We are aware of recent social media discussions and news coverage regarding Lifetouch, the photography company that provides school photography services for our district. We understand that some families may have questions, and we want to assure you that we are taking this matter seriously. At this time, we are reviewing the situation and gathering information to ensure that any decisions we make reflect the best interests of our students and families. While this review is ongoing, we are postponing upcoming Lifetouch photography sessions and events across the district.

A Special Meeting with Closed and Open Session of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 112 at the Educational Service Center. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(16), the discussion will be held in Closed Session. The subject will be practices and procedures, or professional ethics, and the meeting will be conducted by a representative of the IASB. The closed session will also briefly cover personnel matters, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), and collective bargaining matters, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).

Like many school districts, we are navigating a changing financial landscape, including the expiration of federal ESSER funds, enrollment shifts, and rising operational costs. Fortunately, the district’s strong budgeting practices and responsible fiscal management, guided by the Board of Education and supported by the dedicated work of our finance team, have positioned us well to address these challenges. At the same time, we must continue to be thoughtful and proactive to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Lyon Magnet Elementary School is now accepting applications from parents seeking to enroll their children for the fall of 2026. The online application can be accessed here. The deadline to complete the application is April 24, 2026. Lyon currently has openings for students entering kindergarten, with limited openings for students entering grades 1-5. Students should already be registered with Waukegan Public Schools before completing an application for Lyon.

Our February Black Parent Network meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17, beginning at 6 p.m. This meeting will be hybrid, so families can participate in person in the Waukegan High School-Brookside Campus Library or virtually via Zoom. This month’s meeting will include updates from the African American Male Achievement Initiative (AAMI), a discussion on the creation of the BPN Scholarship, and the selection of the first topic for the BPN Leadership Parent University.

Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet with staff and students across our district as part of our Winter Listening Tour. I am now excited to invite families to join me as we continue this important work together. ​ These listening sessions are designed to provide an opportunity to share what is working well in our schools, where we can continue to grow, and how we can strengthen the climate and safety of our learning environments. Your voice matters, and I look forward to learning from your experiences and perspectives.

Twenty-seven Waukegan High School students were honored this week after being named 2026-20227 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Students were recognized during a special ceremony celebrating their outstanding academic achievement. The Illinois State Scholar designation is awarded annually to high-performing students across the state.

Waukegan High School’s Fine Arts Department will debut its production of "Mamma Mia!" musical February 19-21 in the Trapp Auditorium of the Waukegan High School-Brookside Campus. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21.

We are writing to follow up regarding the student-led activity that occurred on Friday at Waukegan High School, as well as related activity at at least one of our middle schools. We want to re-emphasize that the events on Friday were student-led. We understand that students chose to express themselves, and that day has now passed. At this time, we want to be very clear that any additional protests, walkouts, or similar activities that students may be discussing or planning are not sanctioned, approved, or supported by any school or by the district. Our expectation moving forward is that the school day remains focused on learning, safety, and normal operations.

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Board of Education will meet for its regular monthly micro meeting. The meeting will be conducted in open and closed sessions beginning at 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, 214 Washington Street. The open session will be held in the Board Room. The closed session will be in Room 112. The Board’s monthly Student Achievement and Operations Services committee meetings will follow the micro meeting at approximately 7 p.m. in the Board Room.

District 60 families, staff, and students have the opportunity to share feedback by participating in the 2025–26 statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey, which focuses on school climate and learning conditions. Teachers, students, and parents are encouraged to complete the research-based survey, which takes approximately 25 minutes, at any time before the survey window closes on March 13.

Waukegan Public Schools has begun to register incoming kindergarten students for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents of children who will turn 5 years old prior to September 1 can begin registering for the fall, depending on their current enrollments. See below for information on various timelines.

Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 invites families and community members to join us for our annual Black History Month Celebration this Thursday, February 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Genesee Theatre in downtown Waukegan. This year’s theme, A Century of Black History Month Commemorations, honors 100 years of Black History Month through student-created displays, cultural presentations, and special recognition of distinguished alumni.

Waukegan High School’s JROTC program will host its annual Valentine’s for Veterans event this Saturday to support and honor local veterans. Families are invited to attend this free craft event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, at the WHS–Washington Campus. Participants will have the opportunity to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards for veterans, with all supplies provided.

Throughout February, District 60 will honor Black History Month by recognizing the history, achievements, and lasting contributions of African Americans to our nation and to our community. Schools across the district will explore African American history, culture, and leaders through classroom lessons, student projects, performances, and special events. Families are encouraged to follow their school’s website and social media channels for updates on activities taking place throughout the month.

Waukegan Public Schools’ Bilingual and Multicultural Department, in partnership with the Bilingual Parents Advisory Committee (BPAC), invites families to attend the next session in our Academia 60 parent workshop series. Families are encouraged to join us for “Parenting with Love and Logic / Crianza con Amor y Lógica,” presented by guest speaker Psychotherapist, Dr. Sandra Gómez. The workshop will take place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

District 60 continues to accept Pre-K enrollment for the current school year and will host three EPIC Preschool walk-in registration events in February. These events will support families who would like help completing the enrollment process. The walk-in events will take place on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on February 10, 17, and 24 at the Lincoln Center, 1201 N. Sheridan Road.

Miguel Juarez Middle School Principal Nelson Campos has been named the Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding school leaders across the state. The news was shared with Mr. Campos in a surprise ceremony on January 27, when representatives from the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) visited Juarez to inform him of the recognition.

Waukegan Public Schools is now accepting early kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year for current District 60 preschool students who will be five years old by September 1. This will be the only opportunity for students currently enrolled in District 60 preschool programs to pre-register. Pre-registration will remain open through February 27.

All schools will be open tomorrow, Monday, January 26, and operating on their normal Monday schedules. While snow is expected to continue today and cold temperatures are forecast for tomorrow morning, our maintenance teams will be out early to ensure school buildings, walkways, and entrances are safe and ready for students and staff. We ask families to help ensure

A regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, and 6 p.m. for Closed Session. The meeting will be conducted in person in the Educational Service Center Board Room, 214 Washington Street. Closed Session will occur in Room 112.

Due to extreme cold weather, Waukegan Public Schools will observe an e-learning day on Friday, January 23. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills expected to reach as low as -35. For the safety of our students and staff, all in-person classes will be canceled. During the e-learning day, students will receive instruction virtually and should log in to Google Classroom at their regularly scheduled times to access lessons, assignments, and schedules

Waukegan Public Schools’ Bilingual and Multicultural Department, along with the Bilingual Parents Advisory Committee, will host an Academia 60 parent workshop focused on helping children succeed in school and in life. Families are invited to attend “Cómo criar a sus hijos para que tengan éxito en la escuela y en la vida / How to Raise Your Children to Succeed in School and in Life,” featuring guest speaker Sergio Negri, who will share practical strategies, encouragement, and insights to support students’ academic and personal growth.

A special workshop meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 6 p.m. for Open Session. The meeting will be conducted in the Educational Service Center Board Room, 214 Washington Street. The subject will be a review of employee separation procedures.

Cooke Magnet School is now accepting applications from families interested in enrolling their children for the 2026-2027 school year. The online application is available here, and the deadline to apply is March 1, 2026. Cooke is a fine arts–focused elementary school that offers an engaging curriculum centered on art, music, and science. Openings are currently available for students entering kindergarten, with limited availability for students entering grades 1–5. Enrollment is open to any kindergarten through fifth-grade student who resides within Waukegan Public Schools’ boundaries.

Waukegan High School’s U.S. Army JROTC Bulldogs Drill Team invites families and community members to support their program by attending the team's annual benefit luncheon on Saturday, January 24, at the Waukegan High School - Brookside Campus.

Parents are invited to participate in the next Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting on Thursday, January 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Waukegan High School – Brookside Campus Brett Theatre (2325 Brookside Avenue).

The Waukegan Community Unit School District’s Diverse Learner Department will host an online presentation next month, designed to provide DL families with an overview of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability. SSI is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides monthly cash payments to people aged 65 or older, or who are blind or have a disability, who have limited income and resources.

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Board of Education will meet for its regular monthly micro meeting. The meeting will be conducted in open and closed sessions beginning at 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, 214 Washington Street. The open session will be held in the Board Room. The closed session will be in Room 112. The Board’s monthly Student Achievement and Operations Services committee meetings will follow the micro meeting at approximately 7 p.m. in the Board Room.

State assessment season begins this month, and we want to inform you about the upcoming ACCESS testing for our English Learner (EL) students. ACCESS for English Learners is an annual state assessment that measures students' progress toward English proficiency and will begin mid-January.

Waukegan Community Unit School District #60’s annual district-wide celebration of Black History Month is back with an exciting new theme this year as part of this year’s centennial observance of Black History Month.

As we kick off the new year, we want to remind families about the Yeoman Creek Community Solar Farm program. More than 300 Waukegan families have already signed up, and interest continues to grow.

We invite you to join us for the Black Parent Network (BPN) Parent Night on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. as we come together to support the Waukegan High School vs. Warren Township Girls' Basketball Game at the WHS Dog Pound gym, 1011 Washington Street.

Waukegan Public Schools is partnering with the Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (FMPTIC) to offer a Special Education Virtual Educational Series for Families, an eight-session program designed to empower and support families of students with disabilities. This interactive series, which begins this month, will help families develop a deeper understanding of the special education process while fostering collaboration between home and school.

Waukegan Public Schools’ bilingual and multicultural department, along with the Bilingual Parents Advisory Committee (BPAC), will host a special Academia 60 parent workshop focused on supporting student success in school and in life.

Last week, the district publicly shared our 2025-2026 Beginning of the Year student achievement data, providing an early look at how our students are performing across literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. A recording of the presentation is available on our YouTube channel, and we are also sharing PDF copies of the presentation in both English and Spanish.

As we enter Winter Break, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our families, students, and staff for their continued dedication and support throughout the year. Your partnership and commitment are what make our schools strong, and we are truly grateful for all that you do.

The Board of Education approved school calendars for the next three academic years during its meeting last night. Sharing multiple years in advance helps families and staff plan ahead, and we appreciate everyone who contributed feedback throughout this process. The calendars include a few adjustments, such as slightly later start dates. As in recent years, Waukegan High School will continue to hold first-semester final exams prior to Winter Break. Linked below are the calendars for the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school years.

The next session in District 60’s Parent University series will take place on Thursday, December 11, and will focus on how families can support their children during an e-learning day prompted by inclement weather. This week’s session will guide families through what to expect during an e-learning day, how attendance and participation work, and what students and parents will need at home to be successful.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for school concerts, and Waukegan Public Schools students have several shows planned in the upcoming weeks to fill you with holiday cheer.

***THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A YET TO BE DETERMINED DATE*** A Special Meeting with Closed and Open Session of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 112 at the Educational Service Center. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (16), the discussion will be held in Closed Session. The subject will be self-evaluation, practices and procedures, or professional ethics, and the meeting will be conducted by a representative of the IASB. The meeting will begin in open session in the Board Room and then move to closed session in Room 112. The meeting will adjourn from Room 112. No action will be taken during the open session.