Latest news with #District60
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan schools centralizing all new-student services; ‘Now it's one-stop shopping'
Registering new students for school in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 became more convenient for the 2025-2026 term as all the services for new students are centralized in one location. Until now, families registering new students went to the Welcome Center on Greenwood Avenue in the northern part of the city to meet some of their needs and Lincoln Center, the former administrative building, to meet other requirements. With the opening of the Education Service Center at the northwest corner of Washington and Genesee streets in downtown Waukegan, the registration process and related activities — like testing and transportation — are in one place. 'Now it's one-stop shopping,' District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia said. 'This allows collaboration and support for not only staff members, but all stakeholders.' Members of the District 60 administration and staff are currently in the process of moving their offices and work stations to the Education Service Center in downtown Waukegan after a gut renovation of the former First Midwest Bank building. District 60 staff began moving into the building in early July. Nick Alatzakis, the district's communications director, said the process is ongoing and hopefully everyone will be in place by the first day of school on Aug. 11. Already operating on the first floor in its new home is the Welcome Center, Eric Christianson, the district's director of academic support programs, said services like registration, transportation, nutrition, English-learners, diverse learners and student outreach are in one spot. 'These are all the things which impact the registration process of a new student,' Christianson said. 'It's helpful to the families. We have ample free parking. Before we had one small lot. It's easily accessible to public transportation. We used to have to send some people to Lincoln Center to finish.' If a language other than English is spoken in the home, Alatzakis said the child must be tested to determine the youngster's proficiency in English. If they need remedial help, they are registered for it. Student outreach provides services for unhoused families. In the past, Christianson said registration and the related services were done on an unscheduled basis. People walked into the building and registered. There could be a long wait. Now appointments are made online or by phone, which eliminates long lines out the door. If people enter unscheduled, Christianson said they are accommodated around planned appointments. Everyone signs in on arrival electronically at the reception desk. 'This is a stressful situation,' Christianson said, 'Having everything here, we can minimize the stress and avoid sending people to multiple locations.' Families of District 60 students are not the only beneficiaries of the renovation and reopening of a vacant downtown midrise. Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said in a text Saturday that the move, 'is a fantastic opportunity that will undoubtedly attract more visitors to our vibrant downtown area.' 'This influx of people presents a unique chance for our small businesses to thrive as they draw in new customers,' he wrote. It ensures 'our community receives the support it deserves,' he added, referring to the ground floor Wraparound Center. Just over a year ago, the Wraparound Center — offering a variety of counselling and other services — opened on the lower level of the Education Service Center. It has a separate entrance with access to the facility. Occupying the mezzanine, which also has public access, are the human resources and payroll departments. Alatzakis said these departments can receive frequent visits from members of the district's staff. The upper floors are occupied by the administration and other departments. LeBaron Moten, the district's deputy superintendent for operational supports and programs, said the superintendent and her staff, the legal department, deputy, assistant and area superintendents are there, too. 'This is a more welcoming environment for families and our staff,' Moten said. 'It puts us near the College of Lake County, and (both) city and county services.' Most of the finance department and information technology will remain at Lincoln Center. Plascencia said the future of Lincoln Center's now-abundant unused space remains an open question. With the U.S. Department of Education in the process of being dismantled, there are a lot of unknowns in the educational world, she said. 'Due to the uncertainty coming from the current administration in Washington with changing executive orders, we are going to wait and see what direction the laws are going,' Plascencia said. 'We do not know about grants and other programs.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Olcott announces reelection bid
State Rep. Mike Olcott, R-Aledo, announced his intent for reelection this week. Olcott, who defeated Glenn Rogers in the 2024 MarchGOP primary, lauded his first legislative session of 'hard-fought wins for conservatives' and battles still on the horizon. 'Serving the people of District 60 is an honor I don't take lightly,' Olcott said. 'Voters sent me to deliver on the Republican Party platform, take on the Austin establishment, and follow through on the conservative priorities we campaigned on. This session, we stood our ground and made meaningful progress on several Republican priorities — but Texans didn't send us to Austin to do half the job.' Olcott noted some important victories, including cleaning up state voter rolls, prohibiting sexually explicit materials in schools, and banning foreign ownership of Texas land. 'But we also saw where the Austin swamp dug in its heels—and where we have to push harder,' he said. 'The people of this district deserve a strong conservative representative who doesn't fold under pressure. I'm running again to keep fighting for the conservative reforms I was sent to deliver.'
Chicago Tribune
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan High seniors share dreams at Celebration Day event; ‘I want to make Waukegan a better place'
Most of Waukegan High School's senior class took part in a celebration courtesy of District 60 that featured dancing, a picnic and games. Many of the teens embarking on adulthood have one thing in common — they plan to return to their hometown after their post-secondary schooling. They plan careers in law, education, healthcare and more, like Yami Montejano, who will attend National Louis University in the fall. Through a church group, Montejano said she got involved in environmental projects, keeping the community cleaner and dealing with pollution. Majoring in business, she sees providing affordable housing for the community as another goal. 'I want to build Section 8 housing for single parents with children,' Montejano said. 'My mom was a single parent. My dad was an alcoholic and died when I was 9. I want to make Waukegan a better place so people don't have to go through what we did.' Montejano was just one of the more than 700 seniors participating in the Senior Celebration Day on Monday on the Washington Campus in Waukegan, with dancing, a photo booth, a picnic lunch and games. Jahleel Shepherd, a college and career counselor at the high school, said that with the seniors ready to go to college, join the workforce or enlist in the military, Celebration Day is a chance for them to have a final opportunity to be with each other as a group. 'It's a celebration for Waukegan seniors to be together as they make important life choices,' Shepherd said. Approximately 80% will attend college, either at a two-year school like the College of Lake County or a four-year university, Shepherd said. Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham is a Waukegan High graduate who returned to his hometown after college. He established an insurance business, spent 18 years as an alderman, four as mayor and is starting another four-year term. He was pleased to hear about those wishing to return home. 'This is part of rebuilding Waukegan,' he said. 'Our young men and young women who want to return home are looking for a different Waukegan. This is what I and other leaders are preparing our city for. They want to pay it forward.' Victor Hinojosa was a two-term student member of the District 60 Board of Education and active in other political organizations, both locally and nationally. He is headed to the University of Chicago to study public administration and political science before going to law school. 'I'm going to do something in public service and activism to serve my community,' Hinojosa said of his life after college and law school. 'Waukegan is my home, and the place where I want to make a difference.' Another future lawyer is Ja'Cara Smith. She will attend Alabama A&M University, where she will study criminal justice first before going to law school. She has not decided on a home after her schooling. Lamero Ceaser, a member of the football and wrestling teams, is heading to Augustana University. He also plans a career in law as a family and criminal law attorney, probably as a prosecutor. He, too, plans to practice in Waukegan. 'I want to be an advocate for people who need justice,' he said. Angeline Flores plans to study nursing at CLC. She plans to get a job in Waukegan or nearby. She said it will allow her to be close to family. Nursing will allow her to 'help people,' she said. Adriana Franklin is already teaching preschool at the CLC Tech Campus. She is going to Illinois State University after graduation to earn her degree in the subject before returning to Waukegan to teach young children. 'Every child should start school at 3,' Franklin said. 'They learn so much between 3 and 5. I see it every day. They will have a hard time catching up if they don't.' Not everyone is going to college, and some will venture far from home. Jefferson Perez and Josue Montoya will be U.S. Marines on May 26, 10 days after they graduate high school. Their reason is similar to their other classmates' choices. 'I want to help my country and everyone in it,' Perez said.
Chicago Tribune
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan library honors students and their artwork; ‘There is really amazing creativity and originality'
Emma Garza is a fifth grader at Clearview Elementary School in Waukegan who sees herself as both ferocious and sweet. Her entry in the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Elementary School Art Show reflected that. Made with pipe cleaners, foil, beads, hard candies and other materials on a small aluminum pan backing, Emma pointed to each element of her entry in the show, describing what it was and how it fit her personality. 'On the top is a lady lion,' she said Monday at a reception for those selected to be in the show. 'On the bottom is a butterfly. It reminds me of me because sometimes I can be ferocious, and sometimes I can be sweet.' Emma's creation was one of more than 250 art projects selected over the school year by District 60 elementary school art teachers that were displayed throughout April at the Waukegan Public Library. Lori Masimo, the district's K-12 fine arts coordinator, said elementary school art teachers watch throughout the year for student art they want to put in the show. In March, they start to assemble the creations targeted for display. All participants received a certificate. 'They put them in a folder and provide a reason for (not letting) the student take it home,' Masino said. 'This goes on all year. Sometimes, it tells a story.' Tiffany Verzani, the library's executive director, said the library is happy to provide a gallery for student art. It is displayed in a variety of locations on the main floor. People regularly stop to gaze at the display. 'The library is thrilled to be a location for the schools' artists,' Verzani said. 'There is really amazing creativity and originality. It shows the dedication of the teachers. We have murals outside. We are part of the arts community in Waukegan. It is all inspiring for library visitors.' Emma smiled as she described herself in her artwork. Her mother, Eliza Busanet, said she agreed with her daughter's self-assessment. She shows her ferocity when necessary, and is enjoyable to be around. 'She is fierce because she defends herself and her family,' Busanet said. 'She's gentle. She's mama's girl. She follows me around.' Tarah Alley, an art teacher at Greenwood Elementary School, said a variety of elements go into selecting show entrants. Craftsmanship is part of the decision-making, and so does the messages the students give in their art. 'Art is a mirror reflection,' Alley said. 'We're also looking for growth. We want to celebrate that.' As an art teacher at Clearview, Frances Fremault said she likes to watch youngsters grow as artists and people. She has taught some as kindergartners, and now sees the creativity they show by the time they get to fifth grade. 'Every year I see their growth, and I'm always amazed,' Fremault said. Alexa Leon, a third-grade student at Clearview, said she 'put a lot of fluffy stuff' into her montage, as well as material representing hair. She was proud of the big eye in the middle. Kaleb Valladares, a Glen Flora Elementary School third-grade student, said he likes dragons and made images relating to them a centerpiece of his artwork. 'That's a dragon's eye,' he said, pointing to it. 'I like reptiles, and dragons are reptiles.'
Chicago Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan school board to promote culture and traditions; ‘When students have a sense of belonging … they do better'
Seeking her seat on the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education two years ago, Christine Lensing did a lot of listening on the campaign trail. She said she heard community members talking about the safety, climate and culture of the city's public schools. Growing as a board member, Lensing continued to sense something was lacking in the overall atmosphere in the schools, which hindered the students from achieving their full potential. She talked about it at the March 11 meeting. Shortly afterward, she accepted a challenge. 'We had discussions on climate and culture, but I did not see the necessary things being done,' she said. 'I talked to the board president (Brandon Ewing) and he told me to write a resolution so we could all talk about it. I did.' The District 60 Board unanimously approved the Lensing-authored 'Resolution Regarding the Significance of School Culture, Climate and Traditions' Tuesday at the Lincoln Center administration building in Waukegan, giving the administration guidance on how to put it into effect. 'This is something that had been happening and we had been hearing in the community, things in the tradition and history they wanted to see preserved in the Waukegan public schools,' Ewing said. 'This memorializes what is the hope and will of the board.' Delving into the individual treatment of school community members, their safety, old and new traditions, student self-expression, the need to belong, inclusion, celebration of achievements with the community and more, the resolution gives the administration direction. 'This will help meet the needs of our community,' Lensing said after the meeting. 'This is about issues (some) people have with safety, with climate, and culture of our schools. We need the entire community to come together.' Superintendent Theresa Plascencia said after the meeting that much of what is contained in the resolution is already in place. She and her administration will closely monitor evolving situations. Culture and climate impact student performance, she said. 'We know when students have a sense of belonging in school and in (its) curriculum, they do better academically,' Plascencia said. 'A lot of this is already present. We have to ensure people are respected and supported in our environment. It's a top priority.' Going beyond respect and support, the resolution said belonging is a 'fundamental human need' which brings 'reduced anxiety, lower risk of chronic illnesses, mental health, better academic performance, intrinsic motivation (and) enhanced safety.' Preserving school traditions is important, according to the resolution, by 'reinforcing a sense of belonging, shared identity and value and creating a sense of continuity through shared experiences and rituals.' Specifically, the resolution requires honoring longstanding traditions while supporting, 'thoughtful creation of new traditions' aligning with District 60's mission. Professional development will be provided to enhance culture and climate. Student voices must be heard. Self-expression of students is also encouraged in part by, 'finding creative ways to share their authentic selves in the arts, to include but not limited to music, dance, drama and art in order to promote a sense of belonging and a welcoming school environment,' according to the resolution. Plascencia said making students, teachers and staff safe, and other stakeholders comfortable, remains a high priority. 'We want to ensure our stakeholders know and feel that they belong to our school community,' she said. 'Hopefully they will remain in our community and mentor our future students. 'We want there to be pride with how each student identifies with their school either as a Jaguar (John R. Lewis Middle School), a Bulldog (the high school) or a 39er (Jack Benny Middle School),' Plascencia said.
