Merit scholars and Illinois State Scholars were among the hundreds of students recognized for their outstanding academic achievements during the Homewood-Flossmoor High School honors program May 18. The 2025 National Merit Program recognized Julian Grisius and Alexander Wettstein as National Merit finalists. They were in line for college scholarships. Douwe[Read More…]
Education
Willow kindergarteners cruise into first grade with annual box car parade
At Willow School, kindergarteners once again turned cardboard into creativity on May 27 during the school’s annual box car parade, a long-running tradition that marks the end of the school year and the students’ transition into first grade. The event, described by staff as a “rite of passage,” is tied[Read More…]
Flossmoor School District 161 Board approves artificial intelligence plan
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education voted unanimously May 26 to approve a districtwide artificial intelligence implementation plan intended to guide the use of AI technology in classrooms and administrative settings beginning in the 2026-27 school year. District officials said Illinois school districts are required to adopt an[Read More…]
Parker history students win state, earn trip to national competition
Parker Junior High students are headed to a national meet after winning first place in the Illinois History Day competition performing an Illinois case that led to employee safety reforms. The team will be at the University of Maryland June 14 through 18 competing in the middle school division for[Read More…]
H-F’s tech director purchases 800 Chromebooks at a savings
Quick action by Steve Richardson, director of information technology at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, enabled District 233 to meet its purchase of 800 Chromebooks for the incoming freshman class and at a reduced cost. The school board approved a $425,200 expenditure for new technology equipment at the board’s May 19 meeting.[Read More…]
District 161 approves one-year transportation contract extension with 10% increase
Amid rising transportation costs, Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education approved a one-year transportation contract addendum on May 26, extending the district’s agreement with Kickert School Bus/First Student for the 2026-27 academic year. According to district documents, the extension includes a 10% increase over current transportation rates and is[Read More…]
Parker students get college tips from DePaul University students
Do you go to class every day? What if you don’t like your roommate? What if you change your mind on a major? Would you prefer writing a 10-page paper or giving a presentation? A group of 28 students from DePaul University’s Scholar Success Program answered these and other questions[Read More…]
Museum’s old things leave big impressions on second graders
By today’s standards, the house is small. But what it holds are the wonders of a century and more. Dave McManus’ Willow School class of 19 second graders took a morning excursion May 18 to the Dorband-Howe House, 2035 183rd St., home of the Homewood Historical Society. Many people drive[Read More…]
District 161 approves reciprocal reporting agreement with Flossmoor police
The Board of Education for Flossmoor School District 161 approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Flossmoor Police Department during its May 11 meeting formalizing how the two agencies will share information related to student safety, criminal activity and emergency response. According to the district’s action report, the agreement updates an[Read More…]
District 161 holds off on extending engineering agreement after contract error
The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education discussed additional construction costs tied to ongoing HVAC work at three district buildings during its May 11 regular session before later returning from executive session and voting to table a proposed 2027 fee agreement with Wold Architects and Engineers until its next[Read More…]


