We had so much fun at our Back to School Picnic last week! It was the perfect way to kick off the 2026-27 school year. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to our families who attended! #d60learns

Here a few last minute submissions for first day of school photos, including Mr. Micek who is excited for his first day of second grade!

We’re proud to introduce you to our new hires for the new school year! We will highlight a new staff member every day for a few weeks!

First, we’d like to welcome Jodi Strenzel-Gibson! She is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Westview Hills Middle School.

When asked why she chose to work at Maercker District 60, she shared that she felt that the school has such a good community and heart, and that made her excited to work here.

She found her way into education through a former teacher! “I’ve always loved family consumer science since the sixth grade and I took every single FACS class I could. My grandmother was a seamstress so I was always a hands-on person. One of my former teachers pushed me towards the field of education, saying that I would be an amazing FACS teacher. So I went on to become a FACS teacher!”

When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in students, she shared, “By giving them tools and skills to succeed, no matter what path they choose for the future! Giving them real problems and having them solve it are important to empowering their own lives. There is always something new to learn inside the classroom and outside the classroom and I want to give them the support to explore!”

Thank your D60 Community for an amazing first day of the 2026-27 school year! Let's keep it going and show how #d60learns

Happy first day of school! Let’s make today awesome. We’re going to have an incredible year!

📸 Share your first day photos with us! Send photos to d60communications@maercker.org to potentially be shared on our social media channels. #d60learns

Wildcats are feeling great about the 2026-27 school year! Let's go! #d60learns

We love seeing first day pictures come in from all three of our schools! #d60learns

D60 students are bringing the style and the vibes to the first day of school! Send your pictures to d60communications@maercker.org to be featured.

Our Wildcats are looking ready to rock on this first day of school! #d60learns

It's the first day of school in D60! Here are a few photos that have been shared so far. Send yours to d60communications@maercker.org to be featured!

We can’t wait to see our students’ smiling faces tomorrow, Aug. 20 as they begin the school year. 📸 Share your first day photos with us! Send photos to d60communications@maercker.org to potentially be shared on our social media channels. #d60learns

The book room at Maercker is ready for students this week after staff took the time to reorganize it! 📚 #d60reads

Maercker D60 Staff are together and getting excited about the 2026-27 school year! #d60learns

Get ready to meet your student’s teachers this week! Come walk through your student’s schedule, drop off supplies and get ready for the year ahead.

Each event will be open house style, so join us when you can between 5-7 p.m.

-Monday, Aug. 17 - Westview Hills Middle School
-Tuesday, Aug. 18 - Maercker Intermediate School
-Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Holmes Primary School

School starts in less than a week! Make sure you have all the supplies your Wildcat needs: https://www.maercker.org/documents/parent-resources/supply-lists/2026-27-supply-lists/25447851

We’re excited for school to start next Thursday, Aug. 20! 📅 Student schedules and teacher assignments are now available in Skyward!

The Westview Hills Middle School Building Leadership Team spent the day working to get ready for the school year, even while sheltering in place during the storm. #d60learns

Join us next week for meet the teacher nights! Come meet your student’s teachers, walk through their schedule, drop off supplies and get ready for the year ahead.

Each event will be open house style, so join us when you can between 5-7 p.m.

-Monday, Aug. 17 - Westview Hills Middle School
-Tuesday, Aug. 18 - Maercker Intermediate School
-Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Holmes Primary School

As we look forward to an incredible new school year, the Maercker PTA is thrilled to invite our entire school district community to our Back-to-School Picnic!

This special evening is designed to celebrate our community, welcome new and returning families, and give everyone a chance to connect before the first day of school. It is completely free to attend, and all families across the district are welcome. Let’s kick off the school year by strengthening our community connections!

📍 Join us this Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Westview Hills Middle School.

Please RSVP today to help the PTA Plan!
https://www.maerckerpta.org/event-details/back-to-school-picnic/form

The 2026-27 school year is coming up quickly! Make sure you have all the supplies your child needs by taking a look at our supply lists: https://www.maercker.org/documents/parent-resources/supply-lists/2026-27-supply-lists/25447851