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
🎉 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!
🎶 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
🎉 Budgeting + Birthday Bash = Real-World Learning! 🧮🎈
Meridian students recently tackled a fun and practical challenge: planning the perfect birthday party all on a $200 budget! 💸🎂
Students chose stores and calculated totals (sales tax included!) and even made sure quantities matched their guest lists. Students put their math, organization, and problem-solving skills to the test.
One proud planner shared, “Our total is $92, which means we are under budget!” 🙌
Smart choices + real-world learning = success! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🌟 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
🌊🦀 Our fourth-grade explorers dove into a coastal habitat right in the classroom! With salt water, sand, apples, and coastal plants, they got up close with nature, no field trip required.
One of the coolest discoveries? Male fiddler crabs have one giant claw used for fighting! 👀💪 #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
🎉 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
🌟 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
🎉 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
🍽️ Eight student voices, one delicious mission!
Students at Meridian joined the Student Food Committee to team up with Ms. Giegoldt from Quest Food Services and share their thoughts on school meals. There were chicken fajitas, cheese tortellini, and Asian chicken salad. These taste-testers sampled it all! 👨🍳👩🍳
Their feedback on flavor, presentation, and overall appeal will help shape future menus, making sure our meals are not only nutritious but also student-approved! 🙌
#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"
📚🏆 Meridian’s 23rd Annual Reader’s Cup was a page-turning success! On Friday, April 4, 74 teams competed, but only the TOP THREE advanced to the thrilling final round in front of the entire school. After months of reading all 20 selected books, students showed off their literary knowledge in a fast-paced quiz showdown!
👏 Big shoutout to Ms. Zucker and Ms. Lipshutz for keeping the competition buzzing with excitement.
🥇Congrats to the winning team, The Enchanted Readers! They’re heading to Portillo’s and Barnes & Noble with $35 gift cards in hand for a well-earned celebration.
📖✨ Way to go, readers—your hard work truly paid off!
#D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
Today, we celebrate the incredible team behind the scenes who keep everything running smoothly: our amazing administrative professionals! 💼💐
They manage schedules, support staff, and greet families with a warm smile. Their hard work and dedication to the D102 community make a huge impact. We are so grateful for all that you do! 💙
Happy Administrative Professionals Day! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎤✨ Students Take the Lead ✨🎤
Student-Led Conferences are happening today and tomorrow, and our students are ready to shine! 🌟
They’ve been thoughtfully preparing, practicing with peer buddies and small groups, and with their teachers. Students are ready to confidently reflect on their learning and showcase the incredible growth they’ve made this year. 📚💬
These conferences are all about student voice, ownership, and celebration. Thanks to our teachers, staff, students, and parents for working together as a team to make this such a meaningful learning experience for our kids. 💙🤝 #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
🎉 Happy Assistant Principal Week! 🎉
This week, we celebrate the incredible leadership, dedication, and heart our Assistant Principals bring to our schools every single day. Your impact on students, teachers, and families doesn’t go unnoticed! Thank you for all that you do! #D102 #EveryDayEveryStudent
