The Culture and Climate Committee at Zion Central Middle School (ZCMS) recently organized its first Staff Social event. The gathering took place after school and offered staff members an opportunity to connect outside the classroom environment. Art Teacher Ms. Casali led the session, guiding participants as they painted their own canvases.
The event was designed to encourage team building and reinforce a sense of community among ZCMS staff. According to organizers, these types of activities support positive relationships and contribute to the school’s atmosphere.
Zion Central Middle School is part of Zion Elementary School District 6, which serves several schools in Lake County, including Beulah Park Elementary School, East Elementary School, Elmwood Elementary School, Lakeview School, Shiloh Park Elementary School, West Elementary School, and ZCMS itself. More information about the district can be found on the Illinois Report Card website: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education, Zion Elementary School District 6 employs 164 teachers with an average salary of $58,629 before pension contributions. The teaching staff is predominantly female (83.3 percent), with no teachers recording more than ten absences in a school year: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
Demographically, the district’s student population is 4.9 percent White, 36.6 percent Black, 50.9 percent Hispanic, and 0.2 percent Asian: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
In terms of finances, the district spent $27,927 per student in 2020 for a total expenditure of $69,342,294: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
During the 2020 school year, there were 179 students classified as “chronically truant”—meaning they missed at least five percent of mandated school days without valid excuses—resulting in a chronic truancy rate of 7.2 percent for Zion Elementary School District 6; this is below the statewide average of 9.6 percent: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
The district enrolled 2,483 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth during the 2019-2020 academic year and operates within Zion and Lake County: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/
“With guidance from Art Teacher Ms. Casali, staff members enjoyed painting their own canvas masterpieces while strengthening relationships and celebrating the vibrant spirit of ZCMS,” stated organizers.
