🟡 Hardhat Highlights: Episode 1 🛠️
We’re excited to launch a new series showcasing summer construction progress happening across District 102, made possible by the incredible support of our community!
Even though school’s out, the work is in full swing:
🏫 Tripp School is gearing up for a brand-new roof, updated playground, HVAC improvements, and more.
🏗️ Pritchett is seeing major demolition progress, especially in the parking lot and HVAC systems.
🏀 AJHS gym floors have been striped and sealed with the school mascot front and center—plus, locker room demolition is underway.
Our buildings are getting the upgrades it needs to support student success today and into the future. We are not just renovating buildings, we’re building a bright future for all learners in our district.
Stay tuned for more Hardhat Highlights as we continue making progress, one project at a time!
#HardhatHighlights #BuilD102 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎒✨ If you haven’t registered yet for the 2025–2026 school year, now’s the time!
Whether you're new to D102 or returning, make sure your child is ready for another amazing year of learning, discovery, and growth.
📅 Register soon — it helps us plan and prepare for the best possible start to the school year! Visit our website to begin the registration process.
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🐾 Big welcome to our four newly graduated therapy dog teams! 🐶🎓
With these fresh faces (and furry friends), we now have 18 certified D102 therapy dog teams! You'll see them bright and early at the start of each summer school session, ready to greet students with wagging tails and warm smiles. 🐕☀️💛 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🚨 We’re Hiring: Special Education Teacher 🚨
Join our amazing team and make a difference every day! 💙
We’re looking for a compassionate, student-focused educator to support learners with diverse needs through individualized instruction and collaboration.
📍 Location: Meridian School
📅 Start Date: August 19, 2025
🎓 Required: PEL with LBS1 endorsement
💼 Benefits Include:
✔️ Medical, dental, life & disability insurance (employee premiums paid by D102)
✔️ Paid sick, personal & bereavement days
✔️ Salary range per the Collective Bargaining Agreement
📧 Apply Now: https://tinyurl.com/46tnzumw
Help shape brighter futures in a supportive and inclusive school community.
🌟 Celebrating Our Retirees 🌟
As summer kicks off, we want to take a moment to celebrate and thank our incredible D102 staff members who retired this year. Each one of them has left a lasting mark on our district, dedicating their time, passion, and care to generations of students and families.
Some of these remarkable individuals began their careers right here in District 102, growing with us over the years and shaping the very heart of our schools.
💛 Thank you to Tom Ivarson, Laurie Friman, Stacy Lipshutz, Cheri Brill, Gina Perovic, Tracy Ticknell, Sherrie Cummins, Sue Wolf, and Beth Berger.
Your legacy of kindness, dedication, and excellence will continue to inspire our community for years to come. We wish you a joyful and well-deserved retirement full of new adventures, rest, and plenty of time to enjoy the things you love. 💐 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
It’s the last day of school and the start of retirement for Meridian teachers Mrs. Brill, Mrs. Cummins, Mrs. Lupshutz, and Mrs. Tincknell! 🎉📚
We’re sending them—and all our amazing staff—off into summer with big smiles and even bigger gratitude.
☀️ While school is out, we’re still in (just at a slower pace)! Follow along all summer for behind-the-scenes construction updates, exciting progress, and stories you won’t want to miss.
🏗️ AJHS Gymnasium Construction Update
We’re in the home stretch! 👟✨
Inside the new AJHS gymnasium, the floors are fully installed and are now being sanded and finished—bringing us one step closer to game time! 🏀 In the locker rooms, doors and hardware are in place, adding the final touches to the space.
Outside, a brand-new track has been laid, and fresh landscaping is taking shape around the gym and track, transforming the look of the campus.
🔧 Now that summer has begun, the next phase of construction will kick off with mechanical upgrades, casework installation, and a full roof replacement.
None of this would be possible without the support of our community and the approved referendum. Thank you for investing in the future of our students! 💛
We can’t wait to welcome everyone into this beautiful, upgraded space! 🎉🎉 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent #BrightFuture #BuilD102
🎤 One Elective to Save… Which Would You Choose? 💻🍳🎶
During a recent persuasive writing unit, students tackled a tough challenge: save just one elective—computer science, cooking, or music!
They researched, built persuasive pitches, and presented slideshow presentations to advocate for their choice. A great exercise in critical thinking, public speaking, and standing up for what they believe in! 💬👏 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎉 Real-World Learning in Action! 🛍💼
Second-grade EL students at Tripp wrapped up their economics unit with a fun and educational Market Day! They became producers and consumers while learning about needs vs. wants, goods and services, and persuasive selling.
Meanwhile, AJHS 8th-grade students in the entrepreneurship encore rotation held a Business Fair, showcasing their creativity, business insight, and communication skills. Students presented unique products, services, and innovative ideas to peers, staff, teachers, and Dr. McIntyre, too.
What a powerful display of future-ready skills at every level! 🌟
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎓 Our AJHS 8th graders graduated at Stevenson High School surrounded by proud families, heartfelt speeches, laughter, and special memories. Congratulations to the Class of 2025. Stevenson is lucky to have you next year! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent #GoEagles
🎶 Big News! 🎶
We’re proud to share that Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 has once again been recognized with the Best Communities for Music Education Award by the NAMM Foundation! 🌟🎼
This national honor highlights our district’s deep commitment to providing exceptional music education for all students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
From learning rhythms in kindergarten to performing in band, orchestra, or choir in junior high, our students are supported every step of the way by passionate, skilled music educators who inspire creativity and a lifelong love of the arts. 🎷🎻🎤
👏 Thank YOU for helping make D102 one of the best places for music education in the nation! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎨 Turning Broken Instruments into Lasting Art 🎻
AJHS is proud to celebrate the creativity and talent of two incredible student artists!
As part of the Studio Art Club, these students were selected to transform broken orchestra instruments into beautiful, original works of art. Their finished pieces will be permanently installed this summer in the Fine Arts Wing, joining the already beloved painted cello on display.
👏 Congratulations on this meaningful and lasting contribution to our school community! Your work adds both beauty and inspiration to our halls. #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
💙 Service Day 2024: Honoring a Legacy Through Kindness 💙
On May 23, AJHS 6th–8th grade students came together for a powerful and heartfelt Service Day filled with compassion, connection, and community spirit. From writing letters of gratitude to creating plarn for the homeless, our students truly embraced what it means to give back.
This year’s Service Day carried even deeper meaning as we honored the memory of beloved teacher Mr. Craig Podolski. His passion and leadership were instrumental in shaping this event, and while his absence was deeply felt, his legacy lived on through every act of kindness.
Huge thanks to Dana Tamez, Bob Auld, Carolyn Lewis, and all the dedicated staff who made this day possible. 💛 Activities included:
✉️ Letter writing to appreciate D102 staff
🧶 Making plarn for Gratitude Generation's effort to make waterproof sleeping mats
🎥 Watching volunteer stories & spreading kindness
🍧 Enjoying a Kona Ice treat
🎯 Dunk Tank fun, where all proceeds were donated to Mr. Podolski's family
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
39 AJHS Catalyst Club students returned to Meridian to help 5th graders prepare for junior high with a student-led “Glow Up in Junior High” presentation! With glow bracelets, great advice, and big smiles, they inspired confidence and excitement for what’s ahead. ✨ #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎨 AJHS Color Wheel Fun! 🌈
Students in the RISE art class dove into the world of color through hands-on, sensory-friendly activities! After mastering primary colors and creating their own tints and shades, they got creative mixing secondary and tertiary colors using straws, squeegees, and droppers. Each student even built and labeled their own color wheel to bring their learning to life! 🎨👏 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎉 This Sunday, we celebrate Speech Pathologist Day and the incredible SLPs here in D102!
Our speech-language pathologists are dedicated professionals who help our students find their voice—literally and figuratively. 💬💙 They create fun, welcoming spaces where students feel supported, confident, and empowered to grow.
From building communication skills to collaborating with teachers and families, our SLPs are essential partners in student success.
Thank you for all you do! 🙌 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
⭐ New Board Members Sworn In! ⭐
At the May 12 D102 Board of Education meeting, we welcomed new Board members Laurie Kuriakose and Anthony Q. Lee, along with re-elected members Jordan Sklansky and Pelleg Graupe. The Honorable Marnie Slavin — a proud D102 alum — officiated the swearing-in.
We were also honored to have State Representative Daniel Didech in attendance to thank outgoing Board members Deepa Ajmire and Vera Gaskill for their dedicated service.
Following the ceremony, the Board selected its officers:
⭐ Jordan Sklansky – Board President
⭐ Pelleg Graupe – Board Vice President
⭐ Melissa Rose – Board Secretary
It was a night of celebration, gratitude, and a strong commitment to the future of D102 students!
🎉 The Meridian Ambassadors have been hard at work on a special project — "Celebrating Meridian School" — an exhibit opening soon at the Raupp Museum in Buffalo Grove!
This unique showcase highlights the legacy of D102 and Meridian School since opening its doors in 1994. It honors beloved staff members, past and present, including:
🍎 Lindsay Zucker, Priscilla Podeschi & AJ Teplinsky — former Meridian students who are now teachers at the school!
🎓 Cheri Brill, Sherrie Cummins & Stacy Lipshutz — the final three original staff members retiring after helping open the school 30 years ago.
You'll also find historic items on display like the original blueprint, groundbreaking shovel, and more!
📅 Join us for the exhibit opening:
🗓 Monday, May 19
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Raupp Museum, Buffalo Grove
Come celebrate Meridian’s incredible journey with us!
🎤✨ The 7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert was an unforgettable celebration of talent, creativity, and compassion!
With 20 soloists, 18 narrators, 10 costumed characters, and stunning student artwork on display, the performance truly wowed the audience. 🎶🎭🖼️ Students even shared original mosaic poetry written in chorus and led a food drive inspired by the concert’s theme, "Be Our Guest." 💛
Three full boxes of food and generous cash donations were collected for the Vernon Area Food Pantry — a beautiful reminder of the power of music and community. Bravo to all, and a huge shoutout to Mrs. Simon for her incredible leadership! 👏 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎶 Musical Magic in D102! 🎶 Our talented 5th–8th grade band and orchestra students wowed the crowd with two epic, back-to-back concerts! Performances ranged from James Bond to Guardians of the Galaxy to Final Countdown. The performances were bursting with energy, passion, and talent. 💥🎻🎷 A round of applause goes to Mrs. Rakickas, Ms. Strauss, and Mr. Jenkin for their incredible leadership and dedication. Their guidance helped bring the music to life! 👏🎶 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
