The 21 Ledger

The district will once again be providing all school supplies for all students for the 2026-2027 school year! You don't need to buy a thing; everything will be ready for the first day of school. One less expense and one less thing to worry about!

Our Second Annual Family Fun 5K is TOMORROW, August 8, at 8 a.m.! Join us at Heritage Park for a morning of family fun while supporting the District 21 Health Center, Wheeling Chamber of Commerce and Wheeling Police Unity Foundation. Registration includes a commemorative t-shirt, a snack, a drink and a chance to connect with our community. Don’t miss out — register today at bit.ly/WheelingFamilyFun5K. We’ll see you at the starting line tomorrow!

Stick around after the 5K TOMORROW, August 8, for the Back-to-School Bash! Join us from 9:30 a.m. to noon for a morning of family fun as we celebrate the start of a new school year. Families are invited to enjoy music, activities, community connections and more as we come together to kick off another exciting year in District 21. We can’t wait to welcome our students, families and community members for a fun-filled morning!

As we get ready for the new school year, please remember to submit all required health forms and exams to your school’s health office before the first day. These ensure students stay healthy and safe, and missing documentation may lead to exclusion after October 15, 2026. Our District 21 Health Center can assist with physicals and immunizations; contact them at (224) 481-2025 or ccsd21.org/healthcenter to schedule. For questions or help, reach out to the District’s Public Health Liaison at olivia.aguado@ccsd21.org or (224) 313-3789. See the full list of required forms and exams.

Families can use FirstView to track their student’s school bus and stay up to date on transportation information throughout the school year. The FirstView app provides real-time bus tracking and helpful notifications, making it easier to know when your student’s bus is approaching.

Visit our Transportation webpage for step-by-step instructions, this year’s access code and additional information to help you get started.

We're excited to welcome our newest learners to District 21! To help kindergarten students transition smoothly into school, classes will be divided into two groups for the first two days. Group A will attend a full day on Thursday, Aug. 20, while Group B attends Friday, Aug. 21. Students in STC, ELSP, SEP and Foundational Kindergarten will begin Thursday, Aug. 20. All kindergarten students will begin their regular full-day schedule on Monday, Aug. 24. Families will receive a ParentSquare message with their child's Group A or Group B assignment before the start of school.

Did You Know… As a district, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! This month, we acknowledge South Asian Heritage Month. South Asian Heritage Month is celebrated from mid-July to mid-August (specifically July 18 to August 17) to honor the cultures, histories, and traditions of countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. If you’d like to learn more, click on the link above!

Congratulations to Dr. Erica Slack, nurse practitioner at the District 21 Health Center, who has been named one of the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders. The award recognizes rising nursing professionals who demonstrate excellence in leadership, innovation, advocacy, education and patient care. Since joining the Health Center, Dr. Slack has helped expand access to no-cost primary and preventive health care for students and staff, helping remove barriers to care and support student success. Read the full story to learn more about Dr. Slack’s impact on our District 21 community.

Planning to participate in middle school athletics this year? Students must have a current sports physical on file with their school health office before participating in practices, tryouts or competitions, in accordance with IHSA guidelines. Sports physicals are valid for 395 days, and if a physical expires during the season, a new one is required to continue participating. The District 21 Health Center offers sports physicals for District 21 students. Contact the Health Center to schedule an appointment, and be sure to submit the completed physical form to your school nurse or health office before the season begins.

If you or your family receive Medicaid benefits, you may need to complete a redetermination to keep your health coverage active. Missing the renewal process could result in a loss of benefits. District 21 is partnering with CountyCare to host a Medicaid Redetermination Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the District 21 Administrative Offices. Attendees can receive free, in-person assistance submitting their benefits application to apply for or renew Medicaid coverage. No appointment is necessary — walk-ins are welcome. Please bring any letters received from DHS/HFS (if applicable), proof of residency, proof of income, and a state ID or driver's license. For questions, call (847) 520-2735.

Event flyers:

• English
• Spanish
• Russian

We are excited to welcome students back for another great school year!

Please review our Chromebook Talk videos to help your student learn how to take care of their device. These videos cover essential care tips, dos and don'ts, and best practices to ensure a successful school year.

Thank you!

Looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and families? We have a number of job openings across the district, with opportunities for educators, support staff and other roles. Explore our current openings and learn more about joining the D21 team!

As the new school year quickly approaches, we've gathered everything families need in one convenient place! Our Back-to-School Guide is your go-to resource for the upcoming school year, featuring important dates, registration information, transportation details, health requirements, meal information, upcoming events and more. Whether you're joining District 21 for the first time or returning for another great year, this guide is designed to help your family start the school year with confidence

Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, celebrations and important announcements from District 21? Make sure you’re following us on social media! It’s one of the easiest ways to see what’s happening across our schools and in our community. Give us a follow, leave a like, and join the conversation!

There's still time to sign up for the District 21 Golf Outing, now taking place on Tuesday, September 22. Join fellow golfers, sponsors and community supporters for a fun day on the course while helping raise funds that directly benefit District 21 students and staff. Register today and secure your spot. We look forward to seeing you on September 22!

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

Registration for the Wheeling Park District's Fall programs is now open! From youth sports, preschool, and enrichment classes to fitness programs, special events, and family activities, there's something for everyone this season. Browse the Fall Program Guide to discover new opportunities and find the programs that fit your family's interests. Visit wheelingparkdistrict.com to view the guide and register today!"

The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove's annual Duck Race returns the Sunday before Labor Day, giving you the chance to win more than $3,000 in prizes while supporting Rotary's charitable work in our community and beyond. Adopt your lucky duck today by visiting bgrotary.org/duckrace before race day!

Join us from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, at Mike Rylko Community Park (1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove) for our Community Services and Wellness Fair! Connect with essential local services, nonprofit organizations, health providers (including representatives from the District 21 Health Center) and other community resources!