We are excited to celebrate the D60 staff members who will be retiring at the end of this school year! Let’s get to know these incredible educators.
Peggy Sue Casey is the Band Director at Maercker Intermediate School and has been in the district for 19 years.
What is a favorite memory or moment of your time in D60?
I don’t have just one favorite memory of my time in D60. Most of my most cherished moments involve students who feel immense pride as they accomplish their goals. Additionally, I have fond memories of when other staff members have joined our band concerts for a bit of fun at their expense:
-Principals Brenda Babinec and Abel Orelove as “The Triangle Virtuosos” when we performed “Concerto for Triangle”
-Principals Dominic Sepich and Ashley LaMorte joining us for a skit that involved attempting to play simple songs on instruments that they had never played before
-Principal Mark Pagel joining us with our stuffed dragon for “Dragon Slayer” last year
-Keith Baar starring on the cowbell in our tune, “More Cowbell” before he retired from 5th grade
-Lynn Gorey filling in on percussion for the entire concert at the very last minute for a student who was sick on the concert day
-The whole 5th Grade Team joining us for some silliness with bongos and shakers and whatever else we could find.
How did you make an impact for students during your time in the district?
I believe that I have made an impact by:
-Creating an inclusive environment in which ANY student can be successful if they persevere.
-Encouraging students who may struggle in other academic classes to find their strength, confidence, and personal pride in band.
-Making community connections by arranging performances at Burgess Square Care Center for the residents (and to boost our ability to perform solos in front of audiences)
-Providing “Band Practice Club” before school for students who live in condos, apartments, or townhomes, where they might not be allowed to practice their instruments
-Choosing a wide variety of literature for our spring concerts and pushing the boundaries of what a beginning band should be able to accomplish in just seven months.
Congratulations Peggy Sue!
Peggy Sue Casey is the Band Director at Maercker Intermediate School and has been in the district for 19 years.
What is a favorite memory or moment of your time in D60?
I don’t have just one favorite memory of my time in D60. Most of my most cherished moments involve students who feel immense pride as they accomplish their goals. Additionally, I have fond memories of when other staff members have joined our band concerts for a bit of fun at their expense:
-Principals Brenda Babinec and Abel Orelove as “The Triangle Virtuosos” when we performed “Concerto for Triangle”
-Principals Dominic Sepich and Ashley LaMorte joining us for a skit that involved attempting to play simple songs on instruments that they had never played before
-Principal Mark Pagel joining us with our stuffed dragon for “Dragon Slayer” last year
-Keith Baar starring on the cowbell in our tune, “More Cowbell” before he retired from 5th grade
-Lynn Gorey filling in on percussion for the entire concert at the very last minute for a student who was sick on the concert day
-The whole 5th Grade Team joining us for some silliness with bongos and shakers and whatever else we could find.
How did you make an impact for students during your time in the district?
I believe that I have made an impact by:
-Creating an inclusive environment in which ANY student can be successful if they persevere.
-Encouraging students who may struggle in other academic classes to find their strength, confidence, and personal pride in band.
-Making community connections by arranging performances at Burgess Square Care Center for the residents (and to boost our ability to perform solos in front of audiences)
-Providing “Band Practice Club” before school for students who live in condos, apartments, or townhomes, where they might not be allowed to practice their instruments
-Choosing a wide variety of literature for our spring concerts and pushing the boundaries of what a beginning band should be able to accomplish in just seven months.
Congratulations Peggy Sue!
8th graders Stella A. and Eli I. were honored at the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Student Recognition Breakfast! Each year, the IPA recognizes outstanding 8th graders for their academic excellence, leadership skills, service, dedication to others, and consistent adherence to school expectations. Congratulations to Stella and Eli for all of their hard work! Keep it up! #d60learns
Get ready for the Cultural Variety Show TOMORROW, May 9 from 2-4 p.m.! RSVP to come see our performers showcase their cultures through song, dance, and fashion: https://www.maerckerpta.org/event-details/cultural-variety-show-2026 #d60learns
Join Maercker School for its Art, Books, and Beyond Fair on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:30-7 p.m.! Come view your student’s hard work in STEM and Fine Arts, get some books for the summer, and spend time with our partners from Westmont and the Indian Prairie Public Library. We’ll see you there! #d60learns
Happy Jewish American Heritage Month to all of our Jewish students, families, staff and community members!
Today is School Nurse Day! Thank you to our school nurses who provide care to our students so they can be healthy and ready to learn.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This month, we celebrate the many cultures and contributions of Americans of Asian or Pacific Islander descent.
It’s National Educator Appreciation Week! Let’s show some extra love to our educators this week who work hard each day to provide an engaging learning environment for our students. Check out the link to send a personalized thank note of appreciation to a staff member. Thank you, teachers! #d60learns
Today is School Lunch Hero Day, a day to celebrate nutrition staff in our schools. Our nutrition staff work hard to provide delicious and nourishing meals to our students so they have the energy needed to learn. Thank you, school lunch heroes! #d60learns
How much fun is everyone going to have at the Mean Girls show premiering tomorrow, May 1?
The limit does not exist.
Get ready for a great show at Westview Hills Middle School!
🗓️ Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m.
🗓️ Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m.
🗓️ Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per student and available at the door. We’ll see you there! #d60wearspink
The limit does not exist.
Get ready for a great show at Westview Hills Middle School!
🗓️ Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m.
🗓️ Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m.
🗓️ Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per student and available at the door. We’ll see you there! #d60wearspink
Join Maercker School for its Art, Books, and Beyond Fair on May 13! Come view your student’s hard work in STEM and Fine Arts, get some books for the summer, and spend time with our partners from Westmont and the Indian Prairie Public Library. We’ll see you there! #d60learns
A few Westview Hills alums from Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central have been able to visit their former middle school and perform for current band students. We love to see it! #d60learns
Exciting news! The Westview Hills Middle School Band will be performing the national anthem at a White Sox game next Friday, May 8! We're calling all students, alumni, families, and fans to come together for a spectacular day out to Rate Field. Be part of this unforgettable display of Wildcats camaraderie. Get your tickets today and let's hit a home run of fun! https://www.gofevo.com/event/WestviewHills2026 #d60learns
Don’t miss the Westview Hills Middle School production of Mean Girls Jr. This weekend! Here’s a preview of our incredible cast and crew. #d60learns #d60sings
It’s National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Thank you to our bus drivers for your dedication in getting our students to and from school safely each day. We appreciate all that you do! #d60learns
We had a great time at our Cultural Festival last week, and now it’s time to get ready for the Cultural Variety Show on May 9! RSVP to come see our performers showcase their cultures through song, dance, and fashion! https://www.maerckerpta.org/event-details/cultural-variety-show-2026 #d60learns
Maercker D60 Families - Returning Student Registration for the 2026-27 school year is open through April 30. Make sure you complete the process and ensure your child is set up for next year! https://www.maercker.org/page/online-student-registration
Band Practice Club at Maercker took advantage of the great weather and practiced outside before school yesterday!
Their final concert is coming up on Thursday, May 14 at Downers Grove North High School in the Main Street Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Their final concert is coming up on Thursday, May 14 at Downers Grove North High School in the Main Street Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Maercker D60 is hiring instructional assistants! Instructional assistants provide support with IEPs, literacy, and general classroom instruction. Learn more and apply: https://www.maercker.org/o/msd/page/employment
Don’t miss the next session in the Community Speaker Series! Next Tuesday, April 28 from 7-8:30 p.m., hear from Jeff Selingo as he shares insight about the college search process.
