The 21 Ledger

Returning student registration for the 2026-27 school year officially opens Wednesday, April 1! We’ll be sharing additional details and helpful reminders in the coming weeks to ensure families have everything they need to complete the process smoothly. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to opening day.

A quick reminder that applications to join the D21 Map Design Committee are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13. This community-led group will study the district’s current school map and consider whether it continues to best serve today’s students. If you’re interested in being part of this important work, be sure to submit your application before the deadline.

Time is running out to apply for the 2026 Tarkington NEU Scholarship! One former Tarkington student will receive a $500 scholarship to support their next steps after high school. To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have attended Tarkington during its No Excuses University years (2008-09 to present)
• Be a current high school senior
• Be accepted to and planning to enroll in a college, university or career training program for Fall 2026

Don't miss this opportunity; submit your application before the March 20 deadline!

We're continuing to administer the Panorama climate and culture survey to third through eighth graders this month to gather student feedback and guide school improvement. Parents can also share their perspectives, with responses kept confidential. The survey is open through March 21, and we recommend separate surveys for each child's school!

We're excited to share that we've launched a new Instagram account, and we'd love for you to follow along! Our page will feature highlights from around the district, important reminders, student celebrations, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates you won’t want to miss. It’s a fun and easy way to stay connected and see the great things happening in our community.

At its February 19 meeting, our Board gave the green light to approximately $23.7 million in summer construction projects, setting the stage for a busy (and productive) summer across D21. Improvements are planned at Frost, Kilmer, Cooper, Holmes and London, ranging from roof repairs and toilet replacements to upgraded science and Family and Consumer Science spaces, new sound systems and, at London, more extensive renovations. Read the full list of projects here!

Between April 20 and 24, our elementary schools will welcome illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara! Jacqueline will share her books, creative process, and journey as an author–illustrator, inspiring students to tell their own stories. Based in Chicago, Jacqueline loves connecting with kids through storytelling and art, and we can't wait for our D21 learners to meet her! Learn more at her website or on Instagram @_jacqueline_alcantara.

Students can log every reading minute (any format counts!) through Beanstack on their Chromebooks. Ask your third through eighth grader about Benny the Bean, their AI reading buddy who helps set goals and celebrate progress. Ask your child how many minutes they've logged and cheer them on. Let's make March our biggest reading month yet!

• English Log-In Directions
• Spanish Log-In Directions
• Russian Log-In Directions

Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When students are in school every day, they build essential skills, stay connected to their learning community, and are better prepared for future opportunities. This March, we encourage families to continue partnering with us by scheduling appointments outside of school hours when possible and supporting daily, on-time attendance so every student can thrive.

Did You Know… As a district, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! Some of the observances and celebrations taking place during the month of March include: Read Across America, International Women’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Greek-American Heritage Month, Holi: Festival of Colors, Casimir Pulaski’s Day. If you’d like to learn more, click on the links!

Spring is here, and that means doubling down on two things that help kids show up ready to learn: good food and good feelings. A solid breakfast, hydrating snacks (think fruit + yogurt or crackers + cheese), and a water bottle go a long way. So does consistent sleep, a little downtime, and keeping the lines of communication open about how your child is feeling. Small habits, big impact. Let's help our kids thrive this season! If you need to talk to someone, our health center has free counseling appointments with a licensed social worker. Make an appointment here.

As part of our regular device replacement cycle, we recently approved a purchase of 2,400 Lenovo Chromebook 500e Gen 5 devices to provide to every student in kindergarten, third- and sixth-grade. The devices will be configured over the summer and distributed to students in August! Read more about the purchase here.

The magic of music filled the air once again as the D21 Choral Festival brought together students from across all feeder schools for the second year in a row. More than 500 students took the stage for an unforgettable night of music showcasing the incredible talent within our district. Highlights included a stunning seventh-grade violin solo, D21 teachers lending their own talents as accompanists on various instruments, and speakers representing four languages. Complementing the performances, a beautiful art display added a visual dimension to the evening. A special thank you to Buffalo Grove High School, Debora Utley and the school's a cappella and vocal jazz ensembles for their mentorship and performances, as well as guest conductor Jessica Zolmierski!

We've got something to celebrate! The Illinois State Board of Education recognized eight outstanding staff members through its annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. These awards honor educators who go above and beyond in demonstrating excellence, commitment and leadership in service to students and school communities, and we're incredibly proud to see so many members of our D21 family recognized at the state level.

Congratulations to Gustavo Atempa, Michelle Kuta, Allison Parker, Connor Potvin, Gordana Rink, Marcela Rodriguez, Samantha Roth and Jaclyn Share on their recognitions! You can read more about each of them here.

We are also excited to announce that Katie Eckelmann, literacy instructional specialist for Kilmer, Longfellow and Poe, was named to the board of The Reading League Illinois, a state chapter of the national nonprofit dedicated to advancing evidence-aligned literacy instruction. In this role, she'll help coordinate outreach to teachers and school leaders, plan webinars and conferences, and identify researchers and speakers whose work aligns with the needs of educators. Read more about Katie's appointment here, and join us in congratulating her!

Cooper eighth grader Ethan T. advanced to the Regional ISC Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship after finishing in a three-way tie for second place at the North Cook Bee on February 25! He'll represent our district on March 19 in Broadview, competing alongside the top finalists from North Cook, South Cook and West40. G-O-O-D L-U-C-K, Ethan!

To commemorate the end of a week-long Cereal Drive, our Cougars over at Kilmer Elementary turned 335 donated boxes of cereal into an epic domino display! All of the cereal was delivered to Kingswood United Methodist Church, which will distribute it to local food banks to support families in our community. The story even ended up making it on our local CBS and ABC affiliates. We are so proud of our Cougars for showing leadership, teamwork and heart!

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

Join us for fun literacy activities at the library this March! Come read, explore, and enjoy!

• Tarkington: Thursday, March 12, from 5-7 p.m.

Get a sneak peek at the Summer Camp Guide and start planning your ultimate summer with Wheeling Park District!

• Resident registration opens February 11 at 8:00 AM

• Non-resident registration opens February 18 at 8:00 AM

Spring Break is just around the corner, and we've got the perfect way to keep your kids active, engaged and having a blast while you tackle your to-do list.

OMNI's Spring Break Camp is coming to Whitman from March 23-26, running 9 a.m. to noon each day. Open to all kids in grades 1-5, it's a great chance for your child to make new friends, stay moving, and make some great memories this break.

Best part? It's completely free for District 21 families.

Make sure to register by Sunday, March 15, to secure your child's place!