Jaguar News
Family Newsletter of John R Lewis MS - October 18, 2026
- October 19. 2026: GPTO Virtual Planning Meeting - see below.
- October 20, 2026: Fun ROAR DAY at Lewis
- October 21, 2026: Wear Orange to show unity and support for bullying prevention.
- October 21, 2026: Early Release Day - Students Dismissed at 1:15
- October 21-22, 2026: Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4:30 to 7:30 PM
- October 23, 2026: No School due to PT Conferences
- October 28, 2026: Let's Learn About the ACCESS - Parent Presentation, 6 - 7:30 PM • Lewis MS Library
- October 30, 2026: Wear your Halloween Costume to school - details below :)
- November 3, 2026: No School - Election Day
- November 9, 2026: Picture Re-takes - New Date!!
- November 11, 2026: No School - Veteran's Day
No Clubs on Thursday due to PT Conferences. We are still waiting on Club Bus Routes - all students in Clubs must be picked up or walk home at 4:30.
Athletic Schedules:
TBD: Boys Basketball - Tryouts continue this week. See below.
Students must have an adult with them to attend Middle School athletic events.
Lewis Middle School students are required to have up-to-date school physical and/or immunizations. Students who do not have up-to-date physical and/or immunizations were excluded from school on October 15th. If this applies to your child, please keep in contact with Nurse Meyer. Students with confirmed appointments for physicals and vaccines should let the nurse know!!
Nurse Meyer's email is ameyer@wps60.org
Here is a link to the Virtual Meeting: meet.google.com/mxp-hftf-fez
Parent - Teacher Conferences are this Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at Lewis MS. Parents are encouraged to meet with their child's teachers to learn about their learning and progress so far this school year.
Your child's team of teachers will be sending home information about conferences for core subjects. Encore, PE and WIN teachers will also be available for conferences during both evenings, along with instructional coaches, school counselors, our school nurse, and administrators.
Administration will also be hosting Q and A sessions about Lewis MS and our State of the School video each evening at 6PM in the Lewis MS Library.
Students may not use cell-phones or any personal electronics during the school day. This includes Google Glasses or any similar products.
Students much keep personal electronics in their locker during the school day, including Google glasses. Students possessing personal electronics during the school day will have them confiscated and parents will have to pick up devices.
During the month of October we are focusing on Bullying Prevention. Bullying Prevention Awareness Month was established to shed light on the issue of bullying and encourage individuals and communities to take action to prevent it.
The month underscores the importance of fostering safe and respectful environments for everyone, especially young people. For more information on bullying you can visit the Mental Health America website at https://mhanational.org/bullying-tips-parents.
Bullying can also take place on social media or through messaging. Make sure to monitor what your child is doing on their phone. If you have more questions about cyberbullying you can find more information on the Stop Bullying website at https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it. Schools throughout District 60 will also recognize Bullying Prevention Month and there will be a series of activities and lessons throughout October to support this mission.
Remember that if your child is being bothered at school, you can make a report at the following link, See Something, Hear Something, Say Something
Wear Orange to show unity and support for bullying prevention on October 21. This Wednesday!
Clubs will continue this week - No Clubs on Thursday due to PT Conferences
All parents should have received an email confirming club enrollment. Due to high demand, some clubs filled quickly. Students who were unable to be enrolled should reach out to their counselors for other options. We also have a few openings in a few clubs - School Counselors can assist students/parents wishing to join after school clubs.
Club bus routes will not start for a couple of weeks. All students staying for after school clubs must be picked up or walk home at 4:30 after clubs.
Dates for the first 8 Week Session:
- Monday Clubs - 8 Sessions: Oct 19, 26; Nov 2, 9, 16, 30; Dec 7, 14.
- Tuesday Clubs - 8 Sessions: Oct 13, 20, 27; Nov 10, 17; Dec 1, 8, 15.
- Thursday Clubs - 8 Sessions: Oct 15, 29; Nov 5, 12, 19; Dec 3, 10, 17.
Lewis MS will begin offering Homework Help and Tutoring after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30, with the start date on Monday, September 21. Homework Help and Tutoring is recommended for students currently below a 2.0 GPA.
Parents may sign students up for regular sessions of Homework Help/Tutoring here. Students are also welcome to drop-in as needed for assistance. School transportation is not provided for students participating in Homework Help/Tutoring. All students attending must have a way home at 3:30 PM.
Interested in some John Lewis Spirit Wear!! We have opened a store via American Outfitters and invite all of you to take a look.
T-shirts, hoodies, sweats, jackets and more! Lots of colors and variety. Orders are due by October 31st!
Link to the store: johnrlewis26.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Please help us with ourChromebook Care policy: Please help remind students that they are responsible for taking care of their assigned device.
Every student should have:
A protective case on their Chromebook. If the case is missing, the replacement cost is $30.
A Chromebook charger. If they do not have one, replacement chargers are $30 and can be purchased through the Main Office. If the student has the defective charger it may be exchanged at tech office for free while supplies last
Another important change this year is that there are no longer individual part charges for Chromebook damage. So, if a student decides to pick apart an entire keyboard, $400. Broken screen? $400.
Vandalism Counts Too
Please remind students that drawing or writing on the Chromebook, carving their name or anything else into it, and placing stickers directly on the actual device are considered vandalism.
Keep it in the case. Keep it clean. Keep the stickers OFF the actual Chromebook. Keep track of the charger. And please… leave those keyboard keys alone!
Each week, students should complete two “My Path” math lessons in math and two “My Path” reading lessons with a score of 70 % or above outside of their regular Math, ESL, or ELA classes to improve their reading and math skills!
Parents can greatly help support their student’s progress by making sure Students log into i-Ready and complete these lessons each week.
To encourage Students to log in and successfully complete lessons, Students will be given the following extra credit points in their Math or ELA/ESL classes:
1st Lesson completed at 70% or higher= 2 extra credit points in Math and/or ELA/ESL class
2nd Lesson completed at 70% or higher= 3 extra credit points in Math and/or ELA/ESL class
8th Grade Parents - it is time to start thinking about Promotion! We will be collecting promotion fees throughout the school year in an effort to spread out the expenses for our 8th Grade families.
We will be collecting promotion fees on Fridays in October. Teachers will collect payments and issue receipts during Advisory Classes.
Required promotion fees are $35 and include the promotion gown, certificate cover, Lewis MS 8th grade T-Shirt, promotion dance and 8th grade picnic. Parent should expect additional costs near the end of the school year for the optional 8th Grade Great America trip and the school yearbook.
Lewis MS students are permitted and encouraged to wear Halloween Costumes to school on Friday, October 30 as long as they meet the following requirements:
- No Masks - The student's face must be visible.
- No blood or gore.
- No weapons of any kind, not even toy or fake weapons.
- No sexy costumes.
Let's have a fun day!!
The College of Lake County presents free hands-on science, technology, engineering, healthcare and math sessions for girls in grades 6-12 who want to explore STEM programs.
Saturday, November 7 • 9AM to Noon • College of Lake County!
13th Annual STEM Day for Girls!
Link is open and taking registration. A great event for our GIRLS - sign up now :)
2026 Jaguar Fall Sports Week of 10/19-10/22
Winter Season 1 Sports
Week of 10/19-10/22
8th Grade Boys basketball tryouts will be held on Tuesday 10/20 2:30-4:00 P.M. Thursday 10/22 2:30-4:00 P.M. Mr. Cook will be the coach for 8th grade. Must have a ride at 4:00 P.M. Must have a change of clothes and tennis shoes to practice in.
8th Grade Coach Mr. Cook wlcook@wps60.org
6/7th Grade Coach Mr. Kasten nkasten@wps60.org
8th Grade Coach Mr. Cook wlcook@wps60.org
6/7th Grade Coach Mr. Kasten nkasten@wps60.org
Lewis MS cell phone policy for the 26-27 School Year:
Recent studies have indicated that cell phones and the social media accessible through them is bad for learning and a student's mental health.
Lewis MS Student Cell Phone Policy for the 26-27 SY is:
Cell phones, earbuds, head phones and other personal electronic devices are permitted to be carried to and from school. During the school day, all personal electronic devices must be stowed in the student's locker and may not be used, including during lunch and passing periods. Parents needing to contact students should do so via the Lewis Main Office.
Students who violate the Lewis MS Cell Phone Policy will turn over their phone to Lewis staff. Only parents/guardians will be able to pick up cell phones from the Main Office.
Please see more about this and other school expectations in our Lewis MS Parent/Family Handbook.
Students being dropped off by a parent should arrive at school between 7AM and 7:15 AM.
Student drop off and pick up is in the South Loop only.
Please pull all the way forward when dropping off and picking up.
Please be patient when waiting to turn into the South Loop.
NO DROP OFF OR PICK-UP IS ALLOWED ON LEWIS AVENUE.
All Waukegan Middle School Students are required to maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA in order to be safely promoted to the next grade level.
Parents and Guardians can do a lot to help their students be successful:
- Ensure students attend school every day on time unless they are sick.
- Help your child get enough sleep: 11-14 year olds should have at least eight hours of sleep each night.
- Communicate with teachers or the school counselor if your child is struggling with grades or behaviors.
- Provide a quiet place for your child to complete school work at home.
- Talk to your child about school and encourage them to always do their best
English Video and Spanish Video are available. Please help your students maintain at 2.0 GPA so they can successfully move to the next grade level!
Remember to check your student's grades each week in the IC Parent Portal - call or email the MAIN OFFICE if you need support. 224-303-2560 or Lewis_parentsupport@wps60.org.
Parents and Guardians,
If your child is being bothered at school or if you would like to report an unsafe situation, please use the link below. We want to ensure ALL of our students feel safe and valued at school.
THANK you for your help!
John R. Lewis MS
Email: Lewis_parentsupport@wps60.org
Location: 600 South Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, IL
Phone: 224-303-2560
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lewiswaukegan/