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.

A regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 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.

Waukegan High School seniors Yasir Espinoza and Javier Granda have earned full four-year scholarships through the QuestBridge National College Match program, a national college access program that partners with leading colleges and universities to offer full scholarships to outstanding students. Yasir matched with Northwestern University, and Javier matched with Princeton University, securing early admission and full scholarships that cover the entire cost of attendance.

Waukegan Public Schools will host a free meal distribution event for families to kick off Winter Break on Friday, December 19 at the Waukegan High School - Brookside Campus, 2325 Brookside Avenue. Meals will be available between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Families may pick up food by driving up to door 25, which is located at the back of the Brookside Campus. Families will be asked to stay in their cars, and students are not required to be present to pick up meals.

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.

A Special Meeting with Closed and Open Session of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. On December 9, 2025, 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 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’s K-8 theater program, the Waukegan Performing Arts Company (WAUK-PAC) is holding auditions for its upcoming production of Mary Poppins Jr. later this month. Auditions will be held on Thursday, December 18, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Cooke Magnet School, 522 Belvidere Road. All K-8 students are welcome to audition.

We want to provide an update following this afternoon’s plumbing issue. Our maintenance and operations teams worked quickly to identify the issue, address the plumbing problem, and begin cleanup throughout the building.

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.

Winter has arrived more intensely than in past years, as we have already experienced several rounds of harsh weather. As we move further into the season, we would like to remind families of our district’s cold-weather policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Sudden temperature drops and snow can create challenging conditions, and it is essential that families are aware of what to expect as we navigate the months ahead.

Waukegan High School’s Washington/AOEC Campus Assistant Principal, Ms. Sheonta Myers, has been named the recipient of the Illinois Principals Association’s “Reaching Out and Building Bridges Award”, recognizing her as one of Lake County’s standout educational leaders.

The meeting has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a future date.

s Thanksgiving approaches, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to each of you. This season always reminds me how fortunate I am to serve as Superintendent of such a caring and resilient community. What stands out most every year is the way our families, staff, and students support one another. That sense of unity is the heart of our District, and it shines through in everyday moments that make our schools special.

At last week’s Board of Education meeting, we shared an important overview of our students’ performance on this year’s state assessments. Many of these themes are connected to the Illinois Report Card data we released last month, but this presentation provides a more detailed look at how our students are progressing academically. You can view a video of the presentation here. We are encouraged by the continued progress across our district.

***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.