🎨 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
🎶 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
🎨💙 Nothing says "thank you" like a message from the heart. In this case, the sidewalk! Our amazing students surprised staff this week with beautiful chalk art across campus to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week. #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent #TeacherAppreciationWeek
🌟 Happy School Nurse Day! 🌟
Today we celebrate the incredible individuals who care for the health and well-being of our students every single day. Whether it’s a scraped knee, a fever, or simply a comforting presence, our school nurses play a vital role in keeping our schools safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
Thank you for your compassion, expertise, and tireless dedication, our students thrive because of you! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🍎✨ Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! ✨🍎
To every teacher in D102:
Thank you for your passion.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for believing in every child.
You are the heart of our schools, and we appreciate you more than words can say. 💙📚
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🌟 Students Honored with Illinois Principals Association Awards 🌟
We’re thrilled to share that exceptional students from Aptakisic Junior High, Meridian, Pritchett, and Tripp were recently recognized at the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Student Recognition Awards Ceremony!
Each year, principals across the state nominate students who exemplify leadership, academic excellence, citizenship, and strong character. This year, D102 students truly shined! These honorees were selected for the positive impact they make in their school communities and for embodying the values that define our district.
Congratulations to our award recipients. You inspire us all, and we are so proud of you! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎉 Congratulations to D102’s nominees for the Lake County ROE Educator of the Year Award! 🌟 These incredible staff members were nominated by their peers for their dedication, hard work, and unwavering passion for supporting students. 💙
We’re so proud to have them represent D102 at the awards ceremony on May 7. Good luck to all! 👏 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudnet
🎯 At AJHS, students wrapped up a powerful unit on Native American history, exploring both Indigenous cultures and their treatment throughout U.S. history. To show what they learned, students created engaging presentations using posters and iPads!
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎉 Quarter 3 Portrait of a Graduate Recognition 🎓
At the April 14 Board of Education meeting, five outstanding students, from kindergarten through grade 8, were recognized for exemplifying the core competencies of D102’s Portrait of a Graduate! 🌟
Nominated by their teachers and principals, these students truly stand out as role models in our schools. Board President Sklansky and Dr. McIntyre proudly presented each recipient with a certificate to celebrate their achievements. 👏
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🍔🍦 Culver’s Night = Sweet Success! 🎉
A week ago today, our school community came together for a fantastic Culver’s Night! The PTO had another amazing turnout, and our students were all smiles seeing their teachers while enjoying a fun night out. 💙
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening so special!
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🌞 D102 SUMMER CAMP 2025 🌞
✨ Join us for an engaging summer experience!
Students currently in grades K-2 can join the VOICEs program that emphasizes early literacy and oracy through engaging, thematic instruction.
Students currently in grades 3–7 can choose a morning or afternoon half-day session filled with exciting instruction every day!
📅 June 9 – June 30, 2025
🗓 Monday–Friday (No class Thursday, June 19)
🔹 AM Session: 8:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
🔹 PM Session: 12:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
💲Cost: $375 per half-day session
🚍 Note: Bussing is not available for this program
🎨 What to Expect for grades 3-7:
Each 2.5-hour session includes two engaging classes!
Start in your first class, then switch halfway to your second — double the fun, every day!
Register on our website @ www.d102.org and search "Summer Learning Opportunities"
AJHS has got hops, we mean hoops! We're thrilled to announce that our gymnasium has
new basketball hoops that have been installed! Get ready to shoot some hoops and show off your skills! Plus, we’ve also added a gym divider, making it a more flexible space. #D102 #BrightFuture #BuilD102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
