Second grade teacher PattiJo Boehm believes her role has been: “Making every child feel like they’re special and welcomed and smart and talented. That’s what’s important.” For 19 years, Boehm has been teaching at Willow School in Homewood. She’ll be retiring at the end of the school year, packing up[Read More…]
Author: Marilyn Thomas
Farewell: Pat Gnaster had a vital role in H-F High’s success
It is said when people retire institutional knowledge goes with them. That will be the case when Pat Gnaster leaves her desk at Homewood-Flossmoor High School after 20 years. Gnaster retires June 30 from the administrative offices where she’s served as the superintendent’s executive assistant since 2007. “I’ll be sad[Read More…]
Farewell: Marian Band Director Greg Bimm closes 46-year career
For all the trophies and awards Marian Catholic High School Band Director Greg Bimm has brought to the Chicago Heights campus, he saw his most important role as developing the individual student. Bimm has ended his 46-year career, having won seven Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships and 42[Read More…]
IJP School principal steps down to finish doctorate degree
Charlotte Kelly is taking retirement after serving as teacher and principal at Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic School in Flossmoor the past 18 years. Kelly said she will spend time in the fall working to complete her dissertation for a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Lewis University. She expects[Read More…]
Park board plans for racquet club improvements
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District agreed Tuesday, May 16, to a $21,500 contract with Wight Co. for conceptual designs on improvements at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club. The work is in preparation for the park district’s application for a Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant. The board can[Read More…]
H-F board names Jim Schmidt assistant principal
The District 233 school board appointed Jim Schmidt assistant principal at Homewood-Flossmoor High School at its Tuesday, May 16, meeting. Schmidt has been at H-F for 19 years. He joined the staff in 2004 to lead the Seminar Program, a special class to provide students additional support. He was in[Read More…]
Outstanding Music Educator honor goes to Hart band director Matt Johnson
James Hart School band director Matt Johnson has been named a 2023 Outstanding Music Educator Award recipient recognizing his contributions to music education. “It’s a huge honor,” Johnson said. He was nominated by a fellow music teacher and selected to receive the award by past winners. He will be honored[Read More…]
H-F school board considering security updates
The District 233 school board is expected to approve a contract for security improvements at Homewood-Flossmoor High School at its Tuesday, May 16, board meeting. This year the district made security improvements to doors at both the North and South Buildings, installing automatic door locks that eliminated the need for[Read More…]
H-F junior Jazmin Rhodes wins national competition, nominated for state honor
The acting and musical abilities of Jazmin Rhodes, a Homewood-Flossmoor High School junior, have won her the national prize in the August Wilson New Voices Monologue Competition and a nomination for best actress honors in the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards. Rhodes won the top prize in the national[Read More…]
District 153 approves new position aimed at strengthening students’ reading
The District 153 school board voted to approve the creation of an English/Language Arts instructional coach/coordinator position to help improve reading at Willow, Churchill and James Hart Schools. The district is looking for a reading specialist who will work in coordination with Kathy Schaeflein, director of curriculum, and Morgan Koncel,[Read More…]