During the last few weeks we have hosted several food distribution events at our schools to feed our children while schools are closed. These events have served thousands of meals, and the need to continue these events is evident.

Waukegan Public Schools has just been advised that a staff member at our Lincoln Center administrative office tested positive for COVID-19 during the ongoing District closure. Our District is communicating and coordinating necessary responses with the appropriate health officials.

On Monday of this week, our District hosted food distribution events at five schools that were met with an unprecedented response from our families. To meet this need, we will again be opening some of our schools this week to distribute much-needed meals to our families.

Waukegan Public Schools has prepared the following questions and answers to share with its families, staff members and interested community members drawing from individual inquiries received to date. Please note that any of the answers provided may change at any time based on subsequent public health events and local, state, and federal guidance or orders. We will be updating this document periodically.

Following Governor Pritzker announcement today, we wanted to provide a brief update detailing how the State’s “Stay at Home Order” will affect the District in the coming days.

It has been a difficult time for everyone these last few days, as we adjust to an unprecedented set of circumstances. While much of our recent focus has been on how to best protect the physical health of ourselves and others, it is just as important that we are all talking about and taking steps to ensure we maintain our mental health, and that of our children. With this message, we hope to share valuable information from our District’s mental health professionals that will help parents guide their children through these unfamiliar circumstances.

It has been a difficult time for everyone these last few days, as we adjust to an unprecedented set of circumstances. While much of our recent focus has been on how to best protect the physical health of ourselves and others, it is just as important that we are all talking about and taking steps to ensure we maintain our mental health. Below we are sharing valuable information from our District’s mental health professionals to assist staff through these unfamiliar circumstances. You will also find information on how to access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at any time.

In response to the rapidly-shifting COVID-19 pandemic, Waukegan Public Schools is taking additional cautionary measures to help ensure the safety of our students, staff and community at large. There are several important changes that we want to bring to the attention of parents, students and staff members:

Superintendent Plascencia released a special message today regarding the Coronavirus and school closures.

We know our families and staff have a lot of questions about the recent mandated closings. In an effort to answer some of these questions, we are creating a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link on our website. Use the attached form to submit your questions

On Friday we announced that all Waukegan Public Schools will be closed during the week of March 16 as a precaution to protect against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We will remain closed the week of March 23 as well, which is pre-planned Spring Break. Following our announcement, Governor Pritzker mandated a two week closure of all schools in Illinois. Waukegan schools are currently scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, March 31 per the Governor’s mandate.

After careful consideration, a decision has been made to close all Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 schools beginning Monday, March 16, in order to best protect the health and wellness of all students and staff. All schools will remain closed through our Spring Break, and we plan to reopen on Monday, March 30.

We are writing again today to share our District’s latest updates regarding the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We know there has been a lot of information to digest during the last 24 hours, and our district has continually been monitoring updates, and guidance from health officials.

Applications are now available for parents wishing to enroll their children in Waukegan’s Andrew Cooke Magnet School for the Fine Arts and Sciences in the fall.

As you may be aware by now, earlier today the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) confirmed the first case of a Lake County resident testing positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The individual is a male in his 50s, whom the LCHD reports is from the southern portion of our county.

Even after more than 100 years, Waukegan High School’s JROTC program is still setting new program milestones. Following a formal JROTC Program of Accreditation (JPA) inspection last month, Waukegan’s nationally ranked program learned it had been designated as an “Honor Unit with Gold Star Distinction,” which is the highest standing a JROTC Program can receive. The program earned a score of 98.5 out of a possible 100, which is the highest any squad has received in the program’s 103-year history.

Waukegan Public Schools is monitoring the health advisories related to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The latest news and advice concerning COVID-19 can change rapidly. We are continuing to take direction from, and rely on the advice of health professionals from various organizations, including the Lake County Health Department (LCHD), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Four Waukegan Elementary Schools have been selected to receive Fuel Up to Play 60 breakfast grants. Students and staff at Clark, Hyde Park, Whittier and Cooke Magnet elementary schools learned last month their schools had been selected as recipients of the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) Breakfast Opportunity Grant.

Land owned by Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 may soon be home to one of the largest community solar fields in Illinois, as part of a project that could potentially save residents money on their electric bills, while generating lease revenue for District 60.

The Waukegan High School music department will host its Early Spring Concert Series on March 10 - 13. Below are dates and times for the student shows. Most concerts are free and all are open to the public.

Dear Waukegan Families, This week you likely heard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued additional warnings regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). As a school district we have been monitoring the spread of the virus, and we remain connected to federal, state, and local agencies to gather critical information about its spread and its potential impact.

Dear Waukegan Community, I am writing today to express my disappointment related to the string of threats made toward our schools on social media in recent days.

Special Presentations -Representatives from Waukegan to College and Lake County United gave a presentation about the need for a school-based health clinic. -Representatives from the United Way of Lake County detailed some of the successes the organization has had with Waukegan Public Schools during the last decade.

Cooke Magnet School fifth grader London Jones will join the top spellers from throughout the county when she competes in the Lake County Final Spelling Bee at the College of Lake County on March 10.

Waukegan families are invited to join in the celebration of African-American history and culture during the District's second annual Black History Celebration. The event will take place on February 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Juarez Middle School, 201 N Butrick Street.

This Friday Waukegan High School's Theatre Department will debut its production of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This classic comedic play tells the tale of four young Athenian lovers, and a group of six amateur actors, who encounter a group of mischievous fairies traveling through the forest.

Carman-Buckner Elementary School will host a Lake County Sectional Spelling Bee event on Thursday, February 20. Students from Waukegan-area elementary and middle schools will compete for an opportunity to compete at the Lake County Spelling Bee Finals next month.

The Board of Education for Waukegan Public Schools is in the process of evaluating its Student Appearance Policy, 6010. This policy includes language about school dress uniforms and general student appearance. School dress uniforms reference the uniform color combinations most elementary and middle school students in Waukegan are required to wear to school. As the Board reviews its policies, we are asking for input from parents, students and staff about dress uniforms.

This week the Board of Education approved calendars for the next three school years. The approved calendars cover years 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. These schedules were created by our calendar committee, which consisted of more than 20 individuals from throughout the District. The calendars were also shared with parents, staff and students in draft form prior to approval, so that we may receive feedback. We want to thank the more than 1,600 individuals who took time to complete our calendar survey.

The fall registration period for enrollment in Lyon Magnet School has begun. Enrollment is open to all WPS students living within the district's attendance boundaries. Families interested in enrolling in Lyon Magnet are required to submit an application, which can be found at the school, or can be downloaded here.

Mr. Edgar Castellanos has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 Board of Education. Mr. Castellanos was appointed during the February 11 Board Meeting to replace Mr. Michael Rodriguez, who resigned last month.

Special Recognitions -The Board of Education presented a Resolution of Honor in recognition of former Board Member, Mr. Michael Rodriguez, who stepped away from the Board in January after 13 years of service.

The winter session of District 60’s STEPS (English As A Second Language For Parents) Classes will begin February 10. These English classes are free for all Waukegan parents, and will be held every Monday and Wednesday at Washington Elementary School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. No prior registration is required, and enrollment for these classes will be ongoing.

For the second year in a row, Waukegan High School senior bowler Diego Cortez has earned All-State honors. Diego placed 9th at the IHSA State Bowling Finals on January 31 and February 1.

Waukegan families are invited to join in the celebration of African-American history and culture during the District's second annual Black History Celebration. The event will take place on February 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Juarez Middle School, 201 N Butrick Street.

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 will host Special Board Meetings on February 4 and February 5, 2020 for the purpose of interviewing candidates to fill the vacancy on the Board. Interviews will be held in Closed Session. The meeting on February 4 will begin at 6 p.m. The meeting on February 5 will begin at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Room 120 at Lincoln Center. No formal action will be taken at these meetings.

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 officially swore in Waukegan High School Junior, Van Weddle, as its newest Student Board Member on January 28.

Special Presentations - Waukegan High School Junior, Van Weddle was officially sworn in as the newest Student Board Member. Van will serve as a non-voting member until January 2021. -District staff and representatives of the Sheriff’s Office gave a presentation about a new Youth Mentoring Partnership program launching next month.

The annual Great Waukegan Pink-Out pep rally, basketball games, and related events are back again this year. The 10th annual Pink Out festivities kick off this Saturday, February 1, where the Waukegan High School boys’ and girls' basketball teams will all take on Mundelein High School at the WHS-Washington Campus.

Waukegan High School’s Brookside Campus will reopen tomorrow, January 28, following today’s nearby water main break.

As a result of a large water main break adjacent to the Brookside Campus, the school is dismissing early today. Water flow from the water main break has inundated the rear parking lot at the school, and it threatens to interrupt the school day. As a precaution, all students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

With December now upon us, and extreme winter weather soon to follow, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind everyone of cold weather policies governing Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60.

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.

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.