Riley CCSD 18

What a treat the Riley staff had to celebrate the end of the school year. Thank you to Superintendent Grey and to Dave Engelbrecht for coming over with hot dog cart! It was delicious!!

Riley School welcomes Megan Lyons to the team. Here is a note from Megan. Hello Riley! My name is Megan Lyons, and I will be a fourth grade teacher at Riley next year! I have worked in the Schaumburg school district for the past three years as an academic interventionist and a 5th grade teacher. I have lived in Marengo for the past two years with my Fiancé and our cat. I am so excited to be a teacher at Riley elementary, and can’t wait for this upcoming school year to start!

Riley School is excited to welcome Caera Pellikan to our teaching staff. Here is a note from Caera. Hi!! My name is Caera Pellikan, and I am so excited to be joining Riley CCSD in 3rd grade for this upcoming school year! I am from Crystal Lake and recently graduated from Iowa State this past May. I have been teaching in multiple smaller Iowa school districts over the past couple of years, so I am super eager to join the amazing Riley community and get involved. Growing up with both of my parents as educators has shaped the type of teacher I have become, and I cannot wait to create a positive atmosphere in my classroom. In my free time, I love going to the gym, spending time with my dogs, and baking! I am super excited to start my teaching career and make all students feel seen, valued, and welcomed at Riley!

Riley School would like to welcome Rachel Blasi to the Riley family. Here is a note from Rachel. Hi Riley Family! I am so excited to be joining the Riley team as a third grade teacher this fall! I graduated from Northern Illinois University. Outside of teaching, I enjoy coaching, staying active in the gym, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to begin this new journey at Riley!

Riley School would like to welcome Christine Misiek to the Riley Family. Christine joins our district with over a decade of dedicated experience in education. Having served for more than eight years as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher, Christine brings a deep, practical understanding of classroom dynamics and the diverse needs of her students. She recently graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a focus on Elementary Education.
Next year, Christine will be supporting our 4th through 8th-grade students. Outside of school, Christine enjoys spending time with her family and staying active in her community. She is thrilled to begin this new chapter at Riley and looks forward to supporting the growth and success of every student she meets.

Congratulations to our former Riley Vikings on their high school graduation. Once a Viking, always a Viking!

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade... When the eighth grade students came to Mrs. McAllister today and said "Do you remember in the fifth grade when you had us make those boats out of tinfoil and then we put pennies in them to see how many pennies the boats could hold before they sank? Do you think we could make boats out of tinfoil today and see if we can get them to float across the flooded playground?" Well yes she did, and she sent one of the students in search of tinfoil.

8th grade kicked off the day at Veterans Path to Hope.

Eighth grade had an amazing day today visiting some of McHenry counties, finest nonprofit organizations.

At this month's school board meeting, the Riley School board recognized Cathi Kunde for her 27 years of service at Riley.

Read Across America Week continued today and some kindergartners got to make their own decisions about Green Eggs and Ham! Some didn't like them in a house Or with a Mouse Some tried them on a box Or with a fox Some liked them here or there Some didn't like them anywhere! Do you like Green Eggs and Ham? Try them, try them if you may Try them, and you may, I say! Another Great Day to Be a Viking!

Big News! Congratulations to our 8th-grade girls basketball team as they take home the trophy for the Mid-Northern Conference Round Robin Tournament tonight! This group of FIVE girls deserved to end their season on such a positive note for persevering and staying together shorthanded all season! It's a Great Day To Be a Viking!

Pictures from today's Kids Heart Challenge event

Today was a great day to be a Viking. So many awesome things happening around school. Kindergarten hosted a shape museum and all students participated in the Kids Heart Challenge.

Donuts with Dad is back!! Please join us on Friday February 13, for donuts with your student(s) at 7:30 a.m.

Please see the attached message about Kindergarten registration.

Due to extreme cold weather predicted for tomorrow (Friday, 1/23/2026), we will have an E-Learning Day. Reminder, students are to check school emails and online platforms for assignment(s) and instruction(s) from teachers. Teachers are currently reviewing their expectations with their students and will be available via email throughout the day on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Students are prepared to bring Chromebooks or packets of work home from their teachers. Stay warm!

Today was our Kids Heart Challenge kick-off! There are 3 main reasons we participate in the Kids Heart Challenge: 1. To support our own heart health 2. To inform others of heart health 3. To raise funds for the PE Department to purchase new P.E. Equipment

Attached is an information flyer regarding the Benefit Breakfast For The Abramavicius Family on Sunday, 1.25.2026 - Hosted By The Knights of Columbus of Sacred Heart Church, Marengo

Former Riley student Jason Cochrane did a great job today presenting with his classmates about the high school electives to our 8th graders. The 8th graders will be attending a career fair for hands on activities in these electives at the High School in January.