The 21 Ledger
December 2025
⏩ Health Center availability over winter break
The District 21 Health Center will be closed for winter break, in alignment with the district's schedule, from December 22, 2025, through January 1, 2026. Normal hours resume on January 2, 2026. Telehealth mental health appointments will still be available during the break (except December 25 and January 1) for anyone seeking support with holiday stress or general mental wellness.
Visit our website to learn more and schedule your telehealth session today!
⏩ OMNI's Winter Camp returns!
We're proud to announce that the Illinois Principals Association has named Frost Elementary School Principal Catherine Joy as the North Cook Elementary School Principal of the Year, and London Middle School Principal Anastasia Netzel as the regional recipient of the Herman Graves Award!
These awards recognize outstanding leadership, dedication, and a commitment to fostering positive school communities. Both principals credit their accomplishments to collaboration with staff, students, and families. They will be honored at the IPA banquet in January, and are now each eligible for state-level recognition.
Read more about it here.
We're excited to share the nine winners of our annual Season's Greetings Holiday Card Design Challenge! Themed “Shining Bright for the Holidays,” students from preschool through eighth grade showcased creativity, kindness, and holiday cheer. Winners were selected from more than 80 submissions, with three chosen from each grade group. Each of their designs will be featured on the district’s holiday cards. Congratulations to all, and thank you for so many submissions! Read more about that here.
Frankie’s Comfort Closet at Frost continues to showcase the power of community, providing clothing, household items, winter gear, toys, and toiletries to more than 100 families this season. “The goal is not only to meet basic needs, but to foster a culture of care, belonging, and shared responsibility,” said Frost social worker Matthew Wohlgemuth. The impact of the Closet goes beyond immediate support, helping students feel confident and ready to thrive. Read more about it here.
Thanks to a partnership with Indian Trails Public Library, more than 1,100 students in our district received library cards shortly before fall break. The initiative gives students and their families access to millions of items, thousands of eBooks and audiobooks, and 50+ databases through Indian Trails and partner libraries. “Access to a public library card opens doors; not just to books, but to possibilities,” said our director of literacy, Amy Breiler. Read more about it here.
A new food pantry outside Field is now providing local families easy access to food and essential items, including canned goods, dry foods, diapers, toiletries, and more. “We hope families will use the pantry freely, without hesitation,” said PTO co-presidents Lucy Johnson and Rose Marlasuti. Read more about it here.
As the winter break approaches, we know that students will likely spend more time at home engaging with technology. This is a perfect time to reinforce online safety and digital citizenship skills. Since students may be interacting with friends and new people online, please take a moment to discuss the importance of not sharing personal information (like home addresses, phone numbers, or passwords) and being thoughtful about what they post.
It's also crucial to monitor your child's screen time and encourage a healthy balance that includes offline activities, reading, and exercise. We suggest establishing a "device drop-off" policy, where all personal technology is charged outside of the student's bedroom overnight to prevent unmonitored usage and ensure adequate sleep. Setting clear family rules for device usage, especially regarding new games or platforms, will ensure the break is safe, fun, and restful.
