Jack London Middle School

08/23/2026

Week One ✅

08/18/2026

Please join us in welcoming Officer Kasia Struga of the Wheeling Police and Fire Departments as the new school resource officer for the London strand! 👋

Struga will work with students, staff and families at London, Field, Riley and Tarkington throughout the 2026-27 school year, with a focus on building relationships, being a positive presence and supporting students throughout their school experience. Most importantly, she'll also continue serving as a handler for Buddy, the Wheeling Police Department’s therapy and community engagement dog!

We also want to thank Officer Czapla for his service to the London strand. While he’s moving into a new role as one of the SROs at Wheeling High School, we’re glad he’ll still be around our community and look forward to seeing him from time to time!

Learn more about Officer Struga, her background and her approach to building connections with students in our full story:https://bit.ly/4x1tnVT

Welcome, Officer Struga!

08/17/2026

Talk about your transformations!

It's hard to believe that just a few months ago, Jack London Middle School looked very different.

While students and staff were away for the summer, crews were busy throughout the building completing a major slate of improvements designed to modernize the school, improve learning spaces and create new opportunities for students. With the work now wrapping up ahead of students’ return Wednesday, we’re taking a look back at everything that went into this summer’s transformation.

🔧 New boilers to improve the building’s heating system
🔧 New servers to support the school’s technology infrastructure
🔧 Asbestos abatement
🔧 A new sound system

🔬 New lighting and flooring in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and science rooms
🔬 Bathroom and sink upgrades in FCS and science rooms
🔬 New appliances in the FCS room
🔬 Select science rooms converted to support the orchestra program
🔬 A completely reimagined South Commons to accommodate Project Lead the Way classrooms

🏫 Renovation of the front office
🏫 Renovation of the North Commons
🏫 Improvements throughout the building that give London a refreshed, more modern look and feel

Taken together, these projects represent a significant investment in London, and the transformation is visible from the moment you walk into the building.

Most importantly, the improvements are ready to welcome students back. After a busy summer of construction, London will be ready to open its doors Wednesday to a new school year in a building that looks and feels a whole lot different.

We’re excited for our students and staff to see the results of all that summer work!

08/13/2026

07/23/2026

What happens when curiosity meets exploration?

Earlier this year, National Geographic visited Jack London Middle School to spotlight how our students are using MapMaker — a digital mapping tool co-developed by Esri that sparks curiosity and opens the door to endless opportunities for discovery.

Today, we're excited to share the finished feature, showcasing our incredible students alongside sixth-grade science teacher Tracy Crowley as they explore the world through inquiry, critical thinking and hands-on learning.

We're honored to have London's innovative learning community featured by National Geographic and invite you to watch the inspiring story below.

➡ Watch here: https://bit.ly/44H7vTt

07/21/2026

We’re proud to have five educators from London Middle School representing CCSD21 this week at the 2026 AVID Summer Institute in Kansas City.

Throughout the conference, they’ll collaborate with educators from across the country, explore research-based instructional strategies and deepen their understanding of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) framework to support student success. The learning and ideas they bring back will help strengthen engaging classroom experiences and continue preparing our students for success in school and beyond.

Thank you to Ms. Nicolasin, Ms. Netzel, Ms. Wroblewski, Ms. Wolski and Ms. McCall for your commitment to continuous learning and to providing the very best for our students. We can’t wait to see the impact of your work throughout the upcoming school year!

07/20/2026

Please join us in welcoming Jessica Raiser to District 21 as the new assistant principal at Jack London Middle School! 🎉

Raiser joins London's expanded leadership team, bringing a passion for student success, experience supporting diverse learners and fluency in Spanish to help strengthen connections with families and the school community.

We're excited to welcome her to District 21 and can't wait to see the positive impact she'll have on our students, staff and families.

📖 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3Ta8adw

07/17/2026

Summer Staff Spotlight 🌍

While summer is in full swing, our staff members are continuing to learn, grow and create new opportunities for District 21 students!

A hearty congratulations to Jack London Middle School sixth-grade science teacher Tracy Crowley, who was awarded a $5,000 National Education Association Foundation Learning & Leadership Grant to expand her Wildlife HomeStories project.

This month, she traveled to Kenya to work alongside naturalists and scientists through a National Geographic collaboration, bringing back real-world learning experiences that will help London sixth graders explore wildlife conservation, climate change and global storytelling. Her work will also strengthen partnerships with schools around the world, allowing students to connect across continents through science and conservation.

We can't wait to see how this incredible experience inspires our students this school year!

🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4vpfwqR

07/01/2026

STORIES WE RAN OUT OF TIME TO TELL IN 2025-26: Sometimes, all it takes is a bucket, a pair of drumsticks and a little teamwork to make something unforgettable.

Our Bucket Band clubs at Jack London Middle School and Riley Elementary School are helping students build confidence, collaboration and creativity...one beat at a time. Whether our students are mastering rhythms, arranging their own music or performing with glowing drumsticks under the lights, they're discovering that every member of the ensemble plays an important role.

Read how these clubs are inspiring the next generation of musicians and creating memories that will last long after the final performance: https://bit.ly/4exB8fz

06/30/2026

A very hearty congratulations to the newlyweds!!

Some people work with their spouse. Some work with a parent.

But how many can say they work with their spouse, their mother AND their mother-in-law?

Meet newlyweds Delaney Libit Massa, a third-grade teacher at Twain Elementary School, and Nate Massa, an instrumental music teacher at Jack London Middle School. They tied the knot last weekend and now share more than just a life together. Alongside them is Ann Libit, a fourth-grade teacher at Tarkington Elementary School (and Delaney's mom), and Sherri Massa, our director of student services (and Nate's mom).

Together, this District 21 family is making a difference every day, proving that a passion for education truly runs in the family.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!