Eight AmeriCorps/City Year members are working at Parker Junior High this year as part of a pilot program that expands the program outside of Chicago. Seven math and English language arts classrooms have a permanent City Year member, referred to as a Corps member, who spends most school days assisting[Read More…]
Author: Chris Weber
Southland Career & Technical Education Center unveils vision at community event
On Oct. 23, advocates for the Southland Career and Technical Education Center (SCTEC) held a “Lunch and Learn” event, inviting community members to learn about the center’s plans and progress. The SCTEC designers hope to provide the region’s high school and postsecondary students with a hands-on, career-focused education in aviation,[Read More…]
Flossmoor’s Wakana Hill honored for state golf tournament effort
The Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education recognized seventh-grade Parker Junior High student Wakana Hill’s top-five finish in the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) state golf tournament. Hill completed the state competition played at Metamora Fields Golf Course in central Illinois on Sept. 12 with the fifth lowest score. At[Read More…]
Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial partners with D161 to bring local history to life
In a collaboration that aims to enhance local history education, Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc. (FVM) has partnered with Flossmoor School District 161 to introduce a curriculum for Parker Junior High students focused on the contributions of local veterans. The “Flossmoor Veterans Time Machine” started its journey for Parker students on[Read More…]
League of Women Voters hosts talk about the Electoral College
The League of Women Voters of the Homewood-Flossmoor Area (LWVHFA) heard a presentation by David Brodnax Sr. about the history of the Electoral College at the Flossmoor Village Hall on Oct. 16. Brodnax is a history professor and history department chair at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights and an[Read More…]
D161 approves security camera upgrades and discusses bid for Heather Hill construction
At the Oct. 15 meeting, the Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education approved a $157,485 contract with Precision Control Systems of Chicago to upgrade the district’s security camera system. While the contract doesn’t encompass replacing every camera, the project will replace outdated analog cameras with new vandal-resistant infrared cameras with[Read More…]
D161 discusses needs, costs of expanding PreK
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education is examining the pros and cons of a possible expansion of the district’s prekindergarten (PreK) and early childhood (EC) programs. At its Sept. 23 meeting, board members requested a cost estimate for expanding the district’s PreK and EC offerings as part of[Read More…]
D161 takes precautions after potential social media threat
In a letter dated Sept. 19 and addressed to District 161 students, parents and staff, Superintendent Dana Smith informed the community of a “TikTok video circulating with threatening language against Parker Junior High School.” “We received a report from the Safe2Help tipline,” Smith wrote. “After investigating the incident with the[Read More…]
D161 Board prepares for budget hearing
At the Sept. 9 meeting, the District 161 Board of Education continued a discussion about the proposed 2024-25 school year budget. The board considered three options presented by Associate Superintendent Frances LaBella. The first option was to freeze the 2024 property tax levy and reduce budgeted revenues. The second option[Read More…]
D161 recognizes Parker students for lunchroom mural
At a Sept. 9 meeting, the Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education recognized a group of Parker Junior High students for a mural and other artwork they painted. Last spring, district administrators commissioned art students from the school to paint a mural in the newly renovated Parker Junior High cafeteria.[Read More…]