Welcome 6th grade families
As we prepare for the 26-27 school year, here are a few reminders.
Please use the links below to purchase.
Incoming 6th Grade Eagle Updates - Principal's Message from July 15th, 2026
Meet Your 6th Grade Associate Principal – Ms. Rebecca Hansen
One of the most important people you'll get to know this year is Ms. Rebecca Hansen, our 6th Grade Associate Principal. She is excited to welcome our newest class of Eagles and partner with your family throughout your child's first year at Edgewood!
As the Associate Principal for sixth grade, Ms. Hansen is your family's primary point of contact throughout the school year. Whether you have questions, concerns, or simply aren't sure where to start, she's here to help. She provides instructional leadership, 6th-grade scheduling, oversees student discipline, serves as the LEA representative for IEP and 504 meetings, supports new students and families, manages grade-level concerns, and leads response systems during student crises.
Our goal is for every sixth-grade student and family to feel connected, supported, and successful from day one. Ms. Hansen is committed to building strong relationships with students and families and looks forward to partnering with you throughout the school year. Please don't hesitate to reach out whenever you need assistance. She can be reached at rhansen@nssd112.org
Incoming 6th Grade Eagle Day - August 11 @8:30am
On August 11, we will host our very first incoming 6th-grade Eagle Day! This is a great opportunity for students to come into the building, get their schedules, walk through their classes, practice opening their lockers, and begin to feel comfortable navigating their new school. Students will also participate in fun activities and team-building experiences to help them get to know their peers and start building connections right away.
This event will go from 8:30am - 11am. Check-In begins at 8:30am and activities will begin promptly at 9am. You will receive a final reminder with more details the week of the events.
If you are unable to attend, no worries! We will ensure there are multiple opportunities in the first week of school for our new students to get acclimated to Edgewood and learn what they need to learn to make the transition seamless.
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night - August 11th @5pm
On the evening of August 11, we will also be hosting a Family Night for incoming 6th grade parents/guardians. This adult-only event is a great opportunity to hear directly from our administrative team about what to expect during the first days of school, along with important information related to drop-off, pick-up, transportation, and other key procedures.
Families will also have the chance to walk the building and experience a day at Edgewood by following their child’s schedule. This is a helpful way to get a feel for the flow of the day and the spaces your child will be navigating.
Please note that this event is for parents/guardians only, and students will not attend. This event will take place from 5pm-7pm.
Health Requirements - IMPORTANT
Please note that all incoming 6th grade students must have the necessary physical exams, immunizations, dental exams, and vision screenings, following state guidelines. Required forms must be submitted by designated deadlines to avoid exclusion from school. These deadlines come quick and appointments can be challenging to get in the summer. See the link belore for more information. Please send your forms to our school nurse, Holly Jamieson at hjamieson@nssd112.org
School Supplies
School supplies can be purchased through our school PTO at School Toolbox. If you ordered your child's school supplies through the Edgewood PTO, kits will be shipped to where you choose.
If you choose to purchase supplies on your own or if you still need to purchase odds and ends, please refer to our 2026–2027 School Supply List.
Backpack & Bag Expectations
To help keep our classrooms safe, organized, and free of unnecessary clutter, backpacks are not permitted in classrooms during the school day. Students should store their backpacks in their assigned locker upon arrival each morning.
Students may carry either a Case-It zipper binder or a single-pocket tote bag (approximately the size of a reusable grocery bag or smaller) to transport their materials between classes. Please note that Case-It backpacks or other backpack-style binders are not permitted.
As you prepare for the school year, we encourage you to keep this expectation in mind when purchasing school supplies. We are also grateful to our PTO for creating Edgewood tote bags and drawstring bags that meet our bag expectations and are available for purchase using THIS LINK beginning August 1.
Thank you for your partnership in helping us maintain a safe and organized learning environment for all students.
Physical Education Attire
Changing for Physical Education is optional at Edgewood. However, all students are expected to come prepared to fully participate in physical activity each day.
Athletic shoes are required for all PE classes. While students are welcome to change into athletic clothing in the locker room if they choose, we no longer offer PE uniforms for purchase.
To help your child be successful in PE, please ensure they have appropriate athletic shoes and, if desired, athletic clothing stored in their locker or brought to school each day so they are ready to participate.
Student Schedules Available August 7
Student schedules for the 2026–2027 school year will be available in Infinite Campus beginning Thursday, August 7.
Please note that if you have not yet completed your child's registration for the upcoming school year, your student's schedule will not be available. If you still need to register, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible to avoid any delays. Registration information can be found here.
As August 7 approaches, please be on the lookout for an email from the District Office with detailed instructions on how to access your student's schedule through Infinite Campus. We can't wait to welcome our newest Eagles to Edgewood!
Arrival & Dismissal Information
We know that middle school arrival and dismissal routines are quite different from elementary school, so we wanted to share these times early to help your family begin planning for the year. A future newsletter will include detailed information about our arrival and dismissal procedures, traffic flow, and pick-up/drop-off expectations.
Students may be dropped off at school as early as 7:30 a.m. School begins promptly at 7:55 a.m., and students are dismissed at 2:40 p.m. Students should be picked up no later than 3:00 p.m., unless they are participating in an after-school club, activity, or athletic program.
Students involved in after-school activities may take our late bus, which departs Edgewood at 4:00 p.m.
Transportation Information
If your child is eligible for transportation, you will receive a transportation letter approximately 10 days before the start of the school year. This letter will include your student's assigned bus stop location, pickup time, and drop-off information.
Transportation information is also available anytime through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Simply select your student and click on the Transportation tab to view your child's bus number, bus stop location, and pickup times.
For additional transportation information, frequently asked questions, and other helpful resources, please visit the District's Transportation webpage.
Incoming 6th Grade Eagle Updates - Principal's Message from April 9th, 2026
Dear Eagle Families,
We are so excited to welcome your child to Edgewood Middle School! This is the first of several communications you will receive as your child transitions into middle school. Below, you’ll find important information about upcoming transition events, course selection, hot to get involved, and who to contact if questions come up as you prepare for the 2026–2027 school year.
At Edgewood, your child is walking into a school filled with opportunity. From strong academics and a growing focus on writing across all content areas, to clubs, athletics, and schoolwide events like EPIC Week, there is truly something for every student to get involved in and feel connected. Our students take pride in being EPIC Eagles by showing respect, responsibility, and being ready to learn each and every day.
Just as important, your child is joining a community that is deeply committed to relationships. Our staff works hard to know every student, support them, and help them grow not only academically, but as people. Whether it’s through the classroom, student activities, or celebrations, we believe in recognizing and lifting up our students for who they are and who they are becoming.
I know this can feel like a big step for both students and families, but please know we’ve got you. We’re here to support you every step of the way, and there is no question we can’t help you find an answer to. Don't hesitate to reach out!
United We Soar,
Anthony
In preparation for the 2026-2027 school year, students may select a performing arts class: Band, Orchestra, or Chorus. They will also be asked to select a world language class: French or Spanish, if they are not enrolled in a math or reading intervention course. We want to be sure that student schedules accurately reflect these choices in the fall. You can select the courses through Infinite Campus (see directions linked here).Please complete this step by Friday, April 24th. Requests made in Infinite Campus will not reach 100%. That is OK! The rest of the requests will be automatically populated by the office based on student requirements.
6th through 8th grade students can take one period of creative arts and one period of Physical Education-Wellness. Physical Education-Wellness incorporates the state of Illinois Health Education Standards. Creative arts allows students to participate in a rotation of of Visual Arts, CMA (Communications Media Arts), General Music, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), and a new course called PaCE. rotations are slightly shorter than quarters, and there are five rotations a year. PaCE is a newer course that focuses on college & career exploration. Students may elect to take a performance arts class that meets during the creative arts period on Mondays and Thursdays.
We hope that you will consider taking advantage of the many performing arts opportunities offered at Edgewood. Students have the option of joining one of the three performing groups: Band, Orchestra, or Chorus, or a combination of Band/Chorus, Band/Orchestra, or Orchestra/Chorus. At this time, classes meet during the creative arts period on Mondays and Thursdays for the entire year. If your child is interested in joining or continuing Band, Orchestra, or Chorus in the fall of 2026, that should be indicated in Infinite Campus (see attached directions). Students with no previous Band or Orchestra experience are welcome and encouraged to join. If you do not wish for your child to participate in a performing art (Band, Orchestra, or Chorus), please indicate that on the form as well.
District 112 middle schools offer French or Spanish as world language classes. Instead of world language or creative arts, some students are enrolled in a resource class or an academic intervention class based on student academic need. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please make a language selection. The office will be in touch if your selections need to be modified. Please have your students select Spanish or French for the fall of 2026 in Infinite Campus (see attached directions).
Below, you will find a list of frequently asked questions about our performing arts and world language classes. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the appropriate performing arts directors or world language teachers by email.
Creative Arts, Instrumental Music, and World Language FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q.) HOW MANY TIMES DOES BAND, ORCHESTRA, AND CHORUS MEET?
A.) Band/Orchestra/Chorus rehearses twice a week (Monday & Thursday) during the school day as one of their Creative Arts classes throughout the entire year. Additionally, each Band/Orchestra student has one pull-out lesson during the week. Band/Orchestra/Chorus students will participate in all Creative Arts classes.
Q.) HOW DO LESSONS WORK? (Only for Band/Orchestra)
A.) Scheduling for group lessons will operate on a rotational pull-out schedule. Students are placed in a small group according to instrument and ability level.
Q.) HOW OFTEN DOES MY STUDENT NEED TO BRING HIS OR HER INSTRUMENT? (Only for Band/Orchestra)
A.) Students need to bring their instrument for rehearsals on Monday and Thursday, and lessons that rotate each week.
Q.) CAN STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ANY COMBINATION OF BAND, ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS?
A.) On an individual, case by case basis, unique arrangements will be made for students who would like to pursue participation in multiple performing ensembles. Please contact your school’s Band/Orchestra/Chorus teacher to schedule a meeting.
Q.) CAN STUDENTS STILL PARTICIPATE IN BAND, ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR?
A. ) Rehearsals are coordinated and alternate every other week. Many students have been involved in both choir and instrumental ensemble. They share rehearsal time between the groups with the Directors’ consent. When concert time approaches, we are flexible regarding our rehearsal “schedule” and can usually arrange something convenient that works for both the directors and students.
Q. ) WHAT IF WE CANNOT AFFORD AN INSTRUMENT?
A. ) Please contact the appropriate director at your earliest convenience and arrangements will be made. Assistance is available through the district and the rental company and can be easily provided for any family. All students are given the opportunity to play and enjoy our instrumental music program.
Q.) WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT BAND, ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS?
A.) Please contact Mollie Mcdougall (mmcdougall@nssd112.org), Edgewood, Band & Orchestra Director, Evan Canel (ecanel@nssd112.org) Edgewood, Band Orchestra Director or Tiffany Melvin (tmelvin@nssd112.org), Edgewood, Chorus Director
Q.) DO ALL STUDENTS TAKE A WORLD LANGUAGE CLASS?
A.) Most students take either Spanish or French but there are students who do not take a world language class. Students who are enrolled in a resource class or an academic intervention class based on student academic need are not typically placed in language classes.
Q.) WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WORLD LANGUAGE CLASSES?
A.) Please call the Edgewood Main Office (224) 765-3200 for more information.
2026-2027 Registration - Now Open for All Grades!
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for all grades. All students, including returning students, must be registered. Please visit the District Registration Page to learn any steps you need to follow for completing this process.
Health Requirements - IMPORTANT
Please note that all incoming 6th grade students must have the necessary physical exams, immunizations, dental exams, and vision screenings, following state guidelines. Required forms must be submitted by designated deadlines to avoid exclusion from school. These deadlines come quick and appointments can be challenging to get in the summer. See the link below for more information.
Learn about health requirements for each grade.
Extracurricular Updates
We’ve updated our Edgewood Extracurricular Document to include the most current days, times, and sponsor/coach information for all clubs and activities. Please note that these clubs will begin at different times throughout the year, and communication will be shared in multiple ways to ensure students get every opportunity to get involved. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to the club sponsor or coach for more details.
How to Contact the Principal:
To call me: (224) 765-3201
