Meridian Early Learning Center

🎶🏆 For the 11th year in a row, D102 has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education Award by the NAMM Foundation! At the June 23 Board of Education meeting, we proudly celebrated this achievement and the outstanding music educators who make it possible. 🎼👏 Thank you to our talented music teachers across the district for your dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence in music education. #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent

☀️📚 Summer school is in full swing at Meridian—and it’s buzzing with energy and learning across all grade levels! Programs include: ✨ Extended School Year (ESY) 🗣️ VOICES Program (Grades K–2) 🎉 D102 Summer Camp (Grades 3–7) — featuring choice classes like Young Author’s Club, games, robotics, and PE! Students have been greeted by some fresh faces among our teaching staff, and the atmosphere has been nothing short of collaborative, fun, and inspiring. 💡👏 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent

🟡 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

🎉 Field Day Fun Across D102! 🎉 Students at Pritchett, Tripp, and Meridian celebrated the end of the school year with one of our favorite traditions: Field Day! There were bounce houses and relay races to friendly contests and high-energy music. Schools were buzzing with excitement, teamwork, and pure joy. Thank you to our amazing staff and volunteers who helped create a day full of laughter, movement, and unforgettable memories. 🏃‍♂️🎶🎈 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent

🎶 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

🎉 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!

🎨💙 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

🎉 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