September 4, 2026 Update Message from Superintendent Dr. Skertich

Kahok Nation,

We are off to a great start to the 2026–2027 school year! Our schools are full of energy, learning, and Kahok pride.  We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to our students and staff thriving again this year.

Attendance and Communication

The first days of school are an important time for students and families. One of the best ways to support your child is to keep a regular routine. Please help your child get enough rest, arrive at school on time, and attend school each day. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their teachers, peers, and what is occurring in each of their classes.  

We also want to remind you that we are here to help. If you have a question or concern, please reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, or school staff. Working together makes a difference. We look forward to supporting your child’s academic and social growth throughout the school year.

A Hot Start to the School Year

The past few days have brought us some extreme heat. Because of the weather, some student activities and events have looked a little different than planned. We appreciate the flexibility and patience of our students, families, and staff as we work to keep everyone safe and comfortable.

Thank you for your understanding as we make changes when needed. Our students’ safety will always come first.

Sixth Annual Golden Game

We are excited to come together on Friday, September 11, for Collinsville High School’s sixth annual Golden Game against Granite City. This evening is meant to raise awareness for childhood cancer and to support families who are facing this terrible disease.

There are only a few times each year when we ask Kahok Nation not to wear purple. This is one of those times.  Therefore on September 11, we are asking everyone to wear gold/yellow to show support for childhood cancer awareness.  All proceeds from the Golden Game will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

We hope to see a sea of gold throughout our community as we come together to support such a worthy cause. While we may not be wearing our purple that day, we will still be showing plenty of Kahok pride!

CAVC Expansion Opening Soon

We are also just days away from opening the expanded Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC). This is an exciting time for our students, staff, families, and community.

There is still work to be completed, but students will begin using the new facility in the days ahead. This expansion will give our students more opportunities to learn skills that can lead to thriving careers after high school.  Additionally, CAVC will serve as a workforce pipeline for local businesses and support economic growth across our communities and the Metro East region. We are proud of the opportunities this facility will provide for our students and their future career goals.

Once all work is complete, CAVC and Unit 10 will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and public open house. This will give our families, community members, business leaders, and friends the chance to see the new facility and learn more about the opportunities it will provide.

Thank you for all your constant dedication to our students, don’t forget to wear your purple and show your Kahok pride.  (The only exception is on September 11th to support the Golden Game.)