Maercker D60 families, don’t forget that on Wednesdays students will be dismissed an hour early from all three schools. That means that tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 3) is an early dismissal day!
Join the principals for the first Parent Coffee of the year! The topic will focus on School Safety and it will take place on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Wildcat Den at Westview Hills!
This is a great opportunity to connect with the principals of Holmes, Maercker, and Westview Hills as they share important updates on safety procedures and answer your questions. Learn how we’re working together to keep our schools safe and engage in an open conversation about supporting our students.
We look forward to seeing you there!
This is a great opportunity to connect with the principals of Holmes, Maercker, and Westview Hills as they share important updates on safety procedures and answer your questions. Learn how we’re working together to keep our schools safe and engage in an open conversation about supporting our students.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Maercker D60 families, don’t forget that on Wednesdays students will be dismissed an hour early from all three schools. That means that tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 3) is an early dismissal day!
Please give a warm welcome to Danielle Grow! She is a new ELL Interventionist and ELA Teacher at Westview Hills. Let’s get to know Danielle and how her teaching aligns with our mission!
“I chose to work at Maercker D60 because I identify and agree with the mission statement. I am also a lifelong learner who values diversity and world languages. I love the fact that Maercker D60 has so much diversity both in the student population as well as the staff. I enjoy how united this community is, and how involved the stakeholders are in support of students and families in the district.”
“I am a lifelong learner myself who enjoys working with young scholars to help them achieve their goals. I had so many great teachers, coaches, and professors in school who inspired me to give back to the younger generation. I was attracted to the field of education to be an advocate for students and encourage them to achieve high standards.”
“I will empower and inspire students to learn by building relationships with them, and by having structured routines and procedures that create a safe environment. I will celebrate the diversity, cultures, and home languages of all of my students. My classroom will be an inclusive space where students feel safe taking risks in their language learning, and are not afraid of making mistakes.”
“I chose to work at Maercker D60 because I identify and agree with the mission statement. I am also a lifelong learner who values diversity and world languages. I love the fact that Maercker D60 has so much diversity both in the student population as well as the staff. I enjoy how united this community is, and how involved the stakeholders are in support of students and families in the district.”
“I am a lifelong learner myself who enjoys working with young scholars to help them achieve their goals. I had so many great teachers, coaches, and professors in school who inspired me to give back to the younger generation. I was attracted to the field of education to be an advocate for students and encourage them to achieve high standards.”
“I will empower and inspire students to learn by building relationships with them, and by having structured routines and procedures that create a safe environment. I will celebrate the diversity, cultures, and home languages of all of my students. My classroom will be an inclusive space where students feel safe taking risks in their language learning, and are not afraid of making mistakes.”
Before the school year began, 93 incoming kindergarten students participated in the Summer Leap Into Kindergarten program at Holmes. The program provided a nurturing, structured environment where students built social-emotional skills, learned school routines, and formed strong connections with staff and peers and was organized and run by 21 dedicated staff members. #d60learns
Growing up and currently living in Downers Grove, Abbey McCormick is already engrained in our community! She is a new first grade teacher at Holmes Primary School!
From a young age, Abbey wanted to become a teacher. She loves working with young children and finds that teaching comes naturally to her. And she looks forward to sharing her love of learning with her students.
Abbey is excited to build strong relationships with her students and to ensure that they feel comfortable, valued, and respected within the classroom and school. She has big plans to make learning fun and engaging for students, while ensuring that it is meaningful and leads students to the most success.
From a young age, Abbey wanted to become a teacher. She loves working with young children and finds that teaching comes naturally to her. And she looks forward to sharing her love of learning with her students.
Abbey is excited to build strong relationships with her students and to ensure that they feel comfortable, valued, and respected within the classroom and school. She has big plans to make learning fun and engaging for students, while ensuring that it is meaningful and leads students to the most success.
Monday, Sept. 1 is a non-attendance day with all district offices closed. We’ll see you back on Tuesday ready to learn!
We really appreciate everyone who shared great first day of school photos last week! Here’s a few additional smiling faces that weren’t shared last week. #d60learns
We’re excited to welcome Andrea Carranza as a Dual Language Spanish Teacher at Maercker! Learn more about Andrea and how her goals for her classroom align perfectly with our district mission of inclusivity.
“I chose to join the education field because I’ve always had a passion for helping others learn and grow. Education has the power to change lives, and I wanted to be part of that impact. I was inspired by the teachers who believed in me and made me feel seen, and I hope to do the same for my students. I’m especially passionate about creating inclusive spaces where every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.”
“To empower and inspire lifelong curiosity in my students, I believe it starts with creating a safe, inclusive environment where questions are encouraged and learning feels meaningful. I strive to connect lessons to real-world experiences and student interests, so they can see the value in what they're learning. I also model curiosity myself—showing excitement for discovering new things and being open about not having all the answers. Most importantly, I aim to build strong relationships with my students, so they feel supported to take risks, explore new ideas, and develop a love for learning that goes beyond the classroom.”
“I chose to join the education field because I’ve always had a passion for helping others learn and grow. Education has the power to change lives, and I wanted to be part of that impact. I was inspired by the teachers who believed in me and made me feel seen, and I hope to do the same for my students. I’m especially passionate about creating inclusive spaces where every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.”
“To empower and inspire lifelong curiosity in my students, I believe it starts with creating a safe, inclusive environment where questions are encouraged and learning feels meaningful. I strive to connect lessons to real-world experiences and student interests, so they can see the value in what they're learning. I also model curiosity myself—showing excitement for discovering new things and being open about not having all the answers. Most importantly, I aim to build strong relationships with my students, so they feel supported to take risks, explore new ideas, and develop a love for learning that goes beyond the classroom.”
With the first week of the 2025-26 school year officially behind us, it’s a great time to remind the D60 community that we make it easy to recognize any teacher or staff member who has made an impact on you or your student. Just fill out a quick form to send an instant email message and card to Maercker D60 staff and recognize them for being the Gold Standard! #d60learns
https://www.maercker.org/article/1723786
https://www.maercker.org/article/1723786
Have you gotten your annual membership to the Maercker D60 PTA? Joining the PTA will allow you to stay informed and support their efforts and there are many ways to get involved. https://www.maerckerpta.org/join
We’re proud to welcome Ruby Islas as a 5th grade teacher at Maercker Intermediate! A former District 60 employee encouraged her to join our team and we couldn’t be more excited about the referral.
When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in her students, she shared, “By sharing my own curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, I hope to inspire my students to become life long learners. I strive to create a supportive, collaborative environment where students have a voice and actively participate in their learning.”
When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in her students, she shared, “By sharing my own curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, I hope to inspire my students to become life long learners. I strive to create a supportive, collaborative environment where students have a voice and actively participate in their learning.”
We’re proud to welcome Kaileigh McDonnell as a new kindergarten teacher at Holmes! Kaileigh completed her student teaching within the district years ago and loved her experience.
When asked why she chose to work here, she shared, “Maercker is home to wonderful and collaborative educators who truly care about their students!”
We asked, how will you empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in your students?
Kaileigh responded, “By creating a classroom environment where questions are valued just as much as answers. I will encourage exploration, model curiosity myself, and celebrate discoveries. I will help students see that learning is not just something that happens at school, it is an exciting and never ending journey!”
When asked why she chose to work here, she shared, “Maercker is home to wonderful and collaborative educators who truly care about their students!”
We asked, how will you empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in your students?
Kaileigh responded, “By creating a classroom environment where questions are valued just as much as answers. I will encourage exploration, model curiosity myself, and celebrate discoveries. I will help students see that learning is not just something that happens at school, it is an exciting and never ending journey!”
During our opening Institute Day last week, we recognized a few of our staff members who received Gold Standard nominations at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Let’s celebrate them!
Josh Vance is a dedicated and versatile educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Whether he’s leading engaging art and photography projects, coaching one of the top middle school boys’ cross country teams in the nation, or supporting colleagues at a moment’s notice, Josh brings energy, expertise, and a spirit of service to everything he does. He inspires his athletes to reach their full potential, fosters creativity and exploration in his clubs, and jumps in to help with any task - from last-minute needs to changing ceiling tiles - always with a positive attitude. Westview is fortunate to have such a passionate teacher, mentor, and teammate. Thanks for being the Gold Standard Mr. Vance!
Josh Vance is a dedicated and versatile educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Whether he’s leading engaging art and photography projects, coaching one of the top middle school boys’ cross country teams in the nation, or supporting colleagues at a moment’s notice, Josh brings energy, expertise, and a spirit of service to everything he does. He inspires his athletes to reach their full potential, fosters creativity and exploration in his clubs, and jumps in to help with any task - from last-minute needs to changing ceiling tiles - always with a positive attitude. Westview is fortunate to have such a passionate teacher, mentor, and teammate. Thanks for being the Gold Standard Mr. Vance!
During our August Institute Opening Day, we took some time to recognize staff members who have reached personal and professional milestones.
We are excited to celebrate the following achievements with our team:
Earned Tenure: Amy Deang and Danielle Ramos
Earned Master's Degrees: Arlene Lopez, Kamila Orbzut, and Danielle Ramos
15 Years of Service: Robyn Atkinson, Sandra Nessinger, and Sean Nugent
20 Years of Service: Sandy Henricksen, Ellen Hopkins, Karen Moffett, Jill Ryan, and Josh Vance
25 Years of Service: Marti Wolford, Rebecca Merrill, and Caroline Williamson
30 Years of Service: Rosemary Ganski and Sondra LaPointe
Congratulations to everyone and a huge thank you to all of the staff members who have dedicated so many years to our district, schools, students, and community!
We are excited to celebrate the following achievements with our team:
Earned Tenure: Amy Deang and Danielle Ramos
Earned Master's Degrees: Arlene Lopez, Kamila Orbzut, and Danielle Ramos
15 Years of Service: Robyn Atkinson, Sandra Nessinger, and Sean Nugent
20 Years of Service: Sandy Henricksen, Ellen Hopkins, Karen Moffett, Jill Ryan, and Josh Vance
25 Years of Service: Marti Wolford, Rebecca Merrill, and Caroline Williamson
30 Years of Service: Rosemary Ganski and Sondra LaPointe
Congratulations to everyone and a huge thank you to all of the staff members who have dedicated so many years to our district, schools, students, and community!
Maercker D60 families, don’t forget that on Wednesdays students will be dismissed an hour early from all three schools. That means that tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 27) is an early dismissal day!
Maggie May will be joining the Holmes Primary team as a social worker!
When asked why she chose to work at Maercker, she shared it was because of the community's diversity and the district's commitment to supporting the whole child.
Maggie has always loved working with kids and feels so fortunate to get to build relationships with and learn from them as a school social worker.
At Holmes, she is excited to help students build social-emotional skills, including problem solving and using coping strategies. She believes that kids do better when they can; and it's important to support their social-emotional well-being to help them become lifelong learners.
When asked why she chose to work at Maercker, she shared it was because of the community's diversity and the district's commitment to supporting the whole child.
Maggie has always loved working with kids and feels so fortunate to get to build relationships with and learn from them as a school social worker.
At Holmes, she is excited to help students build social-emotional skills, including problem solving and using coping strategies. She believes that kids do better when they can; and it's important to support their social-emotional well-being to help them become lifelong learners.
During our opening Institute Day, we recognized a few of our staff members who received Gold Standard recognitions at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Let’s celebrate them!
Kamila Obrzut is a shining example of our staff portrait of being personally and collectively responsible. She holds herself to the highest standards for her students while actively collaborating with her team to ensure the success of all 3rd graders. This year, as her team pilots a new literacy tool, she has embraced differentiation, reflected on what works, and generously shared her learning to strengthen collective practice. Kamila creates a welcoming environment for newcomers, remains solution-focused when challenges arise, and models flexibility and adaptability across teams. Her dedication, collaboration, and passion for helping every student succeed set a gold standard for our district!
Kamila Obrzut is a shining example of our staff portrait of being personally and collectively responsible. She holds herself to the highest standards for her students while actively collaborating with her team to ensure the success of all 3rd graders. This year, as her team pilots a new literacy tool, she has embraced differentiation, reflected on what works, and generously shared her learning to strengthen collective practice. Kamila creates a welcoming environment for newcomers, remains solution-focused when challenges arise, and models flexibility and adaptability across teams. Her dedication, collaboration, and passion for helping every student succeed set a gold standard for our district!
During our opening Institute Day, we recognized a few of our staff members who received Gold Standard recognitions at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Let’s celebrate them!
Becky Griffin is a compassionate, collaborative, and deeply committed educator who goes above and beyond for her students, families, and colleagues. She builds strong, positive relationships with parents, responds with empathy to student needs, and creates a safe, supportive environment where children thrive. Whether lending a hand at dismissal, collaborating on planning and data analysis, or sharing strategies and resources with her team, Becky consistently models generosity and teamwork. Her kindness, professionalism, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our school community, and her students - and their families - know they are in the best of hands. Congratulations!
Becky Griffin is a compassionate, collaborative, and deeply committed educator who goes above and beyond for her students, families, and colleagues. She builds strong, positive relationships with parents, responds with empathy to student needs, and creates a safe, supportive environment where children thrive. Whether lending a hand at dismissal, collaborating on planning and data analysis, or sharing strategies and resources with her team, Becky consistently models generosity and teamwork. Her kindness, professionalism, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our school community, and her students - and their families - know they are in the best of hands. Congratulations!
We’re proud to welcome Alyssa Romero as an English Language Arts teacher at Westview Hills! We asked Alyssa a few questions to get to know her more!
“Maercker School District 60's mission emphasizes the importance of inclusivity of all identities in par with empowered learning to last a lifetime; finding a school that best aligns with your own personal mission statement as an educator is rare and should not be taken for granted. I feel honored to continue my journey as an educator at a school district whose core values directly reflect my own.”
“What attracted me to the field of education was my own experience with various educators throughout my educational journey as a student. I am excited to now do my part in shaping this incoming generation of leaders, equipped with skills to act not only as scholars but as peacemakers, active social citizens, and simply just good-hearted people.”
“I will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in my students by ensuring my practice is culturally-responsive, intentional, reciprocal, and inclusive of all. ALL of my students' identities will not only be recognized but will be celebrated. Through this foundation, I know that each of my learners will intellectually blossom and continually grow as lifelong learners.”
“Maercker School District 60's mission emphasizes the importance of inclusivity of all identities in par with empowered learning to last a lifetime; finding a school that best aligns with your own personal mission statement as an educator is rare and should not be taken for granted. I feel honored to continue my journey as an educator at a school district whose core values directly reflect my own.”
“What attracted me to the field of education was my own experience with various educators throughout my educational journey as a student. I am excited to now do my part in shaping this incoming generation of leaders, equipped with skills to act not only as scholars but as peacemakers, active social citizens, and simply just good-hearted people.”
“I will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in my students by ensuring my practice is culturally-responsive, intentional, reciprocal, and inclusive of all. ALL of my students' identities will not only be recognized but will be celebrated. Through this foundation, I know that each of my learners will intellectually blossom and continually grow as lifelong learners.”
