Maercker School Staff brought their A-game to Halloween this year! We loved seeing the creativity and fun! Which team costume was your favorite?
Congratulations to our Maercker School Wildcats of the week for Oct. 26-30! #d60learns
Sydney Villarreal is a Hinsdale Central High School senior and former District 60 student that has been working in Kindergarten at Holmes this fall! Recently she taught a lesson to Mrs. Herndobler's class that included a pumpkin coloring and cutting project. She has also worked with Mrs. K's dual language class showing off her amazing Spanish language skills. We are fortunate that Miss Sydney chose to come back to Holmes this fall!
Our middle school Spanish students stepped beyond the textbook to explore the vibrant traditions of Día de Muertos! To honor this meaningful holiday, students created their very own ofrendas (altars).
Hands-on projects like this give students a deeper appreciation for the rich traditions, history, and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
Hands-on projects like this give students a deeper appreciation for the rich traditions, history, and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
District 60’s nutrition vendor Whitsons is welcoming families to take part in their school nutrition program survey. Your participation helps improve dining services for our students. Responses will be collected through next Friday, Nov. 6.
Take the survey today: https://xmp.insight-surveys.com/Interview/366bf8c9-6473-4377-84e3-0290270acfea
Take the survey today: https://xmp.insight-surveys.com/Interview/366bf8c9-6473-4377-84e3-0290270acfea
Maercker School teachers had a week full of spooky competition! From Monster Trivia and Find the Hidden Pumpkin to “What’s That Tune?” and Teacher Trick-or-Treat, our staff enjoyed plenty of festive fun! #d60learns
D60 has some exciting news to share!
For the first time in district history, Holmes Primary, Maercker Intermediate, and Westview Hills Middle School have each earned an Exemplary designation from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - the highest recognition a school can receive through the state's accountability system.
What makes this accomplishment especially remarkable is that, before this year, no D60 school had ever earned an Exemplary designation. In 2026, all three schools achieved that distinction together!
Read the full story: https://www.maercker.org/article/3224823
Holmes students were SUPER creative with their Literacy Pumpkins in the library! We had about 150 pumpkins arrive in the hallways to celebrate our love of reading. Each pumpkin represents a different book character. Thanks to all the Holmes families who participated in the Family Fun at home! #d60learns
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Dia de los Muertos event last night! There were fun and meaningful crafts, and lots of great learning and connecting going on. So great! #d60learns
After Halloween, instead of throwing your pumpkins in the trash, take them to the pumpkin smash! The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Christ Lutheran Church in Clarendon Hills.
Bring your clean pumpkins for a smashing good time!
Bring your clean pumpkins for a smashing good time!
Holmes Families: The Holmes Fall Family Fun Literacy Night is tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5-6:30 p.m. Drop in for stories, fun and games. Costumes are welcome!
Westview Hills 6th graders are right in the middle of their very first rotation in Fine Arts! By the end of 6th grade, every student will get a taste of Spanish, Art, STEM, and FACS.
Here is a look at what our students were up to last week:
⚙️ STEM: Students were discovering the world of engineering and learning about the different types of engineers and the exciting fields they work in.
🌍 Spanish: Our global learners were diving into research on different Spanish-speaking countries, exploring their geography and vibrant cultures.
🖼️ Art: Young artists were creating incredible Pointillism landscape masterpieces! Each student chose their own nature scene—After painting in their background scenes with custom-mixed colors, they are using q-tips and toothpicks to layer thousands of tiny dots, adding amazing texture, depth, and detail!
👩🍳 FACS: The kitchen smelled amazing as students learned baking basics and put their culinary skills to work making delicious, homemade snickerdoodle cookies! A cookie was even hand delivered to Dr. Scott
We love seeing our 6th graders explore new interests, build well-rounded skills, and express their creativity across every classroom! #d60learns
Here is a look at what our students were up to last week:
⚙️ STEM: Students were discovering the world of engineering and learning about the different types of engineers and the exciting fields they work in.
🌍 Spanish: Our global learners were diving into research on different Spanish-speaking countries, exploring their geography and vibrant cultures.
🖼️ Art: Young artists were creating incredible Pointillism landscape masterpieces! Each student chose their own nature scene—After painting in their background scenes with custom-mixed colors, they are using q-tips and toothpicks to layer thousands of tiny dots, adding amazing texture, depth, and detail!
👩🍳 FACS: The kitchen smelled amazing as students learned baking basics and put their culinary skills to work making delicious, homemade snickerdoodle cookies! A cookie was even hand delivered to Dr. Scott
We love seeing our 6th graders explore new interests, build well-rounded skills, and express their creativity across every classroom! #d60learns
At the October board meeting, Dr. Nugent shared a variety of projects that took place over the summer to prepare for the 2026-27 school year. While the work may not be the first thing that people notice when they look at the buildings, projects were dedicated to essential systems that ensure the comfort and safety of staff and students.
- Various HVAC and RTU updates at various buildings, and as a result, the District should not have to revisit RTUs for the next 15 to 20 years.
- Roof sections were updated at Maercker
- At Westview Hills, the boy's and girl's locker room Air Handling Units and two exhaust fans were replaced as they were at the end of their useful life.
Learn more details in our most recent board brief update: https://maerckersd60il.edurooms.com/newsletters/board-briefs/newsletters/october-2026-board-briefs
Last week our 7th graders spent time in the IMC participating in a "Book Tasting"! 📖✨
During this interactive activity, students rotated from table to table—sampling different books, exploring fresh genres, and building their reading wish lists for the year. Seeing our students dive into new stories and discover new favorites is what learning is all about! #d60learns
During this interactive activity, students rotated from table to table—sampling different books, exploring fresh genres, and building their reading wish lists for the year. Seeing our students dive into new stories and discover new favorites is what learning is all about! #d60learns
The dual language classrooms at Holmes Primary School welcomed Guatemalan author and illustrator Juleesa Espinoza and her mother, Veronica Castillo, who shared their story about a young girl who discovers confidence through her traditional corte (skirt).
Through the story and the authors’ presentations, students explored Guatemalan traditions, observed traditional skirts, learned about marimba music, and discovered champurradas, traditional Guatemalan cookies. It was a meaningful celebration of courage, culture, and storytelling!
Through the story and the authors’ presentations, students explored Guatemalan traditions, observed traditional skirts, learned about marimba music, and discovered champurradas, traditional Guatemalan cookies. It was a meaningful celebration of courage, culture, and storytelling!
More attendance recognitions over at Westview Hills! The Wildcat recently visited our sixth graders to celebrate their grade level having the best attendance for the month of September. Way to go!
October is National Principals Month! We’re fortunate to have incredible building leaders who are dedicated to supporting our students, staff and families.
- Elisa Maldonado, Principal, Holmes Primary School
- Catherine Slee, Interim Assistant Principal, Holmes Primary School
- Teresa Martin, Interim Assistant Principal, Holmes Primary School
- Megan Byrne, Student Services Coordinator, Holmes Primary School
- Dr. Juan Corona, Principal, Maercker Intermediate School
- Dennis Bolus, Assistant Principal, Maercker Intermediate School
- Caitlin Collins, Student Services Coordinator, Maercker Intermediate School
- Dr. Allister Scott, Principal, Westview Hills Middle School
- Steve Meehan, Assistant Principal, Westview Hills Middle School
- Christine Hallin, Student Services Coordinator, Westview Hills Middle School
For some Friday fun, we found a Chess Match in the library: Wildcat vs. Dr. Scott. Who will win?
We are thrilled to welcome two student interns from Hinsdale South High School to Westview Hills Middle School, Nina (Special Education) and
Ricky (Social Studies).
These future educators are already making a meaningful impact in our school community. To celebrate our vibrant and inclusive culture, Nina and Ricky created a special visual display: the Westview Diversity Tree. Featuring leaves in many different colors, the tree symbolizes that every single student at Westview Hills has their own unique leaf, background, and place on our shared branch.
Thank you to our Hinsdale South partners and our Westview Hills teachers for mentoring the next generation of educators. We are excited to have Nina and Ricky in our classrooms! #d60learns #SouthPride
Ricky (Social Studies).
These future educators are already making a meaningful impact in our school community. To celebrate our vibrant and inclusive culture, Nina and Ricky created a special visual display: the Westview Diversity Tree. Featuring leaves in many different colors, the tree symbolizes that every single student at Westview Hills has their own unique leaf, background, and place on our shared branch.
Thank you to our Hinsdale South partners and our Westview Hills teachers for mentoring the next generation of educators. We are excited to have Nina and Ricky in our classrooms! #d60learns #SouthPride
The Board recognized the students from Westview Hills who qualified for the state Cross Country meet. Prior to the state meet last weekend, our boys’ cross country team finished in first place at the sectional meet and our girls’ team finished in fifth place!
Congratulations to all of our runners for a great season!
Congratulations to all of our runners for a great season!
