News

District 30 'reclaims tradition' for 2022-23 school year

Posted August 25, 2022 1:00 am

Submitted by Northbrook/Glenview District 30

Willowbrook second-graders Medha Subramanya and Emily Bright enjoy the school's new playground; the former playground set will be donated to a nonprofit organization that refurbishes sets for use across the globe. Courtesy of District 30

There were so many reasons to celebrate this month as District 30 students at Willowbrook School in Glenview, and Wescott and Maple schools in Northbrook returned to class for the 2022-23 year.

This year, District 30 enthusiastically resumed its ceremonies and traditions. Superintendent Brian Wegley said that the first day, which included the district's long-standing "opening ceremony" at each school, was an important step toward normalcy for students, staff and parents.

"Our return to school was an inspiring first day back," Wegley said. "It was outstanding to reclaim our opening ceremonies and traditions, and continue fostering the connectedness that makes our district so strong."

This school year, District 30 welcomed Wescott Assistant Principal Katie Compagno, who is the first person to hold this role. Her hiring comes in response to the growing population at the Northbrook elementary school, which recently reached over 500 children. Compagno previously served as director of student activities at Niles North High School in Skokie.

At Willowbrook, children were welcomed back with a new playground. This was the final touch on nearly two years of construction at both schools, which included adding eight new classrooms and a gym at Wescott - allowing the school to host kindergarten classes in-house for the first time this year. Other recent Willowbrook work included reconfiguring and refurbishing of areas within the building, such as the library, to position them for the future.

At Maple Middle School in Northbrook, Assistant Principal Betty Holzkopf is entering her final year with the school after nine years with District 30. She will retire next summer, along with Wegley. Wegley has served District 30 for eight years, and the Board of Education is currently conducting a superintendent search with the help of executive search firm BWP and Associates.

Two kindergarten classes at Willowbrook in Glenview and four at Wescott in Northbrook started last Thursday, August 18. This was the first year that kindergarten was offered at both schools following construction that occurred at each in the last two years Courtesy of District 30

Katie Compagno became the first assistant principal at Wescott School in Northbrook this fall. She previously served as Director of Student Activities at Niles West High School in Skokie. Courtesy of District 30

Superintendent Brian Wegley, left, and Maple School Assistant Principal Betty Holzkopf, pictured with Maple Principal Sam Kurtz, are both marking their final year with District 30. Both will retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year after eight and nine years with the district, respectively. Courtesy of District 30

Maple School kicked off the school year with an assembly for its middle schoolers that included a flag raising and performance by the student orchestra Courtesy of District 30

Students at Willowbrook School in Glenview celebrated the start of the year with an assembly that celebrated the school's 2022-23 theme "Shine Your Light," complete with a Glow Stick dance to Katy Perry's song "Firework." Courtesy of District 30

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