Maercker School District 60

The Gold Standard is the new way to recognize D60 staff for their work and embodying the core values of the district and the attributes outlined in our staff portrait. District leaders reviewed all of the submissions and chose five staff members that went above and beyond to support their colleagues, students, and families.

Thatcher Ramirez is a second grade teacher at Holmes Primary School who was recognized for truly stepping up in her role. She was called “our faithful PBIS/SEL leader” and thanked for being an organized leader who has become a mentor.

One nomination also mentioned a personal story of impacting the life of a former student who started out shy and anxious.

“Mrs. Ramirez went out of her way to make sure that she felt safe and comfortable in the classroom. She built up my daughter's confidence and by the end of the year she had so many friends. This was the first year that she loved going to school. We will always be grateful to Mrs. Ramirez for everything she did for her!”

Congratulations for being the Gold Standard!

Don’t forget that Tuesday, Nov. 5 is a non-attendance day due to Election Day!

To all who celebrate in the Maercker community, Happy Diwali!

Last week, students in second grade were visited by the local Fire Chief and Police Chief! They have been reading about government laws and jobs to keep citizens safe. The officers were able to speak to the information they learned about and tell them first hand about their jobs. What a great real-life connection to learning!

Second graders got to use Seesaw to interview a friend, which helped them learn about each other as well as how to use all of the fun tools in Seesaw!

Elizabeth Jason teaches our youngest learners in D60 in the early childhood program at Holmes. She joined the Maercker D60 team after having interactions with the Maercker special education department in her role in another school district and knowing that it would be the place for her to continue her career.

In nominations and notes about her work, colleagues and parents highlighted her passion, positivity, warmth, leadership, and commitment to making sure that every student is valued, understood, and cared for. She has a dedication to including all students and to provide advice and resources for anyone who needs it. The energy that she brings to Holmes is wonderful and a great introduction for families with young learners.

Congratulations for being the Gold Standard!

Maercker D60 has excellent options for preschool! In the EC Foundations classroom, students participate in units that are highly engaging and include strong support from teachers to build literacy, play skills, sensory regulation, communication, fine motor, and social skills. We love seeing our youngest learners enjoying school!

Don’t forget, tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 30) is an early release day!

Students at Holmes participated in a great Jewish American Heritage cultural celebration last week with the help of some parent volunteers. They learned about Sukkot and made a kindness chain!

The Gold Standard is the new way to recognize D60 staff for their work and embodying the core values of the district and the attributes outlined in our staff portrait. District leaders reviewed all of the submissions and chose five staff members that went above and beyond to support their colleagues, students, and families.

Fayanna Simms is a fourth grade teacher at Maercker School who was recognized by several colleagues and parents.

She was celebrated for having warmth, compassion, and commitment to making sure that every student is valued, understood, and cared for. One parent thanked her for her empathy and connection with her student. She builds personal relationships with her students which provide a sense of safety that allows them to grow academically and socially. Her commitment to personalized learning as well as showing colleagues how a positive, vulnerable, collaborative, and student-focused approach leads to a positive culture and successful outcomes for students is incredible.

Congratulations for being the Gold Standard!

When first graders were learning about communities, they got to create their own digital book using Book Creator to share about their Holmes School Community. Love this!

Check out an awesome presentation coming up hosted by District 86 and District 181 coming up focused on parenting. There will be two presentations with the first held on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. and the second on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. at the Community House. Dr. Aliza Pressman will present her book The 5 Principles of Parenting with valuable information for all! Register at www.d181foundation.org

Today is Principal Appreciation Day! We hope you have enjoyed getting to know our incredible team of school leaders this week. Be sure to thank your principals for all they do!

Cesar Tamayo is an EL Interventionist at Westview Hills and has become a favorite among staff and students. He showed amazing adaptability at the beginning of the year and was recognized for always keeping the best interests of students front and center.

He has embodied the values of adaptability and resiliency by going with the flow, stepping in and stepping up for students, and supporting his colleagues to ensure that all students succeed and grow. D60 is lucky to have someone with such a collaborative and student-focused attitude and energy working so hard each day.

Congratulations for being the Gold Standard!

Second graders read the story Alma and How She Got Her Name and learned how to create word clouds to share positive character traits about themselves.

First graders used their detective skills to find out what was done to the library books and then had a great discussion about how to take care of checked out books at home!

Dr. Allister Scott is the principal at Westview Hills Middle School and has been a principal for four years. We caught up with him for a few questions about his work.

-Why did you want to become a principal?
I truly believe in the power of education and its role in supporting families and students in society. At this moment, I feel that being the principal at Westview Hills is where I can make the most impact. My goal is to support families, students, and teachers in becoming the best versions of themselves!

-What is the best part about your job?
Having the opportunity each year to be on the stage with students as they are promoted for Maercker District 60. It always fills me with pride for the district, students and families.

-What do you like to do for fun?
I really enjoy watching live sports. My son recently started school at Marquette, so I am looking forward to basketball season!

-Describe your leadership style in 5 words or less.
Collaborative, Supportive, inclusive, Compassionate, Resilient

Thank you Dr. Scott for everything you do for our district!

Next time you look up at the sky, know that Maercker students are represented up there! Former D60 teacher Lynn Gorey shared that those who were in her class last year have their names engraved on the microchip that is on the NASA Europa spacecraft that launched last week. So cool!

The other part of the interim co-principal team at Maercker school this year is Laura Gilmartin. She has been an administrator for 9 years and this is her fourth year as a principal. Before returning to D60 to serve as co-principal, she has been an assistant principal and Director of Teaching and Learning previously.

-Why did you want to become a principal?
My first principal fostered my leadership skills and encouraged me to pursue my master’s degree in administration. I love discussing instructional strategies and wanted to serve in a role that allowed me to work on building strong instructional practices on a broader level to help every student succeed while still staying connected to students.

-What is the best part about your job?
The best part of my job is connecting with students and staff, so they know I am there to support them and help them reach their highest potential.


-What do you like to do for fun?
For fun, I enjoy spending time with my family, riding my horse and reading books!

-Describe your leadership style in 5 words or less.
Thoughtful, student-centered, supportive and compassionate

Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

We love celebrating our talented students in the classroom, in athletics, and in the rest of their lives! The Board took time to celebrate the accomplishments of the three talented golfers from Westview Hills Middle School who qualified for state. A huge congratulations goes to Clare M., Anya L., and Reagan K. for their incredible achievement!

The Gold Standard is the new way to recognize D60 staff for their work and embodying the core values of the district and the attributes outlined in our staff portrait. District leaders reviewed all of the submissions and chose five staff members that went above and beyond to support their colleagues, students, and families.

Jen Swoboda teaches 8th grade math at Westview Hills. Over the summer break, she read the book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, a thinking-based approach that encourages deep, conceptual understanding by focusing on reasoning and problem-solving among students.

She embodied our value of continuous improvement by seeking out a new instructional approach and then going to see it in action in another school district. She recognizes that we can always learn and grow professionally, and has a sense of mission to know that our students deserve the best.

Congratulations for being the Gold Standard!

Tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 23) is an early release day!

This year at Maercker School, we are fortunate to have two incredible interim co-principals keeping things going and supporting students.

Mark Pagel has been a principal for 22 years and says he came out of retirement to help lead Maercker school simply because it’s such a special place.

Check out more below:

-Why did you want to become a principal?
As a classroom teacher from 1990-2002, I felt like a colleague and I were doing some wonderful things on behalf of our students (advisory, weekly reflections, student-led conferences, integrated curriculum units, restorative justice) and I wanted to see if, working with a school staff, we could make the same impact for an entire school community. Keeping our decisions student-focused at all times is a part of my job I love!

-What is the best part about your job?
The students, staff, and entire school community that I serve....collectively, the difference we make together for kids is the reason I look forward to coming to school each day!

- What do you like to do for fun?
I love to spend time with my family, travel, and try new restaurant recommendations (feel free to share your favorites!) I also like to attend concerts and listen to local live music!

-Describe your leadership style in 5 words or less.
Passionate, solution-seeker, composed, encouraging, coach

Thank you for everything you do for our students!

The Wildcat Cross Country teams have had an absolutely incredible season! Check out this awesome highlight video from the Wildcat Invitational that took place on Sept. 28 done by former student and runner, Atticus Fair.

Westview Hills Middle School Cross Country Meet Highlights Check out some highlights of the 2024 Wildcat Invitational that took place on September 28, 2024 hosted by Westview Hills at Central Park in Bolingbrook. Dro...