The 21 Ledger

Online registration for returning students for the 2025-2026 school year will open on Thursday, May 1. We’ll send out more information on how to complete the process in a few weeks. Registering early helps us plan for a successful school year!

We are excited to extend a warm invitation to you and your child to join us for our upcoming Kindergarten Preview Nights! As your child’s educational journey begins, we believe it’s essential for families to explore and understand the environment where their little ones will learn and grow.

• Kilmer - Monday, May 5
• Twain - Tuesday, May 6
• Poe and Riley - Wednesday, May 7
• Tarkington - Thursday, May 8
• Whitman - Monday, May 12
• Frost and Longfellow - Tuesday, May 13
• Field - Wednesday, May 14

Join us in honoring the incredible CCSD21 staff members who have made a difference in your child’s life during Staff Appreciation Week, May 5-9. Share your gratitude by completing a brief form, and the staff member will receive a personalized certificate with your message of appreciation. Submit a separate form for each staff member you’d like to recognize—there’s no limit to the number of submissions!

There has been an increase in popularity with vaping devices or electronic cigarette devices and how school resource officers can be a resource for school community members. The district is aware of student use and is working to prevent the use of these devices. Read their full update.

Mark your calendars for a day dedicated to healthy living! Join us on Saturday, April 26 for our Health & Wellness Fair, where families can explore resources, engage in wellness activities, and learn tips for a healthier lifestyle.

Date: Saturday, April 26

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: London Middle School (1001 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling)

Check out the flyers for more information!

• English
• Spanish
• Russian
• Ukrainian

Thinking about missing another day? Research shows that improving attendance by just five days a year leads to higher achievement in reading, English and math!

Our sixth graders have been learning about matter and energy in ecosystems, and have been working on creating their own terrarium! Students had a great time building their terrariums, adding plants and decomposers (pill bugs and springtails) to their terrariums, and measuring the carbon dioxide levels. They are learning a lot about photosynthesis, cellular respiration and how carbon moves between things that are living and things that are not living. Each student will bring their terrarium home to continue to observe the ecosystem they built.

Did You Know… As a district, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! These are some traditions and holidays observed in our community this month. This month we begin by celebrating April Fool’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Earth Day, Eid-Al-Fitr, Arab Heritage Month, Arbor Day, Passover. If you’d like to learn more, click on the links: Don’t hesitate to reach out and share it with our Language Services Department to add to our resources!

The Indian Trails Library has many events and workshops for students and their families during April. Check out the calendar of events for specific activities and times this month.

HOOP DANCING WITH STARR CHIEF EAGLE

All ages. Celebrate Native American culture with Starr Chief Eagle as she performs the rare tradition of hoop dancing, a 22-hoop dance, and hosts a hoop dance workshop for families. TR

GIVING GARDEN

Ages 5 and older with a caregiver. Bring the family and help us tend and weed our flourishing garden and make a craft. Dress to work in the dirt. TR

TR = Ticket registration. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the program on a first-come, first-served basis at the Youth Services Desk.

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate neurodiversity and promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with autism. Autism is a spectrum, meaning each person experiences it differently, with unique strengths and challenges.

At CCSD21, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported. This month, we encourage families to learn more about autism, engage in conversations about acceptance, and celebrate the diverse abilities of all students.

Ways to participate:

• Read books or watch resources (sensory resources | self-advocacy network | Autism Program of Illinois) that promote understanding
• Practice kindness and inclusion by celebrating differences

Thank you for joining us in fostering a community where everyone belongs!

During their meeting on March 20, the Board of Education officially approved the process by which approximately $11.5 million will be transferred from the district's education fund to its operations and maintenance fund and finally transferred from the latter fund to the capital projects fund. "This transfer represents a significant investment in the long-term health of our facilities,” said Dr. Michael Connolly, superintendent of schools. “It allows us to move forward with key priorities in our 10-year facilities and maintenance plan–ensuring that our schools remain safe, functional and future-ready for our students, staff and community."

✅ Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

• Able to lift 50 pounds

• Available Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Pay: $15.60/hour

If your child is interested, please complete the online application! We look forward to working with you!

Students now have access to our CCSD21 Student Start page! Click here for the link. This link is also available on every school's research resources page, and contains tutorials to help students with EL and accessibility features on their Chromebook.

We're also sharing this troubleshooting guide to help students solve common issues.

The eighth grade team at Cooper and the seventh grade team at London spiked their way to the top this season, earning their respective championship titles in the Mid-Suburban Middle School Athletic Conference. Congratulations to our coaches and athletes!

Steve Hamann recently completed an original painting that will now be permanently showcased in the waiting area of the district’s administrative offices. The project took about 575 hours to complete. Check it out next time you stop by!

The Scooter's Coffee Sponsor a Teacher campaign is officially open for nominations, celebrating the amazing educators in our area! These outstanding teachers and their nominators could win a $25 Scooter's Coffee gift card to start the school day with an extra kick of energy! Colleagues, students, and parents to submit nominations for current teachers who have had a positive impact on their lives. You are welcome to nominate multiple teachers using separate nomination forms for each. Scooter's Coffee will select one teacher currently employed and one nominator to each receive a $25 Scooter's Coffee gift card. Please submit your form no later than April 30!

The livestream video of the March 20, 2025, meeting of the Board of Education is now available.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on April 24, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the District 21 Community Service Center and Administrative Office.

We’re excited to introduce Board Briefs, a new way to stay up to date on what’s happening at CCSD21’s monthly Board of Education meetings!

Each month, Board Briefs will provide a quick and easy-to-read summary of key discussions, decisions, and updates from the Board. Whether it’s important policy changes, student achievements, upcoming initiatives, or budgetary updates, Board Briefs will keep you informed about the work being done to support our students, staff, and community.

Check out the March edition.