The December 2023 family newsletter is now live! Follow the links below to access your specific version: English Spanish Ukrainian Russian

Thank you to all the students who submitted designs for the  2023 Season’s Greeting Card Design Challenge. There were over 160 entries and the decision was not an easy one to make. We appreciate the efforts all students took to…

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on Thursday officially approved a contract with Advocate Medical Group for the operation of its school-based health clinic within the Community Service Center and Administrative Office. The board also approved four…

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on Thursday officially approved the process by which approximately $1.12 million will be transferred from the district’s educational fund to its debt service fund. The board previously authorized issuance of debt…

Community Consolidated School District 21 staff and administrators hosted a Family Voices event on Nov. 6, inviting parents in the district for an opportunity to increase student and family enrichment and provide thoughts on potential family learning programs. By sharing…

The November 2023 family newsletter is now live! Follow the links below to access your specific version: English Spanish Ukrainian Russian

Community Consolidated School District 21 offered an update on the formation of its transportation committee during the October meeting of its board of education, announcing the administrators who will serve as part of the committee. These include Dr. Joe Arduino,…

At least eight individuals will be tapped for an advisory board for Community Consolidated School District 21’s student-based health center, according to a discussion that took place during the October meeting of the board of education. That number could trend…

The students at Twain Elementary School got a special treat on October 30 when State Senator Julie Morrison participated in the Illinois Principals Association’s “Principal for a Day.” Twain Principal Alyssa Shapiro and school board members Arlen S. Gould and…

As the first trimester of middle school wound down, approximately 40 students were treated to a pizza lunch at CCSD21’s Administrative Building in exchange for their opinions on a variety of student-related topics. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council plays a…

Twain and Whitman Elementary School students who hold Medicaid or have no health insurance were given free medical care in October, compliments of Advocate Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile unit. Medical providers were on hand to provide…

London Middle School administration conducted a brief lockdown tonight after learning of police activity in the neighborhood. After investigating the situation, the Wheeling Police Department determined there was no active threat or safety concern for the broader school community and…

Cindy Gonzalez is a huge fan of the TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As a child, she watched the show regularly and shares much of the same philosophy as the famous host, including the knowledge that children are easily influenced…

  “Learning is all around us. It’s everywhere,” says Heather Popilek, fifth grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary School. “It’s not just within the four walls of my classroom. What we learn in school can be used outside the classroom and…

“I love that every class is unique and special in their own way. Each class feels like a family to me that has private moments that only we share,” said Colleen Conley, kindergarten teacher at Kilmer Elementary School.  Conley has…

  Since Gustavo Atempa was in the second grade, he’s been interpreting. English to Spanish and Spanish to English. Starting with his parents who immigrated from Mexico, Gustavo helped them fill out government and medical forms. He didn’t want them…

You might think it strange that Jaimie Kalinowski keeps nuts and seeds in her car. But this nature lover feeds the squirrels, birds, chipmunks and whatever wildlife comes her way each day. She even greets squirrels in the Riley Elementary…

It’s no surprise that Joyce Masciopinto only takes in rescue dogs. “I have a tendency to care for animals I find that have been abandoned by their mothers,” she states. “I have also sheltered birds, bunnies and even a baby…

Melanie Serevo became a teacher after she experienced first-hand the impact that teachers had on her and she wanted to give that same sense of success to other students who were struggling. “I felt like no one wanted to help…

For someone who describes himself as a closet nerd, Wheeling Police Officer Devin Ladesic is far from it. Raised by a single mother, Ladesic attended Whitman Elementary and Holmes Middle Schools. He exudes a youthful, fun spirit that will serve…

A move from Poland to the U.S. when Lukasz Czapla was 14 years old was the impetus for helping other students navigate the school environment. He and his family landed in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois where he didn’t know a word of…

Michael Essig does not have a New Jersey accent, despite originally hailing from the Garden State, as he and his family moved to Illinois when he was quite young. “I still have many relatives who have an accent and it’s…

Gabe Gyorgy is a custodian at Frost Elementary School whose booming and positive personality lights up the halls. His job keeps him going as he loves working with kids. He is also a part of the neighborhood, making him truly…

  Hi, my name is Sofia Horwitz and I’m a senior at Buffalo Grove High School. I just started as an intern this summer with Community Consolidated School District 21. I've always had a passion for reading and writing all…

Maggie Khayyata “Lights Up” (a song from Harry Styles' Fine Line album)  when talking about being able to see her favorite artist in concert. Besides her love for Harry there is so much more to know about her. Maggie attended…

  Joseph Eckert is one of four physical education teachers at Cooper Middle School and believes middle school P.E. is one of the most important classes students take. “Students learn social, cognitive and physical skills when they are doing athletic…

Meet Jasmine Rene, a current sophomore at Wheeling High School. She is the youngest of five older brothers and graduated from Mark Twain Elementary and Holmes Middle School. During her time at Twain a very memorable experience was her gym…

Since he was 2 years old, CCSD21 alumnus Henry Allan has been performing. His first depiction, Jon Bon Jovi – and he nailed it!  Since then, his life has been filled with creative endeavors: writing, directing, singing, composing, arranging and…

CCSD21 alumnus Noah Festenstein embraces life. Always has. “I like to take in new experiences, explore and embrace moments,” said Festenstein. As a child at Riley Elementary School, he participated in the homework club, which helped him do well in…