School Office

Parents are asked to use the circle drive by the south entrance to the building to drop off and pick up students or use the parking spots located along Smith Street directly in front of the building. Please be sure to drop off your child at curbside, ensuring that they do not have to cross through moving cars. For safety reasons, the north end of the building by the parking lot is reserved for bus loading and unloading, bike riders, and parking for staff and visitors.

Arrival supervision begins at 7:20 a.m., so please do not drop children off before that time unless they have an activity or scheduled appointment with a teacher. Students may not enter the building prior to the 7:20 a.m. bell unless they are participating in jazz band or chorus rehearsals, working in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), attending breakfast, have a prior written pass from a teacher, or are directed to do so by a staff member due to inclement weather. Students may not wander or loiter in the hallways prior to the beginning of the school day.

• Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria for students at 7:20 am. We encourage all students to eat a healthy breakfast, as lunch times are pushed back an additional 15 minutes.
• Instruction begins at 7:35 am with the start of 1st Period.

Bicycle racks are provided by the front entrance to the building for students who ride their bicycles to and from school. In addition, a special walkway has been provided for students to walk their bicycles through the parking lot. Bicycles should remain locked throughout the school day with a lock provided by the student. All skateboards must be dropped off in the main office upon arrival each day and may be picked up at the end of each school day.

Our first concern when a child is absent is to verify the child’s safety. For that reason, it is very important that the school office knows the whereabouts of your child(ren) when they are absent or will be late arriving at school. When your child is absent or late, it is your responsibility to call the school absence line or the school office to notify the staff of your child’s absence. Please state your child’s full name, the teacher’s name, the date of the absence, and the reason for the absence. Please do not leave this information on your child’s teacher’s voice mail or e-mail. Substitute teachers do not have access to teachers’ voice-mail or e-mail.

If your child’s whereabouts are unknown, every effort will be made to reach you using the phone numbers you have provided. Please make sure that your child’s school office has all current phone numbers on record. If you have not notified the school with the reason of an absence and the school office has exhausted all attempts to reach you, your child will be marked truant for that school day and any other school day that your child is unaccounted for.

More more information about the District student absence policy, tardies, leaving during the school day, vacations, mental health support days, and truancy, please visit the District 15 Student Absence Policy: 

Student Absence Policy

Sarah Opper, RN
Email: oppers@ccsd15.net
Phone: 847-963-3702
Fax: 847-963-3706

Health care provided in the school health office is to support your child, allowing students to return to their classrooms. The nurse is available to work in collaboration with your child's primary healthcare provider. If you require assistance in obtaining a primary healthcare provider, please reach out to the health office for a list of community resources.

Nurses positively affect student attendance. A registered nurse at school every day allows for prompt and professional responses to health concerns and medical issues. In the event of illness or accidents, the nurse provides emergency care. 

Responsibilities of the nurse include first aid and illness care, the maintenance of student health records, the development of healthcare plans, and screenings for student vision and hearing needs. Parents/guardians are encouraged to bring questions about immunizations, health exams, medications, or student health needs to the nurse.

The Health Services staff believes family is an essential part of good health. Your input is valued and welcome. Please feel free to ask questions, share thoughts, and exchange health information. We look forward to partnering with you!

Questions? For more information about medication administration, individual health care plans, health exam forms/immunizations, and more, please contact your school nurse or visit the Health Services webpage.

Health Services

Our strong PTA provides Walter Sundling with wonderful resources that greatly benefit our school. We understand that without the support of a strong parent community, our lofty goals and aspirations could not be met. We are always looking for volunteers at Walter Sundling. If you would like more information about how to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact the PTA office.

How to Become a Sundling PTA Member!

Join the Sundling PTA Online 

(There is a MemberHub service change of 75¢ (Individual) and 92¢ (Household) to join online.)

Do you want to lead an event or committee on the PTA?

Yes, I want to lead and event or committee!

Everyone is also welcome to join us at any of our monthly PTA meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the WRS Board Room on:

• September 18, 2024—First PTA meeting of the year!
• October 16, 2024
• November 20, 2024
• February 19, 2024
• March 18, 2024
• April 16, 2024
• May 21, 2024

Whether you show your support with a membership, volunteering as a helper or with donations for a specific event, or volunteering to lead an event or committee—we hope you will join us to make this a fantastic year!

• 2024 ISBE Bilingual Education Award. The Illinois State Board of Education's Bilingual Education Award recognizes recipients of Federal Title III awards who have significantly improved the achievement and progress of English learners in meeting the state-designed goals for progress toward English language proficiency and challenging state academic standards.
   
• 2024 Support Music Merit Award. Walter R. Sundling Junior High receives national recognition for music education program.
   
• PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) Implementation 2023-24. All D15 schools have been recognized with PBIS Implementation in 2023-24 for their work implementing an equitable, multitiered system of support.
   
• Project Lead The Way Distinguished School, 2021-22. All four District 15 Junior Highs received national recognition as a 2021-22 Project Lead The Way Distinguished School! The PLTW Distinguished School designation recognizes schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW (Project Lead The Way) programs, by engaging students in middle school STEM curriculum that not only builds knowledge and skills in areas including computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, but also empowering students to develop essential skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and perseverance.
   
• 9 Blue Ribbon Schools. The No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.
  • Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, 2021 and 1996
  • Willow Bend Elementary School, 2007
  • Marion Jordan Elementary School, 2005
  • Pleasant Hill Elementary School, 2004 and 2000-2001
  • Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School, 2003
  • Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, 2000-2001
  • Carl Sandburg Junior High School, 1999-2000
  • Hunting Ridge Elementary School, 1998-1999
  • Plum Grove Junior High School, 1997-1998