wednesday.

Clearview Elementary School and the Lightfoot Early Learning Center will be closed on Wednesday, January 8, as a result of a water main break near the school buildings.

Looking to stay better up to date on your child's academics? This Thursday, January 9, the District will be hosting its first Tech Talk, a series of informational seminars designed to familiarize parents with the various online resources available to them.

More than two dozen Waukegan High School seniors were recognized this month by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) as “Illinois State Scholars.” Twenty-five WHS seniors earned the designation as an Illinois State Scholar from the ISAC. The honor is given annually to students across the state based on ACT or SAT test scores, unweighted class rank and Grade Point Average (GPA).

Waukegan Public Schools will be on Winter Break from December 23, 2019 to January 6, 2020. Classes resume on January 6. Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from Waukegan Public Schools. In the spirit of the holidays, the Superintendent's Cabinet performs a special rendition of The Night Before Winter Break.

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 appointed Waukegan High School Junior, Van Weddle, as its newest Student Board Member on December 17.

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 voted this week to adopt a 2019 Tax Levy with the intention of keeping taxes level with 2018, while the District waits to hear if it has been selected for a Property Tax Relief Grant (PTRG) from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Special Recognitions and Presentations - The Board of Education presented a Resolution of Honor in recognition of former Waukegan High School special education teacher and administrator, Willie Duncan. Action Items - The Board of Education voted to approve the Operations Department’s reclassification and reorganization of select maintenance positions to improve efficiency and work distribution.

With first semester nearly over, it’s time to begin the course selection process for the 2020-2021 school year. Over the next several weeks, students will be actively involved in conversations with their teachers and counselors about their required and elective course options. We strongly recommend that parents get involved by talking with their students about their selection of courses and how it supports their post-secondary college and career goals.

Six Waukegan High School Program PLACCE students in Ms. Gina Villaruz’s class got into the spirit of the season a little early this year, when the class assembled 150 holiday locket charms to be sent to veterans during the holiday season. This marks the fifth year that students in Ms. Villaruz’s classes will take part in holiday tradition, which has been established with the assistance of former WHS custodian, Ms. Liz Lawrence. Students in the program created the holiday charms during their independent skills class time, which is generally used to hone individual life and employment skills.

Tis’ the season once again, as Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 student musicians prepare for their schools upcoming holiday concerts. Below is a full list of concerts and performances, detailing the time, date, and location of each show.

Carman-Bucnker Elementary School will host a Celebration in Life in honor of one of its namesakes on Saturday, December 14. The ceremony will celebrate the life, legacy and impact of Ms. Isabelle Buckner, a longtime Carman-Buckner principal, and will be held at the Helmholz Avenue school beginning at 11 a.m.

Students at North Elementary got an early dose of holiday cheer this week, when the school was gifted more than $17,000 worth of hands-on educational toys and winter apparel.

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 will host a series of community forums over the next several months to seek input from community members about the potential future use of the Lincoln Center building. The Sheridan Road Facility Redesign Committee, which is made up of parents, community members, students and staff is hosting a meeting each month between December and May to discuss space which may be opening up at Lincoln Center.

Special Recognitions and Presentations -The Board recognized Carman-Buckner Crossing Guard, Richard Baldwin for 43 years of service. Action Items -The Board of Education voted to approve all facility usage fees for LCCCA concert series dated November 24, 2019, January 18, 2020, March 14, 2020 and April 4, 2020. These events are held at Brookside Campus in the Trapp Auditorium. Total value of waiver is $6,277. -The Board of Education voted to approve a proposed contract extension for Transportation Services for Illinois Central School Bus for fiscal year 2020-2021, and authorize the Superintendent to sign associated contract extension documents. The cost of the contract is $8,641,601.

The Waukegan Community Unit District 60 Board of Education is looking for current WHS sophomores and juniors to apply for its soon-to-be open Student Board Member position for 2020.

Three Waukegan student musicians performed at the Illinois Music Education Association’s (IMEA) District Senior Festival last weekend at Grayslake North High School as part of the IMEA’s District 7 Music Festival. The students performing over the weekend make up three of the four Waukegan High School student musicians selected to participate in either the IMEA Jazz or Senior Festival concerts this month.