Principal's Message
Dear Addams Families,
We had a fantastic week at Addams that highlighted three different Amazing events! On Wednesday, students and staff had two peak moments that brought us together. While in Inspire, students completed an Inclusion lesson that focused on belonging and a positive culture at the school. But most importantly, it helped strengthen the feeling that everyone is valued as part of our Addams Family. In addition, the students experienced our first 3 A's Assembly where many students were recognized and celebrated. On Thursday, our cross country coaches hosted the 26th Annual Addams Fall Flite. It was an inspirational afternoon as student athletes from 11 schools competed in the races. We are very proud to host such a wonderful event.
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns as we work together to ensure that our students maximize their learning potential.
Regards,
Bill Musselman, Principal
Stefanie Veit, Assistant Principal
School News
District 211 HS Placement Testing: 8th grade only
District 211’s comprehensive guide for the Class of 2031 provides families of current 8th-grade students with key information, including details about placement testing. Each high school has its own version of the guidebook, which is also available on the District 211 webpage for incoming freshmen. Printed copies of the Class of 2031 Guidebook will be mailed to families on Friday, September 25.
The incoming freshman placement test will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Starting with the Class of 2031, students will be administered a paper version of Pre-ACT. If you are interested in learning more about the PreACT, please visit the ACT website. Students will receive more information from our guidance department in the upcoming weeks.
Student Planners
Students or parents may purchase the planner for $10 from the main office using cash, credit, and tap to pay. Please note: All students are required to have an assignment notebook.
Crusader School Store
Our students are working hard to earn Crusader Cash, and we are excited to see how motivated they are to demonstrate positive behaviors throughout our school! We are reaching out to ask for your help in stocking our Crusader Cash Store with fun and meaningful rewards for students to purchase with the cash they earn.
The Crusader Cash Store is an important part of our school-wide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework. PBIS focuses on recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors, encouraging students to make good choices, demonstrate our school expectations, and contribute to a positive school environment. The store gives students a tangible way to see that their hard work and positive choices are noticed and valued.
Every donation, big or small, helps us recognize our students and keep the Crusader Cash Store a motivating part of our PBIS program. Thank you for supporting our students and helping us celebrate their hard work, positive choices, and success!
View Our Amazon Wishlist
Pizza Sales at Addams
Cheese pizza will be served from Old Town Pizza every Tuesday and Thursday for interested students.
Pizza is $3 per slice and sold during all lunch periods. We accept cash and electronic payments. A convenience fee will be added to all electronic transactions.
Sports Intramurals
Intramurals is open for student sign-up! Intramurals are a "drop-in" basis, meaning students can choose when they want to attend--no commitment is required. A variety of activities will be offered including team sports, net games, large group games, and fitness. Intramurals are from 2:30-4pm after school on selected dates. Students must have a permission slip and current sports physical on file with the nurse to participate. Students may join at any time. We will begin with soccer on Monday, August 31. All skill levels are welcome! Click HERE for a calendar of intramurals.
Register for Intramurals
Student Drop-off/Pick-up
The following procedures have been established because student safety is our primary concern. We understand that some arrival/dismissal procedures may be an inconvenience, but as stated above, safety is our top priority. A community map is attached, and I highlighted the two appropriate areas to drop off students. To ensure student safety, cars are not allowed in the Addams parking lot from 7:20 - 7:40.
There is no adult supervision prior to the 7:30 am bell. Therefore, students should arrive at school no earlier than 7:25 am. (unless coming early for morning math support or study hall)
All big bus riders will enter the building through Doors 1 and 5
All small bus riders should enter the building through the cafeteria doors
Students who walk or are dropped off from the Atcher Pool and Dartmouth Lane directions should enter the building through door 5 (YELLOW pathway on map)
Students who walk or are dropped off from the Norwell and Westover Lanes should enter the building through door 21 after utilizing the crosswalk in our parking lot (BLUE pathway on map)
Parking on Norwell Lane in front of Addams is prohibited
Dropping students off on Springinsguth Road is strictly prohibited
School Hours & Office Hours
School hours are 7:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. with first period beginning at 7:40 am. Please note: beginning Wednesday, August 19, every Wednesday is designated for staff development. Students are dismissed 30 minutes early at 1:45 p.m.
Addams office hours are Monday - Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Please note that our student absence line (847-357-5902) is available 24 hours a day. If your child will be absent from school, please call before 7:30 AM to report an absence.
PTA News
Join the PTA!
We are excited to announce our PTA Executive Board for the 26-27 School Year:
President - Amanda Whelan
1st V.P. - Ranzie Wilson
2nd V.P. - Sophia Arikenbi
Treasurer - Zara Ajdari
Secretary - Michelle Tunquist
PTA Fun Lunch
We work with Marlas Lunch to offer:
Fun Lunch options available every Friday, starting September
Fresh, daily deliveries from both national and local restaurants
Great vendor rotation and a wide menu variety
Convenient online ordering, making it easy to shop, order, and pay
Flexibility to order weekly, monthly, or for the entire session
Registration and ordering for the upcoming session will open in early August. For more information, please visit our website or call our office.
Order Fun Lunch - Code: HMSA352
District 54 News
Run to Read - Sept. 20
Join the District 54 Education Foundation and School District 54 at the 22nd annual Run to Read on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Dirksen School. This event will include a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile walk and children’s races. All proceeds will support financially struggling District 54 families. Online registration closes at noon Sept. 18, but registration is available at the race, starting at 7 a.m. Sunday.
Visit d54foundation.org/page/run-to-read for more information.
Adult ESL Classes
District 54 is offering classes to learn how to speak English. These classes are for parents who have children attending a District 54 school who are interested in learning Basic English conversation skills as well as beginning reading and writing skills in English.
Adult ESL will take place at Campanelli Elementary School, Muir Elementary School, and Nerge Elementary School from 5-7 p.m. on Thursdays from October 1 through November 12. Childcare will not be provided. Please sign up by completing this form by Wednesday, September 23. Seats are limited.
U.S. McKinney-Vento Assistance Act
The U.S. McKinney-Vento Assistance Act defines homeless children as those who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime abode. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars, parks, bus or train stations, abandoned buildings and other inadequate accommodations may be considered eligible for McKinney-Vento services. Visit our McKinney-Vento web page for more information.
D54 Virtual Backpack
District 54 shares information about community events with our students and families through our Virtual Backpack. We know that parents are interested in extracurricular activities. At the same time, we don’t want the homework, letters from the teachers, school news and other important district information to get lost among the countless other pieces of paper in our students’ backpacks. Please click here for additional information.
Motorized Bikes, Scooters, etc. Prohibited
Electric bikes, scooters and skateboards are not permitted on District 54 property, due to safety concerns including the potential for accidents and the possibility of fire associated with such devices. This applies to students, as well as to family members and friends who may be picking up or dropping off students at school.
No Food Deliveries Allowed
With a focus on student and staff safety, District 54 will not allow food delivery services (including, but not limited to, GrubHub, DoorDash, and local restaurants) to our schools. We will continue to have hot lunch days, which are planned events, organized and supervised by school or PTA volunteers. However, we will no longer accept other outside food deliveries to keep our schools secure.
Save the Dates:
October 12: No School
October 17: HS Pre-ACT Placement Testing
October 19: Boys Basketball / Cheer / Poms begins
October 21: PTA Culver's Night Out
October 23: Picture Day Retakes
October 30: Halloween Dance 5-7pm (more details to come)
November 6: Half-day - early dismissal
November 6: End of Trimester 1