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  • Health Guidance for Going to School

    Dear Parents, Happy New Year! With January here and cold and flu season in full swing, we’ve put together some simple guidelines to help you decide when it’s best to send your child to school or keep them home. Please take a moment to review the attached information. Thank you for being such an important part of keeping our school community healthy!

    Monday, Jan 06 2025

  • Join First Student for the Stuff the Bus Toy & Winte...

    Dear CCSD21 community, This holiday season, let’s come together to bring joy and warmth to children in need! We’re excited to announce that our transportation provider, First Student, will be hosting a Stuff the Bus Toy & Winter Drive. 🚌 When : Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 📍 Where : 200 Shepard Ave., Wheeling, IL Event Highlights: 🎅 Meet Santa and take some photos! 🎁 Drop off new, unwrapped toys, coats, and warm winter items for foster children Your donations will help brighten the holidays and provide much-needed warmth for foster children in our community. Together, we can make a difference! Thank you for spreading kindness this season. We look forward to seeing you on December 14!

    Monday, Dec 09 2024

  • 2024 Winter Weather Procedures

    Dear Community Consolidated School District 21  Families and Staff: As we enter the winter months, Community Consolidated School District 21 (“CCSD21”) would like to share our procedures for severe weather and update you on some of the factors that contribute to calling an emergency weather day, including when you can expect to be notified. CCSD21 makes every effort to keep our schools open; however, sometimes circumstances beyond our control (including severe weather) dictate that we close. Over the course of the past several years, we have engaged in collaborative discussions with Township High School District 214 as well as our neighboring districts and are committed to a process that ensures decisions are made wisely and in a timely fashion regarding the safety and well-being of our entire school community.   CCSD21 refers to the National Weather Service ( www.weather.gov ) to monitor the weather and will follow these general guidelines in connection with winter weather:   Wind Chill If there is a forecasted sustained wind chill of -30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder OR if the actual temperature is a sustained -15 degrees Fahrenheit or colder from the travel times of  5:30 AM - 9:00 AM and/or 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM : School is closed; and  All extracurricular programs, field trips and school meetings (except for Board of Education meetings) are canceled.  Transportation When snow, ice or other weather-related winter circumstances impact travel, CCSD21 will monitor conditions from the travel times of  5:30 AM - 9:00 AM and/or 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM  to make an appropriate decision. The following considerations will be weighed:  The ability for local municipalities to plow and make streets passable; The ability of our staff to plow parking lots and sidewalks; The ability of First Student to safely run buses; and Discussions with our neighboring districts, our local and state officials, and meteorologists in order to make the most appropriate decision with the facts known at that respective time.  Students Outside the District If your student attends a school outside the CCSD21 District (for example: North Cook Young Adult Academy) or due to an IEP, transportation will be canceled to that school if CCSD21 schools are canceled.  E-Learning In the event of an emergency weather day where travel is deemed hazardous, it is our intention to have an E-Learning Day in its place. Students will engage in learning from home or virtually on an inclement weather day to maintain continuity of learning. An E-Learning Day is a full day of learning. Therefore, the emergency day would not need to be made up at the end of the school year. E-Learning days may only be used when students have the ability to engage in remote learning. Therefore, emergencies such as large-scale power outages would not qualify for an E-Learning Day. Communication If school is closed: CCSD21 will send a  notification by 5:30 AM the day of the closing , knowing that you may need to arrange for childcare or other accommodations. If we are able to make the determination to close school the night before – meaning the forecast undoubtedly warrants closure – we will attempt to notify you from  6:00 PM - 9:30 PM .  (Typically, we do not send out a telephone ParentSquare notice after 9:30 PM as the system can sometimes take up to an hour to complete all calls.) However, in the event the decision to close school is made after 9:30 PM, the district will wait and send out a telephone notice by 5:30 AM the following morning.  CCSD21 uses a platform called ParentSquare to communicate with our families. All families and staff will receive calls, texts and email, but in order to interact on a more personal level, we suggest you create a ParentSquare account. To do so, please click  here  and follow the instructions.  Additionally, the district will update its website, social media accounts, and the Emergency Closing Center website ( emergencyclosingcenter.com ) as soon as a decision has been made. For real-time, official information regarding school closures, please follow us on Facebook ( facebook.com/ccsd21 ), and visit our website ( ccsd21.org ).  Finally, it is important to remind you that Illinois School Code and district policy allows parents to keep their child home from school if they deem the weather too hazardous, even if the district keeps schools open. As a parent or guardian, you have the final decision concerning your child and their safely traveling to or from school. As always, the safety and security of our students and staff remains a top priority of CCSD21, our high school district, and our community. Sincerely, Dr. Michael Connolly Superintendent

    Friday, Nov 01 2024

  • CCSD21 School Report Card

    Each year in October, the Illinois State Board of Education releases the Illinois School Report Card which provides school and district demographic information, finances, and student growth and achievement.  Each school in the state is given one of four Summative Designations. Illinois has four annual summative designations: Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted, and Comprehensive. Exemplary recognizes the highest performing 10 percent of schools. Comprehensive identifies the lowest performing 5 percent of schools. Targeted identifies schools whose performance is overall above the lowest performing 5 percent of schools but that have one or more individual student groups whose performance is on par with the lowest performing 5 percent of schools. All other schools receive a Commendable designation. Our schools’ summative designations are evidence of the incredibly hard work that our students, faculty and staff, and families have done to support quality education. The summative designation for 2023-2024 is as follows:  COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL Commendable HOLMES MIDDLE SCHOOL Commendable LONDON MIDDLE SCHOOL Commendable FIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable FROST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable KILMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable POE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable TARKINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable TWAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable WHITMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Commendable Please visit  www.illinoisreportcard.com  or  https://ccsd21.org/state-report-cards/   to view each school’s full School Report Card.

    Wednesday, Oct 30 2024

  • Introducing the Season's Greetings Holiday Card Desi...

    The holidays are a time of joy, reflection and celebration, and in District 21, we want to showcase the diversity of holiday traditions across the globe! We invite all students to take part in this year’s Season’s Greetings Holiday Card Design Challenge, themed “Holidays Around the World!” This challenge is an opportunity to creatively express the beauty of global traditions, honoring the many ways people come together during the holiday season. Your artwork could become the face of this year’s official holiday card for the district! We’re excited to see your interpretations of the theme, and can’t wait to celebrate the holidays through your creativity and artistic talent. Submission Deadline :  November 6, 2024, at 5 p.m. CST Eligibility : Open to all students of District 21 Only one entry per student is allowed Design Guidelines : Incorporate Global Holiday Traditions : Your design must reflect the theme of “Holidays Around the World.” Choose any holiday from any culture or country. Original Artwork Only : All designs must be original and created by the student. No traced or pre-designed elements. Medium : You may use traditional mediums (paint, colored pencils or markers) or digital tools. Please make sure your submission is no larger than 5” x 7”. Digital designs should be submitted as a high-resolution JPEG, PDF or PNG file. Cultural Sensitivity : Respect all cultures, traditions and holidays in your design. Avoid stereotypes or misrepresentations. How to Submit : Physical submissions: Drop off your artwork at the District 21 Community Service Center and Administrative Office by 5 p.m. CST on November 6, 2024. Digital submissions: Email your artwork to  comms@ccsd21.org  with the subject line “Holiday Card Submission – [Name].” Include the student’s first and last name, along with school and grade level. Our top six entries will be featured as the official District 21 season’s greetings card! Important Notes : By submitting your design, you agree to let District 21 use it in promotional materials and official holiday cards All artwork must be appropriate for all ages and reflect the values of inclusivity and celebration

    Wednesday, Oct 16 2024

  • Don’t Miss Our Trunk or Treat on October 26!

    Dear District 21 families, Get ready for a spook-tacular time at our inaugural Trunk or Treat event – generously sponsored by First Student – on Saturday, October 26! Join us from 2 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of London Middle School (1001 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling) for a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween, with decorated trunks and plenty of treats. We are also excited to announce that First Student, our transportation partner, will be bringing a “haunted bus” to add to the thrills!  While the event is open to all, only school clubs, PTOs, other school-based initiatives and local organizations (such as park districts, libraries, etc.) can sign up to host a trunk or table. If your group would like to participate (for free!), please register by scanning the QR code below or visiting  this link . Note: Please register by Friday, October 18. We look forward to seeing you there for a hauntingly good time! [Friday, Oct 25 at 3:25 PM] Just a reminder! Trunk or Treat is happening tomorrow afternoon—come join us for a fun-filled event with decorated trunks, treats, and a special 'haunted bus' by First Student! We can’t wait to see you there!

    Friday, Oct 11 2024

  • Welcome back from the Food Service Department!

    Dear families, We are thrilled to welcome you back to another exciting school year! As we kick off the new year, we have some important updates and reminders to share with you. Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools We are pleased to announce that several of our schools will continue to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program this year, as well as the addition of three new schools. This means that all students at CEP schools are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. If your child attends one of the following schools, there’s no need to fill out a meal application – meals are provided for all students! Cooper Middle School (new for 2024-2025!) Holmes Middle School London Middle School Field Elementary School Frost Elementary School Hawthorne Early Childhood School (new for 2024-2025!) Kilmer Elementary School Poe Elementary School (new for 2024-2025!) Tarkington Elementary School Twain Elementary School Whitman Elementary School If you attend a non-CEP school (Longfellow or Riley), meals are still available, but they are not automatically free. We encourage all families to apply for free or reduced-price meals if they believe they may qualify. You can complete the online application at My Mealtime website , paper application ( English  |  Spanish  |  Polish  |  Russian ) or pick up a paper copy at your school. Even if your child does not qualify, meals can be purchased at the regular price – $1.55 for a breakfast and $2.85 for a lunch. Please ensure that your child’s meal account is funded to avoid any disruption in service. Managing Your Account with My Mealtime Managing your meal account is simple with My Mealtime! Whether your child attends a CEP or non-CEP school, My Mealtime allows you to view account balances, check meal history, and set up automatic payments. Visit   My Mealtime website  to get started or log in to your existing account. Adding Funds to Your Account Adding funds to your child's meal account is quick and easy. You can do this online via My Mealtime, or by sending cash or a check with your child to school. Please be sure to include your child's name and student ID on the check. If you need assistance with your account or have any questions about payments, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. Food Allergies Your child's safety is our top priority. If your child has any food allergies, please keep us informed. You can update this information with a doctor’s note outlining the allergy and submitting it to your school’s health office. We work closely with our school nurses and kitchen staff to ensure that all students have access to safe and nutritious meals. New Share Bins Initiative We are excited to introduce  Share Bins  at all of our schools this year! These bins will be available in the cafeteria for students to place unopened, non-perishable food items they choose not to eat. Other students can then take these items if they wish, helping to reduce food waste and ensure that everyone has access to a little extra nourishment if needed. Thank you for your continued support of our Food Service program. We are committed to providing delicious, nutritious meals that support our students' health and learning. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead!

    Tuesday, Aug 27 2024

  • Important Reminder: Updated Food Allergy Documentati...

    Dear parents and guardians, As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all our students. If your child has any food allergies, we require a new signed doctor’s note detailing these allergies on file before the first day of school, even if you have submitted one in previous years. This documentation helps us provide appropriate care and make necessary adjustments in our cafeterias, classrooms and other areas of our schools to avoid exposure to allergens. Without this information, we cannot accommodate your child’s needs effectively. Please submit the signed doctor’s note to your school’s health office and by emailing Cindy Kile at  cindy.kile@ccsd21.org   as soon as possible .  If you have already provided this information, thank you for your prompt cooperation. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to a wonderful school year ahead. Illinois Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan and Treatment Authorization Physician Statement for Food Substitution

    Tuesday, Aug 06 2024

  • The August 2024 Family Newsletter is now available!

    The August 2024  family newsletter is now available! Based upon the overwhelming feedback we received on our end-of-year communications survey, we are excited to introduce a fresh, user-friendly format designed to be more accessible and  easier to read on all your devices . Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this new experience! You can find the newsletter through  this link .

    Friday, Aug 02 2024

  • Join us for a back-to-school bash and student regist...

    Dear CCSD21 community, You are cordially invited to join us on Monday, Aug. 12, for a back-to-school bash and student registration event at our district office! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to register for the new school year and for families to celebrate the start of another amazing academic journey. Event Details Date : Monday, August 12  Time : Noon to 7 p.m. Location : Third floor of the District 21 Community Service Center and Administrative Office, 959 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, IL 60090 Activities Student Registration : Get your kid(s) registered for the new school year.  Click here  for more information. Free Medical Appointments : Come learn about the District 21 Health Center and the services it offers, and  sign up   for an appointment (it’s free!)   Free Haircuts :  Sign up   for a free appointment. Get a fresh new look on us! Free Dental Appointments : Take advantage and sign up for our free dental appointments, and give your smile the care it deserves.  Sign up  here. Additional Resources : Learn about community services, meet our staff – including our school resource officers – learn about our food service program and transportation services, and sign up for ParentSquare Giveaways & Fun Backpacks Water Bottles Photo Prop Set-Up Balloon Artist Face Painting Meet the FBI This event is open to all families in our community. Come and connect with other families, meet some of our dedicated staff, and learn everything the district has to offer. We look forward to seeing you there!

    Thursday, Aug 01 2024