Meridian School recently hosted its second Lighted School House of the year, carrying on a beloved tradition that unites our entire community! ✨ Families and staff enjoyed a night packed with interactive games, temporary tattoos, and even a live magician. 🪄 A huge thank you to Ms. McGurgan and Mrs. Murdach for their leadership, and to our dedicated volunteers for making this evening so special for our students. 🏫🎈

#EveryDayEveryStudent #D102 #ImpactD102

4 days ago, District 102
Students standing around a D102 sign with loli-pops.
Girl smiling with a hula hoop.
Students choosing tattoos at a table.
Student throwing a ball at a target.
Students choosing tattoos from a table.
Group of 5 girls standing together smiling.
Student playing a sling shot game.
Magician holding up his hat.
2 boys making sand art at a table.
3 boys making sand art.
It's time to highlight another amazing D102 retiree! This week, we are spotlighting Mrs. Vicky Jacobs. She's been in D102 for 36 years, her entire career! Take a moment to celebrate and get to know Mrs. Jacobs.

What roles did you serve during your time in D102?
Tripp Special Education teacher 1990-1992
AJHS Special Education Teacher 6th, 7th and 8th
Inclusion Facilitator

What are some accomplishments since working in D102?
“Throughout my teaching career, I earned a master's degree, Type 75, National Board Certification, and have coached a variety of sports and clubs.”

What do you look forward to doing during your retirement?
"Enjoy my 'free time'."

Is there anything you would like to share with the D102 community?
“With 38 years in special education, I’ve taught, learned, and grown alongside some of the most inspiring teachers here in D102. I specialized in individualized instruction, advocacy, and creating classrooms where every learner is valued and supported.”
7 days ago, District 102
Mrs. Jacobs retirement photo
Music is in the air at Meridian as our students master rhythmic patterns and practice techniques! Mrs. Pacanowski’s class is learning how to break down complex songs into manageable sections for better clarity and focus. 🎶 It was wonderful to see them perform as a group with such impressive posture and technical form. 🎷 Great work to our talented musicians on their dedication to the craft! 👏

#EveryDayEveryStudent #D102 #ImpactD102
9 days ago, District 102
Students playing the recorder while sitting.
Students identifying patters in notes and circling on the board.
STudent circling on the board.
Students sitting on the floor playing the recorder.
Big news from D102! 🏆 We are bursting with pride to announce that Pritchett Elementary’s very own Ed Harrington has won the Regional Office of Education’s Educational Service Personnel Award! 🌟

Ed’s commitment, dedication, and infectious passion for his work at Pritchett are second to none. Whether he’s keeping our school running smoothly or sharing a kind word with a student in the hallway, Ed embodies what it means to be a champion for our kids. 🏫✨

Thanks to "Mr. Ed" for making a huge impact on our D102 community!

#EveryDayEveryStudent #D102 #ImpactD102
15 days ago, District 102
Mr. Ed standing with two reps from the ROE.
Screen of Mr. Ed as he wins the Educator of the Year award in the educational service personnel category.
Table decor for the educator of the year ceremony.
Mrs. Elana Glomp is our retirement feature for the week! 🍎✨ She is spending her final month teaching first grade at Pritchett. Take a moment to learn about Mrs. Glomp’s incredible career in D102! 🏫🙌

💡 Fun Fact:
“I have taught several of my former students' children.”

🏆 What are some accomplishments since working in D102?
“I feel my biggest accomplishment is the connections made with my students and their families. To have former students come back years later and let me know how much of an impact I have made in their lives is magical, especially since every single student holds a special place in my heart!”

✈️ What do you look forward to doing during your retirement?
“I plan on visiting my kids, reading, volunteering, and whatever I decide to do!”

💌 Is there anything you would like to share with D102?
“It has been my honor to have spent all these years with wonderful friends, colleagues, students, and families of D102! What a wonderful place to be!”

#D102DifferenceMaker #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent #ImpactD102
17 days ago, District 102
Retiree recognition for Mrs. Glomp.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the incredible educators who show up every day to make a lasting IMPACT on our students. 🍎✨

Take a moment this week to thank a teacher who has impacted your life. A quick note or a shoutout can make their day!

#D102 #EverDayEveryStudent #ImpactD102
18 days ago, District 102
Photo Montage of teachers for teacher appreciation week.
Staff wrapped in D102 blankets.
3 teachers smiling together taking a selfie.
A group of staff standing with their arms up.
Staff leaning their elbows on another staff member
Teachers sitting at a table smiling.
NFL Star Maema Njongmeta Inspires AJHS! 🏈🎺
It was an incredible day at AJHS as we welcomed back one of our own! Alumni and current NFL linebacker Maema Njongmeta visited our students to share his inspiring journey from our hallways to the professional turf. 🏟️✨

Njongmeta took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about playing the trumpet in Mrs. Rakickas’s class (who is still rocking it as our band teacher today! 🎶). Now a member of the Carolina Panthers 🐈‍⬛ (and formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals), he spoke candidly about what it takes to reach the highest level of athletics.

Beyond football, Njongmeta emphasized the power of mental fortitude and community. He left our students with powerful words to live by, like "Speak life into yourself" and "Engage with the people who believe in you." 🗣️✨

The visit wrapped up with a Q&A where students got to connect personally with a pro! Thank you, Maema, for providing our students with a roadmap to tackle their goals with confidence! 🙌

#EveryDayEveryStudent #D102 #ImpactD102
18 days ago, District 102
Njongmeta speaking at a podium.
Njongmeta standing and speaking at a podium with students in front of him in bleachers.
STudent holding a microphone asking a question.
Mrs. Tamez smiling while Njongmeta signs a jersey.
Student posing with Njongmeta.
Njongmeta standing in a crowd of students.
Njongmeta standing with a former teacher.
Njongmeta with his former teacher, Mrs. Rakickas
Njongmeta standing with a student, holding his AJHS jersey.
Njongmeta standing with principal and Asst. Principal.
Meridian recently wrapped up their 24th Annual Readers’ Cup! 🏆 70 teams of 4th & 5th graders tackled 20 books from the Bluestem and Rebecca Caudill lists. Huge shoutout to everyone who participated! 📖🙌

Congratulations to the top teams:
🥇 The Book Covers (Winners!)
🥈 4 Bookworms
🥉 Reading Legends

Our winners are heading to Portillo’s for lunch and scoring $35 Barnes & Noble gift cards! 🌭🎟️

A massive thank you to Ms. Zucker and Mrs. Holmes for organizing such a fantastic event. Keep reading, Meridian! 🌟👏
28 days ago, District 102
The book clovers, winner of the contest, sitting at a table in front of their team sign.
STudents sitting together with a handmade sign cheering for their team.
2 teachers talking to the school, while teams wait to start the contest.
The team, 4 Bookworms are sitting at a table with their buzzers.
Reading Legacy Team  sitting at a table with their team name behind them.
STudents holding up signs in the bleachers cheering for their teams.

🌟 Let’s continue celebrating our D102 Difference Makers — Retirement Edition! 🌟
As the school year winds down, we’re honoring the incredible educators who have shaped our community. Today, we are shining the spotlight on the wonderful Mrs. Amy Levin!

Mrs. Levin is currently soaking in her final weeks in the classroom at Meridian, finishing off an impressive two-decade journey with D102!

The Career of Mrs. Levin 👩‍🏫
Amy has spent the last 20 years being a difference maker for our students.

Fun Fact: “I was a special education teacher for 19 years, and my last year, I’m a fifth-grade classroom teacher.”

What are some accomplishments since working in D102? “Working with so many different students.”

What do you look forward to doing during your retirement? “I plan on walking my three dogs, reading, and exercising.”

Is there anything you would like to share with the D102 community? “I’ve loved working in D102 for the past 20 years!”

Join us in the comments! ⬇️
Please share your favorite memories of Mrs. Levin or leave a "Congratulations" as she prepares for her next adventure! 🥳✨

#D102DifferenceMakers #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent

28 days ago, District 102
Amy Levin Retirement shout out.

Ready to gear up for another incredible school year? 🎒✨

It’s officially time to make it official! Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now OPEN!

📝How to Register:
Returning Families: Check your email for a specific snapcode to use during the registration process.

New to D102 Families: Welcome to D102! Head to our website to start your registration process. www.d102.org

Don't hit "snooze" on this one! Registering early helps us prepare for the next school year!

#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent

about 1 month ago, District 102
info graphic for registration
This week, we are shining a spotlight on Mrs. Frannie Goldwin as our D102 Difference Maker!

With an incredible 21 years of service as a social worker in D102, Mrs. Goldwin’s dedication has made a lasting impact on countless students and families. We are so incredibly grateful for the support she provides every single day!
about 1 month ago, District 102
Staff spotlight on Mrs. Goldwin, social worker at PES.
Please join us in congratulating these D102 educators for being nominated for the Lake County ROE Educator of the Year awards. They will be honored during a ceremony next month! Way to make a #D102Impact

#EveryDayEveryStudent #D102
about 1 month ago, District 102
Staff members highlighted for Educator of the year award.
Thank you to everyone who has already registered for our brand-new D102 Summer Camp! We’ve been listening to your feedback and tracking interest, and we are excited to announce that our official course list is now finalized.

Still want to join the fun?
Don’t worry—we still have spots available! Secure your child’s place in three easy steps:

Register: Click the link below and enter your child’s name and grade.

Choose: Select your favorite classes from our final list of offerings.

Confirm: Complete your payment at the end of the form to lock in your spot!

🔗https://www.d102.org/page/summer-language-opportunities

⚠️ Important Note: To ensure we have the best staff and support in place for our students, all payments are non-refundable.

We can’t wait to see you this summer! 🎒🎨⚽️
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
about 2 months ago, District 102
Summer School logo
Reminder: There will be no school on Friday, April 3, 2026. ☀️🌷
about 2 months ago, District 102
Info about no school Friday April 3, 2026
Have a great spring break, D102!
2 months ago, District 102
Spring break announcement for March 23-27.
Reminder! There is no school Friday, March 20, 2026. Enjoy meeting with your child's teacher(s)!
2 months ago, District 102
Info graphic for no school reminder on March 20.
Reminder! There will be a half day of school for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 19. Please refer to our website for dismissal schedules by school.

2 months ago, District 102
Half day of school info graphic. Half day is march 19.
🌟 Meet our #D102DifferenceMaker: Mrs. Ellen Griegel! 🌟

For 7 years, Mrs. Griegel has been a dedicated member of the D102 family! 🍎 She can be found sparking curiosity and a love for learning in her 3rd-grade classroom at Tripp School. 📚✨

Thank you, Mrs. Griegel, for the incredible impact you make on our students every single day!
2 months ago, District 102
Staff spotlight on Ellen Griegel
🦅Birds of Prey at Meridian 🦉

Our 4th graders soared to the finish line of their "Free as a Bird" literacy unit! 📚✨

The Stillman Nature Center brought the unit to life with a visit from some incredible rescued hawks and owls. After weeks of studying these creatures, from their physical traits to their symbols of wisdom and intelligence, students finally got an up-close look at the birds they've been reading about. 🧐✨

#EveryDayEveryStudent #D102 #D102Impact
3 months ago, District 102
Owl handler answering questions while holding an owl.
Close up photo of the owl.
Close up of an owl.
Close up photo of an eagle.
Owl handler standing with students.
Owl handler holding owl near a student.
Reminder! No school on Monday, March 2, 2026.
3 months ago, District 102
Info graphic stating no school Monday, March 2.