Maercker D60 News & Notes

August 20, 2025 - Tomorrow, Aug. 21 is the First Day of School!

First Day of School and Important Reminders

We cannot wait to welcome our students back to school tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 21! Here's to a wonderful year of learning and growing together.

A few reminders include:

  • The first day of school is a regular school day for all students.

  • Student schedules and bussing information is now available for families to view in Skyward Family Access.

  • If you need to request any type of change in transportation including bus stop locations, times, or other needs, you must communicate through the Transportation Change Request Form.

first day of school photos

Share your first day of school photos with us! There is a chance you will see your photos on our social media pages. Send us your photos to d60communications@maercker.org.

Welcome to New and Returning Staff

new teachers and staff

Last week, we were thrilled to welcome 15 new staff members to our team! Each of them brings unique educational experiences and a shared passion for supporting students. They are eager to begin their new roles in the district and make a positive difference in our students’ learning journeys.

All staff returned this week for our district-wide Institute Days. The past three days were spent connecting, learning and planning. And now, we're ready to welcome students!

To learn more about our new team members, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

2025-26 Transportation Information from First Student

Our transportation partner, First Student, is relaunching FirstView®, a real-time GPS vehicle tracking and student transportation monitoring platform.

With FirstView, parents and caregivers can download the secure, easy-to-use vehicle tracking mobile app that will allow you to stay easily connected with your student(s) daily trips.

Let’s get you started with FirstView! Get the Registration Guide in English or Spanish

Step 1: Download* the free, easy-to-use mobile app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices. Search for app name: FirstView 1.0 and register for a new account.

*Not all devices are compatible and must meet the minimum operating system requirements. Users from previous versions of FirstView will not migrate over and all users must create a new account.

Step 2: Set up your FirstView 1.0 mobile app profile. You’ll be asked to provide:

  • The 5-character District Code: N4X7W

  • Your student’s first and last name

  • Your student’s school of attendance

  • Your student’s assigned trips

Step 3: Add distance notifications to be alerted in the app or via push notification when the vehicle is close to your student’s stop location. To set this up in the app, click on Set Distance Notifications. You can edit or add additional distance notifications by clicking on the notification bell and selecting Notifications Settings.

Optional: Add yourself and/or other family members and caregivers as a notification recipient to receive email alerts. To set this up in the app, click on the notification bell and select Manage Recipients.

Step 4: Once you have added your student(s), set-up distance notifications, and signed up for email alerts, begin tracking your student’s daily trips on the map!

Contact Support for assistance with app-related questions or concerns:

  • Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST

  • In App: Click Contact Support

  • Email: support@myfirstview.com

  • Phone: (888) 889-8920 Toll Free / (513) 419-2921 Local

Expert Advice for Transition Grades

Is your Wildcat starting at a new school this year? Be sure to show them this great advice from students last year who wrapped up their time in transition grades to get the inside scoop on starting life at a new school in Maercker D60. Thanks again to all of our experts from last year who helped!

HCS Junior Board Application

The HCS Family Services Junior Board consists of high school students from the Western suburbs of Chicago that work together to spread awareness for HCS Family Services, volunteer at the pantries located in Hinsdale and Willowbrook, and plan/create fundraisers.

The Junior Board strives to strengthen their communities through volunteering and fundraising.

View the Application

HCS

SEEDS August Event - Aug. 21

Join SEEDS (Supporting Early Education in DuPage South) on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 6-7 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public LIbrary for an event focused on early learning literacy.

There will be a short presentation, interactive fun activities for children, and free food! The event is free and open to all families and is a great way to keep the energy going about literacy and reading.

SEEDS is a community-centered collaborative within the Bright and Early DuPage Foundation whose mission is to support families with young children by offering valuable resources, fostering connections, and hosting engaging events. Through monthly parent engagement sessions and developmental screenings, SEEDS equips parents and caregivers with tools to nurture healthy child development, strengthen family bonds, and build a brighter future for our youngest learners.

Seeds event

Join Our Team!

Maercker D60 isn't just a great place for students to begin their educational journey, it's also a great place to work!

We are always looking for substitute teachers, instructional assistants and recess supervisors to join our team for 2025-26.

Our mission is to foster a safe, inclusive community that empowers and inspires life-long curiosity for learning.environment. This can be seen throughout our schools as our talented staff go above and beyond on a daily basis.

Visit the Employment Page to learn more.

We are hiring


Browse Open Positions and Apply Today!

Don't forget to download the mobile app for Maercker D60!

With the app, you can access documents, events, news updates, and even emergency notifications.

  • Download for Android

  • Download for iPhone

Download the app