Edith Smith Middle School Principal Vanessa Campos greeted some students in English and others in Spanish as they entered the building for the first day of school Monday, in a year where French has been introduced into the curriculum.
Theresa Plascencia, Waukegan Community Unit School District 60’s superintendent, saw a long line outside the Brookside campus of Waukegan High School and quickly joined staff members in assisting students.
Members of the D60 Dogs, a mentoring group of fathers and other men in the city, were also outside the main entrance to the Brookside campus welcoming students as they started the 2024-2025 school year.
Karah Robles walked her daughter to Washington Elementary School on day one of third grade as she does on each school day of the year. She also takes her high school children to class daily.
Briana Bravo, one of two student members of the District 60 Board of Education — she represents the Brookside campus — said she was was taking a mental inventory on the first day after officially taking office on July 1.
Those were just some of the stories as approximately 14,000 District 60 students returned to school Monday in Waukegan to start the new term at the 15 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high school campuses, as they continue their formal education.
Campos, who was an Edith Smith student when it was known as Daniel Webster Middle School, said she knows the students and their families, as well as their preferred language. When she is unsure, she quickly gets a sense of their comfort level.
This year, four of the district’s middle schools are using a new schedule piloted at John Lewis Middle School. Campos said there is no longer a double period of language arts and math. Students have an hour for those subjects, as well as science and social studies
Bells will no longer ring. Campos said the classrooms for each grade are close together to reduce the stress of passing from class to class. The teachers have been practicing, and there were orientations for students earlier in the summer.
“The teachers are setting their alarms for a minute before the period ends,” Campos said. “They will be ready, and it will make the change easier on the students. We’re helping the students get ready for it.”
While the four core subjects meet for an hour, Campos said the other classes including music, art, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and world language, will meet for 40 minutes. The world language this year is French.
“We want to expand our students’ knowledge,” Campos said. “Students who already know Spanish don’t need to take it again. If they take it in eighth grade (too), they can take second-year French in high school.”
With a long line winding around the entrance to the Brookside campus of Waukegan High School for students who had yet to get their IDs or schedules, Plascencia got behind the table with staff members to help process the teens.
‘I’m a teacher at heart,” Plascencia, a one-time history instructor, said. “My instinct is to jump in and help. That’s what it’s all about on the first day of school. If I can help things go smoothly, that’s a good start.”
David Dunn and Ian Whittingham were standing outside the main entrance to Brookside as well. They are members of the D60 Dogs. Whittingham said their presence itself was a message for the students. Each got a greeting.
“We want them to see us and know we think school is important,” Whittingham said. “If they know that, then we hope they’ll do the right things.”
Robles said she walks her daughter, Josyah Randolph, to school not just on the first day, but each day because she wants all her children to be safe on their way to and from class.
“She’s a little nervous on the first day,” Robles said. “I want to make sure all my kids get to school safely. I do the same thing for my children who are in high school. I want them all to be safe.”
Josyah’s mind was on things academic. She said she is looking forward to learning more about math and science.
“I’m going to learn some fun things,” Josyah said. “You can learn a lot about science and different stuff.”
Bravo said she already knows who her classmates and teachers will be this fall. She is also looking forward to extracurricular activities like orchestra — she is in her eighth year playing violin — and JROTC. She is also thinking about her job on the board.
“I’m seeing what the environment is like this year,” Bravo said. “I’m thinking about what is going to be important to the students.”
Jason Siegellak, the principal at Washington, said he is excited about the introduction of CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts Program) which is new to Washington and the district’s other 14 elementary schools.
“It’s grounded in the science of reading,” Siegellak said. “It will help raise our reading scores,” he added referring to the standardized tests students take each year.
Noah Perez, a Washington fifth grader, had a very basic prediction about the school year ahead.
“I can learn new things,” he said.
