KSD111 Monthly Newsletter
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Dear Families,
It is with sincere gratitude that I write our final districtwide newsletter of the 25-26 school year. Thank you, for entrusting me to lead our amazing school district alongside hundreds of incredibly dedicated staff members. Throughout every one of our schools this past year, we have seen growth that stands as a testament to the commitment shown by our students, the support provided by our families, and the unwavering dedication of our staff. We celebrated student achievements in classrooms, on stages, and on athletic fields and courts. We strengthened systems that support teaching and learning. We continued fostering educational environments where students are known, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential while rolling out Capturing Kids Hearts across all campuses including our pre-kindergarten sites.
The unexpected emergency closure of Edison Primary during winter break was a significant challenge, yet it also highlighted the remarkable resilience of our community. I watched with pride as students and staff joined forces, successfully transitioning to new school environments to start the 2026 year. Then, months later, I was filled with deep admiration and hope while staff, students, and volunteers worked in tandem to show support to our families and community members who were impacted by the deadly storm. These periods of transition were supported by enhanced communication from school leaders and staff through regular newsletters, as well as the launch of the Let's Talk Platform via our new partnership with Onflo. Looking toward the future, we have engaged over three dozen stakeholders, including students, families, and staff, to begin developing a five-year strategic plan aimed at establishing us as a true Destination District. Additionally, after receiving the results from our districtwide curriculum audit, we finally launched a curriculum rewrite so that all students have robust, guaranteed, and viable curriculum in all grades beginning next school year and the years to follow.
Moreover, to ensure fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency concerning our physical infrastructure (schools), we engaged in a partnership with MGT, a consulting group. MGT conducted an extensive review of our school facilities and presented an analysis of our current facility capacities. The key finding from MGT's presentation was a clear indication that, due to the trend of declining student enrollment, many of our facilities are currently underutilized. Consequently, throughout the upcoming summer and extending into the 2026-2027 academic year, we are establishing a steering committee dedicated to the reimagining of our K-8 school programming and configurations. To ensure our community is part of this process, we will facilitate engagement sessions where tentative plans will be presented and your feedback will be gathered.
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While summer offers a chance to rest and recharge, we are already preparing for an exciting start to the 2026–2027 school year. For starters, we will introduce after school programs in all of our schools beginning in late September; this new initiative will ensure our students have meaningful enrichment and academic supports on their campus. Our work ahead remains focused on strong instruction, meaningful student experiences, safe and welcoming schools, and creating pathways for every student to thrive from Pre-K through high school graduation and beyond. We are energized by what is ahead and grateful to continue this work together.
The progress we made this year did not happen by chance. It happened because of the many people who continue showing up for children every day, teachers who give their all, staff members who serve with excellence, families who partner with us, and students who remain resilient and committed to learning. Thank you for trusting us, encouraging us, and helping to make our district a place where hope and opportunity continue to grow.
As summer begins, I hope you and your family find time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy the summer season. Thank you for partnering with us throughout this school year. Remember, Hope Starts Here, but More Importantly Hope Starts with You!
Educationally Yours,
Dr. Teresa A. Lance
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Reflecting on some of our 25-26 School Year Accomplishments:
- District-wide immunization compliance increased by 15.8% from SY24-25 (84.1%) to SY25-26 (97.4%)
- CPR Training for 130 Staff and Students
- Nutritional Education for Families
- Professional Development for Teachers
- Health Club (KJHS)
Looking Ahead to the 26-27 School Year:
The State of Illinois requires that all children attending school must have a current physical examination and have immunizations as prescribed in the School Code of Illinois.
- These requirements must be met before your child can register for the upcoming 26-27 school year.
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Your child will not be allowed to attend school if the requirements are not completed.
- Please be aware that students must be fully registered in Skyward within two weeks of registration opening this summer to maintain their magnet program placement.
We encourage you to schedule your child's physical examination and ensure their immunizations are current as soon as possible. This will allow for a smooth and timely registration process.
If you have questions regarding your student’s requirements, please contact your child’s school office and they will refer you to the school nurse. All proof of physicals and immunizations must be turned into the main office at your child’s school.
If you are in need of any additional health forms please see the Health Services Health Forms Page.
Health compliance is essential for minimizing absenteeism, managing chronic health conditions, ensuring effective emergency response, and maintaining herd immunity through high immunization rates thereby protecting the health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and the broader community.
We appreciate your partnership in ensuring everyone has a safe and healthy summer and 26-27 school year!
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During the 2025-2026 school year our Technology Department truly redefined what it means to be a dedicated, cohesive team. Working together, the Technology staff used their collective skills to continue working towards a seamless digital learning environment for our students and staff. A primary focus this year was safeguarding our digital environment, which the team achieved by drastically tightening up our cybersecurity protocols. At the same time, the department tackled a logistical feat by successfully configuring and rolling out over 2,000 brand-new devices directly into classrooms. While managing these deployments and others, day-to-day support never faltered, as evidenced by the completion and closure of over 3,700 work order tickets. It has been a milestone year of efficiency and security, and our tech team's collaborative spirit continues to effectively support our district's innovative educational journey. |
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The Teaching and Learning team is establishing a new structure to guide curriculum development across our district. This new group, the Curriculum Coordinating Council (CCC) is a governance team made up of teachers, school leaders, and parents/community members. The purpose of this team is to create a consistent, long-term system for what we teach and how we teach it, ensuring high-quality instruction for every student. The team will oversee the work of subject area committees who will build a cohesive K-12 curriculum. We are launching this important work right now, focusing on English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics throughout this spring and summer. This effort will create a clear, long-term roadmap, strengthening our staff's ability to deliver consistent learning goals and high-quality instruction to every student. |
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Please complete your registration online and submit any required health forms and records. Families may complete registration even if health records are not currently up to date; however, students must be up to date on physicals and immunizations in order to start school.
During the summer, in-person registration will be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Community Center-Coaches Office located behind Kankakee High School. Families can submit any needed documents, visit for assistance with registration or to ask any questions.
Thank you for taking care of these important requirements early!
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As we wrap up another incredible school year, the Food Service Department would like to say what a true blessing and honor it has been to serve the students, staff, and families of Kankakee School District 111. Every breakfast, lunch, smile, and conversation reminded us why we do this work each day. We are grateful for the opportunity to support our students not only through meals, but through care, encouragement, and community. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your school experience throughout the year.
As summer begins, we are excited and looking forward to continuing to serve those participating in our summer programs and meal opportunities across the district. We encourage everyone to take time this summer to rest, recharge, stay healthy, and enjoy time with family and friends. We hope your summer is safe, productive, and filled with great memories. Thank you again for another wonderful year of support and partnership.
See you next school year!
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Summer cleaning will be underway starting June 10th. Evening Custodial staff will be teaming up with their head custodians to work diligently through the day - deep cleaning all areas. This includes washing windows, carpet/rug cleaning and buffing and waxing floors. Grounds crew will continue to maintain the districts grounds and summer athletics. The 2026-27 School year will be here before you know it!
There are still some areas that need cleaning and organizing after the Spring Storms. Maintenance staff are still repairing areas and patching roofs as we move forward to repair and replacement projects this summer. Please continue to communicate any storm related damages or issues to your Principals.
Assistant Director of Maintenance, Harold Terrell, will be retiring June 30th. His knowledge and guidance has been a blessing to this department for the past 11 years. Prior to that Mr Terrell was the District's Courier as well as Head Custodians of LCC and Kennedy buildings. He has coached Basketball and baseball and has announced KHS Basketball games over the years. If you see him in the district over the next month, make sure to shake his hand for a job well done! He is an asset to the District and will be missed by many. We hope he comes back to visit from time to time!
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Strong Finish, Bright Futures
As we close out the school year, our Early Childhood programs celebrate a year of growth, alignment, and joyful learning. Through intentional, play-based instruction, our youngest learners have strengthened their language, problem-solving, independence, and social-emotional skills.
Our focus on consistent teaching practices and student engagement has supported meaningful growth across classrooms. We are proud to see well over 300 of our preschoolers transition to kindergarten confident, capable, and ready to thrive.
Thank you to our families and community partners for your continued support. Together, we are building strong starts and brighter futures for every child.
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Reflection
The Kankakee School District 111 Multilingual Department would like to extend its deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to every member of our exceptional team for their relentless hard work and profound dedication throughout this academic journey. Your contributions have been the cornerstone of our success as we navigated the challenges and opportunities of the 2025–2026 school year.
A Year of Commitment and Inclusivity
Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, our staff members have consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting our incredibly diverse student population. By fostering an inclusive learning environment that celebrates different cultures and languages, you have ensured that every student feels valued and empowered. We are incredibly proud of the significant progress our students have made in their language acquisition and overall academic growth, milestones that were only achievable thanks to your collective efforts and specialized expertise.
Maintaining Momentum Over the Summer
As we transition into the summer months, we encourage our families to maintain the academic momentum built in the classroom. Continued engagement in literacy activities is vital for long-term success. We recommend exploring various community resources, such as:
- Engaging in shared reading experiences together at home.
- Participating in local library programs and summer reading challenges.
- Utilizing digital literacy platforms provided by the district.
Staying curious and active is the key to a successful break and a smooth transition back to school in the fall.
Looking Ahead
We hope all of our students and their families have a safe, restful, and rejuvenating summer break. Our team is already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for another year filled with discovery, achievement, and growth. Thank you again for being such a vital and cherished part of our school community.
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As the school year comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our transportation department for their unwavering commitment to our community, district, and students. Recently, we celebrated bus driver appreciation, but those small gestures hardly capture the depth of our gratitude for your daily efforts. We are incredibly proud of how the entire team rallied together after this year's tornado, demonstrating remarkable flexibility as we adjusted routes to navigate road closures and support displaced students. Your dedication to prioritizing student safety while managing the additional workload is truly commendable. |
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As we move into the final weeks of the school year, we want to thank our students, families, and staff for their partnership, support, and commitment throughout the year. Together, we continue building strong relationships and creating supportive learning environments where all students can grow and succeed.
Finish the Year Strong with Excellent Attendance
Every school day matters. Strong attendance during the final weeks of school helps students stay connected, continue academic growth, complete important learning experiences, and end the year successfully. We encourage families to continue prioritizing daily attendance and maintaining consistent routines as we close out the school year.
Your Voice Matters – CKH Family Survey
We also encourage all families to complete our end-of-year Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) survey. You should have received a link from your child's building principal. Your feedback provides valuable insight that helps our district and staff reflect, improve, and strengthen the systems and supports we provide for students and families as we prepare for the new school year.
Your input is incredibly valuable to us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and perspectives.
Supporting Healthy Summer Habits
As summer approaches, we encourage families to help students maintain healthy routines that support learning and well-being:
- Limit unnecessary screen time when possible
- Encourage daily reading
- Have students write or journal about their daily activities and experiences
- Spend time outdoors exploring, playing, and staying active
Simple daily habits can make a lasting impact on students’ academic, social, and emotional growth throughout the summer months.
Thank you again for your continued partnership and support of our students and schools. We are proud of all that our students have accomplished this year and look forward to continued growth together.
— Student Support Services Team
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We Are Hiring at Kankakee School District 111!
Are you a passionate, licensed professional ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of students? At Kankakee School District 111, we believe that Hope Starts Here, and we are committed to building a team of dedicated educators and professionals who inspire excellence, equity, and opportunity for every learner. Join a district that values innovation, collaboration, and student-centered success while supporting the growth and development of its staff. Whether you are an experienced educator or looking to begin a meaningful new chapter in your career, KSD 111 offers the opportunity to make a difference every single day.
Know someone who would be a great fit for Team KSD 111? Share this opportunity on social media and encourage a friend or colleague to apply today! Together, we can continue building a strong future for our students and community.
Apply today or email us at joinkankakee111@ksd111.org for more information.
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End of Year Update (2025–2026)
As we close out another school year, the Special Education Department wants to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the partnership all parents and guardians have extended to our building teams throughout the 2025–2026 school year. Your willingness to collaborate, communicate, and advocate alongside our staff has been instrumental in ensuring that each student received programming tailored to their unique needs. It is through this shared commitment that we are able to deliver truly individualized supports, and the outcomes we have seen this year are a direct reflection of that collective effort. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for showing up as engaged, thoughtful partners every step of the way.
Looking Ahead to 2026–2027
We are actively working on staffing plans for the upcoming school year and are pleased to share that we anticipate entering the 2026–2027 school year fully staffed! Our goal, as always, is to ensure that every student has consistent, qualified support from day one. We are committed to a smooth transition and will continue to keep families informed as plans are finalized over the summer months.
Special Olympics Track & Field
We are incredibly proud to celebrate our students who recently competed in the Special Olympics Track and Field event! Our athletes represented Kankakee District 111 with heart, determination, and tremendous school spirit. We are thrilled to share that multiple students qualified for the State competition; a remarkable achievement that reflects both their hard work and the dedication of the coaches, staff, and families who supported them along the way. We look forward to cheering them on at the State level!
A Personal Note of Gratitude
It has been an honor to serve as a member of the Kankakee community family over these past three years. The resilience and dedication I have witnessed in the Kankakee community has positively impacted my leadership and our department. I am grateful for the trust you placed in me and for the warmth with which you welcomed me. While I will be moving to a role outside of the District next year, I remain fully committed to this community and will be working closely with the District to support the transition of a new leader for the 2026–2027 school year. Thank you for entrusting me with leading your children's services for the last three years.
With deep appreciation and warm wishes for a wonderful summer,
Carrie Ganci-Clodi,
Kankakee School District 111
Director of Special Education
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May is marking the end of the 2025-2026 athletic season for Kankakee High School. This spring has seen our baseball, boys volleyball, boys tennis and boys track/field teams show improvement in their performances as they prepare for their respective IHSA playoff tournaments. Girls soccer, girls track/field and girls softball have flourished, as all 3 teams have dominated conference play (soccer and track/field won the Southland Athletic Conference championship and softball is currently in 2nd place with a chance to win it all). Individually, Jocelyn Sanchez set the school's goal scoring record this season in soccer and Essence Bell has established herself as one of the top sprinters in the state of Illinois.
April College Signings:
- Myair Thompson (Southwest Michigan College) for Basketball
- Kenaz Jackson (Southwest Michigan College) for Basketball
- Kaleah Jackson (Kankakee Community College) for Softball
- Jocelyn Sanchez (South Suburban College) for Soccer
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As we approach graduation and the close of the 2025–2026 school year, the Public & Community Relations Department has been hard at work capturing the moments that make KSD 111 special. From student achievements and classroom highlights to end-of-year celebrations, we are creating meaningful videos and storytelling pieces that preserve memories and showcase the heart of our district.
We have also continued strengthening communication across the district through ParentSquare, helping families stay informed, connected, and engaged.
Thank you to our staff, students, and families for helping us tell the story of KSD 111 all year long.
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For generations of students, families, teachers, and staff, Edison Primary School was more than just a school—it was a place where memories were made, friendships were formed, lessons were learned, and lives were shaped.
As we reflect on the closing of Edison following the 2025–2026 school year, we are honored to share this special tribute featuring former students, past administrators, and the final group of Edison staff members who proudly carried on the school's legacy until its final day.
This video is filled with emotion, gratitude, memories, and love for a school that meant so much to so many. While the building may have closed, the spirit of Edison lives on in every student who walked its halls, every educator who dedicated their time to its mission, and every family who called it home.
We hope this tribute brings joy, reflection, recognition, and cherished memories. Thank you, Edison, for the generations of hope, learning, and community you provided.
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Registration for Returning students for the 2026–2027 school year at Kankakee School District 111 opens June 1!
Don’t wait—secure your student’s spot early and make sure everything is ready for a strong start to the new school year.
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Board Brief videos will be recorded and shared on an as-needed basis during the summer months, depending on the significance of updates following Board of Education meetings.
The Board of Education will continue to meet throughout the summer at LCC Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:
June 8, 2026
July 13, 2026
July 27, 2026
August 10, 2026
August 24, 2026
We encourage the community to stay connected through the summer!
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Parents & Guardians – We encourage you to download the ParentSquare app! This will be our district’s main platform for communication with families and teachers.
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As the school year comes to a close, we invite our community to join us in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of the Kankakee High School Class of 2026. This final celebration honors the hard work, resilience, growth, and memories that have defined their journey. We are proud of all they have achieved and excited to see the impact they will make in the future.
Congratulations, Class of 2026! Your legacy will forever be a part of Kankakee High School, and we wish you success and happiness in the next chapter of your lives.
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