Waukegan Board of Education welcomes new members and plans graduation events

The Waukegan Public Schools held its weekly "60 in Sixty" meeting on May 3, focusing on several key updates and events for the district. The meeting began with an introduction by Nicholas Alatsakis, the director of communications, who welcomed new board members and highlighted important upcoming events.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the official seating of four new board members: Nita Hanna, Jeff McBride, Angelo Ramirez, and Michael Rodriguez, who took their oaths of office following their election on April 1. The board elected Michael Rodriguez as president and Carolina Fabian as vice president. The meeting also recognized the contributions of outgoing members Brandon Ewing and Adriana Gonzales, who served from 2017 to 2025 and 2021 to 2025, respectively.

As graduation season approaches, Waukegan High School's graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 16 at 5:30 PM at Weisfield. Additionally, eighth-grade promotion ceremonies for the district's five middle schools will take place at the Genesee Theater on May 21 and 22, with specific dates assigned to each school.

The meeting also promoted the Waukegan School Foundation's "Treat a Teacher" fundraiser event on May 6, which offers discounts for staff and supports teacher grants aimed at enhancing classroom experiences.

For families with future kindergarteners, the final registration event is set for May 3 from 8 AM to 12:30 PM at Woodier Elementary School. Parents are encouraged to make online appointments and bring necessary documentation. Furthermore, online registration for returning students has been extended through the weekend.

Lastly, the meeting highlighted the success of the annual McFlite Challenge Civic Showcase at Waukegan High School, where civic students presented research projects on community issues.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to education and community engagement, with several initiatives aimed at supporting students and families in the upcoming months.