Monday, Oct. 13 is a non-attendance day!
Enjoy the long weekend.
Reminders and Updates
Need a picture retake?
Thursday, Oct. 16 is picture retake day at all schools.
We are looking for Instructional Assistants and Lunch/Recess Supervisors to join our team! Learn more and apply today
From the Superintendent: Attendance Trends and Reminders
D60 Families,
We recently passed the midpoint of the 1st trimester, and I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of strong school attendance. Every day our Wildcats arrive to school on time is a valuable opportunity for them to learn, grow, and connect with their teachers and classmates. Consistent on time attendance builds habits of responsibility, supports academic success, and fosters a sense of belonging within our school community.
At the mid-trimester mark, our district’s chronic absenteeism rate stands at 9.3%, very similar to this time last year. While this rate is stable, it reminds us that continued attention to attendance is essential. The not-so-encouraging news is that trend data from the past two school years shows that our chronic absenteeism rate typically increases as the year goes on. It would be great if this year, we reversed that trend.
Families play a key role in helping students build routines that make daily attendance a priority - by scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible, encouraging good sleep habits, and maintaining open communication with teachers and the school office when absences occur.
Together, we can ensure that every student benefits from the full learning experience our schools offer. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in helping our Wildcats show up, learn, and thrive every day.
Regards,
Dr. Nugent
Superintendent
Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos
Students at Westview Hills Middle School worked together during Hispanic Heritage Month to create a Frida Kahlo-inspired wings mural.
Each student was able to color a wing to contribute to the mural, which is currently on display at Westview and serving as a fantastic photo op!
Join us for a special Día de los Muertos event hosted by Maercker D60 BPAC at Holmes School. All families are welcome!
Date: Tuesday, October 28
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Holmes School
Visit the community ofrenda honoring and celebrating family and culture.
Enjoy craft stations for families and learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos, Celebrate culture, memory, and togetherness!
October is National Principals Month
Did you know that October is National Principals Month? Plus, here in Illinois, we celebrate principals with Principal Appreciation Week from Oct. 20-24 and even Principal Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 24. We love celebrating our incredible school leaders so we wanted to get started. First up is our longest-serving Principal, Dr. Allister Scott of Westview Hills Middle School!
Dr. Scott has been the principal at Westview for five years and says that he was interested in becoming a principal because he wanted to make an impact on more students and educators beyond what he was formerly doing as a high school science teacher.
“What gives me the most joy is that I feel like we have a small enough system that we can really make an impact on the lives of students and families while also supporting teachers,” said Dr. Scott. “I’ve always believed in the impact that education can have on students and I felt that being a middle school principal in a small environment is where I can make the most impact!”
He says he starts each day with a full lap of the building to say good morning to staff and students and that there is no predictable routine after that until the buses leave. He visits classrooms as much as possible and says that the job is largely centered around problem solving and supporting people. He tries to emulate a mentor who was the principal at his daughter’s school years ago.
“Something I took away from him is the ability to insert time into a situation so that things never felt rushed,” said Dr. Scott. “I know how hectic life as a principal can be, but he always made it feel calm and like he was really connected to the situation at hand and that made a real difference for my child so I try to do that for our families.”
50 Years of Westview Hills
All year long we will be celebrating the huge milestone of 50 years of Westview Hills!
We went back into the archives for a fun look back at the groundbreaking ceremony from back in 1973. Here's the full story:
Westview Hills middle school is now under construction. The new junior high school will serve as many as 600 students in grades six through eight within the Maercker school district 60
A committee appointed by the board of education chose the name of the school by incorporating the three areas the district serves, Westmont, Clarendon Hills, and Golfview Hills. The building will be located on 65th street, east of Cass avenue on a site of 13 and one half acres in the presently unincorporated area of Highview estates.
The $1.4 million proposal for the construction of the school was approved by voters of district 60 on April 7 of this year.
The school district includes much unincorporated area within its boundaries with extend from 55th street on the North to 67th street on the south, and Madison avenue on the east to Williams street on the west. There are 7,000 multiple family units which have been approved for construction within the district. However, according to Superintendent Howard Eilks, most of the units are one and two bedroom townhouses or condominiums and therefore, he estimates an increase of possibly 1,500 students.
The new building is designed on one level and will cover 55,846 square feet. The open classroom design will be used in the carpeted academic wing while the sound producing departments such as music, industrial arts, home economics and science lab will be in the opposite wing separated from the academic wing by the commons area. The flexible design of the commons area can be used for cafeteria, theater, small meetings, or as one large area when a moveable wall is opened between the gymnasium and commons area. The stage between, will be raised only two steps above the level of the gym.
The new junior high will incorporate the same kind of open classroom education now a part of the design and program at Holmes school, which Superintendent Eilks said he considers very successful.
The board of education of district 60 awarded 70 contracts in early November for the construction of the building. The completion date, according to superintendent Eilks will be December, 1974.
Maercker PTA Updates
The next Maercker PTA meeting is Thursday, Oct. 16 from 6:30-7:30 at Holmes Primary School!
Have you joined the PTA yet? Joining the PTA will allow you to stay informed and supports our efforts.
Your membership donation goes directly toward funding events and programs at all three schools. Membership does not mean you must attend meetings or volunteer if you can’t. Simply joining helps make a difference for your child and their school experience.
McDonalds McTeacher Night is Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Come see your teachers serve your orders or work the drive through window at McDonalds and support Maercker PTA! Any donation gets you warm apple pies!
Head to McDonalds in Westmont from 4-7 p.m to participate.
One of the most anticipated PTA Family Events is just around the corner!
Now on its second year, join us for a spooktacular celebration at the Maercker D60 PTA Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Sign up to decorate and enter the trunk contest (treats to distribute provided), bring donations to fill the 'PTA for the PRC' food drive trunk, have fun with games and activities.
Celebrate a Maercker D60 Staff Member with The Gold Standard
Has a member of the D60 team done something amazing? Tell us about 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.
Community Speaker Series 2025-26
The Community Speaker Series lineup for the 2025-2026 season has been announced! CSS is funded jointly by District 86 and District 181 and is supported by the D181 Foundation. The events are free and open to the public.
The first event is on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7:15 p.m. at Hinsdale Middle School: Ethan Kross, PhD - Shift: Managing Emotions So They Don’t Manage You.
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.
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.
