Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, got a round of applause from members of the District 153 school board and attendees at the June 10 board meeting for his legislative efforts that helped the district collect the full funding from the 2022 referendum. Davis shepherded legislation to passage in the Illinois House[Read More…]
Author: Marilyn Thomas
Retirees 2024: Zubak gave a helping hand throughout the day
In 2005, Judy Zubak was an at-home mom with a daughter in kindergarten at Serena Hills School in Chicago Heights. She would go in once a week as a PTO volunteer to help with ice cream treats. Then Principal Lynn Westerlund suggested Zubak fill a part-time position as a paraprofessional[Read More…]
Retirees 2024: Dippold has seen 25 years of tech changes
Bob Dippold has been a computer guy since 1984, but the favorite period in his career has been the last 25 years working for Homewood District 153. He retires in June. “Working here has been different. Working in the education system is interesting. I kind of liken it to even[Read More…]
Retirees 2024: Ingrid Vann finishes 29-year career at Serena Hills
After 29 years, teacher Ingrid Vann is leaving Serena Hills School in Chicago Heights for the last time this month. “I have so many friends and teacher colleagues. It will be so bittersweet. That I will miss,” she said. “I’m unsure what life without Serena will look like. My whole[Read More…]
Retirees 2024: District 153 fostered leadership roles for Mary Kay Gardiner
Retiring Churchill School Assistant Principal Mary Kay Gardiner said she was propelled into leadership roles because of the support and encouragement she received in Homewood District 153 the past 31 years. “From day one as a young classroom teacher to now being at the end of my career, there is[Read More…]
Park board purchases new equipment for H-F Racquet & Fitness Club
The H-F Racquet and Fitness Club is getting 15 new pieces of equipment. The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board of Commissioners agreed May 21 to spend $29,334 with PURE Fitness Innovations of Peoria, Illinois, for weight machines and a recumbent bike. Club Manager Michelle Artis was able to find the certified[Read More…]
Hart Class of 2020 recall their pandemic inspired graduation
Graduating from eighth grade is a time to celebrate, but plans for the James Hart School Class of 2020 were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A reunion tried to fill the gap. James Hart administrators have planned eighth grade class reunions for nearly a decade, but this 2020 reunion May[Read More…]
Retirees 2024: Fun, hard work go hand-in-hand for Willow School principal
Melissa Lawson can explain to you how as principal she took on a variety of roles, but she stresses that every action was done for the betterment of the students at Homewood’s Willow School. In June, Lawson’s 35-year career in education will end. She’s retiring as principal of Willow School[Read More…]
Retirees 2024: Second career was a gem for Jeanette Nichols
For Jeanette Nichols, a second career as a teacher proved to be very rewarding. After 28 years in the classroom, 20 with District 153, she is retiring. Nichols’ bachelor’s degree was in art history, which she took into a job in retail, working as a manager in a department store[Read More…]
Governor signs bill benefiting Homewood District 153
Gov. J.B. Pritzker put his signature on a bill approved by the Illinois Legislature that will give Homewood schools a way to collect the full benefit of its 2022 referendum. The governor signed the measure into law on Tuesday, May 28. It now goes to the Cook County Clerk’s Office[Read More…]
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