Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60’s renamed middle schools officially take on their new names today, July 1, 2021. 

John R. Lewis Middle School, formerly Thomas Jefferson, and Edith M. Smith Middle School, formerly Daniel Webster, were renamed by the Board of Education in April, following a several-month process, which involved participation, feedback and input from stakeholders throughout Waukegan. 

“Lewis and Smith will stand as extraordinary examples of resilience and perseverance for our students," said Board of Education President Brandon Ewing. "I want to thank all those who contributed to this process and the diverse committees that helped select the names." 

The two schools will host special renaming ceremonies to commemorate their new names later this summer. Smith Middle School's ceremony will be hosted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 17 at the school, 930 New York Street. Lewis Middle School’s ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 7 at the school, 600 S. Lewis Avenue. The ceremonies are open to all members of the community. 

The Board action impacts only the schools’ names. School colors and mascots for Lewis (Jaguars) and Smith (Wildcats) will remain the same. 

Evidence of the name changes can already be seen in signage and other areas. Updates to directories and other internal and external records will continue to be made.