There was so much excitement in the D60 community last week as our Wildcats returned to school and jumped right into their learning! Thank you to all of our families who play such an important role in the smooth day-to-day life of our schools for everything you do to get students to school on time, well rested, and ready to learn.
The 2025-26 school year is off to a strong start and we will all continue to work together to make it the best year possible for each and every one of our students!
Early Dismissal Wednesdays
As we get into the school year, you will notice that we are providing reminders for the first few weeks about Early Dismissal days on Wednesdays. This is a great way for our staff to have additional time to prepare and grow in their work. Each school is dismissed one hour early on Wednesdays and the reminders will only happen for the next few weeks as we all get into the rhythm of the school year.
Board of Education Meeting This Week
The Maercker D60 Board of Education will be holding its rescheduled meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 is a Non-Attendance Day
All Maercker D60 schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1.
School Picture Day - Thursday, Sept. 4
All three schools will be taking school photos on Thursday, Sept. 4. Watch for more information coming home from schools.
Even just a week into the school year, you may have already had an experience with a staff member that made you feel great and we want you to share it!
We make it easy for members of our community to recognize and celebrate the incredible teachers and support staff that make Maercker D60 a safe, inclusive community that empowers and inspires life-long curiosity for learning.
The Gold Standard is a way to show your appreciation and pride in members of our staff. Anyone in our community can submit a recognition for staff members which sends an instant message of appreciation to the staff member.
The Department of Teaching & Learning oversees all curriculum, assessment, and instruction across the district including the assessment of student learning.
The Assessment Plan in D60 incorporates multiple approaches, methods, and formats of assessments which serve several purposes:
Identifying learner strengths and diagnosing areas for improvement
Evaluating the effectiveness and relevance of curriculum and instructional practice
Establishing goals for individual students and school improvement
Communicating student achievement and growth to stakeholders
The 2025-26 Assessment Calendar is available on the Teaching and Learning webpage and outlines the plans for assessment throughout the school year.
During our August Institute Opening Day, we took some time to recognize staff members who have reached personal and professional milestones.
We are excited to celebrate the following achievements with our team:
Earned Tenure: Amy Deang and Danielle Ramos
Earned Master's Degrees: Arlene Lopez, Kamila Orbzut, and Danielle Ramos
15 Years of Service: Robyn Atkinson, Sandra Nessinger, and Sean Nugent
20 Years of Service: Sandy Henricksen, Ellen Hopkins, Karen Moffett, Jill Ryan, and Josh Vance
25 Years of Service: Marti Wolford, Rebecca Merrill, and Caroline Williamson
30 Years of Service: Rosemary Ganski and Sondra LaPointe
Check out our social media channels for a closer look!
The Maercker PTA is in the middle of their annual membership drive! If you join the PTA, you can enjoy all the fun and receive a special PTA bag. Plus, anyone who joins now will be entered into a raffle for a Trader Joe’s bag filled with goodies.
The Spirit Wear Store is open now and will be closing on August 31st. Get your orders in now!
The first PTA meeting of the year is coming up on Thursday, Sept. 18 at Westview HIlls Middle School.
Anyone can join in-person or virtually!
Do you love bringing people together and supporting D60 schools? This role is fun, flexible, and full of support—you don’t have to do it all alone!
What you’ll get to do:
✨ Organize fun restaurant nights
✨ Help with spirit wear
✨ Oversee seasonal fundraisers
✨ Team up on the big spring auction
Last year, fundraising efforts generated $28,000, which was reinvested directly into student programs. This isn’t a solo job—you’ll always have volunteers and the PTA board by your side. Plus, you can bring in your creative ideas!
Want to learn more (no pressure)? Please email Samira at president@maerckerpta.org
Join the Tri-State Fire District for an up-close look at how local public safety teams serve the community. Meet your Willowbrook Police Officers and Tri-State Fire District First Responders, check out emergency vehicles, tour the station, and learn more about safety services and programs that help keep our neighborhoods safe.
The event will feature:
Touch a Truck
Local Police Departments
Tri-State Fire Protection
Local Vendors
Local Utility Companies
Dispatch Centers
Chick-fil-A
and More
Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Willowbrook Police Department
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.
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.
