London Middle School sixth-grade science teacher Tracy Crowley has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the National Education Association Foundation to expand a global science storytelling initiative focused on wildlife conservation and student collaboration. Crowley received the Learning & Leadership…

Community Consolidated School District 21 will undertake more than $28.4 million in construction and facility improvement projects this summer, marking one of the most significant investments in district facilities in recent years. Completed primarily during the summer months, the projects…

During its May 21 meeting, the Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education approved the transfer of $20 million from the district's Education Fund to its Operations and Maintenance Fund and subsequently into its Capital Projects Fund to support…

  What started as a small recess activity led by a handful of fifth-grade boys with dreams of becoming YouTubers has grown into one of the most recognizable student opportunities at Frost. Now in its fifth year, the elementary school’s…

Community Consolidated School District 21 is proud to once again offer free meals to all children 18 and under through its Seamless Summer program for 2026. Designed to ensure children continue to have access to nutritious meals while school is…

The May 2026 edition of “Board Briefs” is now available! This quick recap highlights key discussions and decisions from the most recent Board of Education meeting. Stay informed on important updates, initiatives, and actions shaping our schools. Scroll down to…

As we enter the Memorial Day Weekend, we hope that you have a wonderful holiday and as the summer season kicks off you are able to enjoy some great outdoor activities.  We are also excited for the final days of…

  As Community Consolidated School District 21 continues to evolve its middle school leadership model, two new assistant principals will join the administrative teams at Holmes and Cooper for the 2026-27 school year. The appointments come following a district decision…

  Over the past school year, Community Consolidated School District 21 has been piloting a new digital art initiative that rotates iPads through elementary art classrooms, giving fourth- and fifth-grade students hands-on experience with industry-standard design tools while maintaining access…

  A small team within Community Consolidated School District 21’s Technology Services department has developed and launched three custom-built classroom applications designed to simplify instructional tools and respond directly to staff needs. The new tools include 21Sketch, a digital whiteboard;…

  Sixth-grade students from London recently traveled to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to participate in Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day on April 30, where they presented science projects focused on endangered wildlife and explored how student research and…

  Community Consolidated School District 21 is proud to announce that Dr. Erica Slack, nurse practitioner at the District 21 Health Center, has been recognized with the 2026 FOR ALL Excellence in Clinical Care Award from Advocate Health. Presented at…

Growing up the daughter of an educator, Kayla Weiner seemed destined to follow a similar path. Although she never attended District 21 as a student, her journey ultimately led her there. Kayla grew up in Buffalo Grove with her two…

As part of a founding family, Anthony Mead knows what it is like to have an impact on the people around you. Growing up in Meadville, Pennsylvania (where the zipper was invented!), so named for his ancestors in the 1700’s,…

A quote from Confucius reads: “Study the past if you would define the future.” No one embodies that more than the principal of Holmes Middle School, Benjamin Neidich. Benjamin, who studied history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, originally…

Two things are certain to Megan Kenney, a social worker at Twain Elementary: she values hard work, and being someone you can trust. Back in high school, where this was made apparent to her, as a Peer Partner with the non-profit…

District 21 staff member Natalie Szafranski is a dedicated speech-language pathologist whose passion for her work shines through every day. She is committed to helping students at Field Elementary School find their voices – literally and figuratively – by evaluating…

At first glance, sports and theater might seem worlds apart, but step onto a stage or a field, and the similarities become clear. Both demand precision, focus, and countless hours of practice, whether it’s nailing a line or perfecting a…

As an alumna of District 21, having attended Longfellow Elementary and Cooper Middle Schools, Rachel Schless brings a deeply personal connection to her role as a special education teacher. Growing up with two siblings who have special needs, she experienced…

 Ms. Simon creates an environment where young learners thrive through consistency, guidance, and hands-on learning. At just 12 years old, Hillary Simon discovered her calling when she joined Special Gifts Theatre, a transformative experience that opened her eyes to the…

  When Jeremy Budrow steps onto the podium, it’s more than just music that fills the room; it’s confidence, curiosity and connection. Budrow, one of three instrumental music teachers at Holmes Middle School (and one of two band directors), has…

Ms.Hirsch inspires creativity and confidence in young artists at Cooper by helping them explore new techniques, materials, and ways to express themselves. How do you grade art? That’s a question Cooper Middle School’s art teacher, Lauren Hirsch, hears often —…

A music instrumental teacher guides students in mastering their chosen instruments, helping them develop technique, expression, and musical understanding. They inspire creativity while fostering discipline and a love for music and that's what Ms.Wargaski does for our students here at…

  After moving schools in fourth grade, Tonia Wroblewski's new teacher noticed her recurring anxiety and worked to help her regain her confidence. Wroblewski remembers this compassionate teacher comforting her and really seeing her. She still has a memory of…

 

Jenna Weiner did not spend her entire childhood here at District 21, but the few years spent at Tarkington made a large impact on her. The waves of the lessons learned during that time ripple through to adulthood, where she…

What began as a thoughtful experiment has grown into one of the most meaningful partnerships in our district. The introduction of our first School Resource Officer (SRO) was initially a new and uncertain step, aimed at enhancing safety and support…

“It started with a pancake breakfast,” Mary Beth Schaye describes. While serving on the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for her daughters’ elementary school, and planning their first big event of the season, Mary Beth started down the path of environmental…

The irony isn’t lost on Ariel Lozner. When he looks back at his time here at Community Consolidated School District 21, it’s colored by one giant thing: the pandemic. In March of 2020, during the end of his 7th grade…

District 21 alumnus Michael Abbate has built a successful career in the restaurant industry, but what truly defines him is a simple philosophy: be happy with your life and your work. Known for his warm leadership style and passion for…

What began with one teacher’s belief in his potential, ultimately guided alumnus Michael Terry towards a career as an orthopedic surgeon, where he now uses his skills to change lives every day. In fourth grade, young Michael Terry discovered his…

Contributed By Sofia Horwitz, Communications Intern "It's not very often that you find your kindergarten teacher having coffee with your mom in your living room on a random Wednesday night,” says Ellie Allan, an alumna of District 21. For sisters…

  My name is Jack Greenspan and I’ll be spending the summer working with District 21 as a public relations Intern. I just completed my freshman year at Northwestern University in Evanston, where I am studying journalism and plan to…

As the superintendent of Barrington School District 220, Dr. Craig Winkelman’s most important objective is to be student-centered in the decisions made for the district, most importantly giving students interesting and unique experiences inside and outside the classroom. One of…

One of CCSD21’s alumna, Chris Pippin Northwick, has a simple life philosophy: make connections with others. She believes that it has a direct correlation to personal success and creates emotionally, well-balanced individuals. And she should know. As the Co-Executive Director…

Alumna Lynda (Steckling) Collins sees her life as a series of building blocks. Learning a new skill and then securing a job with exactly that skill set required. Living internationally, and then securing a job that depends on cultural diversity.…

Contributed by Thomas Parker, Communications Intern   From a young age, Jim Ray, an alumnus of District 21, learned the valuable lesson of taking the chance to try something new. This was one of many lessons he learned during his…