The 21 Ledger

The holiday season is almost here, and we’re looking forward to seeing our students bring this year’s District 21 Season’s Greetings Card Challenge theme, “The Gift of Kindness,” to life! All D21 students are invited to share what kindness means to them through original artwork that celebrates caring, generosity and compassion.

Winning designs will be featured on D21’s official seasonal card, sharing our students’ creativity with the community and beyond.

The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. TODAY! Don't miss your chance to participate. Submit your student's artwork and entry information here.

We can't wait to see the gift of kindness through our students' eyes!

The end of our first trimester is coming up on Nov. 13, meaning report cards will soon be shared with families. Report cards will be both printed and shared electronically through PowerSchool.

• Printed copies will be given to parents/guardians during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Nov. 23 and 24. Any report cards not picked up during conferences will be sent home with students on Monday, Nov. 30.
• Electronic copies will also be posted in the Parent Portal and emailed to parents/guardians on Monday, Nov. 23.

Our district-wide Canned Food Drive is back! As you visit your child’s school for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, please consider bringing nonperishable food items to support D21 families. Donations can be dropped off in collection boxes at each school, with a special need for protein-rich items such as canned tuna, canned chicken, canned beans and lentils. Thank you for helping care for our community — every donation makes a difference!

Parent-teacher Conferences are right around the corner! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and discuss their progress so far this school year. Be on the lookout for communication from your child’s school with specific details and instructions on how to sign up for a conference time, or watch this quick tutorial from ParentSquare!

As winter weather approaches, we want families to know how school closing decisions are made and when to expect updates. The district monitors National Weather Service forecasts and considers factors such as wind chill, road conditions, snow removal and bus safety when determining whether to close schools. If schools are closed, students will typically participate in an e-learning day. Families will be notified through ParentSquare by 5:30 a.m. that morning, or the night before when a decision can be made early enough. Parents and guardians may always keep their children home if they believe weather conditions are too hazardous for travel, even if schools remain open. Learn more about our winter weather and school closing procedures.

The District 21 Board of Education has approved a resolution to pause redistricting efforts for at least the 2027-28 school year. This decision allows the district additional time to monitor enrollment trends, evaluate building capacity and assess future school and program needs before considering any potential boundary changes. No school boundary changes are planned for the 2027-28 school year. Read the full story here.

Six District 21 schools earned the highest possible designation in the 2026 Illinois Report Card, receiving an Exemplary rating from the Illinois State Board of Education. Three additional schools earned an Approaching Exemplary designation, while three received a Commendable rating. These results recognize the hard work of our students, staff and families across the district. Explore the full story and school-level results here.

What a great year of reading and family engagement! Through four family literacy nights hosted in partnership with Indian Trails Public Library and D21 elementary schools, 744 people attended and 357 D21 students received books of their own to take home. These events brought families together to celebrate reading, explore library resources and build positive literacy habits. The fun doesn't stop here! Families are encouraged to continue visiting Indian Trails Public Library, participating in school-based Beanstack reading challenges and making reading part of their everyday routines. Every book, story and shared reading experience helps build a lifelong love of learning!

Over the next month, D21 students will continue exploring new CKLA/Caminos Knowledge and Skills units, strengthening their literacy skills through vocabulary development, phonics, morphology and spelling instruction. Rather than simply memorizing words, students learn how letters, sounds, spelling patterns and word parts work together to help them become confident, independent readers and writers. Families can support this learning at home by reading together, playing with words and sounds, encouraging children to try spelling unfamiliar words and celebrating their curiosity along the way. These everyday experiences help build strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of learning!

Did You Know… As a district, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! Some of the celebrations, observances, and events taking place during the month of November include Native American Heritage Month, Día de los Muertos, All Saints' Day, Election Day, Diwali, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. If you’d like to learn more, click on the links!

Make a direct impact on our students and community by joining our school district family! We are currently hiring for the following roles:

• Substitute Registered Nurses: $328 per day (valid Illinois nursing license required)

• Substitute Teachers: $150 per day

• Substitute Teaching Assistants: $133 per day

• Lunch & Recess Supervisors: $20 per hour (No state licensure required)

Perks of Joining Our Team:

• $1,000 End-of-Year Bonus: Substitutes who work 100 days over the course of the school year earn an additional $1,000 bonus at the end of the year!

• Flexible scheduling that fits your lifestyle.

Licensure Requirements:

• For details on licensure requirements:

• Substitute Teacher Licensure

• Teacher Assistant (Paraprofessional) Licensure

Licensure Note:

• Holders of a Substitute Teacher License are eligible to substitute as a Teaching Assistant. However, a Teaching Assistant License does not qualify you to substitute as a Teacher.

Apply Today

• Ready to apply? Visit our website to submit your application today!

Help us support our students. We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

The District 21 Health Center has added a second Vaccine-Only Day on Tuesday, Nov. 24, due to popular demand! D21 students can receive recommended immunizations at no cost, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 4 p.m. and are required, with limited availability. Vaccines include flu, Tdap/DTaP, MMR, polio, chickenpox, Hib, hepatitis A and B, HPV, meningitis and pneumonia. Families can schedule an appointment online.

We invite members of our community to come see how the district continues to support students and families with a special tour of the District 21 Health Center on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Community Service Center and Administrative Offices (959 W. Dundee Road). Guests will have an opportunity to learn more about the Health Center, explore its services and see how this important resource is making a difference in our community. Please RSVP here!

London welcomed approximately 20 education leaders from South Korea on Oct. 7 for an opportunity to explore teaching, learning and educational technology in District 21. During their visit, the delegation observed classroom instruction, learned how teachers incorporate Google tools into lessons and discussed opportunities for international collaboration. The visit also sparked plans for a pen pal program connecting D21 students with peers in South Korea, creating opportunities to build relationships and learn about different cultures. Read the full story here.

This month, we’d love to introduce you to Common Sense Media! It’s a fantastic go-to site for parents and educators looking for age-appropriate books, movies, games, and more.

Common Sense Media breaks down what you need to know before your kids dive into new media, highlighting positive messages, flagging content concerns, and offering expert guides on navigating social media. While teachers often use it to screen books for the classroom, it’s just as useful at home. If your child brings home a book and you want to ensure it’s a good fit, just type the title into their search bar for a quick, thorough review.

In today’s fast-moving digital world, it’s a tool every parent should have in their back pocket. Check it out today at CommonSenseMedia.org!

On Nov. 15, we will recognize and celebrate School Board Members Day, honoring the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time, leadership and service to support public education. We are grateful to our District 21 Board of Education members for their commitment to our students, families, staff and community. Their thoughtful leadership, advocacy and dedication help guide our district forward and ensure we remain focused on our mission to maximize the achievement and honor the uniqueness of every student, every day. Thank you for all you do for D21!

We have partnered with Wintrust Bank and invite you to join us next Friday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. at our administrative offices (959 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling) for a free financial workshop focused on saving, investing, building wealth and setting long-term financial goals. The workshop will be offered in English, Spanish and Russian, and childcare will be available. RSVP and join us to learn practical strategies to help build a stronger financial future for your family!

We love celebrating the work of our community partners — including libraries, park districts, villages and more! The Community Corner highlights events, programs and opportunities that help connect and support our District 21 families. If your organization has something you'd like featured, please email us at comms@ccsd21.org with "Community Corner" in the subject line.

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

Super Saturday: Chicago Cossacks - Ukrainian Music and Dance

Saturday, November 21

11 a.m. to noon

Main Library

Family-friendly performance. All ages. Join us for a performance by a Ukrainian music, song and dance ensemble that also performs Eastern European, Jewish (Klezmer), Romani (Gypsy), Polish, and other world music and songs. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the program at the Youth Services desk. TR

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

Kanopy Kids

Use your library card to access curated video content for kids ages 2-8. All content is age-appropriate and allows unlimited viewing. Get started at indiantrails.kanopy.com

Explore our exciting lineup of seasonal activities, classes, and events, and secure your spot today by browsing the program guide online or visiting us in person.

Registration is now open for Wheeling Park District's Winter Basketball League, starting in January for boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade!

Whether your child is looking to learn the fundamentals or sharpen their skills on the court, this league offers a fun and supportive environment.

Sign up today to secure your player's spot for an action-packed season!