The Flossmoor District 161 school board believes helping its youngest learners early can pay dividends in later years, but making a decision on a cost of more than $800,000 has proved daunting. After another discussion on Monday, March 23, on whether to create a full-time preschool classroom, board members asked[Read More…]
Author: Marilyn Thomas
Executive chef stirs the pot and H-F student interest
As Jerl Griffin, regional executive chef for Thompson Hospitality, stirred the arborio rice for his risotto demonstration dish, he also hoped to stir up interest among the Homewood-Flossmoor High School students in the Culinary II class. Griffin has been a chef for years. During his presentation March 19, he wanted[Read More…]
H-F agreement with Prairie State College will allow students to take college courses
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is expanding its dual credit program with Prairie State College that allows qualified H-F students to take up to six courses for college credit. At the Feb. 17 District 233 meeting, Superintendent Jennifer Norrell said the test program is being expanded next school year with more offerings.[Read More…]
Four District 153 staffers selected for Those Who Excel Awards
The Illinois State Board of Education has selected four District 153 staff members to receive special recognition through the Those Who Excel program. Honorees are James Cassidy, administrator in the Information Technology Office, recognized in the School Administration category; Caroline DiLuia, a Willow School kindergarten teacher, recognized in the Early[Read More…]
District 233 starts preparation for state law banning cell phones during the school day
Anticipating a state mandate to ban cell phones at schools, District 233 administrators are investigating how to prepare for the directive. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants Illinois to join 35 other states that ban cell phones during the school day, with a few exceptions. The legislation was proposed in 2025 but[Read More…]
Two H-F musicians selected for IPO’s Rising Stars concert March 22
Two Homewood-Flossmoor High School musicians have been selected to perform in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s Rising Stars program. Annie Ford of Flossmoor and Sophia McManus of Homewood, both seniors, will perform pieces during the program at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road in Flossmoor, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March[Read More…]
District 161 school board selects search firm to find the next superintendent
The District 161 school board is expected to immediately open its search for superintendent, but board members agreed there may be the possibility of an interim superintendent appointed for the 2026-27 school year if a suitable candidate is not found by June. The school board heard proposals from four firms[Read More…]
H-F senior awarded SIU Chancellor’s Scholarship
Akayla Ross, a senior at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, was surprised to walk into a celebration in her honor Thursday, Feb. 19, where she was awarded a scholarship to Southern Illinois University valued at $108,000. Agnes Szemborski, assistant vice chancellor for external relations at SIU, came to H-F to present the[Read More…]
H-F High adjusts its schedule, but students raise concerns about the change
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is changing it scheduling — making periods longer with classes meeting fewer days each week. It’s confusing to parents and students, but administrators believe once the schedule is in place for the 2026-27 academic year students will find they have more time for the redesigned curriculum that[Read More…]
District 161 approves two new special ed teachers to help reduce service load
The District 161 school board agreed Feb. 10 to hire two special education teachers to improve special education services at Heather Hill and Western Avenue schools. Large class sizes are making it difficult for staff to meet the needs of these students. Jackie Janicke, director of special education, told the[Read More…]
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