As sisters Demaris Veliz, a North Chicago Community High School freshman, and Mia Veliz, a sophomore, walked to school on the first day of class, Mia had some advice for her younger sister.
“Don’t get involved in drama,” she said, referring to troublemaking behavior. “It will give you problems. I did, and I learned from it. Learn from me.”
Demaris Veliz said she received the same words of caution from her mother as she was getting ready to move from middle to high school.
“My mom has told me about drama my whole life,” Demaris Veliz said. “I’m feeling more pressure this year now that my grades count.”
The Veliz sisters were among 3,500 North Chicago School District 187 students who started school Monday in the district’s elementary schools, middle school and high school, starting the 2024-2025 school year.
District 187 Superintendent John Price said student scores on standardized tests required by the state of Illinois continue to show improvement in math and reading. He plans to build on that success.
“We’re coming off a very exciting year, and have plans in place to continue our success and what we’re offering to our kids,” he said.
Keeping the Veliz sisters busy will be the high school’s marching band — Demaris plays trombone and Mia plays the cymbals when she is not leading cheers.
“I play cello in the orchestra,” she added.
Joseph Parker, the high school’s principal, said there were a number of construction projects over the summer, including some mechanical improvements that will make the building more comfortable, along with a redone cafeteria.
“The cafeteria is more open and welcoming,” he said. “We wanted to give it a welcoming feeling.”
Walking into the cafeteria during breakfast Monday, students saw booths for four to six people resembling restaurant seating, along with high-top tables normally found in an eatery or bar.
Antonio Aguilar and Jaqueline Aguilar. both juniors and not related, were sharing a booth during the breakfast hour before classes began. They said they will be enjoying the newly furnished cafeteria.
“I like the booths,” Antonio Aguilar said. “They’re very comfortable, and a big improvement over the long tables with (attached) benches. They’re easier to get in and out of.”
A group of junior boys were sitting at one of the high tops waiting for the opening assembly and then the start of classes. They also liked the change from traditional school cafeteria furniture.
“I like these tables,” Marlin Jeffries said. “This feels like a friendly environment.”
“I like the logos,” added Dyzhir Usher, pointing to two large images of the school’s Warhawk mascot on the wall in front of the kitchen. “It shows real school spirit.”
Arriving in District 187 for the first time was freshman Kimberli Figueroa, who was a student at Learn 9 Charter School in North Chicago before entering high school.
“I’m nervous and a little scared,” Figueroa said. “I used to go to a private school. My brother goes here. He said it’s a good place.”
New at Forrestal Elementary School is the start of a two-year construction project building a new three-story school on the property’s athletic fields. Principal Cara Kranz said the new building will open for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The existing building will be demolished and athletic fields will be put in its place.
Located on Naval Station Great Lakes property, Price said the U.S. Department of Defense will pay $57 million of the $72 million cost, and the district will pay the rest from reserve funds.
Price said legislation sponsored by state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week will enable the district to use reserve funds rather than getting new construction approved through a referendum.
Currently a school serving kindergarten through third grade, Kranz said the new building will also have some space for fourth and fifth graders. Priority will go to military families for the fourth and fifth-grade slots, with a lottery for others who want to stay.
“Military families usually change duty stations every three years,” Kranz said. “This way, military families can stay in one school longer and not have to change schools as much.”
At Evelyn Alexander Elementary School, new Principal Arturo Abrego was greeting families in Spanish or English as appropriate as they arrived taking pictures and spending a little time with each of the students. He started July 1.
“We want to have a partnership with each of the parents,” Abrego said. “I’ve been getting to know the teachers and staff to learn from their experience and look for new opportunities.”
