Principal Macias' Notes

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the new principal of Winston Campus Middle School. It is a privilege to join such a dedicated community, and I am eager to work together to support the growth and success of all our students.

Over the past ten years, I have had the opportunity to serve as an assistant principal, with six of those years spent here in District 15 and the last four years in District 205. My journey in education began even earlier as a school social worker. I spent nine wonderful years at Carl Sandburg Junior High and five years in District 33, where I worked closely with students, families, and staff to create a nurturing and supportive school environment.

On a personal note, I am married and a proud mother of three children. My eldest daughters are 26 and 22, and my youngest son, who is 14, is about to start high school. Our family enjoys traveling together, enjoying each others company and we love to spend time bowling.

As I step into this new role, I am committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment at Winston Campus. I believe in the importance of strong relationships and open communication between the school and our families. Your involvement and support are crucial to our success, and I look forward to partnering with you to ensure the best possible educational experience for your children.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. I am excited to meet each of you and to embark on this journey together.

Warm regards,

Maricela Macias

Principal

Winston Campus

847-963-7405

maciasm@ccsd15.net

As we prepare for an exciting year ahead, I am thrilled to introduce our dedicated administrative team, who will be working closely with our students, families, and staff to ensure a successful and enriching experience for everyone.

We are fortunate to have Tomas Reyes serving as our Associate Principal. Mr. Reyes brings a wealth of experience, having worked at Winton Junior High for the past six years. His commitment to student success and his innovative approach to education have made a significant impact on our school community. This year, Mr. Reyes will be working with our 7th-grade team, bringing his extensive experience and passion for student success to support our students during this pivotal year.

My name is Tomas Reyes. I have been at Winston Campus Jr High for 6 years as one of the assistant principals. Prior to working at Winston, I was an administrator and teacher in CPS for over 20 years. My favorite grade teaching is 7th grade because the students are at the precipice of becoming young adults and are funny, erratic and curious about the world around them. I live in Oak Park. I have 4 adult children ages 19, 24, 26 and 28. I have two crazy neurotic goldendoodles named Romeo and Sadie. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading and spending time with my family.

Adam West joins us from Carl Sandburg Junior High, where he served as the Assistant Principal last year. Dr. West's leadership and dedication to fostering a positive learning environment are evident in his work. We are excited to welcome him to Winston Campus Middle School and look forward to the contributions he will make to our school. Dr. West will be working with our 8th graders this year, and we look forward to have him bring his expertise and commitment to our school.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself so that we can build a partnership to best support your child. I am excited to join the Winston Campus Middle School team and come to Palatine after 21 years in education. Before becoming a Warrior I served at Carl Sandburg Jr. High in the same role. Prior to my time in D15, I helped students and staff in different districts spanning all grade levels, to ensure they had a great experience and to prepare for success at their next level. My goal at Winston Campus Middle School is to help our students prepare for their high school experience and find success.

Personally, I live in Lombard in a blended family with six total kids and two dogs and seven chickens. It is always an adventure and a lot of fun at our house. I also recently finished my doctorate in educational leadership from Loyola University which was a great experience but I am very relieved it is over.

I am excited to serve all students and staff at Winston Campus but especially excited to support our 8th grade class as they prepare for their next adventure in high school. I look forward to meeting you and especially our students over the next few weeks. I am so very excited to be a Warrior.! Have a great rest of the summer and we will see you soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Adam West

Starr Caldwell is a new addition to our team, coming from District 214. Mrs. Caldwell will be the administrator working with our 6th graders, guiding them through their first year at Winston Campus Middle School. Her background and enthusiasm for fostering a positive learning environment will be instrumental in helping our youngest students adjust and thrive. We are confident that her experience and passion for education will greatly benefit our students and staff.

My name is Starr Caldwell, and I am deeply honored to join Winston Campus Junior High as one of your new Assistant Principals. With over 17 years of experience in education, including roles as a special education teacher, Transition Specialist, and Education Specialist. I am excited to bring my dedication to student support and my passion for fostering an inclusive environment to our school community. Residing in the Southwest suburbs with my family, I cherish spending time at St. Francis High School football games or soccer matches, cheering on my sons, and enjoying the latest series of Bridgerton with my 22-year-old daughter. Traveling also holds a special place in my heart as a way to experience and celebrate our time together as a family.

Courtney Mangognia is our new Student Services Coordinator, joining us from the School of Expressive Arts and Learning. Mrs. Mangognia will be working with our special needs students, bringing her expertise and compassion to ensure all our students receive the support they need to thrive.

Hello WC Community!

As a District 15 alumni, I am excited to be back as your Student Services Coordinator. For the past 15 years, I have been working as a teacher and administrator in private therapeutic day schools. My favorite part of being a teacher and administrator is getting to know my students and their families and I am excited to get to know all of you!

Looking forward to a great start of the 2024-2025 school year!

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Reyes, Dr. West, Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. Mangognia to their new roles. We are thrilled to have such a talented and dedicated team in place. Together, we are committed to creating a positive and enriching environment for all our students. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our team, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a successful and exciting school year ahead.

Thank you,

Maricela Macias
Winston Campus Middle School