District News

04/09/2021

I hope this letter finds you well. As we transition to in-person learning for those families who choose to, I’d like to share my appreciation for the resilience and patience displayed of our school communities. For more than a year, our teachers have worked tirelessly to effectively adapt and refine their virtual instruction, and to implement new technologies designed to better engage students.

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The Importance of Safety Protocols

04/09/2021

As we wrap up our first week of Hybrid learning, I want to express the pride I feel for families and staff for your efforts to make these first days a success. It was amazing to visit schools this week and see teachers and students back in the same classroom for the first time in more than a year. Though the classrooms were smaller than we were used to, with less than 40 percent of our families opting for hybrid learning, this week gave me confidence that we can continue our transition moving forward.

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Apply to Join the Equity Advisory Council

04/08/2021

District 60's Department of Equity and Inclusion will be establishing an Equity Advisory Council.

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2021 Virtual Elementary Art Show

04/07/2021

Waukegan Community Unit School District #60’s annual Elementary Art Show has gone virtual this year. The District-wide 2020-2021 art show is a snapshot of the amazing artwork created virtually by Waukegan elementary students this year.

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April & May Virtual Parent Training Events

04/05/2021

Waukegan Public Schools is partnering with the Waukegan Public Library to host five more weeks of informational live streams for parents throughout April and May. These events, which will be conducted in English and Spanish, will cover a wide variety of topics related to the District’s technology.

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Beginning our Transition to Hybrid Learning

04/04/2021

The day we have been anticipating for more than a year is here -- tomorrow is our first day welcoming students back into our buildings for in-person learning. The last year has been challenging for all of us, but throughout this process I have been continuously inspired by our amazing Waukegan Public Schools community, and the strength of our spirit.

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Changes to Food Distribution Schedules

04/01/2021

Waukegan Public Schools is making a change to its community-wide meal distribution schedule, to coincide with the start of hybrid instruction.

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Safety iPass - Our Student Screener

03/31/2021

With in-person attendance beginning next week, we want to introduce our families to Safety iPass, our District's new staff, student and visitor screener tool. This tool is used to screen all staff, students and visitors to ensure everyone entering our buildings is healthy and not subject to COVID restrictions. Safety iPass is created by CrisisGo, a platform we already use in our District. We officially launched the program this week with our staff and visitors, and next week we will begin the screening of students as well.

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Recap of March 30 Board Meeting

03/31/2021

The Board of Education voted to approve the professional development contract for Spring of 2021 with GLAD-Guided Language Acquisition Design to train 118 teachers at a cost of $128,400. The Board of Education voted to execute the purchase of professional development fees for Instructional Leadership Team members to attend the Writer's Institute at Teacher's College of Columbia University for Lyon Magnet School for a total of $5,950.

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Kindergarten and Returning Student Registration

03/30/2021

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60’s online kindergarten registration for the 2021/2022 school year will open Thursday, April 1. Returning student registration will begin April 5. More information on these registrations can be found below.

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March 29 Hybrid Learning Q&A

03/29/2021

District 60 will be hosting another Hybrid Transition Q&A at 5 p.m. this evening. This week's session will cover the District's CrisisGo Safety iPass certification system and more.

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Notice of March 30 Board Meeting

03/28/2021

A Rescheduled Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. This Regular meeting was previously scheduled for March 23, 2021. The meeting will be conducted in-person. In an effort to safely accommodate the Board, staff, and members of the public, and to comply with Restore Illinois capacity limits, the meeting will be conducted in the Trapp Auditorium of the Waukegan High School Brookside Campus, 2325 Brookside Avenue. Closed Session will occur in Room E101.

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District 60 Awarded Meritorious Budget Award

03/23/2021

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 has again been recognized with a Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2020-2021 budget year, from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

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Student Hybrid Assignments Now Available

03/22/2021

I hope you are all enjoying your Spring Break. We are writing today to inform families that ‘A’ and ‘B’ schedule assignments for students who have opted into Hybrid Learning are now available for parents to view. Our school district has finalized the assignment of students into A schedule (Monday and Wednesday), B schedule (Tuesday and Thursday), or fully virtual schedule, based on parents’ structure preference.

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March 23 Board Meeting Moved to March 30

03/21/2021

The Board of Education meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 23, 2021 has been moved to Tuesday, March 30, 2021, to accommodate the District's Spring Break. Open session for the March 30 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. An agenda for that meeting will be forthcoming in the days prior to the meeting’s date.

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March 22 is Spring Break Week

03/19/2021

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60's official Spring Break will be the week of March 22. During this week, schools will be closed, and there will be no instruction. The week of March 29 will be dedicated to staff orientation and training, ahead of the start of Hybrid Learning. On March 29-April 1, staff will be in attendance, but there will be no student instruction, or student attendance. April 2 is Good Friday, and our District will be closed. Instruction resumes on Monday, April 5.

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No Meal Distribution During Spring Break

03/17/2021

Waukegan Public Schools will be modifying its meal distribution services in advance of Spring Break, in an effort to support students while schools are closed during the week of March 22. No meal distribution events will be hosted during the week of March 22, however, we are doubling the amount of meals families receive this week.

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Staying Safe During Spring Break

03/16/2021

Next week our District will begin its Spring Break. As I am sure you’re aware, as part of our transition to Hybrid Learning, this year's Spring Break for students has been extended by an extra week while staff prepare for the return to in-person learning. This means Spring Break will begin Monday March 22, and instruction for students will not resume until Monday, April 5. During the week of March 29, staff will return to our buildings for a week dedicated to orientation, safety protocols and professional development.

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Watch our March 15 Hybrid Transition Q&A

03/16/2021

Last night our District hosted a Hybrid Transition Q&A on our our Facebook page. Anyone who missed the stream, but is still interested in watching it can do so here.

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Summer School Interest Survey

03/15/2021

Waukegan Public Schools will be offering all students in grades PreK-12 the opportunity to participate in a summer school program for Summer 2021. To assist with planning, we are requesting that all families complete a brief survey, so we can gauge parent and student interest in attending one of our summer programs.

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District to Host Live Hybrid Transition Q&A

03/14/2021

On March 15, our District will host a live bilingual Hybrid Learning Transition Q&A for our families.

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District to Resume In-Person Board Meetings

03/12/2021

The undersigned President of the Board of Education, hereby gives notice that beginning the week of March 15, the Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 will resume in-person public meetings. Meetings will also continue to be broadcasted live on the District’s YouTube channel.

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Lyon Accepting Student Applications for 2021-2022

03/11/2021

The fall registration period for enrollment in Lyon Magnet School has begun. Enrollment is open to all WPS students living within the district's attendance boundaries. Families interested in enrolling in Lyon Magnet are required to submit an application, which can be found at the school, or can be downloaded here: application

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Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60’s Birth to Three Program recently received a “Quality Confirmation” designation for its early childhood Baby TALK program.

Birth to Three Program Earns Quality Conformation

03/10/2021

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60’s Birth to Three Program recently received a “Quality Confirmation” designation for its early childhood Baby TALK program.

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Recap of March 9 Board Meeting

03/10/2021

Members of the Jefferson renaming committees gave a presentation detailing the process they undertook to to rename the schools, and three finalists were presented to the Board of Education. Finalists or Jefferson include: Barack and Michelle Obama Middle School, John Lewis Middle School, and Dolores Huerta & Cesar Chavez Middle School. Finalists for Webster include: Ellen Ochoa Middle School, Katherine Johnson Middle Schools and Edith Smith Middle School.

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Announcing the Start of Hybrid Learning

03/09/2021

Over the last 12 months, our District has worked to adapt to a new way of life. We’ve been forced to radically change how we learn, teach, and support our families through this global pandemic. We know this prolonged uncertainty has made life challenging for all of us, but throughout this process I have been continuously inspired by the resilience and adaptability of our amazing Waukegan Public Schools community, and the strength of our spirit.

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Information about the Pandemic EBT Program

03/08/2021

The Illinois Department of Human Services is again sharing some valuable information for families regarding the State’s Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. P-EBT is a food assistance benefit for students who receive free or reduced-price meals in schools under the National School Lunch Program. P-EBT benefits will help Illinois families buy food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Notice of March 9 Board Meeting

03/07/2021

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. The meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Cooke Accepting Student Applications for 2021-2022

03/05/2021

Waukegan’s Cooke Magnet School is now accepting applications for entrance testing for the 2021-2022 school year, for students entering kindergarten through grade 5. Limited enrollment opportunities are available for students entering grades 1-5.

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Hybrid Learning Check-In

03/04/2021

Last month we announced that our District’s Hybrid Plan schedule could be beginning as early as mid-March. Determining timelines for announcements regarding Hybrid instruction is never an easy task, and oftentimes we lack the clarity we hoped for as a targeted date approaches.

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Discover UWLC's 211 Helpline

03/03/2021

Tomorrow, March 4, our District's Family and Community Engagement Department is teaming up with the United Way of Lake County for this week's Family Workshop. Tune in at 5:30 p.m. to our Facebook page to learn more about the resources available to families who use the UWLC's 24-hour information and referral 211 hotline.

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Flor Carter Named Golden Apple Finalist

03/02/2021

Ms. Flor Carter, interim principal at Waukegan Public Schools’ Alternative/Optional Education Center was recently announced as a finalist for the 2021 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Leadership.

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District 60 Hybrid Safety Videos

02/26/2021

Following several months of planning, our District is in the process of finalizing our preparations for the eventual return of students and staff to our buildings. While this planning process has been all encompassing across our District’s departments, our largest emphasis has been centered around implementing new ways to ensure the safety of our students, staff and visitors upon their return.

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Recap of February 23 Board Meeting

02/24/2021

Special Recognitions and Presentations - Representatives from Waukegan to College gave a presentation about the organization and its goals. - District leadership gave a presentation celebrating District principals and assistant principals for their continued efforts during the ongoing pandemic.

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WHS Program PLACCE's Mask Up For Love

02/23/2021

Students in Waukegan High School's Program PLACCE recently delivered 125 masks to Bayside Terrace, LLC. in Waukegan. As part of a class project called "Mask Up for Love," students and staff members worked collaboratively to make and deliver the masks to the residents at the facility.

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Notice of February 24 Special Meeting

02/23/2021

A special Meeting to review the Superintendent's evaluation, will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. primarily in Closed Session. The meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. No action will be taken during a brief open session.

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Spots Still Available for Paint & Celebrate Event

02/22/2021

There's still time to reserve a paint kit to participate in our District's virtual Paint and Celebrate event this Thursday, February 25.

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Notice of February 23 Board Meeting

02/21/2021

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. The meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093.

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District Hosts First Finance Information Session

02/19/2021

Last evening our District hosted its first of two virtual Finance Information Sessions for the community. The livestream can viewed in its entirety here. Families can still submit questions ahead of our final informational stream, which will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 22. You can submit your questions here.

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Important Update about Hybrid Learning

02/18/2021

The last several weeks have been promising in terms of our capability to safely transition to our Hybrid Learning model. We’ve seen a significant decrease in local COVID transmission rates, while also seeing a huge increase in opportunities for District staff members to receive their first dose of the vaccine. These trends, which I discuss in more detail below, are putting us on a path toward eventually reopening for hybrid instruction this semester. The exact date is still not known, but today we want to announce that our Hybrid Plan will not begin until at least March 15.

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District to Host BHM Paint and Celebrate Event

02/17/2021

As part of our District’s celebration of Black History Month, District 60’s Family and Community Engagement department is partnering with Waukegan-based One Crown Studios to host a Virtual Paint and Celebrate Facebook Live event.

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Notice of Board Quorum - Feb 18

02/17/2021

Members of the Board of Education are dedicated to the students of Waukegan, and to the community itself. Board Members routinely attend special events throughout the school district and the community. At times a majority of a quorum of Board of Education members may be in attendance at the same event. On February 18 at 6 p.m. and February 22 at 1 p.m. a quorum of the Board may be present at virtual Finance Information Sessions being hosted by the district.

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Upcoming Finance Information Sessions

02/15/2021

I am writing to share additional information about our upcoming Finance Information Sessions. These informational meetings will be a great opportunity for our finance team to present an important comprehensive overview of our District’s strengthening financial condition over the years, and share related information on financial controls, budgeting, and best practices.

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Feb. 16 Meal Distribution Postponed to Feb. 17

02/15/2021

Waukegan Public School’s Tuesday morning meal distribution for February 16 is being postponed as a result of continued snowfall. Morning meal distribution will occur on Wednesday, February 17. There are no changes planned for Thursday’s afternoon meal distribution.

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Notice of Feb. 16 Committees Mtgs & Feb. 17 Special Meeting

02/14/2021

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Additionally, a Special Meeting to review the Superintendent's evaluation, will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. primarily in Closed Session.

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Virtual Parent Training Events Begin This Month

02/11/2021

Waukegan Public Schools is partnering with the Waukegan Public Library, to host five weeks of informational live streams for parents throughout February and March. These events, which will be conducted in English and Spanish, will cover a wide variety of topics related to the District’s technology.

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Recap of February 9 Board Meeting

02/10/2021

The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of kitchen equipment at Miguel Juarez Middle School in the amount of $17,219 and Waukegan High School, Brookside Campus in the amount of $16,098. Funds for these purchases will be reimbursed by the Illinois State Board of Education according to the equipment assistance grant awarded to the Child Nutrition department.

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Black History Month in Waukegan Schools

02/08/2021

As part of Black History month, Waukegan Public Schools celebrate and study African-American history, culture, and leaders. Throughout the month, schools plan various virtual activities and lessons. Below are some highlights happening in our schools. Check back for updated information from our schools throughout the month of February.

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District to Host Finance Information Sessions

02/08/2021

We are inviting you to attend a virtual Finance Information Session where our District’s finance team will present an overview of the District’s strong financial condition, and answer questions that you might present on the subject. These remote meetings will take place on the following dates and times:

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Special Message From Oakdale - February 8

02/08/2021

I am writing to you in response to an unfortunate situation that occurred during a second grade lesson Friday. As part of Black History Month, each of our teachers have been incorporating African American history into their classes. It was brought to our attention that earlier today, during a Black History-focused lesson, that the term “colored people” was used on a presentation that was displayed to students.

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Notice of February 9 Board Meeting

02/07/2021

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely.

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Food Service Continues This Week

02/07/2021

Waukegan Public Schools will host regular meal distribution this week on Tuesday, February 9 and Thursday, February 11. In anticipation of colder-than-average temperatures this week, families are reminded to dress warmly when visiting one of 116 meal distribution bus stops.

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Facebook Live Hybrid Learning Q&A on February 8

02/05/2021

On Monday, February 8, our District will be hosting a live Hybrid Learning Q&A session on our District’s Facebook page, beginning at 6 p.m. During the event, parents and staff will be given the opportunity to have their questions answered by District leaders.

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2020-21 Illinois 5Essentials Survey Open

02/03/2021

Waukegan Public Schools is once again joining the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the 2020-2021 statewide 5Essentials survey of school climate and learning conditions. This survey provides parents a unique opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas on improving their schools. You can take the survey here: https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/

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JROTC Valentine’s Day Cards for Veterans

02/01/2021

Waukegan High School’s JROTC program will host its annual Valentine’s Day Cards for Veterans event this month in support of local veterans. Similar to last year, cadets will collect Valentine’s cards to donate to the Midwest Veteran’s Closet in North Chicago, which will then distribute the cards to various local veteran associations and organizations.

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Isam Hussaini Selected as New Student Board Member

01/27/2021

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 welcomed Waukegan High School Junior Isam Hussaini as its newest Student Board Member during its January 26 meeting. Isam replaces Van Weddle, who completed his yearlong term as the district’s third student board member. Isam’s term as a non-voting member will run through January 2022.

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Notice of Board Quorum

01/27/2021

Members of the Board of Education are dedicated to the students of Waukegan, and to the community itself. Board Members routinely attend special events throughout the school district and the community. At times a majority of a quorum of Board of Education members may be in attendance at the same event. On January 27 the Board Members will be virtually participating in the National Equity Project's Leading for Equity in Complexity Board Member Sessions. No business will be conducted by the Board of Education at these events, and they are posted only as a matter of public information.

Read More About Notice of Board Quorum

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Recap of January 26 Board Meeting

01/27/2021

The Board of Education voted to approve the consulting agreement with RJ Harris and Associates in the amount of $37,300. The consultant will provide training and professional development to the Senior Leadership Team, Board of Education, and other educators in Waukegan aligned to the Superintendent's focus on Equity and Organizational Effectiveness. Topics include but are not limited to Cultural Awareness, Managing Bias and Inclusion, Leading vs Managing, Emotional intelligence, Communication styles/skills, Establishing trust, Conflict resolution, Relationship building, evolving role of board members, etc.

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Extending Remote Learning Through March 1

01/26/2021

Today we are announcing we will be extending remote instruction through at least Monday, March 1. This will allow us the time to further monitor COVID-19 metrics and infection rates, as well as allow for more individuals to be vaccinated. As we’ve stated previously, the transition into hybrid learning will not be made until we believe it is safe to do so, based on relevant metics, and the recommendations of health experts.

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Bus Stop Meal Distribution Canceled for January 26

01/25/2021

In anticipation of inclement weather, our District will be canceling its bus stop meal distribution tomorrow, January 26. The Brookside drive-thru will remain open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and normal distribution will resume Thursday, January 28.

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Notice of January 26 Board Meeting

01/24/2021

As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. In the event that meeting capacity is met, attendees may also watch the meeting live on the District's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/waukeganpublicschools.

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Answering Your Hybrid Plan Questions

01/20/2021

I want to thank all of you who joined us yesterday evening as we unveiled our Hybrid Re-entry Plan during the Board of Education committee meeting. It was wonderful to see so many people tune in for the important presentation. If you were not able to log in, you can view a recording of the meeting on our YouTube Channel. During the meeting, staff spent one hour presenting our Re-entry Plan, and then we spent nearly two hours answering important questions from parents and staff.

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Hybrid Re-entry Plan Presentation Tonight

01/19/2021

Since the initial closure of schools nearly 10 months ago, our District has been hard at work preparing for the eventual return to in-person instruction. A lot of work has gone into creating a plan which we believe will meet the unique needs of our staff, students and community. After careful planning and collaboration with our bargaining units and stakeholders, we are prepared to release additional details about what you can expect as we plan for eventual return of students into our buildings. Talks with our Unions are ongoing and we are still working through issues. We have been working together and we expect them to be resolved amicably.

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Notice of January 19 Board Committee Meetings

01/17/2021

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Because of larger-than-normal anticipated attendance, individuals are encouraged to join the meeting via the District's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/waukeganpublicschools.

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District Seeking Nominations for School Renamings

01/14/2021

The renaming committees for Daniel Webster Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools are seeking nominations for potential new names for the two Waukegan schools.

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Spring In-Person Instruction Questionnaire

01/13/2021

Last week we announced that we are committed to remaining in a 100 percent Remote Learning environment through at least February 15. Planning has been long underway for the eventual return of students into our classrooms, however. An important part of this planning process is determining how many students we can expect in our buildings as we gradually transition from Remote Learning to Hybrid Learning, where students will engage in both in-person and remote learning.

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Recap of January 12 Board Meeting

01/13/2021

The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of Crisis Go Self Certification Software to help facilitate daily COVID-19 screenings upon the return to hybrid instruction at an estimated cost of $10,875. The district will implement a self-screening, self-certification software to help facilitate daily COVID-19 screenings of staff, students, visitors, and contractors upon the return to hybrid instruction.

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Notice of January 11 & 12 Board Meetings

01/09/2021

A Special Board Meeting to conduct individual interviews with the finalists for the Student Board Member position will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session.

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Meal Distribution Resumes January 7

01/06/2021

Waukegan Public Schools will resume its free meal distribution for students on the afternoon of Thursday, January 7. Thursday meal distribution will begin at 3 p.m. at 116 bus stops and at the Brookside Campus for drive-thru service.

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Remote Learning Extended to Mid-February

01/04/2021

Happy New Year to the entire Waukegan Public Schools community. It is my hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season, and you are enjoying the final days of Winter Break. Since the start of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have made a promise to our families that we will share timely updates about our District’s plans. In that spirit, today I am writing to let you know that our District has made the decision to once again push back the start of Stage 2 of our reopening plan. We will remain in our 100 percent Remote Learning structure through at least the Presidents’ Day holiday on February 15.

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Winter Break Begins December 23

12/22/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will be on Winter Break beginning December 23. Winter Break will go through Tuesday, January 5. Wednesday, January 6 is Records Day, and will be a non-instructional day. Instruction will resume for students on Thursday, January 7. All District schools and offices will be closed to the public from December 23 through January 3.

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EPIC Program Launches 12 Days of Reading

12/21/2020

Waukegan Public School’s E.P.I.C preschool program is launching its new 12 Days of Reading event during the Winter Break. Beginning December 23, preschool families are encouraged to get into the holiday spirit by reading a different holiday-themed book for 12 consecutive days.

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Math U Virtual Family Workshop Tonight

12/17/2020

This evening our District will host its second Virtual Family Workshop. Tonight's virtual Math U workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m., and will be lead by District 60 Elementary Math Coordinator Matthew Foster.

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Modified Winter Break Meal Distribution

12/16/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will be modifying its meal distribution services in advance of Winter Break, in an effort to support students while the District is closed for the holidays. While no meal distribution events will be hosted on days the District is closed during break, nearly two weeks of meals will be made available on Tuesday, December 22.

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Notice of December 15 Board Committee Meetings

12/13/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093.

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Equity Focus Groups Forming

12/11/2020

The Department of Equity and Inclusion for Waukegan Public Schools is seeking stakeholders to join one of its newly created Equity Focus Groups. These Focus Groups will work to gather opinions, ideas, and beliefs on equity from parents, students, staff and community members.

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Chromebook Monitoring Tool

12/09/2020

To promote the requirements of the Child Internet Protection Act and Board Policy 6043, District Chromebooks are already loaded with an application called Hapara. When students are using a District Chromebook to attend a class remotely or on-site, the teacher can use Hapara to monitor what students are doing on their screens. If, during class or after-school tutoring time, students are using an application or visiting a website that is not part of the lesson, the teacher will be able to use Hapara to close the inappropriate application or website.

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Recap of December 8 Board Meeting

12/09/2020

Special Recognitions and Presentations -The Board of Education recognized the late Rev. Arthur Gass with a Resolution of Honor in recognition of his service to the Waukegan community. -The Little Fort Lions Club gave a special presentation detailing some of the organization's work, and they also recognized Board Vice President Rick Riddle’s work with the organization.

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Virtual Parent Workshops Begin this Month

12/08/2020

Waukegan Public Schools is launching a new Virtual Parent Workshops Series this month through our Family and Community Engagement department aimed at strengthening at home learning.

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Middle of the Year (MOY) Assessment Update

12/08/2020

In a typical year, Waukegan Public Schools utilizes the NWEA MAP test to assess students in grades 3-8 in the areas of English Language Arts and Math three times during the course of a school year (fall, winter, and spring). This information is useful to inform classroom instruction and determine what students know at a given point in time as we progress through our curriculum.

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District Virtual Contractor Workshops This Week

12/07/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60, in conjunction with architect Wold Architects and Engineers, will host two special virtual workshops this week aimed at educating local contractors on the process of working with school districts and other public agencies. The free virtual open houses and question and answer sessions will be held for all construction and mechanical contractors in the Waukegan and Lake County area.

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WHS Mission and Vision Survey

12/07/2020

Waukegan High School is working to update its vision and mission statements to reflect the thoughts and feelings of the community. With that in mind, the school is currently asking students, parents and staff to help shape its future vision by completing a brief Vision Statement Survey. Please complete this form to assist the school’s mission design team, and have your voice heard.

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Notice of December 8 Board Meeting

12/06/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting.

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Notice of December 8 Board of Education Meeting

12/06/2020

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December 7 Remote Institute Day

12/05/2020

On Monday, December 7, our District will host another Remote Staff Institute Day. On this day staff will engage in professional development training, and students will not be expected to participate in learning activities. This is a non-attendance day for students.

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School Renaming Committees Seeking Members

12/04/2020

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 recently began the process to consider renaming of Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Daniel Webster Middle School. Board policy 1204, Naming of School Facilities, lays out a detailed process to be followed when the Board is asked to consider renaming a school.

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District to Host December Check-In Stream

12/02/2020

Join Superintendent Plascencia, and other District staff this Thursday for a December Check-in livestream Q&A on the District's YouTube Channel. English stream will begin at 5 p.m., and Spanish will follow at 5:30 p.m. They will discuss a number of topics related to school reopening plans, and resources for families. Join us here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6QvVUTi-mbvhkGPkOYtGw

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Waukegan Equity Assessment Survey

12/01/2020

During the last several months we have wholeheartedly embraced the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a shared responsibility of every member of the community. As a school district, we understand the benefits of fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for learning. We seek to ensure that all aspects of school life — including curriculum, retention, hiring practices, and support for students, families, and employees — reflect our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will be diligently assessed and actively supported.

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Student Board Member Application Deadline Dec. 6

11/30/2020

The deadline to apply for the open Student Board Member position is less than a week away. Qualified sophomores and juniors have until 11:59 p.m. on December 6 to apply to serve a 1-year term as a non-voting member on the Waukegan Public Schools Board of Education.

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Recap of the November 24 Board Meeting

11/25/2020

The Board of Education held a Public Hearing on the Proposed 2020 Tax Year Levy. Following the hearing the Board voted to adopt the proposed property tax levy for Tax Year 2020 with levies totaling $55,030,000, excluding the Bond and Interest Fund. The Truth in Taxation Act requires a taxing district to determine at least twenty (20) days prior to the adoption of the aggregate levy of the district amounts of taxes to be levied and where the levy exceeds the prior year extension by more than five (5) percent.

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Superintendent Thanksgiving Message 2020

11/24/2020

As we prepare to celebrate a Thanksgiving unlike any we have experienced before, I want to take a moment to let everyone know how much I appreciate what you’ve done for the children of Waukegan during the last 12 months. Your resilience, ingenuity, and patience amidst a global pandemic have been heartwarming, and I am grateful to be part of such a special community.

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Thanksgiving Week Food Distribution

11/23/2020

Waukegan Public Schools' free food distribution will be held only on Tuesday for the week of November 23, as a result of the Thanksgiving holiday. Meal distribution for Tuesday, November 24 will begin at its regularly-scheduled time of 8:30 a.m.

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Notice of November 24 Board Meeting

11/21/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting.

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Schools Foundation Launches $60 for D60 Campaign

11/19/2020

The Waukegan Public Schools foundation this week launched its new $60 for D60 fundraising campaign to support the #WaukeganStrong scholarship. The $60 for 60 campaign encourages community members and local businesses to support Waukegan students by donating to the Schools Foundation.

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District to Host Virtual Contractor Workshops December 8 and 9

11/18/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60, in conjunction with District architect Wold Architects and Engineers, will host two special virtual workshops aimed at educating local contractors on the process of working with school districts and other public agencies.

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Working Remotely to Keep Our Community Safe

11/17/2020

As a result of an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and positivity rates, District 60 is taking steps to protect its employees by temporarily reducing the amount of staff working in our buildings. This is going to affect employees in all job classifications, and is being done to ensure we are taking the necessary steps to maintain the health and safety of our community. This change should not disrupt or change our ongoing Remote Learning schedules for students.

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District 60 Celebrates School Board Members Day

11/15/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 is joining school districts across Illinois in celebrating “School Board Members Day” this week. The annual event, which corresponds with National Education Week, celebrates and thanks the elected leaders who volunteer their time to serve the students, taxpayers and employees of the communities they serve. Board Members Day is celebrated annually on November 15.

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2020 Student Board Member Applications

11/14/2020

The Waukegan Community Unit District #60 Board of Education is looking for current WHS sophomores and juniors to apply for its soon-to-be open Student Board Member position for 2021.

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Notice of November 17 Board Committee Meetings

11/14/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093.

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District Awarded COVID Grant from UWLC

11/13/2020

District 60 was recently announced as one of nine Lake County organizations to be awarded United Way of Lake County’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund grant.

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Recap of November 10 Board of Education Meeting

11/13/2020

Note: The November 10 meeting went into recess on 11/10/2020 and was completed on 11/12/2020. Special Presentations Representatives from the Waukegan Historical Society gave a presentation regarding the potential historical marker recognizing the desegregation at Whittier Elementary School.

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Remote Learning Extended Through Mid-January

11/12/2020

I am reaching out today with an important announcement about our transition plan. When schools closed in March, I don’t think many of us envisioned that this pandemic would continue to grip us, and alter our lives the way it has. These last several months haven’t been easy, and we all have faced challenges and struggles. As a District, we must continue to do what’s best for our community, which right now, is to ensure everyone remains safe. Therefore, a decision has been made to extend Stage 1 of our reopening plan until at least January 19, 2021. This means that there will be no in person instruction until at least then.

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Board of Education in Recess Until November 12

11/10/2020

During the Open Session portion of the November 10 Regular Board Meeting, a higher-than-expected number of individuals attempted to join the virtual meeting. As a result of more than 250 individuals joining, the meeting room reached its limit, and no Board business was conducted. The Board is officially in recess and will reconvene at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. The November 12 meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToWebinar. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8302003693906067470

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Notice of November 10 Board Meeting

11/08/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. for Open Session, 5 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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District 60 Recognized for Financial Report

11/06/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with the prestigious “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” (CAFR), for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ending in June 2019.

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2021 AP Exam Registration

10/30/2020

Advanced Placement (AP) courses offer students rigorous, college-level curriculum as well as an opportunity to earn college credit through AP exam performance*. Waukegan High School strongly encourages all students to complete the AP experience by taking their AP exams in May 2021. To further support our AP students, Waukegan Public Schools will continue to fund the $95 exam fee in full for students currently enrolled in AP course(s) and who have ordered exam(s).

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ISBE Recognizes 4 District 60 Employees

10/28/2020

Four Waukegan Public Schools employees were recently recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education during its annual “Those Who Excel” awards. The “Those Who Excel” awards recognize educators and volunteers from across Illinois who are doing exemplary work for students.

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Recap of October 27 Board Meeting

10/28/2020

The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of 11,300 Dell Chromebooks/Carrying Cases/Plastic Clam Shells and licenses. This purchase is needed to upgrade outdated devices and these Chromebooks will be used to support the Remote Learning Strategy and 1:1 Chromebook initiative from PreK-12 grades. The cost for 11,300 Chromebooks is $4,442,238.

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Parent ESL Classes Begin Next Month

10/27/2020

Waukegan Public Schools’ Bilingual And Multicultural Department will begin its newest English as a Second Language For Parents (ESL) classes on Monday, November 2. These English classes are free for all Waukegan parents, and will be held virtually every Monday and Wednesday.

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Notice of October 27 Board Meeting

10/24/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences This Week

10/20/2020

A reminder that tomorrow, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, all WPS schools will host virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences for the 2020-21 school year. Conferences will be held from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. both evenings.

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In-Person Survey Deadline Approaching

10/20/2020

The survey will allow us to record whether a parent plans to send their child back to in-person instruction if Stages 2 or 3 begins during the first semester, or if parents prefer to keep their child remote through the end of the calendar year. Each child’s school will keep a record of this information, and it will help us as we prepare schools, classrooms and buses for the return of students.

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Notice of October 20 Board Committee Meeting

10/18/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093.

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Extending Stage 1 Through November

10/16/2020

Several months ago we made a promise to our families that we would keep you updated on our reopening plans. After carefully reviewing local COVID-19 metrics, we have made a decision to again extend Stage 1 of our reopening plan. Our schools will remain in a remote learning structure until at least the end of November.

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October 27 SAT Registration

10/16/2020

With parent/guardian permission, Seniors will register using the link: Senior SAT Registration Form. Students must be logged in their WHS school account to access the registration form. SAT® registration will close by end-of-day October 19, 2020. This is the final registration for the SAT test in October - no registration extensions will be provided.

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Introducing 'Academia60 Para Padres'

10/15/2020

Welcome to a new and exciting school year for parent engagement! We spent several months summer reading over emails, feedback, and survey responses from our parents attending the BPAC meetings and events. As a result, we have worked hard to bring parents a meaningful parent program. In past years, the STEPS program brought ESL parents educational opportunities, and this year we will be significantly expanding our offerings.

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Health Requirements Update

10/14/2020

This week the Illinois State Board of Education announced that students who are not in compliance with the State’s mandatory child-health related requirements for school attendance may continue to participate in remote instruction.

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Portrait of a Graduate Survey

10/13/2020

Waukegan Public Schools is working to develop a College and Career Readiness Strategic Plan. As part of this plan we are creating a picture of the key skills and attributes that all Waukegan graduates need for success. This "Portrait of a Graduate" will be developed with input from all stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers/staff, and community members.

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Recap of October 13 Board Meeting

10/13/2020

Special Recognition and Presentation -The Board of Education recognized McCall Elementary School on its recent designation as a 2020 Blue Ribbon School. Staff from McCall gave a presentation about the designation and some of its programs.

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Notice of October 13 Board Meeting

10/10/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Return to In-Person Instruction Survey

10/07/2020

As we wind down our first quarter of Remote Learning, our District is continuing to ramp up its preparations for students’ gradual transition back into in-person instruction. As we stated last week, our District is committed to remaining in a 100 percent Remote Learning environment through at least the end of this month. We must continue to plan for the future, however.

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District 60 Recognized for Communication Efforts

10/07/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 was recently recognized with eight communication awards in the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association's annual communications contest.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences On October 21, 22

10/05/2020

Waukegan Public Schools’ Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on October 21 and 22. Conferences will be held from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each evening. This year’s conferences will be hosted virtually.

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Oct. 5 Remote Learning Informational Livestream

10/05/2020

District 60 staff will present information on important Remote Learning topics during an October 5 livestream. The English broadcast will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the Spanish broadcast will follow at 5 p.m. Topics covered will include the extension of Remote Learning, planning for in-person instruction, distribution of technology, and more. Parents can tune in on the District's Facebook or YouTube channels.

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Remote Learning Extended Through End of October

10/02/2020

As the calendar changes into October, and with the end of our first grading quarter approaching, we would like to provide an important update regarding our reopening plans. Last month, we announced our decision to remain in Stage 1 with a 100 percent Remote Learning structure, through at least October 16. As that date approaches, we have made the decision to extend Stage 1 through the end of this month.

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Deadline to Register for Oct. SAT Dates Extended

10/01/2020

All State assessments, including the SAT®, were suspended last spring due to COVID 19. Waukegan Public Schools is providing Seniors with the opportunity to fulfill their graduation requirement by taking the State-sponsored SAT® on October 14 or October 27, 2020. The SAT® registration deadline has been extended to October 4, 2020. Students will be excused from their regularly scheduled remote learning classes on test dates to take advantage of this important opportunity.

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Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual Celebration

09/30/2020

As part our District's monthlong celebration of Hispanic culture, we will be hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual Celebration on Thursday, October 15 at 6 p.m.

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Recap of September 28 Special Board Meeting

09/29/2020

The Board of Education voted to approve the use of the emergency purchasing authority exception to the competitive bidding requirements [105 ILCS 5/10-20.21(a)(xiv)] in connection with Cristo Rey’s proposed use of ESSER grant funds under the CARES Act. Private schools are entitled to a proportionate share of funds provided to local educational authorities (LEAs) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act (ESSER). Cristo Rey, 3106 Belvidere Road, is entitled to such funds, which are managed by Waukegan Public Schools, as the LEA. In turn, ISBE requires that the local LEA use public purchasing procedures to secure the supplies identified by the private school grant recipient. The District's Purchasing, Grant and Construction Managers will continue to work with Cristo Rey representatives to support the project utilizing the purchasing methodology authorized by the Board.

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Show Us How You Celebrate Hispanic Culture

09/29/2020

Join in on this year's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by showing us how you and your family celebrate. From now until October 7, our District is asking families to submit photos and videos of any traditional celebrations, food, attire and more to be included in this year's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration tribute video. Submissions can be sent to cfabian@wps60.org along with the family and/or student name, school, and the country you are representing. Video submissions must be 30 seconds or less.

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October 3 Drive-thru Book Giveaway

09/28/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will host a drive-thru book giveaway for elementary and middle school students on Saturday, October 3. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Center, 1201 N. Sheridan Road.

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Board of Education in Recess Until Sept. 29

09/28/2020

During the closed session portion of the September 28 Special Board Meeting, a power outage caused some members of the Board to disconnect. Due to technical difficulties, the Board is in recess and will reconvene at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29. No formal action will be taken during the meeting. The Board will complete its Closed Session discussion regarding the Superintendent's Goals on September 29.

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Notice of September 28 Special Board Meeting

09/26/2020

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, September 28, 2020, at 5:45 p.m. for Open and Closed sessions. The Board will begin with an Open session at 5:45 p.m., before going into the Closed session at 6 p.m. to discuss the Superintendent's goals for the upcoming year. No action will be taken in the closed session.

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McCall Named 2020 National Blue Ribbon School

09/24/2020

Waukegan’s H.R. McCall Elementary School was named today as a 2020 recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Schools award. McCall is one of just 367 schools across the United States to be awarded the prestigious award from the U.S. Department of Education.

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Fall SAT Information for WHS Seniors

09/23/2020

As a result of all regular State assessments, including the SAT, being suspended last spring due to COVID 19, Waukegan Public Schools will provide Seniors the opportunity to fulfill their graduation requirement by taking the State-sponsored SAT® on October 14 or October 27. Students will be excused from their regularly scheduled remote learning classes on test dates to take advantage of this important opportunity.

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Recap of September 22 Board Meeting

09/23/2020

Special Recognitions and Presentations -The Board of Education read a resolution of honor in recognition of the life and service of Mr. Wayne Machnich. Mr. Machnich -Representatives from Bravo Waukegan detailed some of the organization’s recent projects including a new online music library.

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School Resource Officer Survey Results

09/23/2020

Following public discussions about the future of School Resource Officers in Waukegan Public Schools, a survey was created to gather feedback from Waukegan High School parents, students and staff. Surveys were conducted between August 31 and September 14, and more than 1,300 individuals responded to the surveys. You can find survey results in English and Spanish here.

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Election Packets for 2021 BOE Candidates

09/22/2020

Nominating petition packets for the April 6, 2021, consolidated election for the Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 Board of Education are available through the Office of the County Clerk.

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District Awarded Digital Equity Formula Grant

09/21/2020

Waukegan Public Schools is one of several hundred school districts across the state to be awarded additional funds to help close the digital divide among students through the State's Digital Equity Formula Grant.

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Notice of 9/21 Special Meeting & 9/22 Board Meeting

09/19/2020

The Board of Education will host a Special Meeting to discuss the Superintendent's goals for the upcoming year on Monday, September 21, at 6:00 p.m. primarily in Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. No action will be taken during open session. A regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session.

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Professional Learning Days Schedule 2020/2021

09/14/2020

All Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 schools are again participating in Professional Learning Days this school year. These days will allow for additional professional development opportunities for staff members, and will result in altered bell schedules on these days. See schedule below.

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Notice of 9/14 Meeting & 9/15 Committee Meetings

09/12/2020

The Board of Education will host a Special Meeting to discuss the Superintendent's goals for the upcoming year on Monday, September 14, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. No action will be taken during open session.

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New Fresh Fruit & Veggies Meal Distribution

09/10/2020

Students across the District will have an opportunity to experience new fruit and vegetable options, thanks to the Illinois State Board of Education’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).

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Recap of September 8 Board Meeting

09/09/2020

The Board of Education held a public hearing concerning the 2020/21 budget. Following the hearing, the Board voted to approve the $278,335,193 Budget.

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Notice for Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 Board Meetings

09/06/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session.

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Extending Remote Learning Through Oct. 16

09/04/2020

As we wrap up our third week of Remote Learning, and prepare to head into the Labor Day weekend, we would like to provide the community with an update on our reopening plan in hopes that it will provide some clarity for the upcoming weeks.

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Birth-to-Three's Baby Talk Screenings

09/02/2020

Our District’s Birth-to-Three program is currently accepting children under 3-years-old to participate in its Baby Talk Virtual Home Visits.

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District 60 Adds Afternoon Food Distribution Times

08/31/2020

In an effort to maximize accessibility for families, Waukegan Public School is altering its free food distribution schedule. Beginning September 3, Thursday meal distribution will now take place between 3:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. Tuesday distribution will continue to be hosted in the morning between 8:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.

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Student Tech Support Hours Expanded

08/28/2020

Our IT department has added additional technical support sessions to assist students with their District issued Chromebooks. For the next two weeks, the Washington Campus Tech Depot is now scheduling tech support appointments for students on Saturdays, as well as expanding its hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tech support hours may shift again at the conclusion of the two weeks, depending on the needs of our students.

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Recap of August 25 Board Meeting

08/26/2020

Action Items -The Board of Education voted to approve the amendments to Board Policy 1204, Naming of School Facilities.

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Material Pick-Up Events Planned for Aug. 27, 28

08/25/2020

As we continue through our second week of our new Remote Learning structure, we have important information for families regarding physical learning materials. This week Waukegan Schools will host learning material pick up events for PreK-8 students on Thursday, August 27 and Friday, August 28.

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Notice of Aug. 26 Board SRO Workshop

08/24/2020

A special SRO Workshop with the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in Open Session. The Workshop is an opportunity for the Board and the Waukegan Police Department to have a facilitated discussion about the function of School Resource Officers.

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Fall Sports Spectator Update

08/24/2020

Fall sports' competitions begin this week, and will unfortunately look a little different than previous years. To help ensure the safety of our student athletes and their supporters, the decision has been made to not allow spectators to attend District athletic events until further notice. We realize this news is disappointing for our families and athletes, and thank everyone for their understanding during this time.

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Notice of August 25 Board Meeting

08/23/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Student Registration Help

08/20/2020

Registration for new students to attend Waukegan Public Schools can be done remotely on the district's Student Registration page.

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WPS School Drive-up WiFi Service Information

08/18/2020

With the first week of school no underway, we'd like to remind everyone of our drive-up WiFi service available at several of our school parking lots. We understand many individuals may lack reliable high speed internet at home, and this service will allow all students and staff to visit any of the schools listed below to connect to the WiFi from your vehicles.

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Working Together for Remote Learning

08/17/2020

As we wind down our first day of instruction for the 2020-2021 school year, I want to thank all of our parents and staff for your commitment to educating yourselves on this new Remote Learning structure, as well as ensuring your children and students are prepared to participate in online lessons.

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Notice of August 18 BOE Committee Meetings

08/15/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Preparing for the First Day of Instruction

08/14/2020

In three days we will officially begin the 2020-2021 school year. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were wrapping up an unprecedented academic year, and now we’re preparing to begin what is sure to be another extraordinary year of teaching and learning.

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Details on Remote Learning Plan for Fall 2020

08/12/2020

With classes beginning on August 17, we are excited to present additional details about our Remote Learning plan for Fall 2020. Below are links to the English and Spanish versions of our Remote Learning handbook.

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Recap of August 11 Board Meeting

08/12/2020

Action Items -The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of two new Duplo Printer machines, Stands, Document Feeders and supplies for the Brookside Printshop. The estimated cost including shipping is $36,504.

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WPS Distributes its Millionth Meal

08/11/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 today surpassed one million meals distributed to students since the initial closing of schools in March. As of Tuesday, August 11, 1,011,627 meals have been distributed to students during these twice-a-week food giveaways.

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Schedules and Teacher Assignment Information

08/10/2020

Students and parents should be receiving information about schedules and teacher assignments for the 2020-2021 school year. Below is information on how parents can access information for their children. Kindergarten- 5th Grade Letters were sent home last week to families with their child’s teacher name/info. Class rosters are being finalized early this week. Parents with questions are asked to contact their child’s school. Grades 6-12 Student schedules are viewable in Infinite Campus through the Parent or Student Portal under the “Documents” section. Counselors can make adjustments if students or parents request changes.

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Notice of August 11 Board Meeting

08/09/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Returning Student Registration Information

08/07/2020

Returning students registration for the 2020-2021 school year is again open for students who did not pre-register in the Spring. For most students, the registration process entails only confirming or updating contact information. Parents can do so by calling or emailing their child’s school using the contacts below.

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Recap of August 4 Special Meeting

08/05/2020

The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of 500 Hotspots from T-Mobile with a one-year agreement. These hotspots will be assigned to those students that do not have access to a WiFi internet connection. The cost for 500 hotspots is $120,000.00 for one year of service.

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EPIC Preschool Now Enrolling

08/03/2020

Waukegan Community Unit #60 is currently enrolling three- to five-year-old children in its EPIC preschool program. Funded in part by the Illinois Board of Education Preschool For All Early Childhood Block Grant, enrollment into preschool classes are free for all Waukegan families meeting the program’s qualifications. Eligible children must live within District 60 boundaries, be three years old at the time of screening, and turn five after September 1

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Notice of Aug. 4 Special Meeting & Budget Workshop

08/01/2020

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. for Open Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the community, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting.

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Fall Plan Q&A Information Videos

07/28/2020

On July 27 Waukegan Public Schools hosted two video information sessions to answer stakeholder questions about its Fall 2020 Plan. During the broadcasts staff gave overviews of the plan, and took questions from viewers. Links to the videos can be found here:

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Waukegan Public Schools Fall 2020 Plan

07/24/2020

Beginning next month we will be instituting a Four Stage plan which gradually resumes in-person instruction based upon health metrics and sensibility. Stage 1 begins on August 17, with all students in grades PreK-12 enrolled in remote instruction.

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Recap of Special July 23 Board Meeting

07/24/2020

Special Presentations Staff gave an overview presentation of the District’s Fall 2020 plan. Additional details can be found here.

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Notice of July 23 Special Board Meeting

07/21/2020

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session. The meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToWebinar. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5387807495607969291

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WHS Summer Sports Camps Begin Next Week

07/16/2020

Waukegan High School’s 2020 athletic summer camps will begin next week. Student athletes are asked to report to the first day of camp to sign up.

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New Student Registration Available Online

07/14/2020

New student registration for grades K-12 is open for the 2020-2021 school year. The registration is for any families new to Waukegan Public Schools. As a result of the ongoing COVID pandemic, parents are asked to register their children online. Registration forms can be found here.

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Kindergarten Readiness Material Distribution

07/14/2020

The United Way of Lake County will distribute materials for its Kindergarten Readiness program beginning this week. The free materials are available for Waukegan children who will be entering kindergarten this fall. Distribution information is below:

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Waukegan Schools Foundation’s Backpack Fundraiser

07/07/2020

The Waukegan Public Schools Foundation is currently accepting donations for its annual Backpack Fundraiser to help purchase school supplies for District 60 students.

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What Do We Need to Consider for Fall 2020?

07/01/2020

As we continue to plan and prepare for the fall, feedback from our stakeholders is very important to us. Last month we received a fantastic response to our surveys about the reopening of schools, and that information has aided us as we formulate a plan.

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Summer School Material Distribution July 1 & 2

06/30/2020

Summer school learning material distribution events for students in grades PreK-8 are planned for Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Miguel Juarez Middle School, 201 N Butrick Street.

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Fall Planning Video Broadcasts Begin This Week

06/29/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will begin a series of live broadcasts this week to discuss the fall planning process. During the broadcasts staff will share information from surveys and focus groups, and will discuss the next steps in our planning process. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions.

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Notice of Special Board Meeting and Workshop

06/27/2020

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at 5:45 p.m. for Open Session, 5:00 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of persistent public health concerns in the 60085 zip code area, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling (571) 317-3129. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Final Summer School Material Distribution Event

06/25/2020

The final summer school learning material distribution event for students in grades PreK-8 will be held on Friday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miguel Juarez Middle School, 201 N Butrick Street. Families that can not make the event and need to pick up Summer School materials are asked to fill out a Delivery Request Form and items will be delivered next week.

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Fall Planning Update

06/24/2020

In recent weeks, our staff has been hard at work making plans for the 2020-2021 school year. With the scheduled start of the year less than two months away, we want to provide an update on our planning, as well as how the school year will be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

Read More About Fall Planning Update

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Recap of June 23 Board Meeting

06/22/2020

The Board of Education voted to approve the submission of the Consolidated District Plan (CDP) to the Illinois State Board of Education. The Consolidated District Plan (CDP) is part of the pre-planning process for our other federal grant application submissions and allows districts to answer one set of planning questions to meet requirements for the 12 other Federal formula grants. The purpose of the CDP is to promote meaningful collaboration among district administrators and coordinate efforts across district offices. The CDP also streamlines the federal grant application process.

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Notice of June 23 Board of Education Meeting

06/21/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of the community's COVID-19 positivity rate above the State's Phase III benchmark, persistent public health concerns in the 60085 zip code area, and on the advice of medical personnel, the meeting will be conducted entirely remotely via GoToMeeting.

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PreK- 8 Summer School Learning Material Distribution

06/17/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will host its summer school learning material distribution for students in grades PreK-8 on Monday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miguel Juarez Middle School.

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WHS Students Win Congressional Art Contest

06/17/2020

Congratulations to Waukegan High School 2020 grad Janette Martinez-Tolentino, and incoming senior Angie Ordonez, who recently earned first and second place respectively in Congressman Brad Schneider's annual Congressional Art competition.

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WHS to Launch Virtual College Planning Series

06/15/2020

Waukegan High School is hosting a virtual College Workshop series for students and families to get a jumpstart on the college planning process. The three-part series begins on June 17 and continues weekly through June 30. The series is targeted at incoming seniors at their families, but incoming juniors and sophomores and their families are also encouraged to participate. To register, students and parents can email Ms. Yesim Sonmez at ysonmez@wps60.org.

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Notice of June 16 BOE Committee Meetings

06/14/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. As a result of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order, meetings will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling 1 877 568 4106. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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Recap of the June 9 Board of Education Meeting

06/10/2020

The Board of education voted to purchase failover hardware and software solutions for the phase II of the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) room located at Brookside Campus. These purchases are required to improve hardware and software availability in the case of an emergency at the primary MDF room located at Lincoln Center. The estimated cost for phase II is $1,273,083, plus a contingency fund of $100,000 for unknown technical issues or services. The Information Technology Department is in the process of building a second Main Distribution Frame (MDF) Room at Brookside Campus to serve as a backup center for critical hardware and software applications. This project consists of hour phases: Phase # 1 - Preparation of network room, electrical, and air conditioning was completed. Phase # 2 - Consist of the installation and configuration of the hardware and software that will do a fail over in case of an emergency/technical issues with the district primary MDF room located at Lincoln Center. Phase # 3 - Consist of the installation of fiber optics from Brookside Campus MDF room to all district buildings. Phase # 4 - Consist of systems non-critical applications.

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PreK-8 Summer School Information

06/10/2020

Thank you for choosing WPS60’s extended learning summer school program! We are excited to provide this opportunity for our students and families. This is the first time in WPS60 history that we will be offering a summer school program completely online. Despite the current challenges we all face, District 60 is dedicated to designing and implementing a new way of teaching and learning. You will find, we are committed to creating a summer remote learning experience that serves all students, which includes diverse learners, English language learners, and those students seeking enrichment.

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WHS Diploma Pick Up Information

06/09/2020

Make-up Diploma Pickup for May graduates will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning Monday, June 15. Students may come to the main entrance at Washington Campus between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. to pick up their diplomas.

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Waukegan Schools Recognized for PBIS Supports

06/09/2020

For the second consecutive year, Clearview Elementary School has been recognized as a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Gold Level School by the Midwest PBIS Network. An additional four Waukegan schools were recognized this year as Silver Level schools.

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District 60 Fall Planning Survey

06/08/2020

As we plan for 2020-2021, our priority remains the health and safety of our students and staff. We will continue to follow the advice of health experts, and consult the guidance of education authorities such as the Illinois State Board of Education as we develop our plans. But we also want to ensure that our stakeholders have a voice in the planning process.

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District 60 Summer Meal Distribution Events

06/08/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 remains committed to supporting its students during the summer months and beyond. In an effort to maintain service to our families, our District was granted permission by the Illinois State Board of Education to continue hosting meal distribution events twice a week.

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Notice of June 9 Board of Education Meeting

06/07/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order, the meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling 1 877 568 4106. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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New Student Registration for 2020-21 School Year.

06/05/2020

New student registration for grades K-12 is now open for the 2020-2021 school year. This year, parents of children new to District 60 are asked to register online through Infinite Campus, and registration forms can be accessed here.

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Returning Student Registration Extended

06/03/2020

The deadline for returning students to register for the 2020-2021 school year has been extended through June 4, 2020. Parents can visit our Returning Student Registration page to begin the process through Parent Portal.

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Reflections on the Final Day of Learning from the Superintendent

06/03/2020

As our final day before heading into summer break comes to a close, I felt now would be a great time to take a moment to reflect on this historic school year, as well as express my pride and appreciation for the students, families and staff of our District.

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8th Grade Promotion Video Broadcasts

06/02/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will broadcast 8th grade promotion videos for all five middle schools beginning at 5 p.m. today, June 2, Videos for Abbott, Benny, Jefferson, Juarez and Webster will be available on the District’s Panopto Channel by clicking here, or they can be viewed on Facebook by clicking here.

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District 60 Recognizes 2020 Retirees

06/01/2020

Waukegan School District 60 this week honored nearly 50 employees with combined service of more than 1,000 years, who plan to retire at the end of the school year.

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Changes to District 60 Student Appearance Policy

05/30/2020

Stakeholders will find two major changes in the revisions. First, the approved policy updates the general dress appearance language as recommended by our Parent Teacher Advisory Committee. Secondly, the revisions eliminate the uniform color combinations, or “uniforms” most elementary and middle school students in Waukegan are required to wear to school. Effective next school year, students in prek- grade 8 will no longer be required to wear specific color combinations to school. Students will still be required to follow standard codes of appearance, which are outlined in the policy.

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BOE Budget Workshop # 1 Notice

05/29/2020

A meeting of the Board of Education Budget Committee will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM. As a result of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order, the meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting. Members of the public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/423225093. There is also an option to dial in using your phone by calling 1 877 568 4106. When prompted, enter the access code: 423-225-093.

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How to View WHS Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation

05/29/2020

The Waukegan High School 2020 virtual graduation video will premiere today at 5:30 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube. A program for the ceremony can be found here. If you are unable to watch live, the ceremony will be available to view following its initial airing on our District’s social media channels.

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Class of 2020 Graduation Information

05/28/2020

Waukegan High School will broadcast its 147th commencement exercise at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29. An expected class of more than 950 students will make up Waukegan High School’s Class of 2020.

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Recap of May 26 Board Meeting

05/27/2020

The Board of Education voted to approve the amendments to the Student Appearance Policy 6041. The amendments accomplish two things. First, they update the general dress appearance language as recommended by the Parent Teacher Advisory Committee. Second, they also remove from the District's policy the option for individual school buildings to implement a dress color (aka uniform) requirement. The dress color removal was the recommendation of a second parent, teacher, administrator work group which polled the families in the District in reaching its recommendation.

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WHS Honors 2020 Senior Athletes

05/26/2020

Waukegan High School's Athletic Department announced the recipients of its annual athletics awards this week, including its Athlete of the Year winners, and leadership award winners.

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Notice of May 26 Board of Education Meeting

05/23/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 6 p.m. for Closed Session.

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District to Host Remote Institute Day May 22

05/21/2020

As we wind down our academic year, I want to again thank our families for the support they have provided to our students during our ongoing school closures. Your support has been very important during these times. There are two upcoming events we want to ensure are on everyone's radar concerning Remote Learning.

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K-8 Summer School Registration Information

05/19/2020

Registration for summer school at Waukegan Public Schools is now open. High school students will need to register through their school counselor. Parents of students in grades Kindergarten through 8 can register online at t.ly/itLY or contact your child’s school. A listing of parent support email addresses are listed in the school directory. Please register by Friday, May 29.

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Senior Equipment Return Details

05/18/2020

See below for information about senior equipment return dates, including details for music students, athletics, JROTC and more.

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Notice of May 19 BOE Committee Meetings

05/17/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The Student Achievement Committee will be held first, immediately followed by Operation Services.

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District 60 Earns Meritorious Budget Award

05/14/2020

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 has again been recognized with a Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2019-2020 budget year, from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

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Mr. Daniel Hill Appointed as Co-Principal of Waukegan High School

05/13/2020

The Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 Board of Education appointed Mr. Daniel Hill as the new Co-Principal at Waukegan High School this week. Mr. Hill will serve as co-principal out of the WHS- Washington Campus beginning July 1.

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Recap of May 12 Board Meeting

05/13/2020

-The Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of the partnership with Youth Guidance- BAM in the amount of $661,376 for the 2020-2021 SY. BAM (Becoming a Man) is a school-based counseling program that develops the social emotional competencies of students in grades 7-12, helping to ensure that young men are successful socially, emotionally, and academically and that they are prepared for life after high school.

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Notice of May 12 Board of Education Meeting

05/09/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session.

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School Fees Reimbursement Information

05/08/2020

When the Governor announced last month that schools would not be returning to in-person instruction for this school year, we began the process of closing out many aspects of our school year. This includes evaluating student fees and activity fees to determine and calculate potential refunds for our families.

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District to Host Remote Institute Day May 11

05/08/2020

I want to again thank all of you for your efforts during the last eight weeks. Our staff’s ability to adapt to these unprecedented circumstances has been an important aspect in the continuing education of our students. To assist staff we hosted two Remote Institute Days last month. We hope you found these events to be informative, and helpful.

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End of Year Grading Information

05/05/2020

While we have worked together to navigate the ever-changing instructional landscape in recent weeks, we have spoken a lot about remaining flexible and fluid as best-practices and guidance change. We have seen a lot of changes in how teachers are instructing and how students are learning. Ultimately, this new approach also affects how students are graded. With our school district now more than halfway through its final grading quarter, we wanted to issue clarity to our stakeholders on student grades and grading windows.

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End of Year Event Information For Grades 8 & 12

05/05/2020

We want to start out by saying how proud we are of our students for the maturity and grit they have modeled in recent weeks. We greatly miss seeing our senior students in the halls of Washington Campus and AOEC. We know how hard you have worked to get to your senior year, and how exciting this time of year should typically feel for you. We are sad we are unable to be together, to celebrate all of your accomplishments as you complete your WPS60 educational journey.

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Week of May 4 Meal Distribution - May 5 & 7

05/04/2020

Our District will be serving free meals for students at 117 locations throughout the community this week. Distribution days will be on May 5 and May 7.

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Returning Student Registration Now Open

05/04/2020

Registration is now open for students who will be returning to Waukegan Public Schools for 2020-2021. All Returning Students will be registered through the Parent Portal. Please login here to complete the process All parents and guardians must verify and update contact information.

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Information about the State’s Pandemic EBT Program

05/03/2020

The Illinois State Board of Education is sharing some valuable information for families regarding the State’s new Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. The program provides families extra money for food. Please see important details from ISBE’s announcement of the program below regarding program eligibility and sign-up. A full copy of the announcement can be found here.

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Recap of April 28 Board Meeting

04/29/2020

Action Items -The Board of Education voted to approve the amendments to Board Policy 3331, Work Expenditures - Controls as recommended by the Administration and presented for second reading. Policy 3331 was presented to the Board for first reading on April 7, 2020 under its then title Travel Expenditures - Controls. Second reading is presented with the updated and expanded title of Work Related Expenditures - Controls. Minor technical changes are made in the second reading. Costs associated with this policy will vary from year to year and cannot be predicted at this time. The funding source similarly will vary depending on the originating source of the approved work expenditure. However, we anticipate the majority will be funded through the Education Fund.

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Mental Health Resources for Families and Staff

04/29/2020

During the last month and a half, we have been faced with unprecedented circumstances, and each of us has risen up to meet unique challenges, as we navigate this global pandemic. We have seen extraordinary efforts from staff, parents, and students, who are working to better themselves, their families, and their community.

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Potential Changes to Student Appearance Policy

04/27/2020

As the Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 Board of Education prepares to vote on potential changes to its Student Appearance Policy, the Board is seeking additional feedback from stakeholders.

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District to Host Remote Institute Day April 27

04/26/2020

Our District will be hosting its second Remote Institute Day on Monday, April 27. Once again, during the day team members will engage in learning activities to enhance and further develop their ability to deliver and facilitate remote instruction and other services for our students.

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Notice of April 28 Regular Board Meeting

04/25/2020

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order, the special meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting.

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WPS Drive-up WiFi Service Now Available

04/24/2020

Waukegan Public Schools is excited to announce that we are launching drive-up WiFi service at several of our school parking lots. We understand many individuals may lack reliable high speed internet at home. This new service will allow all students and staff to visit any of the schools listed below to connect to the WiFi from your vehicles.

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Expanded Food Distribution Begins This Week

04/20/2020

As we move into another week of school closures, we have talked a lot about the importance of remaining fluid to adjust to required changes, and the reevaluation of our students' needs. We understand these are unprecedented times,and they require unprecedented efforts. With this in mind, our District has made the decision to expand its food distribution efforts.

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Notice of April 21 BOE Committee Meetings

04/19/2020

The Board of Education will host its regularly-scheduled Student Achievement and Operation Services committee meetings on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The Operation Services Committee will be held first, immediately followed by Student Achievement.

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Update on School Closures for 19-20 School Year

04/17/2020

This afternoon Gov. Pritzker announced that in-person learning is suspended in all Illinois schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This means that students in Waukegan, and across the state will not be returning to the classroom this school year.

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Waukegan CUSD #60 Promotion Policy Update

04/15/2020

In the fall of 2017, our school district, along with a large contingency of stakeholders, began the process of reviewing promotion practices and creating district-wide promotion policy procedures to ensure that all students are making adequate academic progress at critical benchmark grades throughout their educational career. In addition, the Board also reviewed and updated its policy 5215, now named Promotion and Retention of Students, Grades K-12.

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April 14 Board of Education Meeting Canceled

04/10/2020

The regular Board of Education meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 has been canceled, as permitted under the Governor's Executive Order 2020-07. The Board met remotely on April 7 for a special meeting, during which time they took action on urgent items related to the ongoing COVID-19 school closures. A recap of that meeting can be found here. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 28. The Board will also meet for its monthly Operations and Student Achievement committee meetings on April 21. Those meetings will be conducted remotely, via GoToMeeting. Additional information on accessing those meetings will be made available at a later date.

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Recap of First Week of Remote Learning in WPS

04/09/2020

As we prepare to close out the first week of Remote Learning Days in our district, we want to thank staff, parents and students for all of your hard work and attention during this newest chapter of instruction. All week we’ve seen many positive accounts about Waukegan students learning, and interacting with their teachers. It’s heartwarming to see this level of engagement with our new Remote Learning website.

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Recap of April 7 Special Board Meeting

04/08/2020

The Board of Education voted to ratify the actions of the Superintendent and the COVID-19 Executive Team, which were necessary to respond to the public health crisis arising as a result of the unexpected and extraordinary circumstances associated with the COVID 19 pandemic; to preserve the health, safety and welfare of the District's students, staff and their families and to conduct the essential business services and operations of the District consistent with the Governor's Disaster Proclamation and subsequent Executive Orders affecting public schools, guidance and rule changes announced by the Illinois State Board of Education and other local, State or federal laws, such as the CARES Act.

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Remote Learning Website is Live; New Food Sites

04/05/2020

Tomorrow marks the official start of our Remote Learning Days in Waukegan Public Schools. As we prepare to take this next step, there is a lot of information we wish to share with families. In this letter you can find information on how to access our remote learning resources, information on technical support, details of our new meal distribution sites, as well as various other important updates for the coming weeks.

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Notice of April 7, 2020 Special Board Meeting

04/04/2020

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. for Open Session, 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session. As a result of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order, the special meeting will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting.

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Remote Learning & Update on School Closures

03/31/2020

During a special announcement today, Governor Pritzker shared his decision to extend the State’s “Stay at Home Order” to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Governor's Executive Order is now in place through April 30, which means the earliest schools can reopen will be Friday, May 1. This opening date is once again subject to change as we await information and guidance from health experts. As a District, we would like to thank all our stakeholders for their patience and understanding as we respond to this fluid situation.

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Food Distribution Planned for March 31, April 2

03/29/2020

During the last few weeks we have hosted several food distribution events at our schools to feed our children while schools are closed. These events have served thousands of meals, and the need to continue these events is evident.

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District 60 Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

03/26/2020

Waukegan Public Schools has just been advised that a staff member at our Lincoln Center administrative office tested positive for COVID-19 during the ongoing District closure. Our District is communicating and coordinating necessary responses with the appropriate health officials.

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Meal Distribution Dates Added and More

03/24/2020

On Monday of this week, our District hosted food distribution events at five schools that were met with an unprecedented response from our families. To meet this need, we will again be opening some of our schools this week to distribute much-needed meals to our families.

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Update Following Governor's ‘Stay at Home’ Order

03/20/2020

Following Governor Pritzker announcement today, we wanted to provide a brief update detailing how the State’s “Stay at Home Order” will affect the District in the coming days.

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COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 4/20)

03/20/2020

Waukegan Public Schools has prepared the following questions and answers to share with its families, staff members and interested community members drawing from individual inquiries received to date. Please note that any of the answers provided may change at any time based on subsequent public health events and local, state, and federal guidance or orders. We will be updating this document periodically.

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Your Families Mental Well-being is Important

03/19/2020

It has been a difficult time for everyone these last few days, as we adjust to an unprecedented set of circumstances. While much of our recent focus has been on how to best protect the physical health of ourselves and others, it is just as important that we are all talking about and taking steps to ensure we maintain our mental health, and that of our children. With this message, we hope to share valuable information from our District’s mental health professionals that will help parents guide their children through these unfamiliar circumstances.

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Mental Health Resources for Staff

03/19/2020

It has been a difficult time for everyone these last few days, as we adjust to an unprecedented set of circumstances. While much of our recent focus has been on how to best protect the physical health of ourselves and others, it is just as important that we are all talking about and taking steps to ensure we maintain our mental health. Below we are sharing valuable information from our District’s mental health professionals to assist staff through these unfamiliar circumstances. You will also find information on how to access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at any time.

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Update: Building Closures & Calendar Changes

03/17/2020

In response to the rapidly-shifting COVID-19 pandemic, Waukegan Public Schools is taking additional cautionary measures to help ensure the safety of our students, staff and community at large. There are several important changes that we want to bring to the attention of parents, students and staff members:

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Superintendent Special Message - March 16

03/16/2020

Superintendent Plascencia released a special message today regarding the Coronavirus and school closures.

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Submit Your Questions Regarding School Closures

03/16/2020

We know our families and staff have a lot of questions about the recent mandated closings. In an effort to answer some of these questions, we are creating a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link on our website. Use the attached form to submit your questions

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Update on School Closures, Learning Packets

03/15/2020

On Friday we announced that all Waukegan Public Schools will be closed during the week of March 16 as a precaution to protect against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We will remain closed the week of March 23 as well, which is pre-planned Spring Break. Following our announcement, Governor Pritzker mandated a two week closure of all schools in Illinois. Waukegan schools are currently scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, March 31 per the Governor’s mandate.

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District 60 Schools to Close Beginning March 16

03/13/2020

After careful consideration, a decision has been made to close all Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 schools beginning Monday, March 16, in order to best protect the health and wellness of all students and staff. All schools will remain closed through our Spring Break, and we plan to reopen on Monday, March 30.

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Coronavirus Communication - March 12

03/12/2020

We are writing again today to share our District’s latest updates regarding the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We know there has been a lot of information to digest during the last 24 hours, and our district has continually been monitoring updates, and guidance from health officials.

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Applications for Prospective Cooke Students

03/11/2020

Applications are now available for parents wishing to enroll their children in Waukegan’s Andrew Cooke Magnet School for the Fine Arts and Sciences in the fall.

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Coronavirus Communication - March 11

03/11/2020

As you may be aware by now, earlier today the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) confirmed the first case of a Lake County resident testing positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The individual is a male in his 50s, whom the LCHD reports is from the southern portion of our county.

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Coronavirus Communication - March 9

03/09/2020

Waukegan Public Schools is monitoring the health advisories related to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The latest news and advice concerning COVID-19 can change rapidly. We are continuing to take direction from, and rely on the advice of health professionals from various organizations, including the Lake County Health Department (LCHD), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

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JROTC Rated Among Nation’s Top Programs

03/09/2020

Even after more than 100 years, Waukegan High School’s JROTC program is still setting new program milestones. Following a formal JROTC Program of Accreditation (JPA) inspection last month, Waukegan’s nationally ranked program learned it had been designated as an “Honor Unit with Gold Star Distinction,” which is the highest standing a JROTC Program can receive. The program earned a score of 98.5 out of a possible 100, which is the highest any squad has received in the program’s 103-year history.

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District 60 Schools Selected for Breakfast Grants

03/06/2020

Four Waukegan Elementary Schools have been selected to receive Fuel Up to Play 60 breakfast grants. Students and staff at Clark, Hyde Park, Whittier and Cooke Magnet elementary schools learned last month their schools had been selected as recipients of the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) Breakfast Opportunity Grant.

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Community Solar Field Planned on District 60 Land

03/03/2020

Land owned by Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 may soon be home to one of the largest community solar fields in Illinois, as part of a project that could potentially save residents money on their electric bills, while generating lease revenue for District 60.

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Early Spring Concert Series at WHS This Month

03/02/2020

The Waukegan High School music department will host its Early Spring Concert Series on March 10 - 13. Below are dates and times for the student shows. Most concerts are free and all are open to the public.

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Coronavirus Communication

02/27/2020

Dear Waukegan Families, This week you likely heard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued additional warnings regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). As a school district we have been monitoring the spread of the virus, and we remain connected to federal, state, and local agencies to gather critical information about its spread and its potential impact.

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Recap of February 25 Board Meeting

02/26/2020

Special Presentations -Representatives from Waukegan to College and Lake County United gave a presentation about the need for a school-based health clinic. -Representatives from the United Way of Lake County detailed some of the successes the organization has had with Waukegan Public Schools during the last decade.

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Message Regarding Recent Social Media Threats

02/26/2020

Dear Waukegan Community, I am writing today to express my disappointment related to the string of threats made toward our schools on social media in recent days.

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Cooke Speller Advances To County Bee

02/21/2020

Cooke Magnet School fifth grader London Jones will join the top spellers from throughout the county when she competes in the Lake County Final Spelling Bee at the College of Lake County on March 10.

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District's Black History Celebration Friday

02/20/2020

Waukegan families are invited to join in the celebration of African-American history and culture during the District's second annual Black History Celebration. The event will take place on February 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Juarez Middle School, 201 N Butrick Street.

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WHS to Debut "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

02/19/2020

This Friday Waukegan High School's Theatre Department will debut its production of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This classic comedic play tells the tale of four young Athenian lovers, and a group of six amateur actors, who encounter a group of mischievous fairies traveling through the forest.

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Buckner to Host County Sectional Spelling Bee

02/17/2020

Carman-Buckner Elementary School will host a Lake County Sectional Spelling Bee event on Thursday, February 20. Students from Waukegan-area elementary and middle schools will compete for an opportunity to compete at the Lake County Spelling Bee Finals next month.

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School Dress Uniform Survey

02/14/2020

The Board of Education for Waukegan Public Schools is in the process of evaluating its Student Appearance Policy, 6010. This policy includes language about school dress uniforms and general student appearance. School dress uniforms reference the uniform color combinations most elementary and middle school students in Waukegan are required to wear to school. As the Board reviews its policies, we are asking for input from parents, students and staff about dress uniforms.

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Lyon Magnet Accepting Applications for 2020-2021

02/13/2020

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District Approves Three Year School Calendar

02/13/2020

This week the Board of Education approved calendars for the next three school years. The approved calendars cover years 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. These schedules were created by our calendar committee, which consisted of more than 20 individuals from throughout the District. The calendars were also shared with parents, staff and students in draft form prior to approval, so that we may receive feedback. We want to thank the more than 1,600 individuals who took time to complete our calendar survey.

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Edgar Castellanos Selected to Fill Board Vacancy

02/12/2020

Mr. Edgar Castellanos has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 Board of Education. Mr. Castellanos was appointed during the February 11 Board Meeting to replace Mr. Michael Rodriguez, who resigned last month.

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Recap of February 11 Board Meeting

02/12/2020

Special Recognitions -The Board of Education presented a Resolution of Honor in recognition of former Board Member, Mr. Michael Rodriguez, who stepped away from the Board in January after 13 years of service.

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Free English Classes for Parents Begin February 10

02/05/2020

The winter session of District 60’s STEPS (English As A Second Language For Parents) Classes will begin February 10. These English classes are free for all Waukegan parents, and will be held every Monday and Wednesday at Washington Elementary School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. No prior registration is required, and enrollment for these classes will be ongoing.

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WHS Bowler Earns All-State Honors

02/03/2020

For the second year in a row, Waukegan High School senior bowler Diego Cortez has earned All-State honors. Diego placed 9th at the IHSA State Bowling Finals on January 31 and February 1.

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District to Host Black History Celebration

02/01/2020

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Closed Session Board Meetings on Feb. 4, Feb. 5

01/31/2020

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 will host Special Board Meetings on February 4 and February 5, 2020 for the purpose of interviewing candidates to fill the vacancy on the Board. Interviews will be held in Closed Session. The meeting on February 4 will begin at 6 p.m. The meeting on February 5 will begin at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Room 120 at Lincoln Center. No formal action will be taken at these meetings.

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Van Weddle Sworn In as New Student Board Member

01/30/2020

The Board of Education for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 officially swore in Waukegan High School Junior, Van Weddle, as its newest Student Board Member on January 28.

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Recap of January 28 Board Meeting

01/29/2020

Special Presentations - Waukegan High School Junior, Van Weddle was officially sworn in as the newest Student Board Member. Van will serve as a non-voting member until January 2021. -District staff and representatives of the Sheriff’s Office gave a presentation about a new Youth Mentoring Partnership program launching next month.

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10th Annual Pink Out Events Begin This Weekend

01/28/2020

The annual Great Waukegan Pink-Out pep rally, basketball games, and related events are back again this year. The 10th annual Pink Out festivities kick off this Saturday, February 1, where the Waukegan High School boys’ and girls' basketball teams will all take on Mundelein High School at the WHS-Washington Campus.

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Brookside Campus to Reopen Tuesday, Jan. 28

01/27/2020

Waukegan High School’s Brookside Campus will reopen tomorrow, January 28, following today’s nearby water main break.

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Water Main Break Emergency at Brookside

01/26/2020

As a result of a large water main break adjacent to the Brookside Campus, the school is dismissing early today. Water flow from the water main break has inundated the rear parking lot at the school, and it threatens to interrupt the school day. As a precaution, all students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

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Proposed Calendar Updates - 2020-2023 School Years

01/23/2020

District 60 is preparing to approve school year calendars for the next three years (2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023). Our calendar committee, made up of staff from across the District, created the proposed calendars based on feedback we have heard over the years.

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Letter Regarding Brookside Incident

01/23/2020

January 23, 2020 Dear Waukegan Community I am writing today to share my feelings and frustration related to an incident that occurred at one of our high school campuses on Wednesday, January 22. Prior to dismissal at the Brookside Campus, there was a classroom altercation between three students, which resulted in two students seeking medical attention -- one for a laceration and another for back pain.

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Notice of Meeting Cancellation, Special Meeting

01/21/2020

The Special Meeting of the Board of Education scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, for the purpose of reviewing, and possibly taking action on student discipline matters, has been canceled. As a result of a technical issue, the online agenda for the January 21 meeting was not viewable to the public for several hours. Therefore, in compliance with ILCS 120/2.02, the meeting is being canceled. A new Special Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 23, also for the purpose of reviewing, and possibly taking action on student discipline matters. The Board of Education will meet in closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m. with an open session scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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Notice of Vacancy - Board Member

01/16/2020

In conformity with Illinois School Code section 105 ILCS 5/10-10, the Board of Education of Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 hereby gives notice that the application for persons desiring to be considered for appointment by the Board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of School Board Member Vice President, Mr. Michael Rodriguez on January 14, 2020.

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Recap of January 14 Board Meeting

01/15/2020

Special Recognition and Presentations -The Board of Education presented a resolution of Honor in recognition of former Carman School Principal, Ms. Isabelle Buckner. - Staff from Clearview Elementary presented on the school’s new Community Time is intended to promote positivity. - Representatives from Mano a Mano discussed the organization’s Census 2020 efforts.

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WHS to Host Exclusive Screenings of Pushout

01/13/2020

Waukegan Public Schools will be hosting two Lake County exclusive premiere screenings of PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools in observance of Black History Month. The screenings will take place February 6 and 7, and begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Trapp Auditorium. Tickets are free, and can be reserved online here: https://tinyurl.com/uvnyo8p

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WHS Freshman Open House January 29 and 30

01/10/2020

Open House is an exciting and informative evening for parents and students to begin the transition process to Waukegan High School. During this event we will showcase the many wonderful opportunities our high school has to offer and respond to any questions that you may have. We hope that after participating, you and your son or daughter will have a greater understanding of the high school with regards to: course and program offerings, expectations and extra-curricular opportunities.

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Clearview, Lightfoot Open on January 9

01/08/2020

Update to yesterdays Water Main Break: Crews working on the break were successfully able to restore water service to Lightfoot and Clearview, and both schools will be open tomorrow, January 9. Bottled drinking water will be provided.

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Washington Teacher Earns National Certification

01/08/2020

Washington Elementary School teacher, Ms. Erica Jacobo is among the most recently recognized National Board Certified Teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Last month, Ms. Jacobo, a 3rd grade dual language teacher at Washington Elementary School, learned she was among a select number of educators across the country to earn NBPTS certification. Ms. Jacobo has taught in District 60 for six years, spending all of her tenure at Washington.

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Family Field Trip: Adler Planetarium

01/08/2020

Waukegan families will have the chance to explore Chicago's Adler Planetarium during the District's upcoming Family Field Trip. The cost of the trip is $5, which covers admission to the Planetarium as well as transportation to and from the event. Families will have to preregister in order to secure a spot.

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Water Main Break at Clearview, Lightfoot

01/07/2020

A water main break was identified today, Tuesday, January 7 under the Lightfoot Early Learning Center parking lot. Crews are on the scene and are working to repair the issue. It is anticipated that the break may be repaired overnight, and water will be restored to the buildings, however, there is a possibility that the work will not be completed in time for classes tomorrow. In the event that main is not repaired, or that adequate water service is not restored in time for classes tomorrow, both buildings will be closed on Wednesday.

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Tech Talk: Learn Parent Portal

01/06/2020

Looking to stay better up to date on your child's academics? This Thursday, January 9, the District will be hosting its first Tech Talk, a series of informational seminars designed to familiarize parents with the various online resources available to them.

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2019-20 WHS Course Registration Information

12/09/2019

With first semester nearly over, it’s time to begin the course selection process for the 2020-2021 school year. Over the next several weeks, students will be actively involved in conversations with their teachers and counselors about their required and elective course options. We strongly recommend that parents get involved by talking with their students about their selection of courses and how it supports their post-secondary college and career goals.

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Cold Weather Information From District 60

12/04/2019

With December now upon us, and extreme winter weather soon to follow, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind everyone of cold weather policies governing Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60.

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North Receives Learning Resources Gift Donation

12/03/2019

Students at North Elementary got an early dose of holiday cheer this week, when the school was gifted more than $17,000 worth of hands-on educational toys and winter apparel.

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Sheridan Rd. Facility Redesign Committee Forums

11/29/2019

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 will host a series of community forums over the next several months to seek input from community members about the potential future use of the Lincoln Center building. The Sheridan Road Facility Redesign Committee, which is made up of parents, community members, students and staff is hosting a meeting each month between December and May to discuss space which may be opening up at Lincoln Center.

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Board of Education Seeking Student Board Member

11/13/2019

The Waukegan Community Unit District 60 Board of Education is looking for current WHS sophomores and juniors to apply for its soon-to-be open Student Board Member position for 2020.

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4 WHS Musicians Selected for District Festivals

11/12/2019

Three Waukegan student musicians performed at the Illinois Music Education Association’s (IMEA) District Senior Festival last weekend at Grayslake North High School as part of the IMEA’s District 7 Music Festival. The students performing over the weekend make up three of the four Waukegan High School student musicians selected to participate in either the IMEA Jazz or Senior Festival concerts this month.

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