Spring 26 Newsletter

SPRING 2026

SD81ENGAGE

NEWS FROM OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY

A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT KARTSIMAS As we close the chapter on the 2025-2026 school year, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude, and excitement for everything that lies ahead.

What a year it has been! From the very first day of school to this moment, our students have shown up with curiosity, resilience, and a desire to learn and grow that never ceases to inspire me. Every day, I had the privilege of witnessing incredible things happening in our classrooms, and I can say with great confidence that the state of District 81 is strong, vibrant, and full of promise. None of this happens without the extraordinary dedication of our teachers, staff, and administrators who pour their hearts into this work each and every day.

To our families: thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your continued support.

To every member of our broader Schiller Park community: your support of District 81 matters deeply. Strong schools make strong communities, and we are grateful to call Schiller Park home. It truly takes a village, and we are proud of ours.

To every educator and staff member in District 81: thank you. Your commitment to our students is something truly special, and your impact is immeasurable.

To our students: you are the reason we do this work, and you have made us so incredibly proud.

Keep shining!

As we look ahead, I am eagerly excited for what the future holds for District 81. We will continue to build on this year's momentum, deepen our commitment to student growth, and ensure that every child feels supported, valued, and empowered. The best is truly yet to come!

Wishing every family a safe, joyful, and wonderful summer.

Sincerely, Dr. Melissa Kartsimas

A MESSAGE FROM BOARD PRESIDENT, TINA EWANIO As we close out another wonderful school year, I want to take a moment on behalf of the entire Board of Education to express how incredibly proud we are of everything our District 81 community has accomplished together.

This year has been filled with growth, joy, and so many memorable moments that remind us why we are so fortunate to be part of this special community. Our students have made us so proud. Thank you families for your continued trust and partnership. The dedication and heart of our remarkable administration, faculty and staff are the foundation of everything great that happens in District 81.

As we head into summer, we wish every family rest, joy, and quality time together.

We cannot wait to welcome everyone back for an even brighter year ahead!

Jen Ziegler, Tina Ewanio, Stephanie Fiore, Allison Downs, Patricia Bowcock, Andrea Del Zotti, Enas Saada

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SD81engage Newsletter SPRING 2026

A LOOK INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS Building Relationships with Tomorrow’s Leaders—In Action Across SD81 Student leadership programs at all three SD81 schools are fostering a strong culture of service, connection, and pride.

At Kennedy School, Kennedy Ambassadors (two students selected from each classroom) play an important role in welcoming new students. They lead tours, organize scavenger hunts, and introduce peers to teachers and staff, helping ease transitions and create an immediate sense of belonging.

At Washington School, 5th grade students may apply to join the CLAW Crew through a competitive process that includes references and a short video. These student leaders support school-wide assemblies, assist with family events like STEAM Night, and promote positivity through initiatives such as High Five Fridays.

They exemplify school spirit, responsibility, and enthusiasm.

At Lincoln Middle School, 8th grade students can become Rising Leaders by demonstrating strong academics, character, and involvement. Through an application and recommendation process, these students earn opportunities to lead the 6th grade orientation and retreat, organize assemblies, run the school store, and support family events including Literacy Night, Sports Night, and musical luncheons.

While each program is unique, all share a common goal: developing confident, compassionate, and responsible leaders.

We proudly celebrate the students and staff who make these opportunities possible and thank them for empowering our students to lead and make a difference.

Lincoln Middle School’s Musical Week: The Spongebob Musical, Youth Edition The energy and enthusiasm that filled the Little Theater during Lincoln Middle School’s production of The SpongeBob Musical, Youth Edition was truly something special, highlighted by our students’ incredible vocal talents, confident stage presence, expressive acting, and their ability to fully engage and captivate the audience from start to finish.

So many members of our community, including our cherished senior residents, came out to support our students, and their presence meant more than words can express.

We are deeply grateful for the belief you place in our schools and the genuine encouragement you consistently show our students.

That support does not go unnoticed. It teaches our young people the true value of community, connection, and showing up for one another.

Thank you for being such an integral part of the District 81 family.

A LOOK INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS A Historic Celebration: America 250 in SD81 America turns 250 this July 4th, and we are celebrating in a BIG way at Schiller Park School District 81!

In honor of this once-in-a-generation celebration, School District 81 is proud to join communities across the county in marking America's Semiquincentennial Anniversary.

As a special gift to our learning community, every returning SD81 student will receive a commemorative America 250 t-shirt — a keepsake to remember this historic birthday for the USA! Our Schiller Park community has exciting local celebrations planned this summer, and we hope to see our entire community come together to celebrate!

There is no better way to honor 250 years of America than right here, together, in the community we love.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT At Schiller Park School District 81, we believe that strong communities are built on meaningful connections, and this spring, our students have experienced that firsthand through some truly special partnerships.

Our collaboration with the Schiller Park Public Library continues to flourish! Washington School 4th and 5th graders enjoyed a visit to the library, and the library team joined us at Lincoln Middle School's final "Lincoln Loves Literacy" event, giving every student a free comic book and sharing exciting details about their summer reading program.

In honor of Arbor Day, our 2nd graders enjoyed a memorable experience made possible through the generous partnership of the Village of Schiller Park, the Recreation Department, and the Schiller Park Library. Students learned about tree diversity, painted garden stones, embarked on a Story Walk, and planted a Whitespire Birch tree at Kennedy Park; a living symbol of growth for years to come!

Our district administration and teachers also proudly cheered on our Schiller Park Youth Sports Programs at Opening Day for Schiller Park Baseball/Softball and Soccer programs and look forward to supporting our young athletes all season long!

We are appreciative of the American Legion Post 104 members for their involvement and for taking the time to personally present awards to the Poppy Contest winners.

We are especially grateful for our continued partnership with the Legion, whose members consistently support our schools, including their presence at the 1st Grade Memorial Day performance.

Together, we are stronger — and our students are better for it!

SD81engage Newsletter SPRING 2026

School District 81 9760 Soreng Avenue Schiller Park, IL 60176

Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Franklin Park IL Permit No 198

THE SD81 BOARD OF EDUCATION & DISTRICT 81 FINANCES Strong Financial Stewardship Earns SD81 Upgrade This spring, district administration participated in a Rating Call with Standard & Poor's (S&P), alongside Liz Hennessy, managing director at Raymond James. Following that review, we are thrilled to announce that District 81 has received an upgraded bond rating from S&P, rising from AA- to AA. This upgrade reflects the district's strong fiscal management and our ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship of community resources. The district plans to refinance the 2016A and 2017 callable bonds together, generating net present value savings for our community's taxpayers.

District 81 Welcomes Regional Leaders for IASB Meeting Schiller Park School District 81 was proud to recently serve as the host for the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Spring West Cook Division Meeting at Washington School on April 7th, 2026.

This meeting brought together school board members and administrators from across the region for a timely and engaging exploration of how Artificial Intelligence is shaping school leadership and decision-making, from streamlining daily operations to understanding board roles and responsibilities.

IASB Division Meetings, held each spring and fall, provide valuable professional development opportunities for member districts, including reports from division leadership, peer recognition, and presentations on topics of importance to school board members and leaders.

We were honored to open our doors to our colleagues from across the West Cook region, proudly showcasing our 21st century learning environment through building tours before the business meeting began. Guests had the opportunity to see firsthand the innovative spaces and resources that make District 81 such a special place for our students. We are proud to be part of such forward-thinking conversations that will ultimately benefit students throughout our communities.

Carrying the Spirit of #WeAreSD81 into Summer As we head into summer, we encourage you to carry the spirit of #WeAreSD81 with you and share your summer adventures by tagging us with #SummerIn81. Take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the summer.

ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER